German Autumn

In the aftermath of World War II, Germany lay in ruins - its cities bombed, its people starving, its identity fractured. In German Autumn, Swedish journalist Stig Dagerman delivers a raw and unfiltered account of life in occupied Germany during the fall of 1946. Through a series of deeply personal and vividly detailed reports, Dagerman goes beyond political narratives, capturing the human cost of war with compassion and insight. He walks through decimated cities, speaks with civilians, former soldiers, and refugees, and exposes the moral and physical struggles of a defeated nation. Neither excusing nor condemning, he presents an honest, haunting portrait of a society grappling with guilt, survival, and the slow process of rebuilding. First published in 1947, German Autumn remains one of the most powerful works of war reportage - an urgent and poetic reflection on the consequences of destruction, the resilience of humanity, and the role of a writer in times of crisis. A gripping and essential historical document—perfect for readers of war journalism, postwar history, and political literature.