1947 When Now Begins
7.86 / 10 2.6K ratings
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2017
- Publisher
- Scribe
- Pages
- 279
- ISBN
- 9781911344537
Elisabeth Åsbrink's "1947 When Now Begins" chronicles a single, pivotal year that laid the groundwork for the modern world. The book explores a global landscape still reeling from World War II, where the seeds of new conflicts and societal shifts were being sown. It delves into events such as the early stages of the Cold War, the establishment of the CIA, and the complex developments leading to the creation of Israel, alongside cultural shifts like Christian Dior's "New Look" and George Orwell's work on "1984."
Åsbrink interweaves these significant global occurrences with personal narratives, including the story of her own Hungarian-Jewish father as a ten-year-old refugee facing life-altering decisions in a displaced persons camp. The narrative moves through various locations, from Europe and the Middle East to South Asia and the United States, creating a sense of history unfolding in real time. This approach reveals the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate events and underscores how the choices and circumstances of 1947 continue to shape contemporary realities.
Åsbrink interweaves these significant global occurrences with personal narratives, including the story of her own Hungarian-Jewish father as a ten-year-old refugee facing life-altering decisions in a displaced persons camp. The narrative moves through various locations, from Europe and the Middle East to South Asia and the United States, creating a sense of history unfolding in real time. This approach reveals the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate events and underscores how the choices and circumstances of 1947 continue to shape contemporary realities.
Subjects
Original edition
1947 When Now BeginsOriginally published in 2017 English Scribe
Other editions (5)
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
The air of 1947 hums with a strange, unsettling energy, a year not just after a war, but on the precipice of a new, uncertain age. Europe lies in tatters, a landscape of rubble and ghosts, yet beneath the debris, new forces are stirring, shaping a future no one can yet fully comprehend. Peace with Germany, rather than a balm, becomes a strategic maneuver, hardening the lines for the ideological battle that will soon define the globe: the Cold War.
Across the ravaged continent, countless souls drift, dispossessed and displaced. Among them is a ten-year-old Hungarian-Jewish boy, György, now called Joszef, residing in a refugee camp in Ansbach, Germany. His parents, like so many others, were murdered by the Nazis, leaving him to face a decision that will ripple through generations. He must choose between the promise of a new, Zionist life in Palestine or a return to Budapest, the city of his fractured past. This boy's choice, a quiet, profound act amidst the clamor of a changing world, will ultimately determine his fate and that of a daughter yet to be born.
As these individual lives unfold, the larger currents of history surge forward. The Central Intelligence Agency is birthed, a clandestine arm reaching into the shadows of emerging global power struggles. The idea of Israel begins to crystallize, a homeland for a people who have endured the unimaginable, yet its very creation is already a source of immense tension and conflict. In the courtrooms of Nuremberg, the word "genocide" takes on a chilling, legal weight, its architect, Raphael Lemkin, dedicating his life to ensuring such horrors are never repeated, even as the seeds of new hatreds are sown and old Nazis find pathways to escape justice.
Away from the grand political theaters, life pulses with its own vibrant, sometimes contradictory, rhythms. Christian Dior unveils his "New Look," a lavish, hyper-feminine silhouette that sweeps through fashion, simultaneously celebrating a return to elegance and, perhaps, subtly nudging women back into traditional roles after their wartime contributions. Simone de Beauvoir, on American soil, experiences a love that will profoundly shape her understanding of existence, even as she begins to conceive the radical ideas that will become "The Second Sex". On a remote Scottish island, a gravely ill George Orwell pours his last ounces of strength into a dystopian vision, meticulously crafting the chilling world of "1984".
From the clatter of Mikhail Kalashnikov's workshop, a deadly new invention, the AK-47, begins mass production, destined to arm conflicts for decades to come. Meanwhile, in the nascent world of computing, Grace Hopper discovers an actual moth lodged in a mainframe, giving birth to the term "computer bug". The world is being rewired, technologically, politically, culturally. The British Empire, once vast and unyielding, begins its retreat, leaving behind a fractured India and an increasingly volatile Palestine.
The year 1947 is a crucible, forging the contours of the modern world. The decisions made, the ideologies solidified, the technologies invented, and the personal journeys undertaken in this singular year lay the foundation for everything that would follow. It is a time when the echoes of unspeakable pasts mingle with the faint, often terrifying, whispers of futures yet to unfold, a moment where "now" truly begins, shaping the very fabric of existence for generations to come.
Across the ravaged continent, countless souls drift, dispossessed and displaced. Among them is a ten-year-old Hungarian-Jewish boy, György, now called Joszef, residing in a refugee camp in Ansbach, Germany. His parents, like so many others, were murdered by the Nazis, leaving him to face a decision that will ripple through generations. He must choose between the promise of a new, Zionist life in Palestine or a return to Budapest, the city of his fractured past. This boy's choice, a quiet, profound act amidst the clamor of a changing world, will ultimately determine his fate and that of a daughter yet to be born.
As these individual lives unfold, the larger currents of history surge forward. The Central Intelligence Agency is birthed, a clandestine arm reaching into the shadows of emerging global power struggles. The idea of Israel begins to crystallize, a homeland for a people who have endured the unimaginable, yet its very creation is already a source of immense tension and conflict. In the courtrooms of Nuremberg, the word "genocide" takes on a chilling, legal weight, its architect, Raphael Lemkin, dedicating his life to ensuring such horrors are never repeated, even as the seeds of new hatreds are sown and old Nazis find pathways to escape justice.
Away from the grand political theaters, life pulses with its own vibrant, sometimes contradictory, rhythms. Christian Dior unveils his "New Look," a lavish, hyper-feminine silhouette that sweeps through fashion, simultaneously celebrating a return to elegance and, perhaps, subtly nudging women back into traditional roles after their wartime contributions. Simone de Beauvoir, on American soil, experiences a love that will profoundly shape her understanding of existence, even as she begins to conceive the radical ideas that will become "The Second Sex". On a remote Scottish island, a gravely ill George Orwell pours his last ounces of strength into a dystopian vision, meticulously crafting the chilling world of "1984".
From the clatter of Mikhail Kalashnikov's workshop, a deadly new invention, the AK-47, begins mass production, destined to arm conflicts for decades to come. Meanwhile, in the nascent world of computing, Grace Hopper discovers an actual moth lodged in a mainframe, giving birth to the term "computer bug". The world is being rewired, technologically, politically, culturally. The British Empire, once vast and unyielding, begins its retreat, leaving behind a fractured India and an increasingly volatile Palestine.
The year 1947 is a crucible, forging the contours of the modern world. The decisions made, the ideologies solidified, the technologies invented, and the personal journeys undertaken in this singular year lay the foundation for everything that would follow. It is a time when the echoes of unspeakable pasts mingle with the faint, often terrifying, whispers of futures yet to unfold, a moment where "now" truly begins, shaping the very fabric of existence for generations to come.
What other readers say
Liked
The book is widely praised for its unique and engaging approach to history, often described as a blend of creative non-fiction and poetic writing that makes the past feel immediate and alive. Readers appreciated its lyrical style, which presents historical events and figures in a compelling, novel-like manner, making it an immersive experience. Many found the book incredibly informative and eye-opening, revealing 1947 as a pivotal year that laid the groundwork for numerous global issues and cultural trends still relevant today, from the Cold War's inception to the origins of conflicts in the Middle East and India. The diverse cast of characters, including both well-known figures and less familiar individuals, alongside personal anecdotes, contributes to a rich and varied narrative. Its European perspective was also a refreshing change for some readers, offering a broader view of post-World War II recovery and political reconfigurations.
Disliked
While generally well-received, some readers found the book's structure and focus to be a point of contention. Criticisms include its sometimes sprawling or fragmented narrative, which occasionally deviates from the titular year by delving into events of the early 1950s or including lengthy personal stories that some felt were intrusive or lacked direct relevance to the main historical analysis. Specific sections, such as the detailed account of a particular romantic relationship or aspects of fashion history, were considered by some to be too extensive or tangential compared to the weighty geopolitical themes. A few reviewers also noted a perceived Eurocentric bias, with limited coverage of Africa and parts of Asia, and questioned the book's objectivity, suggesting it presents a subjective selection of events rather than a strictly academic historical account. For some, the author's poetic style could feel overly dramatic or clumsy.
In short
Despite these varied criticisms, the overall consensus is that the book offers a profoundly thought-provoking and often moving exploration of a crucial historical moment. It is highly recommended for readers interested in understanding the complex aftermath of World War II and how the decisions and events of 1947 continue to shape our contemporary world. Those who appreciate a literary, non-traditional approach to history, enjoy a mosaic of interconnected stories, and are open to a more personal and reflective narrative will likely find this book absorbing and impactful. However, readers seeking a purely objective, linear, and deeply analytical academic history might find its style and scope less suited to their preferences.
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