Breaking the Silence

Merilyn Moos is an independent scholar based in London.

• Preface/ Acknowledgements/Introduction/ Part I Setting the Scene/ 1.The historical background of the countries of origin of the refugee parents/ 2. The 1930s and the first generation/ 3. Methodological issues/ Part II Testimonials/ Interview with Henry/ Interview with John/ Interview with author by TW/ Interview with Mike/ Interview with Robert/ Interview with Peter/ Interview with Sarah/ Interview with Tania/ Interview with Tom/ Part III Reflections on the voices of the British Second Generation/ Conclusion: Breaking the Silence?/ Appendix 1/ Bibliography/ Index

This is a well structured and well written study of the extent to which people from the second generation of German refugees in Britain have been affected by their parents' frequently silent suffering. The 'children', now in middle age or beyond, have frequently kept silent about it too, in some cases until interviewed by the writer for this particular book. Moos investigates the legacy of suffering, which is also her own, with great sensitivity and feeling.