Hansi: The Girl Who Loved the Swastika

by Maria Anne Hirschmann

"Don't ever forget Jesus!" This tearful admonition of her foster mother followed the teen-aged orphan girl as she began her trip to Prague. Maria ("Hansi") was the envy of all in her little Czechoslovakian village because she had won a scholarship to the Nazi school in the capital and would be able to serve the Fuhrer.Thus Maria began a long journey in 1940 which was to lead her into the darkness of blind devotion to Hitler and the atheism of the Nazi system. The path led to a storybook romance...cruel disillusionment at Hitler's suicide...a traumatic awakening to the swastika's scourge across Europe and upon the Jews...a breathtaking escape from Communists...and a reemergence into the love and lordship of her mother's Jesus.Eventually Maria and her family came to the United States. You will find chuckles vying with tears as you see the New World through the eyes of these immigrants, bewildered by the careless affluence of their adopted land and dazzled by the freedom to serve and teach one's deepest convictions.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, World War II, Autobiography, War, Christianity

Paperback

First published February 1, 1973

About the author

Czechoslovak-German author.

As a child she supported the German invasion of Czechoslovkia. She had to flee to West Germany at the end of the second world war.

Later she immigrated to the USA. Where she published her memoirs of WWII and started a ministry.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very moving memoir written in the 1970's by Marie Anne Hirschmann (nicknamed Hansi at one point in the story) who was a 14 year-old from the Sudentenland when she won a scholarship to a Hitler Youth school in Prague. It is chilling to read of her growing devotion to the Fuhrer, as she and the other students listen in rapt attention to his radio broadcasts:

At that time I heard one of Hitler's many speeches over the radio. We listened to all of them, but that address was something special, given at one of the annual sport festivals for the Hitler youth. How that deep voice could send chills down my back!

'Hitler Youth, you are my youth," he said affectionately at the end. 'I believe in you and I claim you, for you are the Germany of tomorrow, MY Germany of tomorrow.'

Thousands of voices drowned out the rest of his words. Young voices responded the way we all felt. 'Heil! Heil! Seig Heil! Sieg Heil! Heil Hitler!' We could imagine the sea of outstretched arms, the eager faces, the exultant shouts. Tears ran down my cheeks and as we heard the national anthem over the radio we all stood with outstretched arms to join in, but I was too choked up to sing.

Yes, we all belonged to Hitler, even little me. For the first time in my life I felt someone claimed me as his own -- and I WANTED to belong to him. . . And if I had to make the supreme sacrifice someday and lay my life down for him, I would be willing to do so. Hitler's war raged and his youth stood ready to die! Fuhrer, command; we obey. Heil Hitler!

Marie Anne had nominally embraced Christianity out of love for her devout step-mother, only to be gradually convinced otherwise when confronted with Nazi propoganda: "Jesus of Nazareth had been a Jew, and the Jewish people were condemned. Now, why would the Son of the eternal God have to be a Jew if those people were so bad? Didn't it show poor judgment on God's part?"

The book goes into great detail regarding her narrow escape from the nightmarish Soviet "laborer's paradise" into Germany's American zone where she has her first encounter with U.S. soldiers, who, she is surprised to find, aren't urban, gun-totting gangsters who chew gum constanly. Well, they ARE gum-chewers, but that's the only thing Goebbels got right. The friendly kindness with which they treat Maria Anne, her friend, and the little girl whose mother was caught by Soviets as they tried to rush the border will make U.S. readers want to give a cheer (or shed a tear) for the "greatest generation."

But I digress. The second half of the book involves Marie Anne's two odysseys: a spiritual one as she inches her way back to Christianity and a cultural one as she gradually becomes acclimated to her adopted homeland, America.

The writing is a little choppy (not surprising since English was her second language) but her incredible recall of detail -- not only the monumental events that she was part of but also her personal reactions to each of these events -- makes this a very gripping read.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I read this in high school and loved the beginning. It's chilling and amazing to read her testimony.

At times it's rough, even violent (seeing her friend violated)...I loved her journey, though, until the ending, which was added to my modern edition. Her moving in with a woman would have been okay if it had not led people to doubt her calling. Roommate situations are fine under the right circumstances...but in leading people to question her motives and doubt her virtue, I find issue with. For someone ministering in the public eye, it is best to walk a very circumspect path to avoid causing shame to God's name. And the home she left to go to that grieved, me, too. From what she told, I was able to jump to a snap judgment that she made the wrong choice: not because I know her or her circumstances, but because the reason given did not seem Godly. I'm sure I'm not the only one, and wish she'd had a better reason for such a huge step, or that she'd made a much different decision.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

My aunt sent me this book when she cleaned out her bookshelves when moving from Washington to Alaska. I have always enjoyed reading books about Christians who stood up for what they believed in during WWII (fav is The Hiding Place). This book was different because the heroine was a Nazi girl, who met Christ after the war ended. She was an amazing person who went through incredible ordeals and God protected her and saved her for His own.

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ⭐️ .... I wanted more ! Each section of her life could have been its own book. Such an interesting life - I would have loved to meet her. I wish she had shared her thought life more and perspective in depth but it's such an amazing story I have to give it the 4.5 simply for how the Lord took care of her

[Crystal Reno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t judge a book by the cover or the title of the book.
I enjoy reading about the lives of those impacted by the Holocaust and that era of time. This book was enjoyable.
“Biography” of a young teen and her life growing up during the era. Easy read.
Reminder God is #1.

[Jeanette Grant-Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe three and a half stars but a good inspiring read.

[Granit Hysiqi · Rating 2 out of 5]

LOL

[Lucy W.]

DNF at 50%

[Stephanie Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fact is truly more amazing than fiction. Maria Anne shares her story with candor.

As a young person, Maria Anne felt privileged to be part of the Hitler Youth. She believed the lies that Hitler told his people. Even after his death, she still looked for the Reich to reign for the thousand years he promised. Finally, reality hit.

As she left for her assignment with the Hitler Youth, Maria's mother (a strong Christian) reminded her to never forget Jesus. She did ignore Him for a very large portion of her life but finally realized that He had never forgotten her and she gave her heart to Jesus.

Maria came with her family to America. She was greatly disappointed at first because of the surprising filth and waste she observed, but was eventually won over because of the freedom that was possible in America. She became a citizen, attended college and taught in a school where young people were sent who had no hope. God led her to help these young people and many of them graduated.

This brief summary does not give a glimpse into the adventures of each of these events. To do that, you need to read the book. However, just in case you don't, one quote (from a speaking engagement in a prison) gives you insight into the wisdom God gave Maria.

"My young friends, I have long searched for the meaning of democracy and freedom. I thought Americans knew it, but they don't. Americans are the ones who seem to know the least about the value and philosophy of the freedom they possess. Listen, you fellows: freedom makes good people better and bad people worse. Remember that! Some of the rough things happening in America today are the price this land pays for its freedom. As for me, I prefer to pay the price and stay in this land. Those who can't take it should find another land; they might be happy to come back to these United States after a short time in another country."

[Jaclynn (JackieReadsAlot) · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was a whole lot of talk about god, obviously Christians would be most likely to enjoy this. Not being a Christian or having any interest in reading anything evangelical/preachy, I had to skip chunks of the second half of the book. It was too nonsensical. I also found her charismatic leanings difficult in places as she uses "God told me to do this" for virtually everything. The first half of the novel, however, was interesting. Hansi's troubled childhood, her being accepted into the Nazi Youth and training academy, her eventual realization that the Reich and everything it stood for was pure evil.
After doing a bit of googling on Ms. Hirschmann, it seems that she made some remarks comparing Obama to Hitler in 2008....so maybe you can't take all the crazy out of former Nazi Youths?

[Lynelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! At first the title is a little put-offish. Don't want anyone to think I am a hitler lover-Ewwww! This autobiography is a first hand account about a young girl who is deceived and drawn into the nazi youth and all its ideals. This book documents her ordeal as she discovers the truth and Christ's love. With each step you can see God's protection. She experienced some of the greatest hardships and survived some of the greatest threats to life. She turned her back against her childhood belief and faith, yet God remained faithful to her.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is truly amazing. I had the great honor of hearing Maria Hirschmann speak at a conference and her story impacts you to the core. You gain a some insight into the lives of those who were involved with the Hitler Youth Program. My recommendation is to keep an open mind, for this book gives a fresh dose of medicine to the disease of ignorance. This is a fantastic book and I would recommend it a hundred times over again.

[Rhonda Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book several times as a girl and wanted to read it again since it had been years. It was not disappointing. Real and candid. Loved seeing the transformation. Laughed and cried. Glad I bought the book. I'll read it again.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking through a town-wide garage sale in 05/06 I spotted the corner of this book. I'm so happy I picked it up, what a find for a few cents. This book is a beautiful memoir of a girl who goes from innocent devotion to Hitler to finding true love and faith in The Lord. You'll be crying through tears, and cheering her on through the book. What an inspirational book!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book for the second time because I enjoyed reading it so much. It is so intresting to get a gilmpse into the mind of a girl who was basically brainwashed by Nazi ideals. The story is so captivating because it is real. Hirschmann is an amazing woman. My mom was able to see her speak a few decades ago. I cannot wait to meet her in heaven!

[Stacye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and am so sorry it's over. What an insight I got from reading the story of Hansi. I recommend it highly. I study World War II / Holocuast history and learned about a whole other aspect of those years. What a find!

[D.K. Brantley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decided to go through a bookshelf at home and read what I've not read yet. Found this jewel that belonged to my wife's grandmother.

Powerful, honest, memorable.

[Joe D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, absurd propaganda.

[Devan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are parts of this book that just stick with you. There are certain interactions that are just so full of raw emotion that you can't help but love this woman. That being said, it isn't perfect.

Hansi was a girl born a poor orphan in the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. When Hitler invaded he offered a life and future for young Hansi. However, what she didn't realize was the terrible, false ideology she was being sold. A strength of this book is that it really goes into brainwashing and how certain people fall for the lies and believe it more than others and how that ideology is shaken and reinforced.

Eventually, of course, the Reich fell and Hansi found her Prague home occupied by the vicious Soviets. You really get to see how all faith in humanity is shattered in Hansi. She trusted in a lying Fuhrer, only to experience rape, murder, and enslavement under her "liberators." The emotional and spiritual insights are fascinating.

Another thing I also loved is just how different her first interactions with Americans was, versus all the other soldiers she had ever met. They were kind. They gave her food. They cared for her and protected her. Makes me proud, as an American.

The most touching part of the book though, is the story of how her and her husband, two former Nazis, come to experience the truth and grace of Jesus Christ. The part where her and her husband accept Christ actually made me tear up. I don't tear up. It was just so real

Later in the book, they go to America. That is pretty interesting too, but a step down narratively and emotionally from the rest of the book.

I have two main complaints with this book. First, the English is kind of clunky at parts. There are no errors, but it is very obvious that English is not her first language. She would have benefitted from a ghost writer, but there probably wasn't budget for that, so I gladly forgive this.

Second, the end is strange. This edition of the book has an extra note from Hansi explaining her life since the publication of the original. It isn't bad, but she leaves important things out. For example she talks about how fame can split up and damage a family and then says she had become a single mother. It makes me wonder whether she was divorced or if her husband died. Either way, I don't doubt the godliness of this woman, but I feel as though that detail is an important part of the story.

All in all, very good.

[Watermarked Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m fascinated by stories of people who make massive ideological shifts, and how that happens. Hansi read the Bible as a child, but rejected it when she became part of the Hitler Youth. She endured the privations of WWII and then the Russian occupation, escaped a brutal communist work camp, and fled to West Germany and eventually the United States. She and her husband were led to the Lord in the same simple way as most people: by kind Christians who reached out to them and shared truth.

The book doesn’t really get into Nazi ideology or what changed the author’s mind. Hitler Youth were told that Hitler was the savior who would usher in a 1,000 year Reich of prosperity for Germany. They weren’t told about concentration camps and Nazi atrocities. She said in the afterward that she didn’t believe the Holocaust had really happened until she met Corrie ten Boom decades after WWII ended. She simply couldn’t believe any German could be that cruel. It seems that she changed her mind initially mostly because she was was crushed that Hitler’s promises hadn’t come true.

A large part of the book deals with Hansi and her family’s struggle to survive as refugees in Europe and the US. It certainly drove home to me (again) that those of us who have been blessed with security and resources have a responsibility to help those who haven’t been. I don’t think I can fathom how hard it would be to start a new life from literally nothing. I have so much respect for refugees.

[Linda Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first part of the book. The book did not have enough about Marias life in the Nazi youth. I would have liked more about her experience before she came to America. Also I found it annoying that she was the one pushing to come to America and then seemed to do nothing but complain. Rudy was the person with the best attitude. She should have given him more credit because he did everything to make her happy even putting his own schooling and advancement on the back burner so she could pursue her desires. I was debating between three stars and four stars for these reasons but went with four because it was a good story in general.

[Wanda]

In 2020, interesting and worrying to read about the strength of propaganda and how it kept this woman, in the Hitler Youth, in ignorance of the truth. I learned about Czechoslovakia after the Allies won, the white bands the former Nazis were required to wear to get their turn to be discriminated against, forced in labor camps, and raped. What a relief for the author to make it to an American barracks in West Germany where she was shocked to find 'good men' treating her kindly and not raping. The last 1/3 is very religious.

[Heather Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of the book was really engaging, but it definitely got slow as I went on. Overall, the book was ruined by the last chapter and the “update” on her life and “ministry”. I won’t be keeping it.


SPOILER **** It essentially seems that she abandoned her husband and for the most part her family to pursue a ministry opportunity with another woman. When she writes about being confronted and questioned about her relationship with this woman, her response felt evasive. It was such a disappointing end to what would have otherwise been a good book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an up-close look at the life and emotional experience of a young girl during Hitler's rise to power, during World War II, during the Russian occupation, and through the moment when she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior and closest Friend. I appreciated the author's treatment of her experiences during and after the war. She was clear on what occurred, but she did not go into gory detail. I was again reminded that God never abandons His people, even in the deepest suffering and torment.

[Hannah Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! What a powerful reminder of how God works despite all circumstances. And how we are so controlled by our environment. This story is emotional but since there are so many significant events, it passes through them quickly and almost matter-of-factly. Her faith in God and especially his faithfulness to her are so inspiring. I'm not sure the great love & idealism for the USA (in contrast to the struggle of living in communist Germany/Europe) exists in the same way today.

[Keren Lilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's gripping and enlightening to read an autobiography that conveys how the Hitler Youth could evoke passionate devotion from an intelligent and independent teenager. I really felt with Marie Anne in her ultimate disillusionment and subsequent years of constantly eluding death. Recommend to anyone who's ever been bewildered by the rise & fervour of Nazism, and to anyone who loves a good true story of an unstoppable woman!

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl becomes Hitler youth, walks away from the Christian faith of her adopted mother, is treated horribly after the war (don't recommend for kids), escapes, finds Jesus and her love story along the way. I don't think I've read about ww2 and the aftermath from this angle.

The first half was riveting, the second half slowed down, but was interesting enough. I enjoyed her writing style and perspective on things.

[Karina Heng · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially wanted the Spire comics version which I had read as a child but it was ridiculously priced. So I bought this book instead for my mum and she loved it. So I went ahead to buy as many books by this author as I could find. She has experienced the powerful transformation of Christ in her life at so many stages in her journey.

[Nwad]

Discovered as a child in the tiny library collection at the evangelical free church my parents attended. From what I remember, a graphic novel for kids about a girl growing up in Germany as Hitler came into power who was brainwashed to believe the disturbing hype about the superiority of the aryan race. How she discovers the truth and comes to love Jesus.

[Carol Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book was better than the last half. I enjoyed reading about Hansi's Nazi interactions and ultimate escape. It was fascinating to learn how easily the Nazi philosophy attracted so many young people to become followers. But once she reached the USA, the story became less interesting.