When Time Stopped : A Memoir of My Father's War and What Remains

In this remarkably moving memoir, Ariana Neumann dives into the secrets of her father’s past: years spent hiding in plain sight in wartorn Berlin, the annihilation of dozens of family members in the Holocaust, and the courageous choice to build anew. ‘The darkest shadow is beneath the candle.’ As a child in Venezuela, Ariana Neumann is fascinated by the enigma of her father, who appears to be the epitome of success and strength, but who wakes at night screaming in a language she doesn’t recognise. Then, one day, she finds an old identity document bearing his picture – but someone else’s name. From a box of papers her father leaves for her when he dies, Ariana meticulously uncovers the extraordinary truth of his escape from Nazi-occupied Prague. She follows him across Europe and reveals his astonishing choice to assume a fake identity and live out the war undercover, spying for the Allies in Berlin – deep in the ‘darkest shadow’. Having known nothing of her father’s past, not even that he was Jewish, Ariana’s detective work also leads to the shocking discovery that a total of twenty-five members of the Neumann family were murdered by the Nazis. Spanning nearly ninety years and crossing oceans, When Time Stopped is a powerful and beautifully wrought memoir in which Ariana comes to know the family that has been lost – and, ultimately, her own beloved father. In this astonishing story that "reads like a thriller and is so, so timely" ( BuzzFeed ) Ariana Neumann dives into the secrets of her father's past: "Like Anne Frank's diary, it offers a story that needs to be told and heard" ( Booklist , starred review). In 1941, the first Neumann family member was taken by the Nazis, arrested in German-occupied Czechoslovakia for bathing in a stretch of river forbidden to Jews. He was transported to Auschwitz. Eighteen days later his prisoner number was entered into the morgue book. Of thirty-four Neumann family members, twenty-five were murdered by the Nazis. One of the survivors was Hans Neumann, who, to escape the German death net, traveled to Berlin and hid in plain sight under the Gestapo's eyes. What Hans experienced was so unspeakable that, when he built an industrial empire in Venezuela, he couldn't bring himself to talk about it. All his daughter Ariana knew was that something terrible had happened. When Hans died, he left Ariana a small box filled with letters, diary entries, and other memorabilia. Ten years later Ariana finally summoned the courage to have the letters translated, and she began reading. What she discovered launched her on a worldwide search that would deliver indelible portraits of a family loving, finding meaning, and trying to survive amid the worst that can be imagined. A "beautifully told story of personal discovery" (John le Carré), When Time Stopped is an unputdownable detective story and an epic family memoir, spanning nearly ninety years and crossing oceans. Neumann brings each relative to vivid life, and this "gripping, expertly researched narrative will inspire those looking to uncover their own family histories" ( Publishers Weekly ). In This Remarkably Moving Memoir Ariana Neumann Dives Into The Secrets Of Her Father’s Past: Years Spent Hiding In Plain Sight In War-torn Berlin, The Annihilation Of Dozens Of Family Members In The Holocaust, And The Courageous Choice To Build Anew. In 1941, The First Neumann Family Member Was Taken By The Nazis, Arrested In German-occupied Czechoslovakia For Bathing In A Stretch Of River Forbidden To Jews. He Was Transported To Auschwitz. Eighteen Days Later His Prisoner Number Was Entered Into The Morgue Book. Of Thirty-four Neumann Family Members, Twenty-five Were Murdered By The Nazis. One Of The Survivors Was Hans Neumann, Who, To Escape The German Death Net, Traveled To Berlin And Hid In Plain Sight Under The Gestapo’s Eyes. What Hans Experienced Was So Unspeakable That, When He Built An Industrial Empire In Venezuela, He Couldn’t Bring Himself To Talk About It. All His Daughter Ariana Knew Was That Something Terrible Had Happened. When Hans Died, He Left Ariana A Small Box Filled With Letters, Diary Entries, And Other Memorabilia. Ten Years Later Ariana Finally Summoned The Courage To Have The Letters Translated, And She Began Reading. What She Discovered Launched Her On A Worldwide Search That Would Deliver Indelible Portraits Of A Family Loving, Finding Meaning, And Trying To Survive Amid The Worst That Can Be Imagined. When Time Stopped Is An Unputdownable Detective Story And An Epic Family Memoir, Spanning Nearly Ninety Years And Crossing Oceans. Neumann Brings Each Relative To Vivid Life. In Uncovering Her Father’s Story After All These Years, She Discovers Nuance And Depth To Her Own History And Liberates Poignant And Thought-provoking Truths About The Threads Of Humanity That Connect Us All. "In 1941, the first Neumann family member was taken by the Nazis, arrested in German-occupied Czechoslovakia for bathing in a stretch of river forbidden to Jews. He was transported to Auschwitz. Eighteen days later his prisoner number was entered into the morgue book. Of thirty-four Neumann family members, twenty-five were murdered by the Nazis. One of the survivors was Hans Neumann, who, to escape the German death net, traveled to Berlin and hid in plain sight under the Gestapo's eyes. What Hans experienced was so unspeakable that, when he built an industrial empire in Venezuela, he couldn't bring himself to talk about it. All his daughter Ariana knew was that something terrible had happened. When Hans died, he left Ariana a small box filled with letters, diary entries, and other memorabilia. Ten years later, Ariana finally summoned the courage to have the letters translated, and she began reading. What she discovered launched her on a worldwide search that would deliver indelible portraits of a family loving, finding meaning, and trying to survive amid the worst that can be imagined. When Time Stopped is a powerful detective story and an epic family memoir, spanning nearly ninety years and crossing oceans. Neumann brings each relative to vivid life. In uncovering her father's story after all these years, she discovers nuance and depth to her own history and liberates poignant and thought-provoking truths about the threads of humanity that connect us all."-- Provided by publisher KRAUS FAMILY AWARD WINNER FOR BEST AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND MEMOIR AT THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARDSWINNER OF THE DAYTON LITERARY PEACE PRIZE‘Beautifully told'– John le Carré ‘More than just history'– Michael PalinIn this remarkably moving memoir, Ariana Neumann dives into the secrets of her father's past: years spent hiding in plain sight in wartorn Berlin, the annihilation of dozens of family members in the Holocaust, and the courageous choice to build anew. When her father dies and leaves her a box of clues, Ariana Neumann uncovers a heritage she knew nothing about. Exploring the joys and sorrows of the Neumann family, she learns through her tireless investigations why her father, a successful entrepreneur in Venezuela, never spoke about his past. How as a young man from Prague he boldly deceived the Gestapo by doing the unimaginable. Spanning nearly ninety years, this is an unforgettable memoir about resilience, hope and love in the midst of tragedy. A tribute to the lost, and a celebration of all that connects us, and of the courage it takes to keep going. Because the darkest shadow always lies beneath the candle. Ariana Neumann dives into the secrets of her father's past: years spent hiding in plain sight in wartorn Berlin, the annihilation of dozens of family members in the Holocaust, and the courageous choice to build anew. Spanning nearly ninety years and crossing oceans, this book is a powerful memoir in which Ariana comes to know the family that has been lost - and, ultimately, her own father