Assignment to Berlin

Assignment to Berlin is a firsthand account written by CBS radio correspondent Harry W. Flannery during his time reporting from Nazi Germany in 1940-41. Flannery took over the Berlin post from William L. Shirer and documented daily life, propaganda efforts, and the mounting tensions he witnessed. The book provides insights into the operations of American journalists working under strict Nazi censorship and surveillance during this critical period. Through his role as a broadcaster and observer, Flannery captured the atmosphere in Berlin as Germany expanded its control across Europe. Through detailed observations and personal experiences, Flannery presents the reality of living in wartime Berlin - from air raids and food rationing to the treatment of Jews and control of information. His position gave him access to both German officials and ordinary citizens, allowing him to document multiple perspectives from within the Third Reich. The narrative serves as both historical documentation and a warning about the dangers of totalitarian control and the suppression of truth. Flannery's account emphasizes the crucial role of foreign correspondents in bearing witness and maintaining channels of accurate information during times of conflict.

There appear to be very few public reader reviews or ratings for this 1942 book about wartime Berlin. The limited reviews highlight Flannery's firsthand observations as a CBS radio correspondent in Nazi Germany before the U.S. entered WWII. Readers note the book's value as a primary source that captures day-to-day life and propaganda in Berlin during this period. Several mention the author's detailed descriptions of air raids, rationing, and civilian morale. The main criticism is that some passages feel repetitive and the writing style can be dry at points. Available Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings Amazon: No ratings Open Library: No ratings The book's scarcity and age make it difficult to compile a comprehensive view of reader reception. Most mentions appear in academic works citing it as a historical source rather than reader reviews evaluating it as a reading experience.

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📚 Harry W. Flannery took over from William L. Shirer as CBS's Berlin radio correspondent in 1940, arriving just months after Nazi Germany invaded France. 🎙️ The book was published in 1942 while World War II was still ongoing, providing American readers with rare firsthand accounts of life inside Nazi Germany during wartime. 🗞️ Flannery had to submit all his broadcasts to Nazi censors before they could be transmitted to America, forcing him to develop subtle ways to convey the truth about conditions in Germany. ✈️ The author witnessed and reported on numerous Allied bombing raids over Berlin, describing both the physical destruction and the impact on German civilian morale. 🚪 Flannery left Germany in December 1941 following America's entry into World War II, departing just before Nazi authorities would have interned him as an enemy alien.