The first Half-of my Life (Die erste Hälfte meines Lebens)

In an era in which democracy is being challenged and threatened worldwide, Ludwig Biró’s memoir stands as a strikingly relevant and timely testament. Originally published in 1998, it now appears in a revised new addition, reminding readers of how quickly society can change in times of political upheaval, reaffirming its resonance in our own precarious times.

In his autobiography, lawyer Ludwig Biró (1898–1972) recounts the stagnation of Jewish life in Graz, his experience on the Isonzo Front during World War I, and the gradual darkening of the political landscape leading up to the Anschluss.

Focusing on the events surrounding the Nazis‘ seizure of power in Austria, he offers a unique observation with the trained eye of a legal mind and the personal insight of a witness. Unvarnished and free from dominant postwar narratives, Biró offers a vivid portrayal of victims and perpetrators, Jews and so-called »Aryans«, loyal friends and power-intoxicated Nazis alike.

The richness of material, anecdotes and his professional expertise combined with his remarkably engaging narrative style, render Briós memoirs an essential and compelling historical document.