Barbara Schmitter Heisler Livres

The book explores the unique experiences of German prisoners of war who voluntarily immigrated to the United States after their captivity. Utilizing archival research and interviews with 35 former POWs, it delves into the transformative journey from being captives to becoming American citizens. Despite varied backgrounds and arrival times between 1943 and 1945, their shared experiences as prisoners shaped their identities and provided them with the means to embrace a new life in America, which they viewed as a place of opportunity and prosperity.

The book explores the impact of Airbnb and short-term rentals on housing markets and community dynamics, tracing their rise to the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Through a comprehensive analysis of various case studies from cities in the US, Australia, and Germany, the authors examine the complex interplay between economic conditions and the proliferation of short-term rental platforms, providing insights into their implications for local housing and community structures.

At the center of this book are the World War II letters (Feldpostbriefe) of a German artist and art teacher to his wife. While these letters address many of the topics usually found in war letters, they are unusual in two respects. Each letter is lovingly decorated with a drawing and the letters make few references to the war itself.