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Siegfried Bock, Lisbeth Lowenstein, Mordegai Guruseb, and Albert Pitzer's lives intersect in German South West Africa in 1905, where their humanity is put to the test amid the German killing of Hereros.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 18 September 2018
Publisher: Kwela Books

German South West Africa, 1905: The Sickly Siegfried Bock Arrives in the Colony to Prove His Mettle
Siegfried Bock, a young man from Germany, arrives in the colony of German South West Africa in 1905 with high hopes of proving his worth. However, his journey quickly turns into a disillusioning experience. Along the way, he crosses paths with several individuals who will shape his destiny, including Lisbeth Lowenstein, a poor Jewess who is forced to marry a German settler she barely knows, Mordegai Guruseb, a Damara man who escaped from a concentration camp, and Albert Pitzer, a pseudoscientist.

The backdrop of the German killing of Hereros adds a layer of complexity to their stories. Siegfried, Lisbeth, Mordegai, and Albert are all affected by the atrocities committed by the German colonizers, and their humanity is put to the test.

Siegfried's journey begins with his arrival in the colony. He is greeted by the harsh reality of the harsh conditions and the harsh treatment of the native population by the German settlers. He is assigned to work on a farm, where he is subjected to long hours of backbreaking labor and poor living conditions. Despite his initial optimism, Siegfried soon realizes that the colony is not the paradise he had imagined.

One of the individuals who crosses Siegfried's path is Lisbeth Lowenstein. Lisbeth is a poor Jewess who has been forced to marry a German settler named Hans. Hans is a cruel and abusive man who treats Lisbeth with contempt and violence. Lisbeth is desperate to escape her marriage, but she knows that it is impossible to do so without the help of someone else.

Siegfried meets Lisbeth when he is assigned to work on her farm. He is immediately drawn to her beauty and her resilience in the face of adversity. He offers to help her escape her marriage, but Lisbeth is hesitant. She knows that it will be dangerous for both of them, and she is not sure if she can trust Siegfried.

Despite Lisbeth's hesitation, Siegfried persists in his efforts to help her. He helps her to gather the necessary supplies and to plan her escape. He also provides her with emotional support, which she desperately needs.

However, their plan is soon discovered by Hans. He confronts Siegfried and threatens to kill him if he does not leave Lisbeth alone. Siegfried is terrified, but he refuses to back down. He knows that he has to help Lisbeth, no matter what the cost.

In the end, Siegfried and Lisbeth manage to escape the colony. They travel to a nearby town, where they are able to find work and start a new life. However, their journey is not without its challenges. They face discrimination and prejudice from the local community, and they struggle to make ends meet.

Despite these challenges, Siegfried and Lisbeth remain committed to each other. They work hard to build a better life for themselves and for their children. They also become involved in the fight for justice for the Hereros, who have been subjected to years of oppression and violence.

Mordegai Guruseb is another individual who crosses Siegfried's path. Mordegai is a Damara man who has escaped from a concentration camp. He is a skilled hunter and a talented musician. He has been living in the colony for several years, but he is still haunted by the memories of his time in the camp.

Mordegai meets Siegfried when he is working on a farm. He is impressed by Siegfried's skills and his determination to help others. He offers to teach Siegfried how to hunt and how to play the guitar.

Siegfried is grateful for Mordegai's help, and he quickly becomes a skilled hunter and musician. He uses his skills to help the local community and to raise awareness about the plight of the Hereros.

However, Mordegai's past catches up with him. He is arrested by the German authorities and charged with treason. He is sentenced to death, and he is executed by firing squad.

Albert Pitzer is the final individual who crosses Siegfried's path. Albert is a pseudoscientist who has been hired by the German colonizers to study the native population. He is a charismatic and intelligent man who has a passion for science.

Albert meets Siegfried when he is working on a farm. He is impressed by Siegfried's skills and his determination to help others. He offers to teach Siegfried about science and to help him develop his own research.

Siegfried is grateful for Albert's help, and he quickly becomes a skilled scientist. He uses his skills to help the local community and to raise awareness about the plight of the Hereros.

However, Albert's research is not without its consequences. He discovers that the German colonizers are using their scientific research to justify their oppression of the native population. He publishes his findings in a scientific journal, and he is arrested by the German authorities.

Albert is sentenced to death, and he is executed by firing squad.

In the end, the fates of Siegfried, Lisbeth, Mordegai, and Albert are intertwined. Their humanity is severely tested by the atrocities committed by the German colonizers, and they all struggle to find a way to survive and to make a difference in the world.

Despite the challenges that they face, Siegfried, Lisbeth, Mordegai, and Albert remain committed to each other and to the fight for justice. They work hard to build a better life for themselves and for their children, and they use their skills and their knowledge to help others.

In conclusion, German South West Africa, 1905 is a story of disillusionment and humanity. Siegfried Bock arrives in the colony with high hopes of proving his worth, but he soon becomes disillusioned by the harsh conditions and the harsh treatment of the native population by the German settlers. Along the way, he crosses paths with several individuals who will shape his destiny, including Lisbeth Lowenstein, Mordegai Guruseb, and Albert Pitzer. The backdrop of the German killing of Hereros adds a layer of complexity to their stories, and their humanity is put to the test. Despite the challenges that they face, Siegfried, Lisbeth, Mordegai, and Albert remain committed to each other and to the fight for justice. They work hard to build a better life for themselves and for their children, and they use their skills and their knowledge to help others.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780795708794