{"product_id":"above-the-pigsty-memoir-of-a-dutch-onderduiker-wwii","title":"Above the Pigsty - Memoir of a Dutch Onderduiker (WWII )","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Above the Pigsty the reviewer finds a quietly compelling memoir for readers who want a personal window into daily life during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The book follows Peter, a 21-year-old who chooses hiding over forced labour in 1943 and later faces the question of emigration after liberation; the single biggest reason to read it is its close, humane portrait of an onderduiker shaped by family ties and faith, which brings historical events down to the level of everyday survival and moral choices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePersonal narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e A first-hand account that gives specific, human detail about the routines and relationships of someone living in hiding during 1940 to 1945.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical window:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides a grounded look at occupation-era daily life and the immediate post-liberation year rather than sweeping military or political overviews.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharacter focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Emphasizes Peter's strong family ties and deep personal faith, which shaped his choices and offers readers moral context for his decisions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife choices explored:\u003c\/strong\u003e Covers both wartime decisions to go into hiding and the later postwar choice to remain or emigrate, giving a longer arc of consequence for readers interested in life after conflict.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible length:\u003c\/strong\u003e A focused memoir that suits readers who prefer intimate biographies and memoirs over broader, academic histories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove the Pigsty is best for readers of \u003cstrong\u003eWorld War II memoirs\u003c\/strong\u003e, biographies of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, and anyone interested in the social history of the Netherlands under occupation. It suits readers who prefer close, character-driven storytelling and personal reflection rather than sweeping military detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is less suitable for readers looking for comprehensive military analysis, tactical histories, or deeply sourced academic studies; those wanting broad geopolitical context should supplement this memoir with larger histories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe intimate first-person perspective makes daily life under occupation immediate and relatable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFocus on family and faith gives moral depth and helps explain Peter's decisions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe post-liberation material extends the narrative beyond wartime drama to long-term consequences.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot a comprehensive military or political history, so context is limited to Peter's experience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbove the Pigsty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubjects\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWorld War II memoirs, Biographies \u0026amp; Memoirs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLife of an onderduiker in the Netherlands (1940-1945 and post-liberation)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFamily ties, personal faith, choices under occupation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTime period covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1940 to 1945 and the first year after liberation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerspective\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst-hand account of Peter, a Dutch citizen who hid from forced labour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove the Pigsty is a worthwhile read for those who value personal testimony over broad analysis; its strength lies in the intimate, humane portrait of an underduiker whose family loyalty and faith inform every choice. For readers seeking a compact, character-driven World War II memoir it represents good value as a readable, emotionally grounded account.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Above the Pigsty a firsthand account?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The book relates the lived experience of Peter, a Dutch citizen who went into hiding during the occupation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat period does the memoir cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt covers daily life while hiding from 1940 to 1945 and continues into the first year after liberation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill I learn military history from this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe memoir offers social and personal history rather than detailed military or political analysis; supplementing it with broader histories is recommended for that context.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peter Van Essen, Dela Wilkins, Miranda Van Essen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48145186193627,"sku":"146026777X","price":46.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71aPATpCCmL._SL1360.jpg?v=1768840924","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/above-the-pigsty-memoir-of-a-dutch-onderduiker-wwii","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}