What does it mean to stand against tyranny across generations?

In 1959, sixteen-year-old Steven Mayer performed in The Diary of Anne Frank, wearing his father's coat from their 1939 escape from Nazi Germany. In the audience was his father, whose silent scream revealed depths of trauma that would take young Steven decades to understand.

Through intimate family memories, long-hidden documents, and his father's own words, Mayer traces a journey that begins with his father's childhood in Köln, the life-killing force of fascism, the life-sustaining force of family history, the agony of deciding to stay or leave, his service in the US Army with the Ritchie Boys, and postwar life in pursuit of justice and a life lost.

Post-war, My Father Against the Nazis is more than a Holocaust memoir. It's the story of Paul Mayer's lifelong battle in pursuit of justice, the intergenerational transmission of trauma, and a son's quest to understand his difficult father within the vast currents of 20th-century history.

Blending history, memoir, reflection, and a light foray into prophecy, My Father Against the Nazis is a powerful reminder that the fight against fascism and hate is never over. Using an innovative structure inspired by John Dos Passos, Mayer weaves personal narrative with historical context to explore questions that resonate powerfully today: How do we recognize the warning signs of authoritarianism? Does one flee, hunker down, or fight back? And what can we usefully learn from history?


“This beautifully written memoir, with its intimate storytelling and insightful historical reflection, is an urgent call for vigilance, compassion, and the courage to confront history head-on.”
—Rabbi Andrue Kahn, Executive Director, The American Council for Judaism

“This book is a powerful reminder that fascism and hate are constant threats to every generation's humanity and peace.”
—Henry A. J. Ramos, Author, Democracy & The Next American Economy

“A true tale of a family experiencing Nazi hatred and aggression told with expertise and compassion that serves as a reminder of how we can raise ourselves up in the face of tragedy.”
—Marion Angelica, Artist

“Couldn't put it down.”
—Ken Neil, Classmate

“What a tremendous piece of creativity and craftmanship. You are an inspiring, crystal-clear writer. Really impressed. Continued courage to you.”
—Peter Faber, Film and Stage Actor