Book of the month 2004

© Beltz

Since her death on the 8th of May 1976 Ulrike Meinhof has been one of the most controversial personalities in Germany. For some she is a "terrorist and state enemy no. 1", for others she has become an icon in the fight "for justice". Nowadays the name "Ulrike Meinhof" is exclusively and directly connected to the Rote Armee Fraktion-movement (RAF) and is equally used for left and right political slogans. It is often forgotten that Ulrike Meinhof chose to partake in terrorist activities only for a few years of her life and that behind the name "Ulrike Meinhof" lies a very complex life and personality. In his newly published biography Lieber wütend als traurig. Die Lebensgeschichte der Ulrike Marie Meinhof Alois Prinz examines all these hidden sides and aspects of Ulrike Meinhof's life.

Starting from her birth in 1934 he describes her childhood, her upbringing, her education and her career as a journalist. He further focuses on her encounter with Andreas Baader and Gudrun Ensslin, her step into the political underground and the fight of the RAF and finally her death in prison. Her life in the underground is not only a crucial turning point in Ulrike's life but Prinz, too, makes it one of the focal points of his book. He wonders, why did this woman, who had achieved almost everything that others could only dream of , in her early thirties - she is a well known journalist, married, mother of twins, owner of a villa in Hamburg - choose to join the underground and fight?

Considering the strong socio-political context of the time into which the RAF activities are imbedded the reader is not only provided with insights into Ulrike Meinhof's personal life but also of the political atmosphere in Germany during the 1960s and 70s.

Lieber wütend als traurig is a very exciting book, worthwhile reading, that manages to introduce Ulrike Meinhof without political distortions or slogans. Prinz' sensitive approach and style prevent yet another myth about Ulrike Meinhof in the current discussion and re-evaluation of the RAF-movement in Germany.

KS

Bibliografic Details
German	English Translation
Hardcover: Prinz, Alois: Lieber wütend als traurig. Die Lebensgeschichte der Ulrike Marie Meinhof.Beltz Verlag. Weinheim, 2003 ISBN 3-407-80905-0 EUR 14,90	Hardcover: Not available.
Paperback: Prinz, Alois: Lieber wütend als traurig. Die Lebensgeschichte der Ulrike Marie Meinhof. Beltz Verlag. Weinheim, 2003 ISBN 3-518-45725-X EUR 9,00	Paperback: Not available.
Audio-CD: Prinz, Alois: Lieber wütend als traurig. Die Lebensgeschichte der Ulrike Marie Meinhof. Beltz Verlag.Weinheim, 2003 ISBN 3-407-80905-0 EUR 14,90