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  • The Secrets of the Notebook

  • A Woman's Quest to Uncover Her Royal Family Secret
  • By: Eve Haas
  • Narrated by: Jane Carr
  • Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,997 ratings)

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The Secrets of the Notebook

By: Eve Haas
Narrated by: Jane Carr
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Editorial reviews

Going through old family artifacts almost always sets one on a fun course through the lesser-told family stories, but rarely does it reveal the mystery and intrigue that Eve Haas has found. As a teenager, Hass' father showed her a simple notebook from a family member named August. Returning as an adult to that notebook, Eve Haas sets out to find out just who August was and how her family went from royalty to refugee. With a gentle and inviting performance from accomplished actor Jane Carr, The Secrets of the Notebook is a gripping look at one family's history in the larger context of war-torn Europe.

Publisher's summary

“The beautiful owner of this book is dearer to me than my life - August your protector.” This one sentence was the key to a mystery involving some of the greatest and most infamous figures in European history, from Frederick the Great to Napoleon and Hitler - and solved by the author of this book.

Eve Haas is the daughter of a German Jewish family that took refuge in London after Hitler came to power. Following a terrifying air raid in the blitz, her father revealed the family secret - that her great-great grandmother Emilie was married to a Prussian prince. He then showed her the treasured leather-bound notebook inscribed to Emilie by the prince.

Her parents were reluctant to learn more, but later in life, when Eve was married and inherited the diary, she became obsessed with proving this birthright. The Secrets of the Notebook tells how she follows the clues, from experts on European royalty in London to archives in West Germany and then, under threat of being arrested as a spy by the Communist regime, to an archive in East Germany that had never before opened its doors to the West. What she unearths is a love story set against the upheaval of the Napoleonic wars and the anti-Semitism of the Prussian court - and a ruse that both protected Emilie’s daughter and probably condemned her granddaughter - Eve’s beloved grandmother, Anna - to death in the Nazi camps.

When first published in the UK, The Secrets of the Notebook was an Irish Times best seller. A movie based on the book is in production.

©2013 Eve Haas (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Secrets of the Notebook

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a little slow

Fascinating story, told a little redundantly, and slowly. Their story of visiting "The East" was hair raising.

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absolutely astounding

I loved it! it drew me in thoroughly and completely. what a mystery, a romance, and an unexpected story.

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Fascinating journey in time!

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Fascinating journey back in time. a reminder that all our pasts have secrets to be discovered.

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Wow

Amazing.... I don’t know what else to say.... the research it took, and the dedication is wonderful.

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Enjoyed the story

I really enjoyed the story. What an incredible journey the author went through to find her family history.

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Great Historical Biography!

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. I experienced all of the adventures she took in her quest to uncover her secret royal heritage. I was delighted as she made one discovery after another, often risking her own safety and freedom to do so. Over a period of decades, she unearth bits of truth and so many ironic twists and turns that had been hidden for several generations.

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Amazing true story!

The author researched so very thoroughly to get the truth of her royal grandmother's lost legacy.

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Wonderfully Written

While this is a true story, it’s masterfully written like a historical novel, full of suspense and intrigue. I was riveted throughout the book - very well done!

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Beautiful and heartbreaking!

An incredible story of love, loss, family, and legacy! Beautifully narrated and captivating. Thank you.

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Captivating

The lengths one will go to uncover the truth is proof that it will always find the light.

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