'1939' Summary and Analysis

The entries for 1939 aggregate thirty-eight pages, a volume low, and forty-five entries, including: one for May; two for January and March; three for April, June, and July; four for October and December; five for November; six for January; and eleven for September.

The year is marked by constantly diminishing food rations, shortages of nearly every commercial item, enforced blackouts, ever-mounting taxation, various bans, and constant mobilization for war. The English blockade makes food and commercial items increasingly difficult to obtain as the year progresses. Klemperer struggles against noting down broad historic events—such is not the purpose of his diary. Instead, he desires to focus on his personal daily life. War with Poland dominates much of the diary. For the most part, Klemperer speculates and reports rumor and innuendo as, wisely, he does not trust the official news...