Daniel Finkelstein begins his heartrending memoir of his parents' experiences of persecution, resistance and survival during WWII, this week focusing on the story of his father's family at the hands of Stalin.

Daniel's father Ludwik was born in the Polish city of Lwow, now Lviv, the only child of a prosperous Jewish family. In 1939, after Hitler and Stalin carved up Poland, the family was rounded up by the communists. His grandfather Dolu was arrested and disappeared, while his 10-year-old father and grandmother were sent to Siberia, working as slave labourers on a collective farm. They somehow survived starvation and freezing winters, living in a house they built from cow dung, but always hoping to be reunited with Dolu.

Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad is a deeply moving and powerful memoir about Daniel Finkelstein's parents' experiences at the hands of the two genocidal dictators of the 20th century. It is a story of persecution and survival, love, loss, man's inhumanity, and the almost unimaginable bravery of two ordinary families.

Today: Daniel's family finds themselves at the hands of the communist secret police as the Polish city of Lwow is carved up by Hitler and Stalin...

Written and read by Daniel Finkelstein. Daniel Finkelstein is a columnist and broadcaster and former Executive Editor and Associate Editor of The Times. He is also a member of the Lords and has served as an advisor to the Conservative Party.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett Show less