A piece on PBS (itself in danger) the other night in Hannah Arendt, the philosopher and spokeswoman agains Fascism, outlined what she went through in Germany. Most alarming was the speed at which Hitler moved to seize power after becoming Chancellor - the burning of the Reichstag, the declaration of martial law, the anti-Jewish laws, the roundups. She herself was roped in briefly - for reading too many newspapers at the library! And a lot of books had already been burned.

It was terrifying, she was lucky to escape..