Three years before his death, Willy Brandt published his memoirs, in which he outlines his moving personal and political journey: his illegitimate origins from the working-class milieu of Lübeck, his flight from the Nazis into exile, his active participation in the fight against Hitler, his return to Germany and his career in the SPD, his time as the first social democratic chancellor, as well as his resignation in connection with the affair involving East German spy Guillaume. A first-rate historical document that reflects the tumultuous history of the 20th century.