Anne Sebba

Author, Presenter & Lecturer

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Anne Sebba’s compulsively fascinating book!

Sally Singer, New York Times Style Editor
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Anne Sebba brings meticulous research and a brilliant writer's eye to one of the darkest questions of World War II.

Anthony Horowitz
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Absolutely gripping in so many ways; beautifully written and superbly researched, a brilliant and a fresh take on a famous case.

Simon Sebag Montefiore
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An important retelling of Les Années Noires in Paris which puts women's stories, and the complications of their lives under Occupation, centre stage…

Kate Mosse, Author of Labyrinth
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A fascinating book I couldn’t stop reading. Anne Sebba knows everything about Paris during the War. She understands everything about the chic, loathsome collaborators and the Holocaust victims…

Edmund White
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One book two covers...

Anne Sebba
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  • Books

    Anne is the author of eleven non fiction books mostly biographies of iconic women with a strong historical context.

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  • Journalism

    Anne loves interviewing extraordinary people – and ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances – especially at the end of their lives.

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      • ‘The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz’ - Interviews with Anne Sebba

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Could not be more thrilled with this generous and Could not be more thrilled with this generous and thoughtful review thanks @richard_bratby @thegramophone. What author would not be happy to read ‘As a work of scholarship it’s a formidable achievement.’ There’s more  in this vein… but I hope you will read both the review and the book. As Bratby says: ‘The story that emerges is as compelling as it is horrifying.’
Speaking at Blackheath Halls last night was very s Speaking at Blackheath Halls last night was very special as it is the oldest surviving purpose built cultural complex in London and celebrities who have given talks there include Sir Ernest Shackleton and George Bernard Shaw as well as many musicians. Blackheath is important in the story of The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz as Arnold Rose, the Viennese born emigre father of Alma Rose, lived here from 1939. As soon as the War was over, Anita Lasker Wallfisch came to visit him in Blackheath to tell him how his daughter had saved lives through the orchestra she conducted yet tragically died herself in the camp. Telling these stories last night was even more poignant than usual.
What a beautiful sunny day to be in Stratford on A What a beautiful sunny day to be in Stratford on Avon talking at the Literary Festival. Here I am in conversation with the brilliant @claresclark novelist and interviewer supreme. We could have had another hour and a half talking and I am always amazed that different people find different issues to discuss. The festival theatre (pic2) looking glorious along the river today, a  reminder of how special this town is.
Remembering my father on this #VEDay80 as he was b Remembering my father on this #VEDay80 as he was by this time in Bergen Belsen. The camp was still overflowing with tragic and horrific sights three weeks after the liberation as British troops dealt with myriad problems involving DPs (as they were now called) and procurement, (which was his responsibility). I’ve written about some of these issues in #TheWomen’sOrchestraofAuschwitz. There was an order to preserve all records at Belsen in locked rooms as the Allies were aware of the need for proof in bringing Nazi criminals to justice. My father made it home and, by January 1946, married my mother (pic2) after an interrupted courtship. Remembering today the thousands who did not make it back and honouring their memory. 
#Grateful
Full on day in Leeds today talking to pupils at Mo Full on day in Leeds today talking to pupils at Mount St Mary’s comprehensive this morning and adults at the Grammar School this evening. Both sessions about The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz and full of questions at both, some impossible to answer.
My interview with @questing.vole is live today on My interview with @questing.vole is live today on the Spectator Book club site. Do listen. It’s only 37 minutes but went deeply into issues and places. I had forgotten how nearly my voice gave into emotion at the end.
Instagram post 17866794198367953 Instagram post 17866794198367953
Loved being in beautiful Cambridge #cambridgelitfe Loved being in beautiful Cambridge #cambridgelitfest today to talk about The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz with huge audience and terrific engagement. Such a privilege to tell story of these courageous women. But at what cost. Thanks to many lovely friends in audience #francesspalding #adelegeras #anthonyandjill @heffers_cambridge for great support selling so many copies of the book. A great day!
What a very special evening tonight @wienerlibrary What a very special evening tonight @wienerlibrary, where my research for this book began, being interviewed by @dannythefink1 whose grandfather, Alfred Wiener, founded the library. Here we are standing in front of a cabinet with pictures of his grandmother Grete, who died 80 years ago, en route to freedom but having been starved in Belsen. I can’t imagine a better place to tell the story of The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, half of which ended up in Belsen.
Barnes &Noble special offer for pre orders! Super Barnes &Noble special offer for pre orders! Super excited about this and hope lots of you will use the code: PREORDER 25! Thanks
Wonderful to discuss The Women’s Orchestra of Au Wonderful to discuss The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz A story of survival, with the great Petroc Trelawny especially after listening to the brilliant @barrypiano playing Tchaikovsky before his @wigmore_hall recital tomorrow. As ever, my segment was over in a blink with so much to say but delighted to hear the 1928 recording of Alma Rose playing The Bach Double with her father, Arnold Rose, at the end. Feeling emotional 🥲
Giving a lunchtime talk at the historic @nationall Giving a lunchtime talk at the historic @nationalliberalclub today on behalf of the Authors Club. Great lunch and great audience thanks @johnwalsh @suzifeay #lucy Popescu pic 5 for supporting and everyone who bought books. #thewomensorchestraofauschwitz
Thanks @tds153 @bbcradio4 #frontrow for inviting m Thanks @tds153 @bbcradio4 #frontrow for inviting me to discuss #TheWomen’sOrchestraofAuschwitz on such an auspicious day, April 15 2025, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belsen where many of the women ended up in 1945. Of course liberation was for many far from the end of their trauma but the beginning of new nightmares. Always a thrill to be in the wonderful BBC building.
Thanks to @naomigryn for this wonderful interview Thanks to @naomigryn for this wonderful interview and article about #theWomen’sOrchestraofAuschwitz in this month’s @jewishrenaissance. I especially love the photos of Anita,Helene and Hilde in Belsen, which was liberated 80 years ago today!
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