The Burden of Being an Observer

Munich

The novel places its civil servants and witnesses close to consequential decisions while repeatedly denying them the power to determine outcomes.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Legat Takes the Notes Legat Takes the Notes from "Munich". A Witness at the Table The Chiefs’ Briefing Legat records the military leaders’ warnings and observes Chamberlain weighing their advice.

Legat Takes the Notes from "Munich". A Witness at the Table The Chiefs’ Briefing Legat records the military leaders’ warnings and observes Chamberlain weighing their advice.

A Witness at the Table The Chiefs’ Briefing Legat records the military leaders’ warnings and observes Chamberlain weighing their advice. Proximity Without Power He is present for the truth of the situation but has no authority over the decision.

The Order to Destroy The Order to Destroy from "Munich". A Record Suppressed Chamberlain’s Command The Prime Minister tells Legat to destroy his notes of the military meeting.

The Order to Destroy from "Munich". A Record Suppressed Chamberlain’s Command The Prime Minister tells Legat to destroy his notes of the military meeting.

A Record Suppressed Chamberlain’s Command The Prime Minister tells Legat to destroy his notes of the military meeting. Private Knowledge Legat’s unease grows because the record contains facts that will not appear in the public account.

A Clerk at the Telephone A Clerk at the Telephone from "Munich". Waiting for Berlin A Junior Assignment Legat is told to stay in the hotel and monitor a telephone line rather than join the leaders.

A Clerk at the Telephone from "Munich". Waiting for Berlin A Junior Assignment Legat is told to stay in the hotel and monitor a telephone line rather than join the leaders.

Waiting for Berlin A Junior Assignment Legat is told to stay in the hotel and monitor a telephone line rather than join the leaders. Exclusion Repeated He must listen for a message that could shape history while being kept away from the room where it is decided.

The Witness Acts The Witness Acts from "Munich". No Longer Passive Legat Breaks Routine He carries the memorandum to Chamberlain and helps Hartmann obtain a private hearing.

The Witness Acts from "Munich". No Longer Passive Legat Breaks Routine He carries the memorandum to Chamberlain and helps Hartmann obtain a private hearing.

No Longer Passive Legat Breaks Routine He carries the memorandum to Chamberlain and helps Hartmann obtain a private hearing. Consequence Accepted His decision turns observation into action, even though the warning cannot change the final outcome.

A New View of Duty A New View of Duty from "Munich". The Career Question After the Crisis Legat considers leaving the diplomatic service and joining the air force.

A New View of Duty from "Munich". The Career Question After the Crisis Legat considers leaving the diplomatic service and joining the air force.

The Career Question After the Crisis Legat considers leaving the diplomatic service and joining the air force. Responsibility Reconsidered His brief intervention has altered how he understands neutrality, professional success and the demands of conscience.

27 September 1938, afternoon

29 September 1938, afternoon

29 September 1938, night

30 September 1938, evening