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The Berlin Family's Secret: A Historical WW2 Novel
They were loyal subjects of the Reich… until it came knocking on their door.
Berlin, 1942. As bombs fall over Europe during the darkest days of World War II, the Kerner family is torn apart by a shocking revelation that, if found out, could spell their doom.
Frantz Kerner and his three grown children have each found their own way of serving their Fatherland. But when Frantz reveals a long-hidden secret, the foundations of their world are shaken to the core as they are forced to confront their loyalty to the Nazi regime – and to each other.
Amid the chaos and heartbreak of war, the Kerners must grapple with their identities and the weight of their Karl , the Luftwaffe pilot, struggles to maintain his blind officer’s faith in his command. Elsa , the government official, desperately tries to protect her newly discovered family from the authorities; and Helmut , the Hitlerjugend infantryman, hides his secret from his brothers-in-arms until the Reich’s plans leave him with no other choice…
With rich historical detail and emotional depth, The Berlin Family’s Secret is a sweeping tale of familial bonds, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Berlin, 1942. As bombs fall over Europe during the darkest days of World War II, the Kerner family is torn apart by a shocking revelation that, if found out, could spell their doom.
Frantz Kerner and his three grown children have each found their own way of serving their Fatherland. But when Frantz reveals a long-hidden secret, the foundations of their world are shaken to the core as they are forced to confront their loyalty to the Nazi regime – and to each other.
Amid the chaos and heartbreak of war, the Kerners must grapple with their identities and the weight of their Karl , the Luftwaffe pilot, struggles to maintain his blind officer’s faith in his command. Elsa , the government official, desperately tries to protect her newly discovered family from the authorities; and Helmut , the Hitlerjugend infantryman, hides his secret from his brothers-in-arms until the Reich’s plans leave him with no other choice…
With rich historical detail and emotional depth, The Berlin Family’s Secret is a sweeping tale of familial bonds, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
231 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2023
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 13, 2023
A powerful and emotionally charged story...
“The Berlin Family's Secret: A Historical WW2 Novel” by Baruch Cohen is a powerful and emotionally charged story set against the backdrop of World War II. Set in Berlin in 1942, the Kerner family finds their lives shattered by a revelation that threatens not only their loyalty to the Nazi regime but also their very survival.
Cohen masterfully captures the atmosphere of the era, where bombs rain down on Europe and darkness looms over the continent. As Frantz Kerner, the patriarch of the family, reveals a long-held secret, the foundations of their world crumble, forcing each family member to confront their allegiance to the Reich and to each other.
Through the lens of the Kerner family, Cohen explores the complex dynamics of loyalty, identity, and the weight of choices during wartime. Karl, a Luftwaffe pilot, grapples with his unwavering faith in his command, even as doubts creep in. Elsa, a government official, fights to shield her newfound family from the authorities, risking everything to protect them. Helmut, a member of the Hitlerjugend infantry, conceals a secret until circumstances force him to make a fateful decision.
“The Berlin Family's Secret” delves deep into the characters' struggles, capturing their conflicting emotions, sacrifices, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. Cohen's meticulous attention to historical detail immerses readers in the turbulent and perilous world of wartime Berlin, painting a vivid picture of the challenges and dilemmas faced by ordinary people caught up in the machinery of war.
This sweeping tale of familial bonds and sacrifice is a testament to the enduring power of love and resilience. Cohen's storytelling weaves together historical accuracy and emotional depth, resulting in a gripping narrative that resonates long after the final page is turned. “The Berlin Family's Secret” is a poignant and compelling novel that sheds light on the complexities of human nature during one of the darkest periods in history. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
“The Berlin Family's Secret: A Historical WW2 Novel” by Baruch Cohen is a powerful and emotionally charged story set against the backdrop of World War II. Set in Berlin in 1942, the Kerner family finds their lives shattered by a revelation that threatens not only their loyalty to the Nazi regime but also their very survival.
Cohen masterfully captures the atmosphere of the era, where bombs rain down on Europe and darkness looms over the continent. As Frantz Kerner, the patriarch of the family, reveals a long-held secret, the foundations of their world crumble, forcing each family member to confront their allegiance to the Reich and to each other.
Through the lens of the Kerner family, Cohen explores the complex dynamics of loyalty, identity, and the weight of choices during wartime. Karl, a Luftwaffe pilot, grapples with his unwavering faith in his command, even as doubts creep in. Elsa, a government official, fights to shield her newfound family from the authorities, risking everything to protect them. Helmut, a member of the Hitlerjugend infantry, conceals a secret until circumstances force him to make a fateful decision.
“The Berlin Family's Secret” delves deep into the characters' struggles, capturing their conflicting emotions, sacrifices, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. Cohen's meticulous attention to historical detail immerses readers in the turbulent and perilous world of wartime Berlin, painting a vivid picture of the challenges and dilemmas faced by ordinary people caught up in the machinery of war.
This sweeping tale of familial bonds and sacrifice is a testament to the enduring power of love and resilience. Cohen's storytelling weaves together historical accuracy and emotional depth, resulting in a gripping narrative that resonates long after the final page is turned. “The Berlin Family's Secret” is a poignant and compelling novel that sheds light on the complexities of human nature during one of the darkest periods in history. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
December 13, 2024
The Berlin Family's Secret is a historical fiction based on Baruch Cohen's family history. It is very interesting in that it is not the story of a typical Jewish family; but of a German family who generally doesn't know it is Jewish.
Hubert and Rosie Kramer were Germans who in 1900 had their first son, Franz. He looked pure Aryan with light features. Their younger son, Ditmar was darker complected. He constantly felt he had to prove he was Aryan. He became a high ranking Nazi officer. Franz became a prominent pharmacist and married a beautiful girl, Marlene. Before marriage, she did tell him she was Jewish. This didn't bother him; but they decided to tell no one because it didn't. When their children were born, Kurt, Elsa, and Helmut, Franz and Marlene decided not to tell the kids. Kurt went on to become a fighter pilot, Elsa worked in the office of a high-ranked Nazi, and Helmut joined the army. As the Nazis gain more and more power, the question of whether Franz should have told his kids about their being part Jewish becomes more important. What will happen now when the news gets out?
Hubert and Rosie Kramer were Germans who in 1900 had their first son, Franz. He looked pure Aryan with light features. Their younger son, Ditmar was darker complected. He constantly felt he had to prove he was Aryan. He became a high ranking Nazi officer. Franz became a prominent pharmacist and married a beautiful girl, Marlene. Before marriage, she did tell him she was Jewish. This didn't bother him; but they decided to tell no one because it didn't. When their children were born, Kurt, Elsa, and Helmut, Franz and Marlene decided not to tell the kids. Kurt went on to become a fighter pilot, Elsa worked in the office of a high-ranked Nazi, and Helmut joined the army. As the Nazis gain more and more power, the question of whether Franz should have told his kids about their being part Jewish becomes more important. What will happen now when the news gets out?
June 13, 2023
‘No one knows that you’re Jewish, not even the children’ - An excellent read
Israeli author Baruch Cohen writes histories about the impact of WW2 on the Jewish populace of Germany in a manner that brings depth of insight into the strength of families struggling against the rigors of Nazi power. In this new book, translated from the Hebrew by Ruth Cohen Korabelnik, he focuses on one family - the Kerners - and how they struggled with the Fatherland to preserve their identity in positions of ‘governmental posts’ while remaining true to their faith. The result - a novel of great impact that not only allows involvement in one family’s plight, but also a deeper appreciation of the valor and resilience of survivors of the Holocaust. Recommended
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Israeli author Baruch Cohen writes histories about the impact of WW2 on the Jewish populace of Germany in a manner that brings depth of insight into the strength of families struggling against the rigors of Nazi power. In this new book, translated from the Hebrew by Ruth Cohen Korabelnik, he focuses on one family - the Kerners - and how they struggled with the Fatherland to preserve their identity in positions of ‘governmental posts’ while remaining true to their faith. The result - a novel of great impact that not only allows involvement in one family’s plight, but also a deeper appreciation of the valor and resilience of survivors of the Holocaust. Recommended
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
August 1, 2024
An informative read about a German family and what they endured under Nazi rule. Discovering their Jewish secret and not divulging must this story is well have been difficult to do as well. The treatment by the Russians to the Germans was horrific as was what the Nazis did to those in the camps
As the author says at the end of the we should not forget what happened but learn and remember. Let’s hope that in today’s world it doesn’t occur.
As the author says at the end of the we should not forget what happened but learn and remember. Let’s hope that in today’s world it doesn’t occur.
February 9, 2025
For me, having read 100’s of accounts of the Holocaust this true story was a good overview. I appreciate the author giving names and face to the oppressors and the victims of this period along with the devoted members of the party, the drafted, the objectors , and the millions of innocent victims. There can never be enough books written about this horror. What is sick is that in 2025, people are still susceptible, gullible, insane followers of vicious criminal megalomaniacs.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews