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Growing Up Under The Third Reich
Trust To A Degree: Growing Up Under The Third Reich Book 3
A World War Two Historical Fiction Novel Based On A True Story
On May 3, 1945, Karl Veth is kicked awake by Soviet soldiers and put under arrest. He and his friend, Harold, had narrowly escaped death during the fall of Berlin by taking refuge in the subway tunnels under the city. As members of the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth), the two 14-year-old boys had been ordered to fight to the death; however, they defied Hitler’s orders and chose to live. Hearing the announcement the day before that Berlin had surrendered, they left their subway shelter to seek out friends where they thought they would be safe. Somehow, the Soviets had found them. But what did they want with them?
After being transported to an interrogation center and brought before a Russian political Kommissar, Karl soon finds the answers to his questions. Once again, he is going to be used by a high-ranking official due to his unique knowledge of the Berlin subway system. He must agree to help the Kommissar or risk being shipped off to the Russian labor camps along with the rest of the German prisoners. When Karl learns that Harold has also been arrested and given the same choice, the two agree to assist the Kommissar.
The boys work with the Kommissar and when the last mission is completed, Karl hopes to be released so he can search for his family. Unfortunately, the final mission ends with a twist and Karl is once again forced to make a life or death decision. This time, however, the life hanging in the balance is not his own, but that of someone very close to him. To save the life of the person he holds dear, Karl must decide whether or not he will follow orders and do the one thing he has never done before - take the life of another.
Books In The Series:
Children To A Degree
Loyal To A Degree
Trust To A Degree
Partners To A Degree
On May 3, 1945, Karl Veth is kicked awake by Soviet soldiers and put under arrest. He and his friend, Harold, had narrowly escaped death during the fall of Berlin by taking refuge in the subway tunnels under the city. As members of the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth), the two 14-year-old boys had been ordered to fight to the death; however, they defied Hitler’s orders and chose to live. Hearing the announcement the day before that Berlin had surrendered, they left their subway shelter to seek out friends where they thought they would be safe. Somehow, the Soviets had found them. But what did they want with them?
After being transported to an interrogation center and brought before a Russian political Kommissar, Karl soon finds the answers to his questions. Once again, he is going to be used by a high-ranking official due to his unique knowledge of the Berlin subway system. He must agree to help the Kommissar or risk being shipped off to the Russian labor camps along with the rest of the German prisoners. When Karl learns that Harold has also been arrested and given the same choice, the two agree to assist the Kommissar.
The boys work with the Kommissar and when the last mission is completed, Karl hopes to be released so he can search for his family. Unfortunately, the final mission ends with a twist and Karl is once again forced to make a life or death decision. This time, however, the life hanging in the balance is not his own, but that of someone very close to him. To save the life of the person he holds dear, Karl must decide whether or not he will follow orders and do the one thing he has never done before - take the life of another.
Books In The Series:
Children To A Degree
Loyal To A Degree
Trust To A Degree
Partners To A Degree
213 pages, ebook
First published September 13, 2013
26 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Horst Christian
24 books53 followersI was born in Berlin, Germany in 1930. My father taught me to read and write before the age of 5 and by the time I was 10 years old, I discovered my love for writing. I wrote vacation reports and several articles for a German school periodical.
When I was 10, I entered the “Jungvolk,” a subdivision of the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory in the Berlin school system. I then entered the Hitler Youth at the age of 14, also mandatory, and continued writing for the Hitler Youth periodicals.
I was drafted to help defend Berlin against the Soviets at the age of 14 because of my unique knowledge of the subway system and I served as a guide for various SS demolition commandos.
My books are based on my own experiences as a young boy in Germany during World War II and the days leading up to and after the fall of Berlin. There have been many books written about the war, but none from the perspective of a 14 year old boy who was forced to fight for a cause he did not understand.
I immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and became a citizen. My wife, Jennifer, and I live in Northern California on a small ranch, where we have been for the last 30 years.
When I was 10, I entered the “Jungvolk,” a subdivision of the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory in the Berlin school system. I then entered the Hitler Youth at the age of 14, also mandatory, and continued writing for the Hitler Youth periodicals.
I was drafted to help defend Berlin against the Soviets at the age of 14 because of my unique knowledge of the subway system and I served as a guide for various SS demolition commandos.
My books are based on my own experiences as a young boy in Germany during World War II and the days leading up to and after the fall of Berlin. There have been many books written about the war, but none from the perspective of a 14 year old boy who was forced to fight for a cause he did not understand.
I immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and became a citizen. My wife, Jennifer, and I live in Northern California on a small ranch, where we have been for the last 30 years.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 23, 2017
I've been enthralled with the series from the get-go.
October 4, 2020
In Trust to a Degree, the author does a fantastic job of weaving the historical setting of Berlin in the days and week after its fall. Chaotic and tumultuous, Berlin is laid in total waste as the Russian army moves into Berlin, ravaging and pillaging the civilians of the city. As with the other books in the series, the details of Berlin fully agree with accounts of family members who were there during the war and thereafter. Most notably, the actions of the Russian soldiers who first came into Berlin, and the rampant pillaging, raping, and unfamiliarity with toilets and plumbing; the need for young women to make themselves look old and ugly with coal, dirt, and hunched backs; the lack of food; the utter damage and rubble from all the bombing; the devastation of a city that had been a center of culture.
There are many different themes in the story: the cleverness, wit, and quick thinking of Karl and Harold; the unlikely friendship and loyalty between Karl and Alex, the Mongol; and the resilience and search for a semblance of life after a brutal war. There are many other themes, but I don't want to give any spoilers!
The book was excellent, and I can't wait to read the final book in the series.
There are many different themes in the story: the cleverness, wit, and quick thinking of Karl and Harold; the unlikely friendship and loyalty between Karl and Alex, the Mongol; and the resilience and search for a semblance of life after a brutal war. There are many other themes, but I don't want to give any spoilers!
The book was excellent, and I can't wait to read the final book in the series.
May 30, 2017
The stories of Hitler Youth boys Karl and Harold are compelling. What elevates Horst Christian's series on their intertwined lives is the astonishing richness of detail. In Horst's capable hands the most mundane details of life during and after the fall of Berlin bring a richness, a vividness I've never before encountered. Horst has an astonishing eye for detail.
There is a danger that overediting could cause Horst's natural German voice to be lost in future volumes. They are getting less authentic and more American native-speaker like. I certainly hope the trend does not continue.
I know that to some extent Karl is seen as the cool kid and Harold the sidekick. However the boys are going their separate was in the adult world as the series progresses. Personally I'm as eager to hear about Harold as I am about Karl.
There is a danger that overediting could cause Horst's natural German voice to be lost in future volumes. They are getting less authentic and more American native-speaker like. I certainly hope the trend does not continue.
I know that to some extent Karl is seen as the cool kid and Harold the sidekick. However the boys are going their separate was in the adult world as the series progresses. Personally I'm as eager to hear about Harold as I am about Karl.
December 2, 2018
Goodness! What a ride! I knew little to nothing about the Russian occupation of Berlin. And what a cliffhanger to leave off on! An amazing character arc for our hero, Karl. Cant wait to finish this series!
September 19, 2023
Left me hanging again! The Russians (Mongolians) invade Berlin. Karl and Harold are recruited to help a Kommissar with his projects in the city before the arrival of the Americans. On to the next book!
September 20, 2025
4.5 Stars✨
January 12, 2018
Just ok. Interesting, however I’m going to put this series on hold because there are more interesting things to read. (Have kind of had enough of this one for a while)
March 12, 2016
Trust to a Degree is book three in the series by Horst Christian. It is a novel based on true events. It is the story of what happened to a fourteen year old German boy in the days following the fall of Berlin.
Karl Veth and his friend Harold Kellner survived the war and the fall of Berlin. They spent several days in a ventilation shaft of the subway system. They had secured the shaft and had supplies stashed in it for the time they would need it. When they decided to come out, they had only one place to go, to Frau Becker’s apartment. Frau Becker had been in charge of the KLV children when they returned to Berlin. They had become friends and she had told them where to come if they needed help. Now they needed civilian clothing in order to begin again. However, the morning after they arrived, they were rudely awakened by Russian soldiers breaking down the door. They specifically asked for Karl and then promptly arrested him. Later, he would learn they arrested Harold as well.
Karl was taken to Kommissar Godunov’s premises and questioned about his knowledge of the tunnels of the subway system. Karl was relieved to tell him it was extensive; but that the tunnels were flooded and filled with dead bodies. He with Harold’s help, would help the Kommissar as long as what he wanted didn’t interfere with their values. They also wanted his help in finding their families.
What did the Kommissar want them to do? Would they be able to do this and whatever else he wanted? Could he keep them and their friends safe? What dangers would come their way while helping him?
This book was excellent. I had to continue reading it until I was finished. Now I have to start the last book to continue the awesome story.
Karl Veth and his friend Harold Kellner survived the war and the fall of Berlin. They spent several days in a ventilation shaft of the subway system. They had secured the shaft and had supplies stashed in it for the time they would need it. When they decided to come out, they had only one place to go, to Frau Becker’s apartment. Frau Becker had been in charge of the KLV children when they returned to Berlin. They had become friends and she had told them where to come if they needed help. Now they needed civilian clothing in order to begin again. However, the morning after they arrived, they were rudely awakened by Russian soldiers breaking down the door. They specifically asked for Karl and then promptly arrested him. Later, he would learn they arrested Harold as well.
Karl was taken to Kommissar Godunov’s premises and questioned about his knowledge of the tunnels of the subway system. Karl was relieved to tell him it was extensive; but that the tunnels were flooded and filled with dead bodies. He with Harold’s help, would help the Kommissar as long as what he wanted didn’t interfere with their values. They also wanted his help in finding their families.
What did the Kommissar want them to do? Would they be able to do this and whatever else he wanted? Could he keep them and their friends safe? What dangers would come their way while helping him?
This book was excellent. I had to continue reading it until I was finished. Now I have to start the last book to continue the awesome story.
January 12, 2017
Fascinating Read continues...
The life and times continue for 2. 14 year old German boys, Karl and Harold, members of the Hitler youth. They have been separated from their families and their ordeals continue as the Russian take over Berlin.
This is a true account of youth life in the WWII's Berliners. I found their accounts of life in the 2nd great war, simply amazing. It truly was a different world. Children were raised in a much more disciplined manner, so what these young teens managed to endure is inconceivable to grown adults.
I have purchased and read the first 3 books in this series and will begin reading the 4th. I encourage everyone that enjoys personal historic books to read these. You can't put them down!
The life and times continue for 2. 14 year old German boys, Karl and Harold, members of the Hitler youth. They have been separated from their families and their ordeals continue as the Russian take over Berlin.
This is a true account of youth life in the WWII's Berliners. I found their accounts of life in the 2nd great war, simply amazing. It truly was a different world. Children were raised in a much more disciplined manner, so what these young teens managed to endure is inconceivable to grown adults.
I have purchased and read the first 3 books in this series and will begin reading the 4th. I encourage everyone that enjoys personal historic books to read these. You can't put them down!
October 31, 2014
Good read
I liked this sequel to LOYAL TO A DEGREE. I learned a lot more about what happened in Germany, particularly Berlin, at the end of WWII. The author says it a true story and I found a lot of it shocking and awful. I did not know about the Mongolians the Russians used as front line troops when they captured and took over the city particularly the woman among them who were worse than the men. The Mongolians were savage barbarians who were permitted to do dreadful things as a reward for their service. Also interesting was all the info about the Hitler Youth. I recommend this book but be warned, it is not pretty.
I liked this sequel to LOYAL TO A DEGREE. I learned a lot more about what happened in Germany, particularly Berlin, at the end of WWII. The author says it a true story and I found a lot of it shocking and awful. I did not know about the Mongolians the Russians used as front line troops when they captured and took over the city particularly the woman among them who were worse than the men. The Mongolians were savage barbarians who were permitted to do dreadful things as a reward for their service. Also interesting was all the info about the Hitler Youth. I recommend this book but be warned, it is not pretty.
May 25, 2014
I've read three of Horst Christian's books and they are really great. This last one has light humour in it which is amazing considering the heart-rending events related in the book.
I admire the author's balanced perspective which I think is very difficult to achieve with such subject matter.
I hope he writes many more books. It is very important that we all be made aware of what war is really like in people's daily life - OUR life.
Can you imagine not seeing or hearing a bird for two years??
I truly think children are far more adult than grown-ups.
I admire the author's balanced perspective which I think is very difficult to achieve with such subject matter.
I hope he writes many more books. It is very important that we all be made aware of what war is really like in people's daily life - OUR life.
Can you imagine not seeing or hearing a bird for two years??
I truly think children are far more adult than grown-ups.
November 5, 2014
Sequel to "Loyal to a Degree." This book picks up immediately after the first ends. The boys end up working for a Russian political commissar in Berlin. Their quick thinking and devious minds are hard to believe. They are 14 year old. At that age German boys were expected to choose their lifetime work. They were accounted men at 15. Maybe that had something to do with their acceptance of responsibility. This book takes place from the surrender of Berlin to the Russians to the beginning of the multinational arrangement was in place.
December 30, 2016
Interesting Series
Honestly, I read the prequel of this series first and had no high expectations. I enjoy reading history but so much has been written about WW II that it is overwhelming and doesn't usually draw my interest. I found the prequel extremely interesting and have breezed thru the next two volumes in the series. The stories of Karl and Howard are mind blowing when you realize they are so young. Looking forward to the next book.
Honestly, I read the prequel of this series first and had no high expectations. I enjoy reading history but so much has been written about WW II that it is overwhelming and doesn't usually draw my interest. I found the prequel extremely interesting and have breezed thru the next two volumes in the series. The stories of Karl and Howard are mind blowing when you realize they are so young. Looking forward to the next book.
July 2, 2015
I have a very hard time hearing about what happened to these kids in Berlin during Hitler's time. All of this information is new to me. Christian tells what happens in this true story simply, and yet with much detail. I would love to know who Karl is in real life and if he is alive today. Very enjoyable, especially to someone like me who loves WWII stories.
December 10, 2015
I like this series . I have read the prequel , and the first two books now . That they're based on a true story is significant to me as a reader. I will read the third book a little later .
September 14, 2015
This was surprise
I had no idea what happened in Germany immediately after the war ended. I guess this has some factual information and is relatively free of speculation . If its true things were going to work out rapidly. I wonder if that was so.
I had no idea what happened in Germany immediately after the war ended. I guess this has some factual information and is relatively free of speculation . If its true things were going to work out rapidly. I wonder if that was so.
January 3, 2014
Great series with a very unique perspective on WWII and the occupation of Berlin
April 7, 2014
Didn't want it to end. I wish there was more.
August 7, 2014
Excellent and intriguing read. Just wish the book didnt end so abruptly!
June 27, 2015
I loved this series just keeps getting better
April 26, 2015
A great read!
Hard to put down, really enjoyed and appreciated reading what the average per
son went through. Want to continue reading this series!
Hard to put down, really enjoyed and appreciated reading what the average per
son went through. Want to continue reading this series!
February 9, 2016
very interesting
Looking forward to the last book in this series. It has been an interesting journey. Well written and engaging story.
Looking forward to the last book in this series. It has been an interesting journey. Well written and engaging story.
March 2, 2016
Much food for thought when I consider how two young men of the Hitler Youth were able to cope with the invasion of Berlin at the end of WWII.
July 5, 2016
This is an excellent series of books about the run-up to WWII and the immediate aftermath.
July 13, 2016
Book 3 and the story continues
I've really enjoyed reading this series. It's well written and provides some great insight into the lives of the young boys in Germany at that time.
I've really enjoyed reading this series. It's well written and provides some great insight into the lives of the young boys in Germany at that time.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews