The Bridge Builder's Story

by Howard Fast

Comparativists evaluate democratization by looking at regimes in the transition and consolidation phases of democracy without considering the essence of democracy. This book argues the need to consider democracy as a combination of rights and virtues, and that problems of democraticization are those of balance.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Howard Fast was one of the most prolific American writers of the twentieth century. He was a bestselling author of more than eighty works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays. The son of immigrants, Fast grew up in New York City and published his first novel upon finishing high school in 1933. In 1950, his refusal to provide the United States Congress with a list of possible Communist associates earned him a three-month prison sentence. During his incarceration, Fast wrote one of his best-known novels, Spartacus (1951). Throughout his long career, Fast matched his commitment to championing social justice in his writing with a deft, lively storytelling style.

Pseudonyms: Walter Ericson, E.V. Cunningham

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where have you been all my life, Howard Fast? This is my first experience with his writing and his words flowed into my consciousness like an old friend!

This is a straight-forward tale of youthful innocence lost and a search for peace-of-mind despite past tragedy. When Scott Waring's young wife was brutally murdered by the Gestapo on their 1939 honeymoon in Berlin, he is forced to spend many guilt-ridden and lonely years trying to sort out his life. It was through the important influence of Max Leiberman, his abrasive yet honest psychiatrist, and his newly-found love, Janet Goldman - the young NYC waitress/dancer who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust - that helped Scott overcome the horrors of his past and his own ingrained prejudices.

This is called "The Bridge Builder's Story" for more than one reason. Sure - Waring is an engineer who builds actual bridges ... but he also builds symbolic bridges between past & present as well as bridges of understanding amongst different faiths, nationalities, etc.

A fast-moving, easy-read that would make a great airplane book. I look forward to reading more of Howard Fast's novels.

[Graceann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't plan or expect it when I picked this novel to read after finishing Half a Life by Darin Strauss. As it happens, however, the themes dovetailed nicely with that book.

Scott and Martha, American WASPs, get married in May of 1939, and set off on a European honeymoon. I chose not to wonder for too long as to how likely it was that Europe, and especially Germany, would be chosen for a vacation destination during that turbulent Spring and Summer before the War, even if the United States didn't officially become involved until 26 months later.

As you might imagine, the holiday doesn't go as well as you'd hope, opening the story up to contemplations on guilt, violation, survival and the kind of pain that gets down into the marrow of your bones and doesn't feel like it will ever depart. This is a quick read, and the topics are introduced but not *very* deeply discussed, so I will be thinking about them on my own for some time to come.

Fast himself was the child of Jewish immigrants to the United States, and his own marriage to his first wife lasted for 57 years, until her death. I don't usually figure the personal lives of the authors into their fictional work, but in this case I think he brings a lot of himself into this one, in the love that Scott feels for his wife and in the loathing he holds for what he sees of the German leadership.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT:
Who decides to honeymoon in Nazi Germany in 1939? A very young, wealthy, naive American couple, that’s who. Scott Waring and his 19 year old bride Martha Pembroke, madly in love and stupidly oblivious, board the Queen Mary to start their marriage in France and then Germany. Bad idea. An even worse idea? While in Berlin, Scott decides they should attend a Hitler rally (he is fluent in German) and, oh by the way, he has a pistol in his pocket. What could go wrong? Needless to say, honeymoon over. So The Bridge Builder’s Story starts out with a bang, great! Now, jump ahead 12 years, and we get a long section of give and take between Scott and his psychiatrist, Dr. Lieberman, as he tries to come to terms with his damaged life. His wartime experiences, his overwhelming guilt, his dead wife, continue to hold him in the grips of their nightmarish horrors. He meets women, but his obsession keeps him from making any connection until he meets Janet, a beautiful young holocaust survivor who comes with plenty of her own horrific baggage. Dr. Lieberman employs unorthodox methods in an effort to help Scott live a better life. Scott has his own ideas about moving on, and they may include a return trip to the site of his worst days. Many of the scenes are terrific and star while others are wordy and dragged out.

[Lizzann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was passed along to me by a friend. Opening in 1939, an aspiring young engineering student from MIT and his bride tour Europe on honeymoon. A stop in Berlin changes the course of his life. The story is told 1st person as if he is writing it down for analysis. And, it is the tells of his journey from deep despair, through war, to the long path to living life again. Only 210 pages, the story is concise and the characters well developed.

[Robert Paul Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the inside jacket of the book to find out what it was about and like most non-fiction books it was not really what it was about. I t was about a man trying to find himself with the horror of war, sad stories and the many challenges life can throw at you along with the holocaust and it all winds up wonderfully. Now if you want to read a story of tragedies that all winds up lovie dovie go for it.

[Anne Vandenbrink · Rating 3 out of 5]

1939. Scott and Martha honeymoon in Germany. Martha is murdered and Scott escapes. Many years are spent in therapy and feeling guilty. Then he meets a waitress, a holocaust survivor with her own harrowing story and life finally comes together for him.

[Dave White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed "The Pledge" so I picked this up and wasn't disappointed.
Good story well told.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for 2025 Pop Sugar prompt# 10 A book you got for free.

[HenHud Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bridge Builder’s Story by Howard Fast probes the psychology of healing and transformation from overwhelming guilt, lost innocence and a young love cut short by the murderous hands of Nazi Germany. Set in the period from 1939-1950’s, this love story deals with overcoming loss, surmounting the prejudices of our own upbringing and rebuilding our world view to accommodate life’s experiences and achieve peace and happiness.



Not what I expected when I started the novel, but I enjoyed this book and highly recommend Howard Fast’s other more historically oriented works of fiction.

[Kary · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting story, not as good as his Lavette family stories but interesting path into one's mind and family

[Lynn Caygle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language was a bit strong for me. I found the story interesting but not riveting.

[Sandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love story and healing story intertwined with WWII. Good story, but just ok.