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Fire and Steel #1
A Generation Rising
From master storyteller Gerald N. Lund comes the next blockbuster historical fiction series, Fire and Steel, Volume One: A Generation Rising, blending the powerful stories of two families on different continents the Eckhardts in southern Germany and the Westlands in southern Utah. While their circumstances are as divergent as their geography, each family must cope with trials that test their courage and fortitude. Spanning more than sixty years, the series follows the Eckhardts and the Westlands through some of the most turbulent times in history, including World War I, the Great Depression, the rise of Nazi Germany, and the Second World War with its devastating aftermath.
In volume one, A Generation Rising, life could not be more promising for the Eckhardts. They finally have a son, Hans Otto Eckhardt the male heir they have longed for and a child of such brilliance and promise that his success seems certain. But as youthful Hans's ambition takes him Away from his family and their small Bavarian village, the winds of unrest in Europe are about to erupt into the greatest war the world has ever known.
At the edge of the lawless, western frontier in America, the Westland family struggles each day to survive. Harassed by Indians and plagued by cycles of drought and floods, life is dangerous and difficult, but young Bill Westland is determined to make a home for himself and his future family in the inhospitable land he has come to love.
United only by their determination to weather the storms of life together with their loved ones, the two families are destined to ultimately cross paths and become inextricably intertwined in the newest series from the unsurpassed bestselling author of LDS fiction.
In volume one, A Generation Rising, life could not be more promising for the Eckhardts. They finally have a son, Hans Otto Eckhardt the male heir they have longed for and a child of such brilliance and promise that his success seems certain. But as youthful Hans's ambition takes him Away from his family and their small Bavarian village, the winds of unrest in Europe are about to erupt into the greatest war the world has ever known.
At the edge of the lawless, western frontier in America, the Westland family struggles each day to survive. Harassed by Indians and plagued by cycles of drought and floods, life is dangerous and difficult, but young Bill Westland is determined to make a home for himself and his future family in the inhospitable land he has come to love.
United only by their determination to weather the storms of life together with their loved ones, the two families are destined to ultimately cross paths and become inextricably intertwined in the newest series from the unsurpassed bestselling author of LDS fiction.
281 pages, Hardcover
First published November 20, 2014
116 people are currently reading
1297 people want to read
About the author
Gerald N. Lund
87 books745 followersGerald N. Lund received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University. He served for thirty-five years in the Church Educational System, and he served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 2002 to 2008. He is a prolific and bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction and is best known for his historical novels, including The Work and the Glory series, Fire of the Covenant, The Kingdom and the Crown series, and The Undaunted. He and his late wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
December 27, 2015
Very disappointing. I read this book primarily because my family comes from Prussia. My great-grandfather emigrated from there in the early 1880s to avoid being called up into Bismark's army. After five years of digging graves, he returned to Prussia, married and brought back his new bride. Two of my great-uncles were born in the US along with 4 other children. In 1914 they were drafted and sent to Germany to fight their cousins. While they were there and in their honor, as was the custom, my great-grandmother proudly hung two American flags in the front window of their little farm house, to little avail. My family was spat upon by their neighbors for being ugly Krauts. I picked up this book because I can relate to their history and my heritage. I finished it because hopefully the next book will be better.
I read this between readings of The Last Kingdom and Sword Song. Perhaps this jaded my opinion, because compared to this masterful series, this is but a minor player. I found this one to be a very simplistic and often condescending look into Germany and the German way of life. It often read more like a tourist guide. In reading prior reviews, it caught my attention that most of them praised the book for filling them in with what they should have learned in high school...either what they slept through or were never taught. One thing I absolutely hate is the constant foreign language phrases being translated. Either put the phrase in and let people figure them out, or leave them out entirely.
What little character development occurred was with a dislikable, spoiled brat. The plot was thin and only seemed to be a vehicle for an uninteresting history lesson.
I read this between readings of The Last Kingdom and Sword Song. Perhaps this jaded my opinion, because compared to this masterful series, this is but a minor player. I found this one to be a very simplistic and often condescending look into Germany and the German way of life. It often read more like a tourist guide. In reading prior reviews, it caught my attention that most of them praised the book for filling them in with what they should have learned in high school...either what they slept through or were never taught. One thing I absolutely hate is the constant foreign language phrases being translated. Either put the phrase in and let people figure them out, or leave them out entirely.
What little character development occurred was with a dislikable, spoiled brat. The plot was thin and only seemed to be a vehicle for an uninteresting history lesson.
March 12, 2015
I've read lots of books about WWII but not as many about WWI. I didn't realize that it was called the Great War until after World War II broke out. Since this is the first book in the series, there was a lot of set up, which I thought was interesting even though it slowed the story down somewhat.
Hans and Inga Eckhardt were finally blessed with a son who they named Hans Otto Eckhardt. They were grateful to have a son who would one day run their milk farm. However, Hans was spoiled and intelligent and his father set him on a different path by sending him to school when he was young. He eventually went away to school and made some decisions that saddened his parents. They always let him know they loved him and helped him understand the consequences of his choices.
While at school, Hans met the missionaries and introduced them to his family. He considered them friends and wasn't interested in them teaching him anything. This introduction did impact some members of his family, though, and it will be interesting to see what this will mean in the future.
I liked the chapter notes that explained more about what was happening during different times. The author explained what happened to the missionaries during that time. One scene was tough to read and brought the reality of their situation to life. I enjoyed all the characters and am looking forward to getting to know them better as the series progresses.
This story started out kind of slow and moved much faster during the second half. Gerald Lund has written many books and, just like his others, this book is well written and well researched. At the end, there was a major twist and I'm excited to read more!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
Hans and Inga Eckhardt were finally blessed with a son who they named Hans Otto Eckhardt. They were grateful to have a son who would one day run their milk farm. However, Hans was spoiled and intelligent and his father set him on a different path by sending him to school when he was young. He eventually went away to school and made some decisions that saddened his parents. They always let him know they loved him and helped him understand the consequences of his choices.
While at school, Hans met the missionaries and introduced them to his family. He considered them friends and wasn't interested in them teaching him anything. This introduction did impact some members of his family, though, and it will be interesting to see what this will mean in the future.
I liked the chapter notes that explained more about what was happening during different times. The author explained what happened to the missionaries during that time. One scene was tough to read and brought the reality of their situation to life. I enjoyed all the characters and am looking forward to getting to know them better as the series progresses.
This story started out kind of slow and moved much faster during the second half. Gerald Lund has written many books and, just like his others, this book is well written and well researched. At the end, there was a major twist and I'm excited to read more!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
July 24, 2020
As I've said before, I really like this writer, and I really like historical fiction. This fits the bill.
The series starts in Germany in 1896 and goes through (I believe) World War II. This book goes through World War I. It gives a great description of war.
What I like about this author is 1) he thoroughly researches his subject and 2) he develops his characters with great care so that you feel you know them and care about them. No character is one sided or two-dimensional (be that hero or villain). At some points I was feeling so sad for the characters I really wanted to cry. (I'm on a hiatus from that, however.)
I recommend this book to anyone interested in history of the late 19th and 20th century, anyone who loves well developed characters, and anyone looking for a good read.
One caveat, the writer is from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so there is some of that mixed in the storyline, but it is not intrusive and not overbearing. Do not Not read it because of that.
Happy reading and let me know what you think. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
The series starts in Germany in 1896 and goes through (I believe) World War II. This book goes through World War I. It gives a great description of war.
What I like about this author is 1) he thoroughly researches his subject and 2) he develops his characters with great care so that you feel you know them and care about them. No character is one sided or two-dimensional (be that hero or villain). At some points I was feeling so sad for the characters I really wanted to cry. (I'm on a hiatus from that, however.)
I recommend this book to anyone interested in history of the late 19th and 20th century, anyone who loves well developed characters, and anyone looking for a good read.
One caveat, the writer is from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so there is some of that mixed in the storyline, but it is not intrusive and not overbearing. Do not Not read it because of that.
Happy reading and let me know what you think. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
February 7, 2017
I need historical fiction to weave facts and fiction together in a believable, interesting and compelling way. This book failed to do that for me. Historical places and events were shoehorned in randomly--e.g. a visit to King Ludwig's castle at Neuschwanstein by a German *peasant* family so the son can read a school report to the gathered visitors on the history of the castle? Too contrived for my tastes.
The author's notes at the end of various chapters also left me feeling like this was a second-rate project. He cites Wikipedia as the source for most of his historical sources. Fine to use that as a jumping-off place for further research, but not your main source.
The author did a little better using primary sources of LDS missionary letters and writings for the pre-WW1 events, but this part of the story involved minor characters. Not enough to bring the whole story to a believable, reasonable level of good historical fiction writing.
I know this author has written a lot of popular historical fiction around LDS themes, but I don't think this book or the series is up to that level.
The author's notes at the end of various chapters also left me feeling like this was a second-rate project. He cites Wikipedia as the source for most of his historical sources. Fine to use that as a jumping-off place for further research, but not your main source.
The author did a little better using primary sources of LDS missionary letters and writings for the pre-WW1 events, but this part of the story involved minor characters. Not enough to bring the whole story to a believable, reasonable level of good historical fiction writing.
I know this author has written a lot of popular historical fiction around LDS themes, but I don't think this book or the series is up to that level.
March 22, 2015
This is the first of Gerald Lund's books that I've read, although I know that he is a very popular author among Latter-day Saints, with three or more series to his credit. This is the first of a series that takes two families through the many upheavals of the twentieth century--the World Wars, the Great Depression, etc., one a German family and one an American family. This book begins with the German family and World War I. These are subjects that have been covered in so many fictional and nonfictional works that they have to be pretty special to get my attention, and I don't know if I will continue the series, although the author has certainly done his research--I appreciated the chapter notes even though they were a little distracting--and the LDS angle, which begins in this book too, is interesting to me. We shall see. Because he is a popular author, the publisher can charge what seems like a lot for a mid-200s page ebook, which is kind of irritating, so I may wait till the price comes down for the next one.
May 28, 2015
I have long been a fan of Lund’s fiction (and non-fiction) works, so I was excited for this novel set in Germany prior to and during World War I, and although it was a bit slow for me at the beginning, it becomes a very interesting look at that conflict from the German point of view and is the beginning of what appears to be another great series from the master of LDS-oriented historical fiction.
The series will also proceed through World War II, and the end of this book shows how tenuous the “peace” of 1918 and what is now known as the “interwar period” was, as the seeds for the next global conflict manifest themselves within hours of the Armistice to end “the war to end all wars.”
The series will also proceed through World War II, and the end of this book shows how tenuous the “peace” of 1918 and what is now known as the “interwar period” was, as the seeds for the next global conflict manifest themselves within hours of the Armistice to end “the war to end all wars.”
January 12, 2015
I look forward to seeing where the rest of the series takes me. I learned a great deal that I didn't know about the events leading up to and during WWI. To be fair, I knew very, very little before this, but this has definitely sparked my interest in reading some non-fiction books about WWI. It was really interesting to read a book from the perspective of the "bad guys" and realize that we're all just human beings usually doing the best we can with what we're given.
January 19, 2017
This book is Amazing! Gerald Lund creates such a strong character with Hans. I loved his character even though he is very annoying sometimes. My heart just hurts for all that he goes through. He has such a great life layed out for him until his country gets caught up in war. Hans is a passionate person and joins. I love the passion Hans obviously possesses. This makes me think that much more about those who leave home for their military services and I gain so much respect for them.
I love Inga! She reminds me so much of my mom. She is so encouraging of Hans. You can tell she just wants the best for him. Hans Senior is just your stereotypical dad and definitely reminds me of my dad. He wants Hans to learn to work hard. He has a hard personality but just wants the best.
Overall This book has great personalities with great morals taught within a great story line. I cant wait to read the next books.
I love Inga! She reminds me so much of my mom. She is so encouraging of Hans. You can tell she just wants the best for him. Hans Senior is just your stereotypical dad and definitely reminds me of my dad. He wants Hans to learn to work hard. He has a hard personality but just wants the best.
Overall This book has great personalities with great morals taught within a great story line. I cant wait to read the next books.
January 12, 2025
This book was slow in some areas but had some special moments spread throughout the book. The one thing about the main character Hans worried me about a very important life change that happened after his friend’s death. Hans could have been an awesome engineer but he changed his mind by fighting in WW1, and he stopped believing in God. I liked how his parents never gave up on him, even when cancer entered their family. Don’t let trials make you leave God but let them help you to follow God through your trials, and we will see how strong God is through them.
January 13, 2019
I really liked learning more about the culture in Germany and the background of WWI. It’s done in a narrative form but each chapter has footnotes to clarify or expound on the history. I learned so much.
I also liked the church history involved in the story. I had no idea how brutal and hostile people were towards the church at that time. It’s inspiring to think of the elders who bravely endured the ridicule and dangers facing them with such compassion and patience.
I also liked the church history involved in the story. I had no idea how brutal and hostile people were towards the church at that time. It’s inspiring to think of the elders who bravely endured the ridicule and dangers facing them with such compassion and patience.
February 23, 2024
A good amount of fictional story along with historical facts. I liked the notes at the end of the chapters too. It was a page turner and I was surprised that with all my studying lately of WWI that I already knew the majority of the history. I plan to continue on as the series timeline also covers WWII.
March 1, 2021
A Rising Generation was a fairly interesting book, set in Germany around the time of WWI. The main character is named Hans Otto Eckhardt, he is very smart, and an only son. He went to school, was by far the top of his class, and his teacher got him a scholarship at a prestigious school. When he had graduated, he was working for a company that made automobiles, and he had a scholarship for a prestigious college, but he signed up to fight in the war under the pretense that he would be apart of some engineering division. he was actually made a truck driver for most of the war, then changed to a private on the frontlines. He was severely injured by friendly fire, and for a time the doctors worried that he would be blind. When he was mostly healed, a preacher came and talked about how teh government sucked, and a fellow from the burn ward was very outspoken. He goes to speak to this person, they blame the loss of the war on the jews, adn say that they will likely have to go into politics. Right at the very end, you find that this person is “Adolf. Corporal Adolf Hitler” and they agree to talk again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
Good introduction to conditions arising out of World War I in Germany.
December 31, 2021
Didn't finish. I'm in the middle of his WAG series and Lund spends a decent amount of time on his female characters in the opening chapters. Here... not so much. I'm NOT accusing anyone of anti-feminist propaganda. It's more like I didn't find any friends here and that might be the factor. There wasn't anyone to connect with. I might try the sequel.
Also when you're writing a book, sourcing Wikipedia is a bit, well, not really the thing. Because it's flexible. And books are not. Best to find a book that has the info you need.
Edit: was thinking about it driving home. The other reason I wasn't a fan was because, upon the quick flip through to the end, I noticed a certain mustachioed dictator-to-be make an entrance. And I'm just not interested in a fictionalized version of the man. Nonfiction is accurate enough for me. I would rather get to know heroes in my escapism.
Also when you're writing a book, sourcing Wikipedia is a bit, well, not really the thing. Because it's flexible. And books are not. Best to find a book that has the info you need.
Edit: was thinking about it driving home. The other reason I wasn't a fan was because, upon the quick flip through to the end, I noticed a certain mustachioed dictator-to-be make an entrance. And I'm just not interested in a fictionalized version of the man. Nonfiction is accurate enough for me. I would rather get to know heroes in my escapism.
October 31, 2022
This was an easy read and a real page turner. The Eckhart family is fictional, however, the historical setting is not. I highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading the other five books in the series.
December 28, 2020
I have read a little on WWI, but not a lot. I found this book to be very educational about what happened and what it felt like to be a part of the horrible event.
I really related with the mother in this and loved the family relationships. I didn't love Hans Otto (our entitled main character) but I did appreciate his growth throughout the story and am excited to see more of his journey.
I did feel that the nonfiction history side often slowed the story and at times was a side note rather than directly related to our characters.
Overall, I found it to be a pretty quick read, despite it being a WWI historical fiction, and yet still enlightening. I am excited to continue on in the series.
Edit after finishing the series:
For the series, I would give it four stars. It was a good series overall. I learned so much (I've read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but never one that looks so deeply at Hitler and his rise to power). I also fell in love with both families that we follow and cried with them many times. Some books were harder to get through and there were sections that didn't keep my interest, especially with the family in America--by the end, I saw the point of including them and was so glad they were included, but the first couple of books, I wondered why they were even being talked about.
Book one: 4 stars
Book two: 5 stars
Book three: 5 stars
Book four: my favorite! 5 stars
Book five: 3.5 stars
Book six: 5 stars
I really related with the mother in this and loved the family relationships. I didn't love Hans Otto (our entitled main character) but I did appreciate his growth throughout the story and am excited to see more of his journey.
I did feel that the nonfiction history side often slowed the story and at times was a side note rather than directly related to our characters.
Overall, I found it to be a pretty quick read, despite it being a WWI historical fiction, and yet still enlightening. I am excited to continue on in the series.
Edit after finishing the series:
For the series, I would give it four stars. It was a good series overall. I learned so much (I've read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but never one that looks so deeply at Hitler and his rise to power). I also fell in love with both families that we follow and cried with them many times. Some books were harder to get through and there were sections that didn't keep my interest, especially with the family in America--by the end, I saw the point of including them and was so glad they were included, but the first couple of books, I wondered why they were even being talked about.
Book one: 4 stars
Book two: 5 stars
Book three: 5 stars
Book four: my favorite! 5 stars
Book five: 3.5 stars
Book six: 5 stars
June 9, 2015
Gerald N. Lund is my favorite historical fiction author. He has a unique ability to stay true to the historical event while infusing fictional characters that pulls what would otherwise be a boring history lesson into a compelling page turning story. His extensive footnotes also help discern the fiction from the history, educating the reader along the way. The addition of the spiritual aspect of the characters add to their humanity, make them a more complete and lifelike character. In a Generation Rising, we meet the Eckhardt family in Bavaria Germany and we follow them before and through the first world war. This family's story helped me understand more of the history leading up to World War 2 as well as the mind set and values of the people. Before reading this, I also had no idea that LDS missionaries were in Germany during that time period. Some parts were a little slow and read like a text book and that is why I gave it 4 stars. The ending picked back up and in true series style left me waiting impatiently for the next installment.
June 21, 2021
I've really enjoyed the other books I've read by Lund, but this one was a lot harder for me to get into. I finally realized it's because I don't find any of the characters to be particularly compelling. I don't like Hans Sr. or Hans Otto - they are both selfish and annoying. Inga tries to be strong, but the time period and culture she lives in make that very difficult and everyone else in the bookis really one-dimensional. After finishing the book I can't even recall any names for Hans Otto's three sisters or nieces or nephews. I'm fairly certain that the names of his three brother-in-laws were never even mentioned. The time period this book covers (pre WWI and WWI) is interesting, and not one that I've really read a lot about before, but I don't feel like I actually know any more about it after reading this book. Hans Otto's war experiences are almost all glossed over.
So, I don't think I'll continue the series - too many books out there to read, too little time. But, if you're a big Lund fan or you are fascinated by this time period, you might give it a try.
So, I don't think I'll continue the series - too many books out there to read, too little time. But, if you're a big Lund fan or you are fascinated by this time period, you might give it a try.
April 7, 2015
A Generation Rising is a sanitized fictional account of a poor Bavarian family living out their bland lives in Germany during the early 20th Century. Nothing too surprising here. The historical notes are mildly interesting, but the overall story fails to deliver. The main character is barely likable as a spoiled brat, and the rags-to-riches premise lacks depth. If not for the events of WWI, and the inclusion of the author's own experiences with boot camp, this would have been a dull read right up until the end. But Lund knows his audience, and I'm sure he'll have no trouble marketing Volume Two.
January 13, 2015
Great historical fiction novel and a quick, very clean read. LOVED the setting in beautiful Bavaria, too. Lund does a great job of introducing new characters, bringing them to life, and making the reader feel like they know these people. I've always wanted to read more about WWI and why it was started and this was a great front-row seat to a very small part of that conflict. Can't wait to read #2.
February 1, 2015
So I got this book for Christmas and I was kind of disappointed by the gift. I hadn't read anything by Gerald N. Lund in a very long time, but I did enjoy many of his books. I really liked this book. It was a fun, easy read and I learned a great deal about World War I. The story moved at a good pace and was very interesting.
February 9, 2015
For some reason I keep reading Gerald Lund's stuff, even though I don't like his writing generally. Why?!?! This book is basically setting up for the rest of the series, so it was a dull read for me. If you don't know anything about the time period surrounding WWI you might find it a bit more interesting than I did.
December 26, 2014
Great start to a series that will span a very intriguing and turbulent time in world history. Told from the German perspective in the years leading to and including World War I. Good storytelling, with history included.
July 12, 2015
4.5 stars! This is another great historical fiction by Gerald Lund set before and during World War I, from the perspective of a German family. I loved it and learned so much about the time and thought it was a great book!
January 28, 2015
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March 27, 2015
Lund is great at keeping a story moving along so you don't want to put it down. I love the historical notes at the end of each chapter, and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
May 25, 2015
I enjoyed this book. Love the genre, but I just felt it was a little short for how much time and info it covered. I will definitely read the next one in the series.
December 21, 2014
amazing. Can't wait for the next one.
June 10, 2015
So this is the first in a new series by Gerald Lund, and he does it great justice! It pretty much starts off in the late 1800s and goes to 1918/1919 at the end of World War I. This series is supposed to have two families that are followed, one in Germany and one in America. This book centers on the German family. I always find that Gerald does very well with his historical facts, and I love the footnotes that he has at the end of almost every chapter, in which he goes over more specifics and points out where he used his artistic talents in a way to just show the general atmosphere at the time!
I really loved Inga, Paula and Wolfie as characters, although Paula and Wolfie weren't in it for that much, and Inga was really only in it for the first half of the book. Once the war started, it changed perspectives from Inga to her son Hans. Her husband, Hans Senior, was a bit of a jerk, and I'm kinda glad that I didn't live in the early 1900s Germany, as it seemed she was kinda stuck with him, I personally think that Inga is a hero for sticking it out and putting up with such an awful man just for the few times that he actually showed affection. I, at the very least, would have put him in his place years before she actually stuck up for herself, but I'm also a product of the late 20th century, early 21st, and Canadian, so perhaps I would have done the same as Inga. I could totally see a comparison between Hans Senior and the Dursley's from Harry Potter (you know how they spoiled their son Dudley?). Well Hans Senior totally favored Hans just because he was a boy, and I thought the older sisters were a little weak since they just automatically took that to be fact, like just because they are girls they are not as good. And once again, this took place before women's sufferage and such so it would have been common then to have this attitude, I would have just assumed that they would at least have some sort of bad feeling about the way their father treated their younger brother and didn't really seem to care about them. But perhaps they did resent it, they really only ever mentioned the sisters, they didn't really take a big part of the story.
Inga was an exceptionally bright character, and while I didn't always like the way her husband treated her, I liked that they did support one another, although I think Inga supported Hans Sr. more than the other way. I liked how she finally stood up to him and that he finally seemed to take her seriously for once. Perhaps Hans Sr. will take a turn like Father Steed or Joshua did in the Work and the Glory series (which you should totally read if you haven't already, one of my all time favorite series to date), and if he does in the later books, I will write a more favorable review of his character then. I would have liked to see more of Inga through the last half of the book, but I could see the need to focus mostly on Hans Jr.
On to my review of Hans Jr. He was spoiled and it showed through most of the book. In fact, the only time that I actually started to like him was at the end of the war. I don't want to spoil the ending, but Hans does go through a lot of growth and you can see that he doesn't have the same arrogance that he started off the book with. He had been reckless and made choices without consulting anyone, and I'll use a familiar catchphrase for his behavior: it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. And that attitude got a little old, so I really enjoyed watching as he realized that every choice has consequences, and those consequences can be good or bad, it all depends on how you choose. So I was glad to see his attitude change, and the growth occur wtih him. I actually had started to like his character about 3/4 of the way through the book, but of course that couldn't last. I was not a fan of his attitude after the war ended, but as there were only a few chapters after the end of the war before the book ended, I don't think Gerald was fully able to develop this new direction Hans is going. AS I said, I wasn't a fan of this attitude, but I have taken several history courses at University that dealt with both World War I and II, and I know that it was an attitude that was very prevalent. Nobody deals well when they are in the wrong, or the losers and tend to look to others for blame. But it is this ignorant and, forgive me for being blunt, stupid tendency of humans that not only caused World War II and the atrocities committed there, but have, over the millenia, caused oppression of those that are considered weaker, lower class, different, and is still being shown today. In fact, blaming others for the consequences of our own actions is a major problem today, nobody wants to be the one to have to admit that they chose wrong, and I do appreciate the fact that Gerald is touching on this subject. Each choice we make does have consequences, and whether we blame someone else and make them deal with the consequences that should be ours now, or take the responsibility ourselves, in the end, consequences will always come to each person. So while I don't exactly like where Hans Jr. is going, and perhaps Gerald won't take it as far as I'm thinking he will, I do like that Gerald is not shying away from the nasty. Hans Jr. will have to deal with how the war ended, and face the consequences of his attitude at some point, and I am grateful that Gerald is using Hans to show how the general population reacted to the end of the war.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series, and not only find out what happened with Hans and his family, but also meet the American family and see what Gerald does with them. Is he going to introduce the American family after the end of the war, or are we going to see the war from an American viewpoint? It is intriguing to wonder and wait as Gerald could do so many things with either take. Are the families going to meet up? I would assume so, as it is a series! I can't wait to read the rest of the book series, I think it will end around the 1960s (he has said it covers a 70 year timespan, and it starts in 1890), although I think it would be cool to take it right until the fall of the Soviet Union...maybe have one side of the family caught in Eastern Germany and the others on the Western side. Not sure exactly where it is going, but I am eagerly looking forward to it, and can't wait until the next volumes come out. I have long since decided that it is fully worth while to read each and every book Gerald comes out with, they are always well written, accurate in terms of history, and always invoke the most emotions out of me. (I said religious, as it does mention God several times, but the emphasis on this book was not necessarily religion as more a setting the foundation for future novels in this series, there may be more mention of religion in later books, particularly I believe with the American family so don't let this scare you off).
I really loved Inga, Paula and Wolfie as characters, although Paula and Wolfie weren't in it for that much, and Inga was really only in it for the first half of the book. Once the war started, it changed perspectives from Inga to her son Hans. Her husband, Hans Senior, was a bit of a jerk, and I'm kinda glad that I didn't live in the early 1900s Germany, as it seemed she was kinda stuck with him, I personally think that Inga is a hero for sticking it out and putting up with such an awful man just for the few times that he actually showed affection. I, at the very least, would have put him in his place years before she actually stuck up for herself, but I'm also a product of the late 20th century, early 21st, and Canadian, so perhaps I would have done the same as Inga. I could totally see a comparison between Hans Senior and the Dursley's from Harry Potter (you know how they spoiled their son Dudley?). Well Hans Senior totally favored Hans just because he was a boy, and I thought the older sisters were a little weak since they just automatically took that to be fact, like just because they are girls they are not as good. And once again, this took place before women's sufferage and such so it would have been common then to have this attitude, I would have just assumed that they would at least have some sort of bad feeling about the way their father treated their younger brother and didn't really seem to care about them. But perhaps they did resent it, they really only ever mentioned the sisters, they didn't really take a big part of the story.
Inga was an exceptionally bright character, and while I didn't always like the way her husband treated her, I liked that they did support one another, although I think Inga supported Hans Sr. more than the other way. I liked how she finally stood up to him and that he finally seemed to take her seriously for once. Perhaps Hans Sr. will take a turn like Father Steed or Joshua did in the Work and the Glory series (which you should totally read if you haven't already, one of my all time favorite series to date), and if he does in the later books, I will write a more favorable review of his character then. I would have liked to see more of Inga through the last half of the book, but I could see the need to focus mostly on Hans Jr.
On to my review of Hans Jr. He was spoiled and it showed through most of the book. In fact, the only time that I actually started to like him was at the end of the war. I don't want to spoil the ending, but Hans does go through a lot of growth and you can see that he doesn't have the same arrogance that he started off the book with. He had been reckless and made choices without consulting anyone, and I'll use a familiar catchphrase for his behavior: it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. And that attitude got a little old, so I really enjoyed watching as he realized that every choice has consequences, and those consequences can be good or bad, it all depends on how you choose. So I was glad to see his attitude change, and the growth occur wtih him. I actually had started to like his character about 3/4 of the way through the book, but of course that couldn't last. I was not a fan of his attitude after the war ended, but as there were only a few chapters after the end of the war before the book ended, I don't think Gerald was fully able to develop this new direction Hans is going. AS I said, I wasn't a fan of this attitude, but I have taken several history courses at University that dealt with both World War I and II, and I know that it was an attitude that was very prevalent. Nobody deals well when they are in the wrong, or the losers and tend to look to others for blame. But it is this ignorant and, forgive me for being blunt, stupid tendency of humans that not only caused World War II and the atrocities committed there, but have, over the millenia, caused oppression of those that are considered weaker, lower class, different, and is still being shown today. In fact, blaming others for the consequences of our own actions is a major problem today, nobody wants to be the one to have to admit that they chose wrong, and I do appreciate the fact that Gerald is touching on this subject. Each choice we make does have consequences, and whether we blame someone else and make them deal with the consequences that should be ours now, or take the responsibility ourselves, in the end, consequences will always come to each person. So while I don't exactly like where Hans Jr. is going, and perhaps Gerald won't take it as far as I'm thinking he will, I do like that Gerald is not shying away from the nasty. Hans Jr. will have to deal with how the war ended, and face the consequences of his attitude at some point, and I am grateful that Gerald is using Hans to show how the general population reacted to the end of the war.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series, and not only find out what happened with Hans and his family, but also meet the American family and see what Gerald does with them. Is he going to introduce the American family after the end of the war, or are we going to see the war from an American viewpoint? It is intriguing to wonder and wait as Gerald could do so many things with either take. Are the families going to meet up? I would assume so, as it is a series! I can't wait to read the rest of the book series, I think it will end around the 1960s (he has said it covers a 70 year timespan, and it starts in 1890), although I think it would be cool to take it right until the fall of the Soviet Union...maybe have one side of the family caught in Eastern Germany and the others on the Western side. Not sure exactly where it is going, but I am eagerly looking forward to it, and can't wait until the next volumes come out. I have long since decided that it is fully worth while to read each and every book Gerald comes out with, they are always well written, accurate in terms of history, and always invoke the most emotions out of me. (I said religious, as it does mention God several times, but the emphasis on this book was not necessarily religion as more a setting the foundation for future novels in this series, there may be more mention of religion in later books, particularly I believe with the American family so don't let this scare you off).
Want to read
May 24, 2023"A Generation Rising" is the first book in the "Fire and Steel" series which is set during the first and second World wars and the Inter-war period. The book takes you on a thrilling journey through the lives of multiple characters as they face the harrowing realities of war. Amidst the backdrop of the global conflict during World War I, the story focuses on Hans Eckhardt highlighting his individual struggles, sacrifices, and acts of bravery during his upbringing and eventual defending of Germany. With meticulous attention to historical detail and captivating storytelling, Lund captures the spirit of resilience and determination that emerged during one of the darkest periods in human history. Lund really does a great job in this epic tale of courage, love, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Lunds ability to truly transport the reader to the 1910's left me thoroughly enthralled and emotionally invested. His storytelling made me feel like I was in the tumultuous era of World War I, immersing me in the lives of diverse characters grappling with the horrors of war. The depth of character development and the intricate interweaving of their individual stories created a powerful and immersive reading experience. His focus on as typical German family, the Eckhardt's, does a fantastic job of showing what the Germans side looked like during the conflict. The historical accuracy and attention to detail brought the time period to life, evoking a profound sense of the challenges and sacrifices faced by those caught in the midst of conflict. Lund's poignant portrayal of courage, resilience, and the human spirit resonated fairly strongly with me as I am a bit of a sucker for stoicism and military duty. His book is an exceptional work of historical fiction that shines a light on the indomitable strength of individuals during the darkest of times.
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