Driven by Conscience

by Rachel Goss

Take a trip back in time and across the globe with this heartwarming story of adventure and high stakes decision making. The story begins in 1942 Berlin. Uwe Johannes was slated for a brilliant career as a physicist at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute. As the illustrious Werner Heisenberg’s graduate student, Uwe would have remained in the inner circle if not for his family’s humanitarian work. The Third Reich intervenes and Uwe ends up fighting on the front line in Tunisia. Before he leaves the lab, though, Uwe cajoles Heisenberg into sharing classified scientific documents detailing their work towards constructing an atom bomb, which he carries out of the country hidden on a medal. It is up to Uwe to decide if and when to share his secret with the world. Uwe’s outlook expands as the war takes him to unexpected places. Captured by the Allies, Uwe is taken to the US on board a prison ship, on a fast paced march through New York City, on a train ride across America’s heartland, and ultimately to a prisoner of war camp in Arkansas. Each phase of Uwe’s journey brings new challenges as he navigates changing locations and cultures. Uwe extricates himself from field labor by utilizing his mechanical skills to become head of the prison camp motor pool and teaching math and physics to fellow soldiers. Uwe’s encounter with a violent Nazi faction within the prison camp results in his near death and transfer to an off site army hospital. A rare opportunity arises and Uwe joins a clandestine Allied research program operating out of a private home in town. Living with a local family immerses Uwe further into the culture. Although they have sent three sons to war, the family welcomes Uwe into their home. The happy time is cut short by the arrival of a Russian spy network that infiltrates the town. Uwe’s data is stolen. Panicked by the loss of his data, Uwe runs away without official leave to retrieve his medal. He isn’t alone, though, because the housekeeper’s daughter runs away with him. She becomes Uwe’s guide in unknown territory as they chase the thieves to Pine Bluff. The mixed race couple become quick friends on their journey through rural, segregated Arkansas. It wouldn’t be rural Arkansas without a trip or two to church, and they each make friends and alert the authorities over delicious Wednesday night suppers as they try to unravel the mystery of who took the medal where. It is a story of the development of character and judgment in a chaotic world, a story of friendships, neighbors, a good dog and brother love.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2019

Reviews

[Sherri Witkowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not worth your time. Seriously. I rarely am that critical but this is a hot mess. It's a jumbled mess of character after character, setting after setting all thrown into the mix. It's very hard to follow and to see how all these myriad characters will come together. I doubt they do. I couldn't finish it. Even though the main character, Uwe is interesting enough, I was fed up about one half of the way because the writer kept switching to new people I didn't care about. I kept asking, where is Uwe and why am I reading about ALL these new, different characters set in many different places around the world in WWII. How did this book get past the editor? How did this book EVER get published. Rarely do I take time to give book reviews, even for really good ones, but this one deserves an F for FAILURE.

[Jack M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it came out back in 2019 and thought it an absolute gem – completely original, entertaining, culturally and historically illuminating, and with interesting characters. I had not read anything like it; a refreshing break from the forced styles, spins and stereotypes of many modern books. It made me happy, although a bit sentimental about people and times gone by. That said, it is not a simple book. There are multiple plotlines and many characters. If you like linear plots with limited numbers of characters, it is probably not for you. (I admit to referring to the list of characters in the back a few times to get my bearings.)

I reread the book recently because I wanted it fresh in my mind before reading the sequel. This time I found it easier to follow. Some of this was probably due to my having read it before, but I think the recent printing is also better edited, and has been divided into parts to make it easier to distinguish the plotlines. Fortunately no change in the characters or story, though. Looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Agreeing with another reviewer. I got lost somewhere after the POW camp in Oklahoma. I just didn't feel it was worth trudging through pages when I lost track of the main character. If this wasn't a compilation of viewpoints (a group of stories surrounding the central theme), what was it exactly?

[BookTrib.com]

Goss has written a story that’s rich in plot with memorable characters, and leaves the readers wanting more. “I will find you,” says Uwe, and readers will hope he does.

Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/07/24/a-jou...

[Travelmaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical fiction, with a great list of suggested reading in the back (more to learn!). A young man studying bomb making in Germany before WWII, drafted, captured, brought to the U.S. Lots to unwrap and think about. Well developed characters and setting.