From the Bookshelf of Bookmarks Subscribers …
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
showing 1 of 1 topics
view all »
Other topics mentioning this book
What book did you just start?
By Stephanie · 3501 posts · 467 views
By Stephanie · 3501 posts · 467 views
last updated Feb 27, 2024 08:11PM
What Members Thought
Despite its disturbing subject matter, I very much enjoyed this book. Tense, atmospheric, riveting are all words I want to use to describe the story of Dodd, a quiet scholar who rather by accident, along with his family was chosen to represent the US in prewar Berlin. I learned quite a bit of history which up until now I didn't know. The story begins in 1933, several years prior to the start of the war, but in Germany, Hitler was already firmly in power and persecuting Jews and other individuals
...more
The book was a little slow in starting but step by step built a comprehensive picture of the developments of the Third Reich from both the vantage point of the US State Dept. and from the vantage of people new to Berlin who were trying to be fair while getting settled in. The horror of that time is the greater for it seeming to be mundane. A lesson to us all, as many of these trends and happenings are once again being seen in various countries in the western world.
This is the second of Larson't ...more
This is the second of Larson't ...more
Larson captures the insidious escalation of terror and fear in the people of Berlin during the rise of Hitler. The most amazing part of this story is one we know, but when reading this book, understand a bit more the self-deception many Germans (as well as many Ambassadors to Germany) pursued in order to hope/wish things were really "normal." The intrigue and spying and watching never stopped for the family of the American ambassador, William Dodd and his family. If you want to see how a country
...more
Great read. Although the topic was disturbing the author did an exceptional job of describing how Germany was as Hitler came into power. With the perspective of the American ambassador and his family who had unique access to the German government, the novel provides a unique insight into what the times were like.
I really liked this book. I like the compelling way that Erik Larson gives us a slice of history. I've been on a reading jag about World War II and things that abut that period: historical figures (Karl Bonhoefer), and actual events pertaining to Germany. My mother grew up in Germany during the war and immigrated to the U.S. during the mid-1950's. The history of her country and her era fascinates me. My readings have opened up many conversations between us and comparing her recollections with ev
...more
Excellent. It was amazing to me how the U.S., as well as western Europe, thought in the mid '30s that Hitler would soon be overthrown or that he was really a positive force in Germany when, in fact, the horror had already begun.
...more
This is a very interesting book. It is about the U.S. Ambassador pre-WWII but at the beginning of Hitler's ascent to power. Well researched, well written. I thought it drug out a bit at the end, but I usually feel that way with non-fiction.
...more
May 07, 2011
Christine Seifert
added it
Aug 19, 2011
Ginni
marked it as to-read
Aug 20, 2011
Mary Chambers
marked it as to-read
Sep 24, 2011
Shawna
marked it as to-read
Jan 16, 2012
Holly
marked it as to-read
Jul 15, 2012
Lan
marked it as to-read
Feb 08, 2013
Megan
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
murder,
non-fiction,
history,
male-author,
overrated,
europe,
death,
politics,
2011,
needs-editing
Aug 25, 2013
Judy
marked it as to-read
Sep 01, 2013
Christina Browne
marked it as to-read
Oct 14, 2013
Terri Fish
marked it as to-read
Nov 05, 2013
Lisa Leone-campbell
marked it as to-read
May 03, 2016
Lena
added it
