The Hitler Dilemma: A Mormon Boy in the German Army - Carolyn Twede Frank

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

From Goodreads:
“We’re Nazis, Max. Everybody in Germany is Nazi—if they want to be safe.” Papa pulled up a chair and sat down, crumpling the newspaper in his hand. “We don’t have to think like them, son, but we’ve got to act like them—at least on the outside. Try to remember that. Okay?” Saarbrücken, Germany—1938 Change is in the air in Max Adams’s small village: The censorship of classic literature, the elimination of math and science courses, the addition of extra physical education classes. Along with thousands of other young men, he is forced into the Hitler Youth and is being groomed to become the next generation of Nazi soldiers. But as a faithful Latter-day Saint, how can Max serve the villain who destroyed his younger brother in his effort to create a Master Race—a man who is bent on tearing apart not only a single nation, but also the entire world? From the horrors of battle and the sorrow of separation from family to the privations of a prisoner of war, Carolyn Twede Frank’s groundbreaking novel The Hitler Dilemma is a poignant chronicle of one remarkable young man’s struggle to reconcile his sense of duty with his staunch opposition to the evil tyrant destroying the country he loves.

 

My Thoughts:

Talk about a gut wrenching read, that is exactly what this book is.  This author definitely knows how to grab your heart-strings and make you feel empathy for the Nazis.  I am not uninformed about similar situations.  I have read and reviewed enough books from this time period to know that many people were put into a position to fight for Hitler whether they believed in the cause, or wanted to fight for him.  To refuse a command like that had dire consequences for them.  When Max’s handicapped brother is taken to a “hospital” where he will get the help he needs, I could figure out what was going to happen.  However, when Max finds out what probably happened to his brother it was like I was learning it for the first time along with him.  My heart ached for him.  I also felt sorry for Max because fighting in the war went completely against his religious beliefs.  The internal conflict would be so terrible.  The author is actually working on a second book along this same topic.  I will definitely read it.  I love historical books.  This was one that will stick with me for a long time. 

The Hitler Dilemma Book Blog Tour Stops
May 24th:  Frankly Creative
May 25th:  Anna del C. Dye
May 26th:  Fay A. Klingler
May 27th:  Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters
May 28th:  It's All About Books
May 29th:  The Musings of a Book Addict
May 30th:  LDS and Lovin' It
May 31st:  Taryn A. Taylor
June 1st:    Julie L. Casey
June 2nd:   Renae's Writespot
June 3rd:   The Write Blocks
June 4th:    The Stubby Pencil
June 5th:    Why Not? Because I Said So!
June 6th:    Donna K.Weaver
June 7th:    Lisa Winton - Queen of Random