From my Book Shelf - IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS

IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS

by Erik Larson

is a non-fiction that reads like a thriller.

One of the author's aim in writing the book was

to give a sense of what daily life was like

in Berlin just after Hitler's assumption of power.

In 1933, William Dodd, a history professor at

the University of Chicago,

was interested in a government position

which would give him time for writing.

President Roosevelt was having a difficult time filling

the position of ambassardor to Germany.

Others were hesitant to take the position because

Hitler was somewhat of an unknown entity,

the "Jewish question" in Germany was just rearing its head,

and most powers in the U.S. were more concerned with

Germany's debt than current politics.

So, although not Roosevelt's first choice,

Dodd became the unlikely statesman.

Viewing the job as a big adventure,

Dodd goes to Berlin with his wife and

two grown children in tow.

The book is Dodd and daughter, Martha's story.

Martha, an aspiring writer, but better

suited as a party girl, was soon caught up in 

Berlin's social scene.

Early on she is quite enamored with the Nazis.

However, as more and more laws are passed

restricting the freedoms of Jews,

the true stituation slowly becomes evident.

I have always questioned in my mind,

"How did normal German people let this happen?"

Although I wholeheartedly recommend this book,

it really didn't fullly answer the question for me.

Somewhat in the same vein, (except Paris rather than Berlin)

I want to mention SARA'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosnay.

I read this book a couple of years ago, but I just saw

a movie trailer for it this past weekend.

I didn't even know it was being made into a movie.

This is such an engrossing story that I still think about it.

It is NOT an easy, light or "beach read,"

but well worth the effort.

And finally, (my mind is really working in circles tonight),

if you're one of the two or three people who haven't yet

read THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett, (a first novel!!!)

GO GET IT!!!

It's a wonderful read, and

the movie is just about to come out for it too.