Erik Larson is back again but this time it is 1933, Hitler is rising to power and William E. Dodd has been assigned to Berlin as the United States Ambassador to Germany.
Dodd is a frugal professor from Chicago and brings his wife, son and daughter, Martha, along with him to have the opportunity of a lifetime. Very soon, Martha becomes seduced by the extravagance of the ‘New Germany’ and becomes involved with many men including the first chief of the Gestapo and a Soviet spy. Dodd, of course, comes into contact with many high ranking Nazi officials including Hitler and while having to attend all these glittering parties becomes gradually suspicious and some might say paranoid that what is being presented to him might just not be all there is to this “New Germany”.
Meanwhile, back at the State Department there is a growing faction of people working against Dodd and they continue to ignore his letters and telegraphs that voice these concerns. Dodd and Martha continue through the year to find their lives gradually transformed and beliefs changed until the fateful night that reveals to the world Hitler’s true character. Larson has once again written an excellent historical narrative that “sheds fresh light on why America stood by as Hitler rose to power”.
Even if you normally do not read nonfiction but are interested in this era of history, you will certainly find this book informative and simply thrilling to read.
In the Garden of Beasts will be available on May 10.
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