My fascination with Holocaust books drew me to read Erik Larson’s In the Garden of the Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin. I begin by telling you the book is long – 464 pages. But the book of “novelistic history” as Amazon describes it, is eye opening. Larson’s novel focuses on two characters, William E. Dodd, who became the United States Ambassador to Germany in 1933, and his daughter Martha. The story begins with a detailed account of how Dodd came to being named the Ambassador. After Dodd and his family arrive in Germany the reader is then brought into Martha’s free and somewhat outrageous lifestyle of socializing and mingling with spies and members of Hitler’s elite. What I came to realize while reading this novel is that even though I knew the inevitable outcome, I certainly knew very little about how Hitler came to power and how he successfully manipulated the Germans. I also was perplexed and perhaps a bit angry at the way Dodd’s messages and concerns were generally ignored by the United States government. As I read the book I kept thinking, why didn’t the Americans take Hitler seriously?
I also pondered why Larson would tell the story of Dodd and include his daughter Martha’s escapades. I believe the answer is that Martha gave the book a diversion from Dodd, who in many ways was kind of mundane. As I read the book I wondered what will Martha do next. Which is probably exactly the reason Larson included Martha in the historical account of Hitler’s rise to power and Dodd’s difficult assignment as Ambassador. Larson’s work is based on true historical facts. At one point in the story I researched Dodd’s assignment as Ambassador because I couldn’t quite believe what I was reading. The information presented, though somewhat unbelievable was in fact correct! Larson’s work is well researched, factual and definitely attention grabbing. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical novels. Many of the reviews state this book is one of the best of 2011. I certainly learned a lot about the beginnings of Hitler’s reign of terror by reading this novel.
1 comment:
I have always admired Erik Larsen's ability to mix period details with a personal story and "In The Garden of Beasts" is no exception. In it Mr. Larsen tells the story of the short term of William Dodd, a college professor who became the ambassador to Berlin in the early 30's. Called the "Cassandra of Diplomats" as he foretold the eventual rise of Hitler, Mr. Dodd was castigated by his peers in the state department for his frugal ways and low key manner. It also entails the story of his daughter Martha, who apparently slept her way through any male even remotely interesting. Mr. Larsen's story is well written and his prose creates the moods and feeling of prewar Berlin. Many famous figures float through his story and we know them all for better or worse when we are done reading. I recommend "In the Garden of Beasts" for anyone even vaquely interested in the period. I personally found it very hard to put down.
Post a Comment