CHOOSING SIDES book S The story in Choosing Sides revolves around a young man who grows up on both sides of the Atlantic just before World War II Having been born in Germany but moved to America at age four Karl Heinz returns seven years later to a changed Deutschland He meets der F hrer personally and becomes active in the Hitler Youth He idolizes Uncle Ernst a rising Nazi official His cousin Peter and his childhood sweetheart Annelies are both Party devotees But Karl Heinz also loves the peaceful life he experienced in America As the world enters its second global conflict which land will Karl Heinz claim as his own Which side will he choose Advance Praise for Choosing Sides Readers will find it chilling Although the historical details of book burnings and Kristallnacht portrayed here are well known the author s strength is in his portrayal of ordinary Germans swept into the increasing horror some actively some passively while others are stilled by fear Well developed characters bring new life to a familiar and frightening story Kirkus Reviews Engaging novel about a German family divided by the rise of the Reich Narrated in crisp no nonsense prose the novel captures the dilemmas of ordinary people caught in the sweeping changes happening in Germany and the heart rending tensions faced by the family BookLife by Publishers Weekly A historically rich fictionalized family saga a compelling and valuable story The author has an impressive knowledge of history and knows how to convey it in digestible flowing and easy to understand chunks the characters sit within the perfect time frame Colin Mustful Editor History Through Fiction author of Reclaiming Mni Sota An Alternative History of the U. CHOOSING SIDES kindle books S Dakota War of 1862 A new voice brings a fresh perspective to the old oft told story of a family rent by war Across three decades from the beginning of World War I to the end of World War II we follow the author s extended family on both sides of the Atlantic We learn of their hopes and dreams and motivations we experience through them the rise and fall of the Nazis and we see yet again how the great movements of history change so many private lives William Martin New York Times bestselling author of December 41 Written clearly and economically David K Wessel s Choosing Sides has the richness of an epic Told in part through letters which ring true to the events they recount the trenches of the Great War the turbulent interwar years and the rise of National Socialism and its terrible aftermath it is the story of one family s travails as the nation of Goethe and Beethoven turns to barbarity Christopher C Gorham author of The The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WII and Shape Modern America A must read for anyone who wants an insider s view of how war threatens a family s cohesiveness CHOOSING SIDESA Different Look at the World WarsI enjoyed seeing the impacts of WWI and WWII on immigrants in narrative form Sometimes the dialogue felt like history lessons for the sake of the reader rather than things the characters would actually say In spite of that the book held my interest I appreciated the research that went into this and how it doesn t focus on the actual combat of the war giving a fuller treatment of aspects that usually get overlooked 1952439779 Choosing Sides by David K Wesel is a compelling coming of age novel set against the tumultuous backdrop of pre World War II America and the early 1930s rise of Nazi Germany The story centers on Karl Heinz a young man caught between two worlds born in Germany but raised in the United States He returns to his homeland just as it is being reshaped by the burgeoning Nazi regime The novel delves deeply into his inner conflict as he struggles to balance his loyalty to Germany with his appreciation for the peace and democratic values of his American upbringing Ultimately Karl Heinz faces the daunting task of choosing a side in a world fraught with ideological extremes. CHOOSING SIDES epub.pub Set during one of humanity s darkest periods Choosing Sides takes a domestic approach to explore the devastating impact of the Nazi era on a single family Wesel adeptly portrays Karl Heinz s ideological struggle depicting his exposure to the Hitler Youth and the influence of prominent Nazi figures within his family including his uncle and cousin who are ardent nationalists This fervent nationalism starkly contrasts with the democratic ideals cherished by Karl Heinz s parents who have firsthand experience with the horrors of war These conflicting influences anchor Karl Heinz to a vision of a democratic world creating a profound tension within his character Wesel s novel is both deeply moving and insightful enriched by its foundation in the author s partially fictitious family history This personal touch lends the narrative a unique authenticity making it resonate across different generations and social backgrounds Choosing Sides provides a vital perspective on how the war affected ordinary German citizens offering a nuanced view that differentiates between the ideologies of Hitler and the realities faced by everyday people. CHOOSING SIDES ebookee For enthusiasts of historical fiction this book is a must read sparking intriguing conversations about the complexities of reconciling national and personal identity Wesel presents a thought provoking exploration of how one s beliefs are shaped by their surroundings making Choosing Sides a significant contribution to the literature of this era 1952439779 A must read for anyone who longs to understand the past A family torn apart by the clutches of history Diech Wessel returns from the First World War determined never to allow his children to experience the same things he has As privation and political chaos ravage Germany he flees with his young family to America where they are welcomed by a booming economy and loving relatives Yet things will not remain blissful for longBy the end of the decade the entire world is plunged into a deep depression and a parent s illness forces Diech and his family back across the Atlantic and into Hitler s Germany Will they stay in Europe and hope that the Nazi storm will blow over Or will they return to the safety and security of America What will become of those who stay behind Will Diech s loved ones survive as the continent plunges once again into a bloody war In this family inspired narrative David Wessel makes the experience of thousands of German Americans personal Lovers of historical fiction as well as those interested in the experience of their ancestors will find the story of Diech Wessel and his family captivating 1952439779 Among all the many books about the WWII era this one really stands out because it feels so personal It explores history from the perspective of an individual family a young boy growing up while moving back and forth between Germany and the United States so it s also a story about the experience of immigration The narration really comes to life because it is loosely based on the true story of the author s own father I loved the parts about the immigrant experience which resonate for many American families including my own like Karl Heinz in the book my own grandfather also moved from Europe to the US before WWII and my wife immigrated from Korea I love this kind of story and this one is very well told and expertly intertwined with the historical narrative 1952439779 A moving and compelling story of the challenges faced by his people during this period The ones who moved to the US faced the perennial problems of immigrants everywhere The ones who remained in Germany eventually faced the terrible problem of Hitler All suffered as Hitler led his people to disaster A fascinating book 1952439779

CHOOSING SIDES By David K Wessel

1952439779

9781952439773

English

276

Kindle Edition

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Terrific readWith historical accuracy and well developed characters Wessel weaves a wonderful family epic seamlessly with warnings for the modern world Dangerous ideas and family loyalty take centerstage in this excellent read Definitely recommend for anyone who loves WW2 drama or anyone who just enjoys a good read 1952439779 Choosing Sides by David K Wessel is a must read for anyone who wants an insider s view of how war threatens a family s cohesiveness Interspersed with letters and historic photographs as well as fascinating family memorabilia this novel offers a portrait of everyday people facing the horrors of war and an era that must never be forgotten 1952439779 A great insight into the Wessel family history I am proud to say that I know the author and am distantly related by marriage.

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Having grown up on both sides of the Atlantic Karl Heinz must now Nazi Germany or the U.This book is a Great read 1952439779 .