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Growing Up Under The Third Reich
Loyal to a Degree
A World War Two Historical Fiction Novel Based On A True Story
A young boy in Nazi Germany is forced to become a man well before his time, or perish.
As 14-year-old Karl Veth listens to the German special OKW report, the news he has feared and anticipated becomes a reality. Russian tanks have broken through the German defense lines east of the KLV evacuation camp in Poland where he and 120 other German boys are living. The time has come to leave the camp and return to Berlin.
Despite his young age, Karl is a trained member of the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) and assistant to KLV camp leader. Due to injuries sustained in battle, the camp leader is handicapped and unable to see to the evacuation of the boys from the camp. The job falls squarely on Karl’s shoulders as orders come from headquarters putting him in command of the mission. He must refine and execute an evacuation plan that will reunite the boys with their families and he must do it on his own. Berlin has no soldiers to spare.
Once back in Berlin, Karl is reunited with his good friend and fellow Hitler Jugend member, Harold. The two boys are close and share a common bond – they are both “subway rats.” They earned the nickname because of the time they spent playing in and exploring the subway tunnels under Berlin when they were younger. They are experts when it comes to the subway system but little do they know, their unique knowledge of the tunnels will put them in grave danger.
When SS leaders learn Karl is a subway rat, they take advantage of his knowledge and order him to act as a guide for SS demolition commandos in the tunnels. Having been relieved of his previous post, Harold is ordered to assist Karl. The SS cannot be trusted and Karl walks a fine line between life and death as he follows orders while working on a secret plan with Harold. The fall of Berlin is imminent and it’s only a matter of time before the Russians take over the city.
Facing death at every turn, Karl must use his wits simply to stay alive. As the chain of command breaks down, the SS starts conducting courts-martial on the fly, executing anyone with a single bullet in their pocket. Meanwhile, the nightly air raids continue, scorching the city and leaving the stench of death in the air. Chaos reigns as the Russian Army moves closer and closer.
As a member of the Hitler Youth growing up, Karl has been taught that loyalty to the Fatherland comes first, yet he is fighting for a cause he does not understand. In the final days before Berlin falls, Karl finds himself hungry, scared, and completely disillusioned with the war. He also realizes that he can only afford to be loyal to a degree as he is forced to make a crucial decision – live or die.
Books In The Series:
Children To A Degree
Loyal To A Degree
Trust To A Degree
Partners To A Degree
A young boy in Nazi Germany is forced to become a man well before his time, or perish.
As 14-year-old Karl Veth listens to the German special OKW report, the news he has feared and anticipated becomes a reality. Russian tanks have broken through the German defense lines east of the KLV evacuation camp in Poland where he and 120 other German boys are living. The time has come to leave the camp and return to Berlin.
Despite his young age, Karl is a trained member of the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) and assistant to KLV camp leader. Due to injuries sustained in battle, the camp leader is handicapped and unable to see to the evacuation of the boys from the camp. The job falls squarely on Karl’s shoulders as orders come from headquarters putting him in command of the mission. He must refine and execute an evacuation plan that will reunite the boys with their families and he must do it on his own. Berlin has no soldiers to spare.
Once back in Berlin, Karl is reunited with his good friend and fellow Hitler Jugend member, Harold. The two boys are close and share a common bond – they are both “subway rats.” They earned the nickname because of the time they spent playing in and exploring the subway tunnels under Berlin when they were younger. They are experts when it comes to the subway system but little do they know, their unique knowledge of the tunnels will put them in grave danger.
When SS leaders learn Karl is a subway rat, they take advantage of his knowledge and order him to act as a guide for SS demolition commandos in the tunnels. Having been relieved of his previous post, Harold is ordered to assist Karl. The SS cannot be trusted and Karl walks a fine line between life and death as he follows orders while working on a secret plan with Harold. The fall of Berlin is imminent and it’s only a matter of time before the Russians take over the city.
Facing death at every turn, Karl must use his wits simply to stay alive. As the chain of command breaks down, the SS starts conducting courts-martial on the fly, executing anyone with a single bullet in their pocket. Meanwhile, the nightly air raids continue, scorching the city and leaving the stench of death in the air. Chaos reigns as the Russian Army moves closer and closer.
As a member of the Hitler Youth growing up, Karl has been taught that loyalty to the Fatherland comes first, yet he is fighting for a cause he does not understand. In the final days before Berlin falls, Karl finds himself hungry, scared, and completely disillusioned with the war. He also realizes that he can only afford to be loyal to a degree as he is forced to make a crucial decision – live or die.
Books In The Series:
Children To A Degree
Loyal To A Degree
Trust To A Degree
Partners To A Degree
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2013
41 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Horst Christian
24 books53 followersI was born in Berlin, Germany in 1930. My father taught me to read and write before the age of 5 and by the time I was 10 years old, I discovered my love for writing. I wrote vacation reports and several articles for a German school periodical.
When I was 10, I entered the “Jungvolk,” a subdivision of the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory in the Berlin school system. I then entered the Hitler Youth at the age of 14, also mandatory, and continued writing for the Hitler Youth periodicals.
I was drafted to help defend Berlin against the Soviets at the age of 14 because of my unique knowledge of the subway system and I served as a guide for various SS demolition commandos.
My books are based on my own experiences as a young boy in Germany during World War II and the days leading up to and after the fall of Berlin. There have been many books written about the war, but none from the perspective of a 14 year old boy who was forced to fight for a cause he did not understand.
I immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and became a citizen. My wife, Jennifer, and I live in Northern California on a small ranch, where we have been for the last 30 years.
When I was 10, I entered the “Jungvolk,” a subdivision of the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory in the Berlin school system. I then entered the Hitler Youth at the age of 14, also mandatory, and continued writing for the Hitler Youth periodicals.
I was drafted to help defend Berlin against the Soviets at the age of 14 because of my unique knowledge of the subway system and I served as a guide for various SS demolition commandos.
My books are based on my own experiences as a young boy in Germany during World War II and the days leading up to and after the fall of Berlin. There have been many books written about the war, but none from the perspective of a 14 year old boy who was forced to fight for a cause he did not understand.
I immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and became a citizen. My wife, Jennifer, and I live in Northern California on a small ranch, where we have been for the last 30 years.
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March 4, 2016
Book 2, in “To a Degree Series”
“Loyal to a Degree” is a true account told from of the point of view of a young boy who experienced life during the Nazi Germany regime. This is a story about survival and loyalty.
Young boys were taken away from their parents and drafted against their wills into Hitler Youth at a very young age. Parents as well as boys had two choices: obey or die. So at 14, Karl Veth became member of Hitler Jugend and assistant leader of a KLV camp in Poland till the Russian army broke through the German lines. Karl then brought the boys under his command back to Berlin where he received new orders. In a chilling voice “Loyal to a Degree” recounts how Karl constantly relied on his wits to stay alive and had to make difficult decisions during the final days of WW11.
This is a very touching and incredible story in the days before and after the fall of Berlin. The level of details is fascinating. The author touches everything from getting food, finding shelter, dodging enemies to making everlasting friendships and looking for lost ones…. Although we are in an unspeakable time, the experiences lived in this book are so vividly told and said in such an entertaining way it was like watching a movie. This is an excellent read were the two main characters bring life to a terrifying landscape injecting some humour and a good measure of sanity in order to get through the trauma of war and escape with their lives.
Excellent book
“Loyal to a Degree” is a true account told from of the point of view of a young boy who experienced life during the Nazi Germany regime. This is a story about survival and loyalty.
Young boys were taken away from their parents and drafted against their wills into Hitler Youth at a very young age. Parents as well as boys had two choices: obey or die. So at 14, Karl Veth became member of Hitler Jugend and assistant leader of a KLV camp in Poland till the Russian army broke through the German lines. Karl then brought the boys under his command back to Berlin where he received new orders. In a chilling voice “Loyal to a Degree” recounts how Karl constantly relied on his wits to stay alive and had to make difficult decisions during the final days of WW11.
This is a very touching and incredible story in the days before and after the fall of Berlin. The level of details is fascinating. The author touches everything from getting food, finding shelter, dodging enemies to making everlasting friendships and looking for lost ones…. Although we are in an unspeakable time, the experiences lived in this book are so vividly told and said in such an entertaining way it was like watching a movie. This is an excellent read were the two main characters bring life to a terrifying landscape injecting some humour and a good measure of sanity in order to get through the trauma of war and escape with their lives.
Excellent book
June 29, 2015
After reading the prequel in this series and enjoying it very much I decided to continue with this second book in the chronology. I'm glad I did. The first book dealt more with family and the exploration of the feelings towards the Nazi regime. This particular book is more about surviving the last days of the war in Berlin. The author certainly does a great job of describing in detail the events that took place. The struggles, the insecurities of each new day are on each page, written in a thoughtful style by a man that lived through it. I've read many historical books and novels that focus on German life in WW2. I have to rate these first two novels of this series very high. They deserve to be read.
February 10, 2016
A World War Two Historical Fiction Novel Based On A True Story A young boy in Nazi Germany is forced to become a man well before his time or perish. As 14-year-old Karl Veth listens to the German special OKW report, the news he has feared and anticipated becomes a reality. Russian tanks have broken through the German defense lines east of the KLV evacuation camp in Poland where he and 120 other German boys are living. The time has come to leave the camp and return to Berlin. Despite his young age, Karl is a trained member of the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) and the assistant to KLV camp leader. Due to injuries sustained in battle, the camp leader is handicapped and unable to see to the evacuation of the boys from the camp. The job falls squarely on Karl's shoulders as orders come from headquarters putting him in command of the mission. He must refine and execute an evacuation p
lan that will reunite the boys with their families and he must do it on his own. Berlin has no soldiers to spare. Once back in Berlin, Karl is reunited with his good friend and fellow Hitler Jugend member, Harold. The two boys are close and share a common bond - they are both "subway rats." They earned the nickname because of the time they spent playing in and exploring the subway tunnels under Berlin when they were younger. They are experts when it comes to the subway system but little do they know that their unique knowledge of the tunnels will put them in grave danger. When SS leaders learn that Karl is a subway rat, they take advantage of his knowledge and order him to act as a guide for SS demolition commandos in the tunnels. Having been relieved of his previous post, Harold is ordered to assist Karl. The SS cannot be trusted and Karl walks a fine line between life and death as he follows orders while working on a secret plan with Harold. The fall of Berlin is imminen
t and it's only a matter of time before the Russians take over the city. Facing death at every turn, Karl must use his wits simply to stay alive. As the chain of command breaks down, the SS starts conducting court martials on the fly, executing anyone with a single bullet in their pocket. Meanwhile, the nightly air raids continue, scorching the city and leaving the stench of death in the air. Chaos reigns as the Russian Army moves closer and closer. As a member of the Hitler Youth growing up, Karl has been taught that loyalty to the Fatherland comes first, yet he is fighting for a cause he does not understand. In the final days before Berlin falls, Karl finds himself hungry, scared, and completely disillusioned with the war. He also realizes that he can only afford to be loyal to a degree as he is forced to make a crucial decision - live or die.
lan that will reunite the boys with their families and he must do it on his own. Berlin has no soldiers to spare. Once back in Berlin, Karl is reunited with his good friend and fellow Hitler Jugend member, Harold. The two boys are close and share a common bond - they are both "subway rats." They earned the nickname because of the time they spent playing in and exploring the subway tunnels under Berlin when they were younger. They are experts when it comes to the subway system but little do they know that their unique knowledge of the tunnels will put them in grave danger. When SS leaders learn that Karl is a subway rat, they take advantage of his knowledge and order him to act as a guide for SS demolition commandos in the tunnels. Having been relieved of his previous post, Harold is ordered to assist Karl. The SS cannot be trusted and Karl walks a fine line between life and death as he follows orders while working on a secret plan with Harold. The fall of Berlin is imminen
t and it's only a matter of time before the Russians take over the city. Facing death at every turn, Karl must use his wits simply to stay alive. As the chain of command breaks down, the SS starts conducting court martials on the fly, executing anyone with a single bullet in their pocket. Meanwhile, the nightly air raids continue, scorching the city and leaving the stench of death in the air. Chaos reigns as the Russian Army moves closer and closer. As a member of the Hitler Youth growing up, Karl has been taught that loyalty to the Fatherland comes first, yet he is fighting for a cause he does not understand. In the final days before Berlin falls, Karl finds himself hungry, scared, and completely disillusioned with the war. He also realizes that he can only afford to be loyal to a degree as he is forced to make a crucial decision - live or die.
June 30, 2015
Loyal to a Degree is another good book with the author taking me to the time and place of these boys lives. The author, Horst Christian, has a great talent in the storytelling aspect, I had many times it was hard to stop reading and enter back into today. Highly recommend for all to read.
August 24, 2014
Frightening
a true account of the horrors of war and battle. The inhumanity of desperation, peer pressure and actions of war
a true account of the horrors of war and battle. The inhumanity of desperation, peer pressure and actions of war
May 21, 2017
Many people here have made the same general points that came to me so I'll just name the bits not widely covered that struck me. These apply to Books 1 and 2.
It seems every 8-9 chapters somebody was writing a recommendation or commendation for Karl. And that paperwork made its way to the proper authorities and those authorities acted on it, usually with a promotion. Maybe they really did. But it did leave me wondering just how routine this was, given that the entire social, economic and military situation was collapsing.
Similarly Karl just doesn't put a foot wrong. Wow! Talk about wunderkind.
I don't doubt the ability of boys of that age group in those days to take on adult responsibilities. The 'teenager' had not been invented by marketing and advertising types. It was normal to step directly into adult roles as soon as you were able. Only relatively few went into higher education which somewhat delayed their entry into the full adult world.
At one point he went to pick up supplies including 2,000 pounds of tobacco. 2,000 pounds is generally considered a ton give or take. If nothing else it's a very bulky cargo.
There are spelling mistakes. OMG! Since the introduction of the spell checker the quality of spelling in most books has gradually and greatly deteriorated. In Horst Christian's books it really matters not.
Some people apparently didn't see any connection between the gripping immediacy of use of the first-person and the authentic and unpolished use of German-English. Hiring a native-English speaker to render Host's spellbinding prose into--what, American?--would have killed the story.
Scrubbing the patina off an historical monument to make it all shiny and new would be a desecration.
It seems every 8-9 chapters somebody was writing a recommendation or commendation for Karl. And that paperwork made its way to the proper authorities and those authorities acted on it, usually with a promotion. Maybe they really did. But it did leave me wondering just how routine this was, given that the entire social, economic and military situation was collapsing.
Similarly Karl just doesn't put a foot wrong. Wow! Talk about wunderkind.
I don't doubt the ability of boys of that age group in those days to take on adult responsibilities. The 'teenager' had not been invented by marketing and advertising types. It was normal to step directly into adult roles as soon as you were able. Only relatively few went into higher education which somewhat delayed their entry into the full adult world.
At one point he went to pick up supplies including 2,000 pounds of tobacco. 2,000 pounds is generally considered a ton give or take. If nothing else it's a very bulky cargo.
There are spelling mistakes. OMG! Since the introduction of the spell checker the quality of spelling in most books has gradually and greatly deteriorated. In Horst Christian's books it really matters not.
Some people apparently didn't see any connection between the gripping immediacy of use of the first-person and the authentic and unpolished use of German-English. Hiring a native-English speaker to render Host's spellbinding prose into--what, American?--would have killed the story.
Scrubbing the patina off an historical monument to make it all shiny and new would be a desecration.
September 12, 2023
This is an amazing account of the final days of World War II in Berlin following a young Hitler jungen member, Karl Veth and his friend, Harold. They are resourceful and helpful, and their knowledge of the U- Bahn system in Berlin saved lives. It gives a lot of insight into the Many diverse opinions that the German people had of their Fuhrer by this time. It ends on the day of Hitler’s suicide and continues in a sequel based on the author’s life. It is stunning how much the Nazis depended on their children to carry out many of their plans.
December 17, 2017
I was blown away by the first book and this second one did not disappoint one bit! This man is an amazing writer. And it's horrific to think that he lived through this terrible time in our history. I'm impressed with his finesse in making such a difficult topic more digestible for others who have not experienced this. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see where his life took him.
May 14, 2018
Part 2 devoured with appreciation
I thank Herr Christian for writing this series. I have developed a desire to know more about the history of my distant relatives during WWII in Germany. I am German on my father's side with a great grandmother who was an immigrant in the 1800's. His writing helps me understand the war better and what happened that has not been talked about much: the children. I appreciate the incite.
I thank Herr Christian for writing this series. I have developed a desire to know more about the history of my distant relatives during WWII in Germany. I am German on my father's side with a great grandmother who was an immigrant in the 1800's. His writing helps me understand the war better and what happened that has not been talked about much: the children. I appreciate the incite.
September 28, 2020
Excellent read! Like Book 1 of this series, the book was hard to put down. This suspenseful tale of two best friends, Karl and Harold, culminates in the final chaotic days before the surrender of Berlin to the Russian forces. The author does an amazing job of keeping the reader glued to the book, providing details and insights through the eyes of the boys--really young men--of the horrors and trauma of the Nazi regime, and their first hand accounts of the failing Third Reich.
September 15, 2017
Enthralled
I have completed the first two books of the series and found myself enthralled by the portrayal of these boys. I fought in the war in Vietnam in 1970-72 and have always hard difficulty with how kids are often forgotten in the heat of battles. This story brings that to life without the gore of battlefield trauma.
I have completed the first two books of the series and found myself enthralled by the portrayal of these boys. I fought in the war in Vietnam in 1970-72 and have always hard difficulty with how kids are often forgotten in the heat of battles. This story brings that to life without the gore of battlefield trauma.
March 15, 2017
Fascinating
Despite all you were taught in school you don't know this side of the story. Written by a man who grew up under the third Reich this tells the story of civilians trapped in Hitler's Germany.
Despite all you were taught in school you don't know this side of the story. Written by a man who grew up under the third Reich this tells the story of civilians trapped in Hitler's Germany.
March 26, 2018
A True Pageturner
This is a fictional account based on true events of the author's early teenage years as an HJ member during the final days of the Third Reich. Perhaps not the most beautiful prose but this story will keep you reading. A fascinating read
This is a fictional account based on true events of the author's early teenage years as an HJ member during the final days of the Third Reich. Perhaps not the most beautiful prose but this story will keep you reading. A fascinating read
September 27, 2017
Unique perspective.
November 19, 2018
I am fascinated by this series!! Short, interesting books with a unique perspective of a young man in WW2 Berlin. Highly recommend
March 1, 2022
Loved reading about WWII from the eyes of a German boy.
January 12, 2018
Good. Not as good as “children”.
October 21, 2025
4.5 Stars ✨
Unusual point of view in early 2014 when i first read this series. This was before the flood of WWII historical fiction hit the market. I've read many and this is still not your garden variety story of that era. This is Germans being Germans in Germany under Nazi rule and the influences in play. Very well done. Good Series. Recommended.
Unusual point of view in early 2014 when i first read this series. This was before the flood of WWII historical fiction hit the market. I've read many and this is still not your garden variety story of that era. This is Germans being Germans in Germany under Nazi rule and the influences in play. Very well done. Good Series. Recommended.
March 12, 2016
Loyal to a Degree is book two in a series by Horst Christian. The series is historical fiction based on a true story and events. The names were changed but the story is the same. It is a very interesting series about young German boys during World War II in Berlin. The story takes place right up to the fall of Berlin.
Karl Veth is second in charge of a KLV camp for boys in Poland. The Lieutenant in charge was injured and had his leg and hand amputated. He is not healing well and is simply marking his time before being allowed to go home. Basically, Karl is in charge. Karl is only fourteen but has had training as a sniper in the HJ. He has made some preparations for the evacuation of the 122 boys at the camp. His assistant is Peter Zahn, another fourteen year old. One of the things he had done was to let one of the boy’s Father know that the camp needed to be evacuated for his son to be safe. This father was a top SS official and he sent trucks to take the boys back to Berlin. However, there was not enough room for all the boys in the trucks. Karl had the oldest boys taken to a nearby railroad where they were to stop a train and hopefully get a ride. The remainder of the boys went in the trucks. The plan worked as intended except the Lieutenant was unable to get on the train in time; he was being left behind so Karl turned the boys over to Peter and jumped off the train to help the Lieutenant. While he attempts to get the Lieutenant medical help, he makes some connections with people who will help him in later days. Meanwhile, Karl gets back to Berlin and meets up with Harold once more.
Harold Kellner, his friend from school, was in charge of the HJ at this time. He helps Karl find food for the agency which cares for the boys from the KLV camps when they returned to Berlin. He also helps Karl get another position which keeps him in Berlin. He and Karl work together in Berlin and eventually work together for the SS. The two devise a scheme to hopefully keep them alive during the coming battle of Berlin.
Will the two boys survive the Battle of Berlin? Will they survive working for the SS? Can these two fourteen year old boys make it on their own?
Karl Veth is second in charge of a KLV camp for boys in Poland. The Lieutenant in charge was injured and had his leg and hand amputated. He is not healing well and is simply marking his time before being allowed to go home. Basically, Karl is in charge. Karl is only fourteen but has had training as a sniper in the HJ. He has made some preparations for the evacuation of the 122 boys at the camp. His assistant is Peter Zahn, another fourteen year old. One of the things he had done was to let one of the boy’s Father know that the camp needed to be evacuated for his son to be safe. This father was a top SS official and he sent trucks to take the boys back to Berlin. However, there was not enough room for all the boys in the trucks. Karl had the oldest boys taken to a nearby railroad where they were to stop a train and hopefully get a ride. The remainder of the boys went in the trucks. The plan worked as intended except the Lieutenant was unable to get on the train in time; he was being left behind so Karl turned the boys over to Peter and jumped off the train to help the Lieutenant. While he attempts to get the Lieutenant medical help, he makes some connections with people who will help him in later days. Meanwhile, Karl gets back to Berlin and meets up with Harold once more.
Harold Kellner, his friend from school, was in charge of the HJ at this time. He helps Karl find food for the agency which cares for the boys from the KLV camps when they returned to Berlin. He also helps Karl get another position which keeps him in Berlin. He and Karl work together in Berlin and eventually work together for the SS. The two devise a scheme to hopefully keep them alive during the coming battle of Berlin.
Will the two boys survive the Battle of Berlin? Will they survive working for the SS? Can these two fourteen year old boys make it on their own?
January 15, 2016
4.5 stars.
This book is the second in a series of four that detail the wartime experiences of a member of Hitler's Youth. I have not read the first book in the series but it did not matter as I was drawn in and hooked within the first few pages.
The story begins during WW2 as Karl is trying to help the boys from the Hitler Youth Camp where he is a leader back to Berlin and away from the approaching Soviets. The story of how he does this and what happens next is an incredible one which gives a unique perspective on what life was like in Germany at the time. This book tells a story of survival as new challenges were being faced daily and death was always waiting just around the corner. How the main characters Karl & Howard support each other and deal with the lack of food, sleep, clothing and even a place to shelter makes for a fascinating story. Both boys grew up learning their way around the underground tunnels of the subway system and this knowledge was key to their survival. Although they were just young teens, life had forced them to grow up in a hurry. I cannot imagine having to live through what they faced. War is truly hell from all sides.
This book is the second in a series of four that detail the wartime experiences of a member of Hitler's Youth. I have not read the first book in the series but it did not matter as I was drawn in and hooked within the first few pages.
The story begins during WW2 as Karl is trying to help the boys from the Hitler Youth Camp where he is a leader back to Berlin and away from the approaching Soviets. The story of how he does this and what happens next is an incredible one which gives a unique perspective on what life was like in Germany at the time. This book tells a story of survival as new challenges were being faced daily and death was always waiting just around the corner. How the main characters Karl & Howard support each other and deal with the lack of food, sleep, clothing and even a place to shelter makes for a fascinating story. Both boys grew up learning their way around the underground tunnels of the subway system and this knowledge was key to their survival. Although they were just young teens, life had forced them to grow up in a hurry. I cannot imagine having to live through what they faced. War is truly hell from all sides.
September 14, 2013
As someone who is very interested in World War 2 and reads and watches anything that pertains to it this was a given. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. The dichotomy of the people in Berlin in those days was fascinating; the Flying Court Marshall squads and the ordinary citizens who had born the brunt of Hitler's "Total War" is mind-blowing. I became really invested in the day to day activities of Karl and Harold and the Götterdämmerung like events happening all around them.
A small cynical part of me wonders if perhaps Karl wasn't "cleaned up" a bit, children of his age were fed Nazi ideology with their Mothers milk, but that did not stop me from enjoying it and eagerly awaiting the next book "Trust to a Degree" I give it 4 1/2 stars, the only way it could have been better was if there had been footnotes or something to explain some of the German terms. I highly recommend this to anyone, you don't need to be a history buff to enjoy this book.
A small cynical part of me wonders if perhaps Karl wasn't "cleaned up" a bit, children of his age were fed Nazi ideology with their Mothers milk, but that did not stop me from enjoying it and eagerly awaiting the next book "Trust to a Degree" I give it 4 1/2 stars, the only way it could have been better was if there had been footnotes or something to explain some of the German terms. I highly recommend this to anyone, you don't need to be a history buff to enjoy this book.
May 24, 2015
Even though it bothers me that the main character, Karl Veth, comes across as unemotional and robotic, I could not put this book down once the Russians began to surround Berlin and Karl and his friend were sinking deeper and deeper into dangerous situations. One thing that stands out to me is how sad it was that the Germans could not even trust their own countrymen, their neighbors or friends. The book ends somewhat abruptly when Karl and his friend Harold seek refuge at what they believe is a safe location. I was so interested in finding out what happens to them, that I had to start on Trust to a Degree as soon as I finished Loyal to a Degree.
June 3, 2014
I started this as soon as I finished Children to a Degree to find out what happened to Karl Beth, the main character. The author has used his memories of growing up in WWII Berlin, Germany to write splendid books. At 14, Karl has been assigned to accompany younger children and ,Heavens to Betsy, female teachers, to evacuation camps in the relative safety of rural Germany, then Poland. The cultural bias against females was astonishing to me. With every male adult fighting for Der Fuerher
March 11, 2014
A fascinating viewpoint of a young boy in WWII. It did seem a bit far fetched that a boy so young would be able to think so clearly under the extremely stressful circumstances. But this is how the author remembers it. It draws a vivid picture of the horrific conditions of separation, death, starvation....war. It still did not help me understand how seemingly good people can do such evil things. My fascination and quest for understanding continues.it was a good read, I'm sorry he had to live it.
December 8, 2015
A Real Page Turner!
This book as well as Mr. Christian's first book, Children To A Degree, offers a totally different look at Germany during WW II, showing not only from a German point of view but from the viewpoint of a young person, Karl, caught up in a mandatory system and doing what he can to not only survive but to understand what he is involved in . He tries to understand whether he believes the propaganda and rhetoric being forced upon him
Definitely a good read which leaves the reader with much food for thought.
This book as well as Mr. Christian's first book, Children To A Degree, offers a totally different look at Germany during WW II, showing not only from a German point of view but from the viewpoint of a young person, Karl, caught up in a mandatory system and doing what he can to not only survive but to understand what he is involved in . He tries to understand whether he believes the propaganda and rhetoric being forced upon him
Definitely a good read which leaves the reader with much food for thought.
January 9, 2014
"Karl Veth is 14 years old and as mandated by German law, a member of Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth)."
This is a fascinating mostly true story about a boy who went through the final days of WWII in Berlin. It provide a vivid description of what life was like under the Third Reich during those days. My only criticism is that Karl is perhaps too good to be true. In my opinion that is not enough of a reason not to read this book. I'm sure I will read its sequel one day soon.
This is a fascinating mostly true story about a boy who went through the final days of WWII in Berlin. It provide a vivid description of what life was like under the Third Reich during those days. My only criticism is that Karl is perhaps too good to be true. In my opinion that is not enough of a reason not to read this book. I'm sure I will read its sequel one day soon.
October 29, 2014
End is just the beginning
I found this book frightening but fascinating. A true story of what it was like at the end of Hitler's Germany. I had no Idea what ordinary Germans experienced in Berlin when Germany fell. I also did not know anything about the young boys in the Hitler youth or how rotten the SS could be to their own people. This book was truly a learning experience for me.
I found this book frightening but fascinating. A true story of what it was like at the end of Hitler's Germany. I had no Idea what ordinary Germans experienced in Berlin when Germany fell. I also did not know anything about the young boys in the Hitler youth or how rotten the SS could be to their own people. This book was truly a learning experience for me.
January 18, 2015
This book moved quickly. Berlin is about to be attacked by the Russian army, and Karl and his friend try to prepare for the inevitability. Being in Hitler's Youth makes them more at risk, so it is no easy thing. Complicating the matter is the almost constant shelling of the city. This is actually the first in a trilogy. There is a prequel that was written after the trilogy, I believe, which I read first and I liked that so well, I decided to read the rest.
June 25, 2015
I still have a hard time believing that a 14 year old boy could go through so much in Berlin. Karl is mature beyond his years. No one should have to go through that. I surprised that the editors didn't pick up typos..3 or 4 from each book, but the writing style was less choppy with this book than the first. Highly recommend if you want to learn more about the 'inner' part of what was happening in Berlin during WWII
January 29, 2016
very interesting story
The only trouble I had with this story was believing the age of the main character. He just seemed way too mature for his years. I will be downloading the next in the series because I am very curious to know what happens next.
It is most interesting because there are a ton of books out there from the Jewish perspective, but I have never read anything from a German teens perspective.
The only trouble I had with this story was believing the age of the main character. He just seemed way too mature for his years. I will be downloading the next in the series because I am very curious to know what happens next.
It is most interesting because there are a ton of books out there from the Jewish perspective, but I have never read anything from a German teens perspective.
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