What do you think?
Rate this book
Hubener vs. Hitler: A Biography of Helmuth Hubener, Mormon Teenage Resistance Leader
From Nazi Germany came one of the most intriguing, gut-wrenching events of the century, when a group of teenage Germans waged their own war against Adolf Hitler. Master biographer Richard Lloyd Dewey recounts the compelling true story of Helmuth Hubener - the brilliant and bold teenager who daringly formed the youngest resistance group to face the Nazis. Learn how young Hubener recruited others, how his group eluded the SS, played cat-and-mouse with the Gestapo, and, amazingly, outsmarted all the Nazi authorities who sought to hunt them down. This is a mesmerizing account of the entire group and its operations, and how they exposed the Third Reich, which thought hundreds of British agents were involved when they were actually just a band of determined German teenagers. But they sacrificed all for the truth. "What the Hubener group did. . . is simply inconceivable. Only someone who himself was active in the resistance movement can grasp what it means." - Franz Ahrens, Noted German RESISTANCE FIGHTER and author
594 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2003
29 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 8, 2008
Read Three Against Hitler by Rudi Wobbe. Much MUCH better!
This book was awful! How an author could take so an intriguing subject and make it truly boring is beyond me. Don't read this book.
I found four overall issues with this book:
1. Tangents - The author's over-arching narrative wasn't there. There was no through line. You would be reading and realize that the 'story' had followed multiple tangents away from the Hubener aspect.
2. Person 'beef-to-pick' - The author constantly, CONSTANTLY, points out the inconsistencies in Rudi Wobbe multiple accounts of the events. Even nitpicking the term "about a week". (Example: I'm paraphrasing, "in his 1961 interview he said 2 weeks, in 1971 he said 10 days, in 1988 and 1992 he goes back to about a week") - Really? REALLY? Come on!
3. Listing - as you can see from my example the author doesn't know how to narrate a list. This can go on for a sentence, a page, or in some cases several pages.
4.Appendices - He has A-T, yes 20 appendices. If you need that many extra informational chapters, you have structured your book poorly.
Wow, this went longer than I expected, I guess I needed to rant.
I plan on reading Schnibbe account. It is being made into a movie. http://www.truthandtreason.com/
This book was awful! How an author could take so an intriguing subject and make it truly boring is beyond me. Don't read this book.
I found four overall issues with this book:
1. Tangents - The author's over-arching narrative wasn't there. There was no through line. You would be reading and realize that the 'story' had followed multiple tangents away from the Hubener aspect.
2. Person 'beef-to-pick' - The author constantly, CONSTANTLY, points out the inconsistencies in Rudi Wobbe multiple accounts of the events. Even nitpicking the term "about a week". (Example: I'm paraphrasing, "in his 1961 interview he said 2 weeks, in 1971 he said 10 days, in 1988 and 1992 he goes back to about a week") - Really? REALLY? Come on!
3. Listing - as you can see from my example the author doesn't know how to narrate a list. This can go on for a sentence, a page, or in some cases several pages.
4.Appendices - He has A-T, yes 20 appendices. If you need that many extra informational chapters, you have structured your book poorly.
Wow, this went longer than I expected, I guess I needed to rant.
I plan on reading Schnibbe account. It is being made into a movie. http://www.truthandtreason.com/
November 9, 2014
This book was so poorly written it was terrible. The true story, however, was amazing and heroic. For those interested in the story, I highly recommend "Three Against Hitler" by Rudi Wobbe, especially as Wobbe was one of the friends of Hubener who actually lived the story.
April 20, 2025
Sometimes you pick up a book with certain expectations that you’re going to enjoy reading it. Sometimes those expectations are met, sometimes they’re exceeded, and sometimes they’re not met and you’re disappointed. This book definitely fell into the exceeded expectations category as I thought I was already familiar with Helmuth‘s story and now I know I wasn’t.
Having lived for an extended period of time in and around Hamburg, this story really came alive for me. I recognized some of the names of places and I know firsthand what the apartment complexes look like that Helmuth and his friends posted flyers in. Hamburg has long been a center of trade (e.g. they were part of the Hanseatic League which is the second H on their license plates - HH) and the working class people so it fits that many of the people who received Helmuth‘s flyers didn’t turn them in (like they were supposed to) because they were either sympathetic to his cause or were just too busy with work to bother.
I also really enjoyed seeing how his unwavering commitment to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ and loyalty to friends and family rubbed off on his friends who were spared his fate and then were able to live long productive lives despite the horrors they went through at the hands of the Gestapo.
Having lived for an extended period of time in and around Hamburg, this story really came alive for me. I recognized some of the names of places and I know firsthand what the apartment complexes look like that Helmuth and his friends posted flyers in. Hamburg has long been a center of trade (e.g. they were part of the Hanseatic League which is the second H on their license plates - HH) and the working class people so it fits that many of the people who received Helmuth‘s flyers didn’t turn them in (like they were supposed to) because they were either sympathetic to his cause or were just too busy with work to bother.
I also really enjoyed seeing how his unwavering commitment to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ and loyalty to friends and family rubbed off on his friends who were spared his fate and then were able to live long productive lives despite the horrors they went through at the hands of the Gestapo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2009
Given the closed and thorough nature of the Nazi regime, I am amazed at how present this book makes me feel to Helmuth. Pivotal conversations are brought forward from inside Hitler's Germany as though they were only yesterday.
I really enjoyed this book. This book is not a regular "Read". One reviewer said that any book with so many appendixes and notes, (twenty appendixes and some 200 pages of notes), should be rewritten. The reader would have an easier time of it if the author had simply offered his perspective in an all-knowing, patronizing way. I am not educated in literature style, but I don't believe the author was technically wrong.
The hurried reader may be distracted by the author's comparisons between original sources. If I was a bit distracted by the way it analyzed and interpreted the truth between conflicting witnesses, I felt I was better equipped to form my own opinions than I would have been otherwise.
I believe the author gives the reader a fresh look at Helmuth's daring and evocative life that can no longer be dimmed with time.
I really enjoyed this book. This book is not a regular "Read". One reviewer said that any book with so many appendixes and notes, (twenty appendixes and some 200 pages of notes), should be rewritten. The reader would have an easier time of it if the author had simply offered his perspective in an all-knowing, patronizing way. I am not educated in literature style, but I don't believe the author was technically wrong.
The hurried reader may be distracted by the author's comparisons between original sources. If I was a bit distracted by the way it analyzed and interpreted the truth between conflicting witnesses, I felt I was better equipped to form my own opinions than I would have been otherwise.
I believe the author gives the reader a fresh look at Helmuth's daring and evocative life that can no longer be dimmed with time.
February 12, 2009
I loved this book. It still has me thinking about obeying the law of the land vs obeying the laws of God and where do you draw the line. Yes we should obey the laws of our land, but what do we do when obeying those laws go against the laws God has given us. I'm afraid we all might have to make that decision someday.
August 20, 2020
This is a story reconstructed from personal interviews with little written documentation due to destruction during allied bombing raids on Hamburg during WW II. Helmuth was born on 8 January 1925, his mother having claimed the pregnancy was the result of her being raped by one Karl Oswald Vater. There were two older brothers born of a previous marriage that did not last. Emma, Helmuth's mother, then took up a relationship with Hugo Hubener which lasted for several years with no marriage. Helmuth was 8 years old when the Nazi Party took control of Germany in 1933. Helmuth and his two older brothers were introduced to the Mormon church by his grandmother, who had been an active member for many years. The boys grew up in the church participating in programs and learning gospel principles. The Mormon Church was never shut down by the Nazi party but was looked upon with disdain since their core beliefs regarding agency and freedom were contrary to the regime's political control.
Helmuth was a precocious youth who taught himself to understand and become fluent in the English language. He learned to be a stenographer and was very politically astute for his young age. The story is how he learned that the Nazi party prohibited the German population from hearing foreign radio broadcasts and told the populace only what the Nazi's wanted them to hear. This rang contrary to Helmuth's teachings and he began to assume a resistant stature toward the party. As he grew older (early teens) he acquired a shortwave radio from his brother and began to listen to war broadcasts from the BBC in England. He quickly realized the Nazi propaganda news was untruthful and so Helmuth began to print and circulate flyers exposing the Nazi lies. He slowly brought some of his close friends at church into his clandestine activities.
His resistant activities grew more bold and to a larger scale until at the age of 16 he was discovered, arrested, incarcerated, abused and eventually executed. It is a very sad story but a first hand account of how cruel dictatorial regimes can be, even toward children who resist their control. Helmuth has since become a small but not insignificant hero in the annals of WW II history and in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormons. A worthwhile read for all, especially teenagers who are looking for heros who stood for a worthy cause.
Helmuth was a precocious youth who taught himself to understand and become fluent in the English language. He learned to be a stenographer and was very politically astute for his young age. The story is how he learned that the Nazi party prohibited the German population from hearing foreign radio broadcasts and told the populace only what the Nazi's wanted them to hear. This rang contrary to Helmuth's teachings and he began to assume a resistant stature toward the party. As he grew older (early teens) he acquired a shortwave radio from his brother and began to listen to war broadcasts from the BBC in England. He quickly realized the Nazi propaganda news was untruthful and so Helmuth began to print and circulate flyers exposing the Nazi lies. He slowly brought some of his close friends at church into his clandestine activities.
His resistant activities grew more bold and to a larger scale until at the age of 16 he was discovered, arrested, incarcerated, abused and eventually executed. It is a very sad story but a first hand account of how cruel dictatorial regimes can be, even toward children who resist their control. Helmuth has since become a small but not insignificant hero in the annals of WW II history and in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormons. A worthwhile read for all, especially teenagers who are looking for heros who stood for a worthy cause.
January 8, 2019
This was a well-written and thorough book. I considered myself already familiar with the three young German teenagers who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and worked to oppose Hitler. But there was so much I did not know or understand before reading this book. I was surprised to learn that Helmuth Hubener was originally pro-Nazi, and it was interesting to read about what changed his perspective of the party. His determination to spread the truth is admirable and it is amazing he was able to accomplish so much. I found it almost humorous that the government couldn't believe a teenager could pull off what he did, and insisted he must be acting for an adult.
It was heartbreaking to read about the suffering experience first and second hand by the people interviewed for this book. The persecution of the Jews , especially on Kristallnacht, was sickening. The lies that Helmuth discovered by listening to the radio were outrageous. It made me grateful for the media (however imperfect it may be) that I have access to, and the ability I have to search out the facts of so many things.
There is some debate about whether or not Helmuth did the right did, which the author does a great job of addressing. But nobody can deny that this young man exhibited supernal courage, not only in his moves to resist Hitler and his regime, but also during his arrest, trial, and execution. I'm glad I was able to read this book and, in a way, get to know the extraordinary person that was Helmuth Hubener.
Side note: There are a lot of complaints about this book, that it's boring, poorly written, etc. I personally don't think so. The author himself recommends reading other books on the subject. What he has tried to do was interview as many people as possible and search all the records he could in order to get a complete history of the events. He notes that many people's accounts differ from each other in some things, and he tries to report them all, then determine which is most likely true. This may be tedious and distracting for some people, but I personally appreciated the research the author put into writing this book.
It was heartbreaking to read about the suffering experience first and second hand by the people interviewed for this book. The persecution of the Jews , especially on Kristallnacht, was sickening. The lies that Helmuth discovered by listening to the radio were outrageous. It made me grateful for the media (however imperfect it may be) that I have access to, and the ability I have to search out the facts of so many things.
There is some debate about whether or not Helmuth did the right did, which the author does a great job of addressing. But nobody can deny that this young man exhibited supernal courage, not only in his moves to resist Hitler and his regime, but also during his arrest, trial, and execution. I'm glad I was able to read this book and, in a way, get to know the extraordinary person that was Helmuth Hubener.
Side note: There are a lot of complaints about this book, that it's boring, poorly written, etc. I personally don't think so. The author himself recommends reading other books on the subject. What he has tried to do was interview as many people as possible and search all the records he could in order to get a complete history of the events. He notes that many people's accounts differ from each other in some things, and he tries to report them all, then determine which is most likely true. This may be tedious and distracting for some people, but I personally appreciated the research the author put into writing this book.
August 28, 2017
The story of Helmuth is fascinating but overall, this book did not capture the true hardship behind his story. It was very informative but wasn't all together enjoyable to read. The author didn't write a story, he just published a compilation of facts and interviews. It was hard to follow who was saying what in interviews and who was who in the stories they told about their past. Overall, look for another book if you are looking for a story but this does have some information about what Helmuth Hubener and his friends had to go through.
July 7, 2020
Very interesting story, although written very UN-interestingly (I'm pretty sure this is actually an academic paper, because over half the book is footnotes citing sources, and instead of synthesizing different sources he details every single version of the story from each source.) Anyway, it's the story of Helmuth Hubener, a teenage Latter-day Saint boy in Germany who determined to actively resist Hitler and his regime and was eventually tried and killed for his actions.
January 5, 2023
An interesting read. But overall the construction of the book feels a bit chaotic and inadequately edited. For example, too much use of 2-4 different direct quotes to establish a single, only moderately important point. Better for the author to have assimilated the various quotes then either have selected the best or written an explanation synthesizing the different points of view. That alone would have made for a much more readable book.
That said, I appreciated the research into a great deal of source material to tell a story that needs to be told. A heroic and beautiful tale, even if here clumsily told.
That said, I appreciated the research into a great deal of source material to tell a story that needs to be told. A heroic and beautiful tale, even if here clumsily told.
December 3, 2019
This book is about an amazing person. It could have been an amazing book but he did not carry the narrative. I got so tired of reading "it was reported to the author" or "in an interview with the author." That's what endnotes are for. The book is well researched and I think this kid is a hero.
May 20, 2020
Not the best written biography, but the subject matter is incredibly moving.
March 8, 2021
Truth and conviction at it's finest. Helmuth Huber is a great example of courage and determination to stand for what's right.
July 19, 2022
Not a great book. The author can decided to put on persons opinion so he writes the same thing 6 times from 6 different people. I couldn’t even finish the book it was that rough.
March 29, 2024
I enjoyed this book, though around the smack dap middle, It became a bit dull with facts around the situation rather than on, as if it was trying to stray away from the topic. this also occurs again after Helmuth's execution, focusing too in depth with his surroundings (involving the war) rather than his influence loved ones and Immediate family. Despite all of that though, I was entertained, some parts of the book did strike me emotionally (like the part when his close friends were parting) which I appreciated, I would very much recommend this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2012
I give 5 STARS and more to the TRUE story of Helmuth Hübener and his friends for their bravery and heroism!!
Hübener and his friends were caught for passing out anti-fascist pamphlets and Hübener was one of the youngest opponents of the Third Reich to be sentenced to death. He was beheaded (by the guillotine) at age 17. His friends were given prison sentences for 5-10 years.
I first heard about this story when I was studying at Brigham Young University. We even had the unique opportunity to meet Hübener’s friend Karl-Heinz Schnibbe. It was so neat to hear him speak about the Helmuth Hübener story and his own personal experiences. Afterwards I got to shake his hand and get a picture with him.
I enjoyed watching the documentary, Truth and Conviction. I would highly recommend it over this book.
I was really disappointed with how poorly this book was written. It is so tragic that such an amazing true story was ruined a bit by this author. There needs to be major editing done! There are so many tangents throughout the book. The author tells a lot of side stories and the whole book is not organized very well. I would have a hard time finding things in it – even with all my notes and markings.
There are some spelling errors as well. Gunter Grass should be Günter Grass and Friberg should be Freiberg for example.
Despite the terrible writing style, I enjoyed reading more details about this story (details that I didn’t get from watching the documentary). The book may look huge – but keep in mind that 200 pages are notes and there are 20 appendixes. It doesn't take you as long to read as you may think.
I wish more people knew the inspiring story of Helmuth Hübener, Rudi and Karl.
One of the touching things to read about was Hübener’s last words. He was able to write a few letters before he was executed. Here was one part of his letter:
“My father in Heaven knows that I have done nothing wrong. I know that God lives, and that He will be the judge in this matter. Until our happy reunion in a better world, I remain your brother in the Gospel. Helmuth"
Hübener and his friends were caught for passing out anti-fascist pamphlets and Hübener was one of the youngest opponents of the Third Reich to be sentenced to death. He was beheaded (by the guillotine) at age 17. His friends were given prison sentences for 5-10 years.
I first heard about this story when I was studying at Brigham Young University. We even had the unique opportunity to meet Hübener’s friend Karl-Heinz Schnibbe. It was so neat to hear him speak about the Helmuth Hübener story and his own personal experiences. Afterwards I got to shake his hand and get a picture with him.
I enjoyed watching the documentary, Truth and Conviction. I would highly recommend it over this book.
I was really disappointed with how poorly this book was written. It is so tragic that such an amazing true story was ruined a bit by this author. There needs to be major editing done! There are so many tangents throughout the book. The author tells a lot of side stories and the whole book is not organized very well. I would have a hard time finding things in it – even with all my notes and markings.
There are some spelling errors as well. Gunter Grass should be Günter Grass and Friberg should be Freiberg for example.
Despite the terrible writing style, I enjoyed reading more details about this story (details that I didn’t get from watching the documentary). The book may look huge – but keep in mind that 200 pages are notes and there are 20 appendixes. It doesn't take you as long to read as you may think.
I wish more people knew the inspiring story of Helmuth Hübener, Rudi and Karl.
One of the touching things to read about was Hübener’s last words. He was able to write a few letters before he was executed. Here was one part of his letter:
“My father in Heaven knows that I have done nothing wrong. I know that God lives, and that He will be the judge in this matter. Until our happy reunion in a better world, I remain your brother in the Gospel. Helmuth"
June 20, 2016
I am so impressed with Helmut Hubener!!!! Rudy and Karl!!!! They are heroes to me! So brave. Helmut was well liked by all, had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, very dependable, and a natural leader. I loved all the details and so many accounts taken from many people that lived and knew Helmut. Tons of information given in this book!!!!
To stand up to Hitler at such a young age was amazing! The Nazi regime thought there certainly was a "group of adults" that were passing out fliers against Hitler.... not young boys! They could not believe it was 3 young teenagers. they brutally questioned them over and over again on this information and more. Rudy and Karl helped pass out the fliers, so they suffered tremendously and ended up in prison.
Because Helmut wrote the fliers, he was tried as an adult and sentenced to death. They tried him as a 30 year old because he was "too smart" to be tried as a 16 year old. During the trial, they would go over the fliers Helmut wrote up. He remembered every detail and would comment and add more opinion.
His life is an example of what the people were dealing with during WWII. He stood up to them. He knew what was right. He was bold. He was victorious. He had great courage. I will never forget the courage Helmut showed in his 16 years of life. He bodly stated at the end, "You know you will not win this war!" Oh, they did not like Helmut Hubener!
The suffering they all went through was brutal and beyond comprehension. World War II was hell, but these boys came to know their God.
There are many accounts and documents made of this story. It is a story from our history of faith and courage. (Three against Hitler is one of them.)
To stand up to Hitler at such a young age was amazing! The Nazi regime thought there certainly was a "group of adults" that were passing out fliers against Hitler.... not young boys! They could not believe it was 3 young teenagers. they brutally questioned them over and over again on this information and more. Rudy and Karl helped pass out the fliers, so they suffered tremendously and ended up in prison.
Because Helmut wrote the fliers, he was tried as an adult and sentenced to death. They tried him as a 30 year old because he was "too smart" to be tried as a 16 year old. During the trial, they would go over the fliers Helmut wrote up. He remembered every detail and would comment and add more opinion.
His life is an example of what the people were dealing with during WWII. He stood up to them. He knew what was right. He was bold. He was victorious. He had great courage. I will never forget the courage Helmut showed in his 16 years of life. He bodly stated at the end, "You know you will not win this war!" Oh, they did not like Helmut Hubener!
The suffering they all went through was brutal and beyond comprehension. World War II was hell, but these boys came to know their God.
There are many accounts and documents made of this story. It is a story from our history of faith and courage. (Three against Hitler is one of them.)
February 8, 2017
Helmuth Hubener was an LDS (Mormon) teen in Nazi Germany who had the brains and bravery to form a resistance group with his two young friends Rudi Wobbe and Karl-Heinz Schnibbe. Helmuth eventually gave his life for freedom. The story of these three brave and intrepid youth is fascinating. The story is great. This book, however, was difficult to read.
The author did painstaking research and presented it in a painful manner. The narrative is broken up by his presentation of various facts. At points he quibbles between recollections or adds superfluous detail. Like this,” To this day, few photographs of the boys exist, and are mostly owned by Karl. Herta says Rudi owned the only photo of the three boys together[this is footnoted], although Karl (and the author) now have copies.” Does this matter? Do we really care?
This book feels like a rough first draft.
The book, itself, is huge and looks like a formidable read. At nearly 600 pages it IS huge. However the story and the appendices are only 388 pages. Over a third of the book isn’t something you’d read.
What Helmuth Hubener and his friends did deserve five stars—or more! The writing of this book barely deserves one star; so I’ll average them out and give this book three.
I’ve heard that “Three Against Hitler” by Rudi Wobbe is a much better book. I’ll read that one and will let you know what I think.
The author did painstaking research and presented it in a painful manner. The narrative is broken up by his presentation of various facts. At points he quibbles between recollections or adds superfluous detail. Like this,” To this day, few photographs of the boys exist, and are mostly owned by Karl. Herta says Rudi owned the only photo of the three boys together[this is footnoted], although Karl (and the author) now have copies.” Does this matter? Do we really care?
This book feels like a rough first draft.
The book, itself, is huge and looks like a formidable read. At nearly 600 pages it IS huge. However the story and the appendices are only 388 pages. Over a third of the book isn’t something you’d read.
What Helmuth Hubener and his friends did deserve five stars—or more! The writing of this book barely deserves one star; so I’ll average them out and give this book three.
I’ve heard that “Three Against Hitler” by Rudi Wobbe is a much better book. I’ll read that one and will let you know what I think.
January 5, 2011
A biography of a young German LDS teenage who started a resistance against Hitler during world ward II.
The book looks more daunting than it actually is. Half the book is the appendix because of the huge amount of research that went into the book. The actual information in the book is great. The story is interesting. I couldn't get into the writing style. The story gets bogged down by the attempts to prove every little fact int he book. I don't really care that three different aquaintances of Hubener had different opinions on why he was friends with so and so. I'd rather just get on with the story.
Hubener is transformed from a Hitler youth enthusiast to a political activist and resistance leader. He distributed over 60 pamphlets on the realities of the war throughout Hamburg. He was eventually caught, charge with high treason, and beheaded by the Gestapo at the age of 17.
There is a lot of interesting insight into what life was like for religious Germans during world war two. It's powerful to hear about someone so young have such courage and intelligence. So overall, I would say good but a bit boring.
The book looks more daunting than it actually is. Half the book is the appendix because of the huge amount of research that went into the book. The actual information in the book is great. The story is interesting. I couldn't get into the writing style. The story gets bogged down by the attempts to prove every little fact int he book. I don't really care that three different aquaintances of Hubener had different opinions on why he was friends with so and so. I'd rather just get on with the story.
Hubener is transformed from a Hitler youth enthusiast to a political activist and resistance leader. He distributed over 60 pamphlets on the realities of the war throughout Hamburg. He was eventually caught, charge with high treason, and beheaded by the Gestapo at the age of 17.
There is a lot of interesting insight into what life was like for religious Germans during world war two. It's powerful to hear about someone so young have such courage and intelligence. So overall, I would say good but a bit boring.
June 28, 2012
I have always found Hubener's story to be both inspiring and provocative, and I think Dewey does a great job of showing both sides. Was Hubener a courageous martyr for the truth? Or was he a reckless teenager who endangered the lives of his family and friends? Perhaps he was both, but there's no question he loved truth and was willing to sacrifice everything for it.
I do wish this biography read a bit more like a story and less like a scholarly dissertation. While a historian may be interested in the minor conflicts between different eyewitness accounts and how the author reconciled them, I would have been happier if Dewey had left them in the footnotes and just told the story as he believes it happened. On the other hand, some of the appendices did more to enhance the story than some of the historical analysis that was in the main body of the book. For me these two minor flaws disrupted the flow of the book and were just a distraction.
Nevertheless, I'm very glad that Dewey wrote this book. This story needs to be told again and again.
I do wish this biography read a bit more like a story and less like a scholarly dissertation. While a historian may be interested in the minor conflicts between different eyewitness accounts and how the author reconciled them, I would have been happier if Dewey had left them in the footnotes and just told the story as he believes it happened. On the other hand, some of the appendices did more to enhance the story than some of the historical analysis that was in the main body of the book. For me these two minor flaws disrupted the flow of the book and were just a distraction.
Nevertheless, I'm very glad that Dewey wrote this book. This story needs to be told again and again.
August 31, 2010
closer to 3.5
This story has always intrigued me of the mormon teenager who led a resistance against Hitler, was excommunicated for doing so and killed. The whole-do you obey your church leaders or do what you think is right, what does the 12th article of faith mean is something interesting to think about. So it was good to read the whole story and learn about the others involved. The author has done A TON of research and has great notes. It's a big book but 1/2 of it is appendixes you can read and his notes.
Some of it was difficult to read because the author is sure to include all sides of the story when some people's recollections differ and so many names to keep straight, so you feel like it's just a lot of information, but I'd recommend all to read it. I have heard 3 against Hitler is a GREAT read about the story.
P.S. parts will make you cry and sick when you read about the nazis but he doesn't include very much of that
This story has always intrigued me of the mormon teenager who led a resistance against Hitler, was excommunicated for doing so and killed. The whole-do you obey your church leaders or do what you think is right, what does the 12th article of faith mean is something interesting to think about. So it was good to read the whole story and learn about the others involved. The author has done A TON of research and has great notes. It's a big book but 1/2 of it is appendixes you can read and his notes.
Some of it was difficult to read because the author is sure to include all sides of the story when some people's recollections differ and so many names to keep straight, so you feel like it's just a lot of information, but I'd recommend all to read it. I have heard 3 against Hitler is a GREAT read about the story.
P.S. parts will make you cry and sick when you read about the nazis but he doesn't include very much of that
May 27, 2012
Great biography of Helmuth Hubener, a teenage boy in Hamburg, Germany, who listened to the BBC English broadcasts and wanted to spread the truth. He produced leaflets and hung them around town (and put them in mailboxes and even in peoples' coat pockets) until he was denounced by someone at his work, captured by the Gestapo, tried, and sentenced to death (for treason) at age 17. An amazing example of courage and standing for the right!
From one of his many pamphlets: "German boys! Do you know the country without freedom, the country of terror and tyranny? Yes, you know it well, but are afraid to talk about it. They have intimidated you to such an extent that you don't dare talk for fear of reprisals. Yes you are right; it is Germany — Hitler Germany! Through their unscrupulous terror tactics against young and old, men and women, they have succeeded in making you spineless puppets to do their bidding."
From one of his many pamphlets: "German boys! Do you know the country without freedom, the country of terror and tyranny? Yes, you know it well, but are afraid to talk about it. They have intimidated you to such an extent that you don't dare talk for fear of reprisals. Yes you are right; it is Germany — Hitler Germany! Through their unscrupulous terror tactics against young and old, men and women, they have succeeded in making you spineless puppets to do their bidding."
March 2, 2012
I liked this book a lot, as I have become very fascinated with this story.
This book is almost 600 pages - about 250 of them are appenices and references. Since Helmuth Hubener is not around to interview personally, the way to write his biography is to interview every person who ever knew him or had any connection to him, and that is what this book is.
After reading this, I am convinced that almsot all of "The Boy Who Dared" was accurate - at least all of the things the experiences and plot elements.
I also learned that "The Price" by Karl Schnibbe is kind of an abridgement of his more complete autobiography, "When Truth Was Treason," and Rudy Wobbe's books "Before The Blood Tribunal" and " Three Against Hitler" are actually the same book --- one just re-published later under a different name.
This book is almost 600 pages - about 250 of them are appenices and references. Since Helmuth Hubener is not around to interview personally, the way to write his biography is to interview every person who ever knew him or had any connection to him, and that is what this book is.
After reading this, I am convinced that almsot all of "The Boy Who Dared" was accurate - at least all of the things the experiences and plot elements.
I also learned that "The Price" by Karl Schnibbe is kind of an abridgement of his more complete autobiography, "When Truth Was Treason," and Rudy Wobbe's books "Before The Blood Tribunal" and " Three Against Hitler" are actually the same book --- one just re-published later under a different name.
July 27, 2025
Biography style so it can be a bit hard to follow all the characters and events at times. Display of great courage and character!
January 26, 2010
Interesting insight to how some LDS teens responded to changing situations in Nazi Germany. Apparently, many German people were interviewed to make sure the stories were true. It's amazing what people can do when they feel passionate about something. And it's heartwarming to know that there were people who could not sit idly by while the onslaught continued, but got involved to make a difference for good, despite the inevitable outcome.
***
This book was written in the style of a journalist reporting eye-witness accounts. Interesting subject, but a bit tedious because of the style. There is another about the same three teenagers that I'd like to try, called "Three Against Hitler."
***
This book was written in the style of a journalist reporting eye-witness accounts. Interesting subject, but a bit tedious because of the style. There is another about the same three teenagers that I'd like to try, called "Three Against Hitler."
May 26, 2016
This is an amazing story, well documented, written apparently without the aid of an editor.
I read it because the story was so beautiful, but at times I felt that a 4th grader had compiled it. It was incredibly frustrating. The author gave way too many irrelevant details, flooded the beginning of the book with too many characters who didn't apply to the main story. It's almost as though the author assumed that the reader had already learned all the details about the story, and the author's job was to add his two cents and try to top any other book about this by having the most sources. Grrr...
Having said that, it was mainly the first few chapters that were like this.
Still, it was such a powerful story in an of itself. I just don't think I'll pick up this author again.
I read it because the story was so beautiful, but at times I felt that a 4th grader had compiled it. It was incredibly frustrating. The author gave way too many irrelevant details, flooded the beginning of the book with too many characters who didn't apply to the main story. It's almost as though the author assumed that the reader had already learned all the details about the story, and the author's job was to add his two cents and try to top any other book about this by having the most sources. Grrr...
Having said that, it was mainly the first few chapters that were like this.
Still, it was such a powerful story in an of itself. I just don't think I'll pick up this author again.
April 18, 2012
the book was well researched and the topic is extremely interesting, but the writing style very much read like a college research paper. it's is tolerable to a point, but does not pull you further into the story. In reading this book i felt i was doing the research myself, which by virtue of the content was not boring research, but felt very dry and i had to force myself to connect with any of the people spoken of in the text. It had to be difficult writing a book on someone of whom we have no quotes of them speaking and the author has never seen or spoken to any of the individuals who were a part of the story. i felt the author and the story were too disconnected
July 23, 2010
This is a lengthy book that has yet to capture my undivided attention. Currently I am reading it aloud to my adult children, in weekly installments, as it was a b-day gift to my son and this was his request..... So far the begining is a bit difficult to wade through with all the background information....will have to see how good it is once the story actually unfolds. It has sparked some interesting discussion with our family regarding the status of the church and the local church leadership in Germany during the early years of Hitler's regime.
May 1, 2011
This book didn't love up to my expectations. I love the story of Helmut, who, as a Mormon teenager in Nazi Germany, organized a resistance movement against the Nazis.
Dewey's biography was very disorganized, and it should have been sub-titled "A biography of Helmut Hubener along with numerous side stories of others in his resistance group and various Mormons during and after World War II."
I was disappointed over all, but I wouldn't say I didn't like it - hence the 3 stars. Two and a half would be a better rating from my perspective.
Dewey's biography was very disorganized, and it should have been sub-titled "A biography of Helmut Hubener along with numerous side stories of others in his resistance group and various Mormons during and after World War II."
I was disappointed over all, but I wouldn't say I didn't like it - hence the 3 stars. Two and a half would be a better rating from my perspective.
January 13, 2012
Caleb just played the part of Helmuth Hubener in a local film production so my interest in reading this book was very high. Filled with information, my one complaint would be actually HOW comprehensive it was. Many times the author stated conflicting information based on two different people's recollections and he was sure to make sure the reader knew every possibility, which became tedious after a while. However, it is an inspiring story of a courageous young man who stood for truth while those around him cowered in the face of tyranny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews