The Officer of Dachau: A gripping and unputdownable WW2 historical novel

by Dorit Journo

She made a courageous choice in times of unparalleled turmoil. Could her family survive its consequences?New York, 1963. Ever since he was a young boy, struggling to survive among the rubble of bombarded Berlin, Manny Heimann knew he wanted to be a doctor. Having barely managed to escape the terrible fate of Mischling German children, Manny is adamant about dedicating his life to helping all those in need… Until a familiar face enters his clinic one fateful afternoon, threatening to uproot everything he believed about human kindness – and cruelty.Berlin, 1929. Twenty-year-old nurse Ilse Heine spends most of her time dutifully tending to the sick and injured people of the city when she meets the striking Johan Kirche. At first, Ilse is captivated. But as their courtship ensues, Johan’s words become harsher, and Ilse begins to see something change behind his once beautiful blue eyes…When she discovers Johan is not only a member of the Nazi party but a brutal SS officer, Ilse ends their relationship. But as the Nazi party sweeps through Germany, and Jews and their families start to disappear, Ilse’s past comes knocking on her family’s door – and their future will be forever changed.Fans of Schindler’s List and Roberta Kagan will feel right at home in this heart-wrenching, surprising, powerful story about resilience, love, and kinship set in the darkest days of World War Two.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Historical

391 pages, Paperback

Published November 13, 2023

Reviews

[Carolyn Scarcella]

The book I’m reading is called “The Officer of Dachau” by Dorit Journo. This is her first historical novel and the story is fiction, but the atrocities are real during the Second World War 2. Journo writes a masterpiece narrative story where the storyline and characters make it hard to put down into the heart-wrenching struggles of resilience, love, and familiar bonds during the days of WW2. This book gives us insight about a high ranking officer, a ruthless man who is seen as a jealously and revenge, Johan, what he was unpredictable slowly brainwashed with the Nazi ideology who took over Germany. I must say the story was fast paced, chilling and very intriguing. It is a dual story between, Johan, Ilse, and Manny. You will live the story of one family that tells the story. What had happened as a result who had survived? You can decide.

[Deb]

Terrible ending!

The story was very good up until the ending. John Church should have known the identity of the doctor who treated him before he committed suicide. He took the easy way out and left Manny with no justice.

[Robin Rashcovsky]

Very detailed account of WWII.
The well deserved twist at the end was unexpected

[Sheree Burress]

The Officer of Dachau

I was quite disappointed in this book. Chapters didn’t flow. Disruption of characters was daunting. I found my mind wandering while reading. I couldn’t wait to finish the book just to be able to stop reading. Book was a disappointment. Don’t waste your time.

[Nkwright]

The book took a long term look at this historical period. If felt like the author had thoroughly researched parts of the history and then skipped over parts he had no details for. At times it seemed like there were details left out/skipped over.

I was very disappointed with the fact that all of the characters we had grown to know died. I found the ending abrupt and I was not satisfied.

[Frieda Thompson]

The Officer of Dachau

This book has a very good storyline as it's basis. However, I feel it could have been better developed. I don't care much for multiple storylines in a book anyway, but this one had very confusing connecting points. Sure there were visual signs, symbols like geometric shapes or curlecues in otherwise open spaces, but single storyline books utilize these as well, so my brain mostly skips over these. Plus, many times the switch is not verbalized for several sentences, therefore my mind was still in the previous scene & became quite disoriented. The flow was quite rocky for me. In addition, the author included what I euphemistically call "big words", words not used commonly today, & I suspect not in the 1930's & 40's either. I am not an uneducated person, yet I needed to look up many words I had never seen before. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but in this case it seemed I spent almost half my time in the dictionary instead of the story! Without spoilers, I'll only say that there were parts of the story I really didn't like, although they conveyed events that I am certain truly happened to many people in that time & place. That's more on me than the book, I guess. Lastly, something I've seen too many times in modern books: The main story is full, even drawn out, while the ending seems rushed. I believe the conclusion is as important as the rest of the story & deserving of the same amount of focus. Despite all this, I DID enjoy the book, just not as well as I expected to. If you are interested in WWII/Holocaust era stories & don't mind the things I described above, do give this book a read.

[Pam]

Ilse Heine met Johan kirche at the Charitie Hospital where she worked. Johan had been attacked and had come in to be checked out. However, not wanting her to have a low opinion of him, he told her he had been hurt in a soccer game. They began dating several weeks later. At first, she was attracted to him; but his dominating, overbearing attitude, his total acceptance of Hitler's views, and his failure to tell her he was a member of the SS caused her to break up with him. Johan definitely didn't take this in his stride, he became obsessed with her.
Ilse soon fell in love with Dr. Abe Liebermann, a Jewish doctor. Despite the differences in their religions, they married and soon had a son. They became best friends with another couple in their apartment building, the Sontags. Gertrude has her son soon after Manfred wa born and the two boys grew up together like brothers. Sigmund worked for the Department of Interior; but they didn't believe in the ideals of the Nazi party. Despite the rumblings of the Nazi party, the Liebermanns were very happy.
When Manfred was about six, Kristallnacht occurred and upset their lives. Abe and his father were taken to Dachau and their property confiscated. Johan was one of the two officers who arrested them and roughed up Ilse and Manfred. Even Ilse's mother's shop was ransacked even though she wasn't Jewish.
While Ilse tried to put her life back together and try to find a way to get Abe and his father released, Johan was promoted to Kommandant at Dachau. What is going to happen with the Liebermann family?

[John Okerman]

I thought this was an outstanding book. The ending was different than I expected but was very thought provoking. In fact, throughout the entire book the author did an excellent job of creating twists and turns with the characters in the book. The result for me is that it became a very thought provoking book. I have spent considerable time reflecting on the book and the characters in the book. The author also was historically accurate in the situations in Nazi Germany during the time period of the book. It is one of the outstanding books I've read and was difficult to put down. Unfortunately this seems to be the only book written and published by Dorit Journo.

[Ray Phenicie]

was this a necessary story so cruel but it is true!!! It read like a train wreck!

This book described the terrible things that occurred during Hitler's Rein and was so descriptive that it was a hard thing to read. I don't mean this was not true as to the inhumane way many were treated or more to the point, mistreated. It just wasn't as well written as some of the other stories I have read about this subject. I shout have stopped reading it and read some other book on my list.

[Dale Andrews]

The Officer of Dachau

I really couldn't put this book down! It's amazing. I've read many books about this timeframe, not because it's pleasant but it's such important history and right now it's so pertinent. If everyone in our country would just read this book, we'd all understand so much more. Written so well and moving, easily relating to the characters, absolutely one of the best books I have ever read. Thank you 🙏

[Linda Mangle]

Powerful & Insightful

I loved the painting of the characters. The duality that was imposed on many people & their choices of how they behaved & thought was beautifully scripted & I could feel the characters minds as I traveled to a time & place farway from now but close enough it feels it could happen anywhere, anytime.

[Susan Sanders]

Told both from the viewpoint of the Jewish people during World War II and through the eyes of one particular Nazi at Dachau, I thought that the plot line was predictable! I was right in one aspect and totally surprised at the ending. When I saw the words 'The End', I couldn't really believe that it was the end.

[Fran Burdsall]

There was something wooden, almost brittle about the author's style as the story of a Dachau commandant unfolds. The repeated violence and tragedy were consistent with historical fiction recounting the Holocaust. But so many incidents occurred with an abruptness that left me feeling like there were loose ends.

[Lula Wilson]

Wonderful, Gripping Story

Truly reflected the horrible nature of the German people during the war. Also portrayed the true story of what the Jewish people endured during the conflict.

[Jim Irons]

Thought Privoking

A good read. It reminds us of the evil that can be generated if the tools of government are co-opted by a wanna be dictator who has concern only for himself. I'll read more by this author

[Maryanne Rodriguez]

Outstanding!

This book had me gripped from beginning to end!
I have read so many WWII books and this was one of the very best.
You will be drawn in right away and will not be able to put this book down until the end.

[Bobbie J Giles]

Brilliantly Thought Prevoking

Twists and turns of the plot made this book interesting and hard to put down. I have read many novels about Nazi Germany, but this book is clearly unique. I highly recommend that you read this book.

[Danna Merritt]

historical Novel

I liked the history coupled with seeing life in Germany from an inside perspective. But, author’s writing style was immaturish. Very stiff and formal-like. I almost stopped reading it because of that. The history kept me going.

[mary cochran]

Wow!

Starts off slow, a lot of character detail, I actually paged ahead scanning only, then the plot picked up and kept going with intrigue and surprising and clever plot twists. By the end I couldn't out it down.

[EvilAntie Jan]

Haunting Story

Towards the end of this novel to the characters, have a discussion about how a human being turns into a monster. This is one of the most amazing books to deal with the psychological metamorphosis of good to evil. It will haunt me forever.

[kristy henson]

officer of Dachau

This is a very gripping story about a Natzi officer in ww2. This book grabbed you in the beginning and then about half way through to the end I couldn’t lay it down. I’m sure I won’t forget it.

[David Slothower]

Don't bother reading

I've read hundreds of books on The Holocaust but never one as poor!y & stilted as this. For the first time I couldn't empathize with the characters because the narrative was so stilted & emotionless.

[Lisa Doucet]

A real page turner! Ready it all in 24 hours!

I enjoyed the humanity
reflected in the characters. It was about war, but also human suffering and survival skills. One of the best books I've read in a long time

[Sienna S'Zell]

Heartbreaking beautifully written reality-based life of a family, friends, and others during the rise of Hitler in Germany.

[Debbie Trammell]

Good book

Wonderful read, very moving and fast paced. Put me right there in every plot. Would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the holocaust.

[Sean Rosekrans]

Nazi history

A very well written account of how the Nazis slowly took over Germany. Turning into Monsters beyond belief. You live the story of one family that tells the story.

[Ginny]

This novel officers insight into the Nazi era in Germany. The story line and characters make it hard to put down. I felt the book had a little Dickensian flavor.

[Elaine Soat]

Kept me interested the whole time.

Far fetched ending tho. Great historical facts in the book. Parts will just make you mad and sad at the same time.

[Belinda Leigh Mosdell]

The best thing about this book was the twist in the end. Writing was ver stilted and for me it didn’t flow well.

[Sarah]

Great read. Sad, but good ! The twists, and full circle was a great ending