CHOOSING SIDES

by David K. Wessel

Having grown up on both sides of the Atlantic, Karl-Heinz must now Nazi Germany or the U.S.?The story in Choosing Sides revolves around a young man who grows up on both sides of the Atlantic just before World War II. Having been born in Germany, but moved to America at age four, Karl-Heinz returns seven years later to a changed Deutschland. He meets der Führer personally and becomes active in the Hitler Youth. He idolizes Uncle Ernst, a rising Nazi official. His cousin Peter and his childhood sweetheart Annelies are both Party devotees. But Karl-Heinz also loves the peaceful life he experienced in America. As the world enters its second global conflict, which land will Karl-Heinz claim as his own? Which side will he choose?Advance Praise for Choosing Sides“Readers will find it chilling … Although the historical details of book burnings and Kristallnacht, portrayed here, are well known, the author’s strength is in his portrayal of ordinary Germans swept into the increasing horror – some actively, some passively – while others are stilled by fear. Well-developed characters bring new life to a familiar and frightening story.”Kirkus Reviews “Engaging novel about a German family divided by the rise of the Reich … Narrated in crisp, no-nonsense prose, the novel captures the dilemmas of ordinary people caught in the sweeping changes happening in Germany … [and] the heart-rending tensions faced by the family.”BookLife by Publishers Weekly“A historically rich, fictionalized family saga … a compelling and valuable story … The author has an impressive knowledge of history and knows how to convey it in digestible, flowing and easy-to-understand chunks … the characters sit within the perfect time frame.”Colin Mustful, Editor, History Through Fiction; author of Reclaiming Mni Sota. An Alternative History of the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862“A new voice brings a fresh perspective to the old, oft-told story of a family rent by war. Across three decades, from the beginning of World War I to the end of World War II, we follow the author’s extended family on both sides of the Atlantic. We learn of their hopes and dreams and motivations, we experience through them the rise and fall of the Nazis, and we see yet again how the great movements of history change so many private lives.”-William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of December ‘41 “Written clearly and economically, David K. Wessel’s Choosing Sides has the richness of an epic. Told in part through letters which ring true to the events they recount - the trenches of the Great War, the turbulent interwar years, and the rise of National Socialism and its terrible aftermath - it is the story of one family’s travails as the nation of Goethe and Beethoven turns to barbarity.”-Christopher C. Gorham, author of The The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WII and Shape Modern America“A must read for anyone who wants an insider's view of how war threatens a family's cohesiveness.

274 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2024

Reviews

[Bradley Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit the book started slowly for me but as I grew to know and care for the characters I became engrossed in this meticulously researched historical fiction closely modeled on the author’s family history. I better understand how decent people can stay silent when confronted with terrible things.
I thank the author for his hard work to convey a sense of time and place which is what makes historical fiction, when it is well done, so riveting.

[Literary Titan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing Sides, by David K. Wesel, is a compelling coming-of-age novel set against the tumultuous backdrop of pre-World War II America and the early 1930s rise of Nazi Germany. The story centers on Karl-Heinz, a young man caught between two worlds: born in Germany but raised in the United States, He returns to his homeland just as it is being reshaped by the burgeoning Nazi regime. The novel delves deeply into his inner conflict as he struggles to balance his loyalty to Germany with his appreciation for the peace and democratic values of his American upbringing. Ultimately, Karl-Heinz faces the daunting task of choosing a side in a world fraught with ideological extremes.

Set during one of humanity's darkest periods, Choosing Sides takes a domestic approach to explore the devastating impact of the Nazi era on a single family. Wesel adeptly portrays Karl-Heinz's ideological struggle, depicting his exposure to the Hitler Youth and the influence of prominent Nazi figures within his family, including his uncle and cousin, who are ardent nationalists. This fervent nationalism starkly contrasts with the democratic ideals cherished by Karl-Heinz’s parents, who have firsthand experience with the horrors of war. These conflicting influences anchor Karl-Heinz to a vision of a more democratic world, creating a profound tension within his character.

Wesel’s novel is both deeply moving and insightful, enriched by its foundation in the author’s partially fictitious family history. This personal touch lends the narrative a unique authenticity, making it resonate across different generations and social backgrounds. Choosing Sides provides a vital perspective on how the war affected ordinary German citizens, offering a nuanced view that differentiates between the ideologies of Hitler and the realities faced by everyday people.

For enthusiasts of historical fiction, this book is a must-read, sparking intriguing conversations about the complexities of reconciling national and personal identity. Wesel presents a thought-provoking exploration of how one’s beliefs are shaped by their surroundings, making Choosing Sides a significant contribution to the literature of this era.

[Dianne Ogden · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an extraordinary journey we take with the Wessel family in Choosing Sides. This is a deeply personal recounting of one German family's peaceful life in a small hamlet called Westerstode and how it is forever changed by the rise of the Nazi party. We follow family members like Ernst, the school superintendent and his young son, Peter, who are both are fervent party members, seeing the restoration of the German economy and a renewed love of their country. Others in the family, like Ernst’s wife Sophie, are skeptical and take a wait and see attitude, carefully measuring their words. For others like Deich Wessel and Mimi, they understand they can advance only so far in Germany and take the opportunity to build a new life with their family across the Atlantic, in America.



The young Wessel family makes the journey New Jersey and together with their two young boys Karl-Heinz and Louie build a promising life. The children have many cousins, and their close-knit families create an idyllic childhood.

But when a family emergency calls them back to Germany, Karl-Heinz comes face to face with the Nazi Youth movement and disturbing social policies which threaten their Jewish neighbors. His mother is correctly worried about the influences on her son, knowing how much pressure they are under to belong. She and Deich make the difficult but necessary decision to return to the United States and her sister, and their family will come to Germany to care for her ailing mother.

As Nazi aggression increases world tension, war breaks out and soon the lives of all the families are on trajectories they never imagined.

Choosing Sides deposits you in the middle of life altering decisions these parents and their children must make. You understand the thrill of young love and the pain of its loss.

How Nazi ideology programmed its youth and how the bonds of family somehow prevail.

David does a wonderful job of drawing you inside the joy of a close loving family, the fear of seeing your homeland shattered and the very real cost of war This is a powerfully intimate family journey worth taking.

[Ian GWILLIAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated from the start of this wonderfully written family saga. The individual’s trials and tribulations are enthralling, as they try to balance the love of their country, with that of their families, each one, important as the other.
Set in a period that encapsulates the first and second world war, loyalties for Germany and each other are portrayed by the author in a sincere and heart warming manner. The reader is drawn into the lives of the Wessel family, as they battle with their consciences and patriotism. The repercussions of two world wars on the kinsfolk, caught up in this engaging drama, both in Europe and America, is cleverly woven, leading the reader to realise just how difficult it would be, if they too, found themselves in a similar position.
Matters of life and death, beyond the control of the individual, have to be navigated, ensuring that difficult choices have to be made, ones which are not always agreeable to all those involved.
I really enjoyed this novel. It's quite different from the norm, which I found quite refreshing. I particularly like how the timeline is used as events unfold, as the horrors of war and politics impact upon the family members. The use of family photos, also helping the reader to engage with the story.
(Ian T Gwilliams Author: U-Boat 931 Attack on America)

[Aubrey Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone who longs to understand the past! A family torn apart by the clutches of history:

Diech Wessel returns from the First World War determined never to allow his children to experience the same things he has. As privation and political chaos ravage Germany, he flees with his young family to America, where they are welcomed by a booming economy and loving relatives. Yet things will not remain blissful for long...

By the end of the decade, the entire world is plunged into a deep depression, and a parent’s illness forces Diech and his family back across the Atlantic… and into Hitler’s Germany. Will they stay in Europe and hope that the Nazi storm will blow over? Or will they return to the safety and security of America? What will become of those who stay behind? Will Diech’s loved ones survive as the continent plunges once again into a bloody war?

In this family-inspired narrative, David Wessel makes the experience of thousands of German-Americans personal. Lovers of historical fiction, as well as those interested in the experience of their ancestors, will find the story of Diech Wessel and his family captivating.

[Mary Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This important, coming-of-age novel immerses the reader in the life of a young boy, “Heinzie”, who must straddle two cultures, German and American, between two world wars. I say important because it reminds that history repeats and circles back with the same moral dilemmas. The framework of the author’s real life family history provides a way to really understand how difficult the struggles and angst of a German family in this era were.

I was especially impressed by a remarkable attention to historic detail which further illuminates the tale. An extra layer was the colorful use of German expressions along with wonderful descriptions of German food and drink.

Kudos to David K. Wessel for this homage to his ancestors that also gives readers an insightful window into history. It is quite an achievement.

[Lemur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among all the many books about the WWII era, this one really stands out because it feels so personal. It explores history from the perspective of an individual family, a young boy growing up while moving back and forth between Germany and the United States - so it's also a story about the experience of immigration. The narration really comes to life because it is loosely based on the true story of the author's own father. I loved the parts about the immigrant experience, which resonate for many American families, including my own (like Karl-Heinz in the book, my own grandfather also moved from Europe to the US before WWII, and my wife immigrated from Korea). I love this kind of story, and this one is very well-told and expertly intertwined with the historical narrative.

[Dylan West · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Different Look at the World Wars

I enjoyed seeing the impacts of WWI and WWII on immigrants in narrative form. Sometimes the dialogue felt like history lessons for the sake of the reader rather than things the characters would actually say. In spite of that, the book held my interest. I appreciated the research that went into this and how it doesn't focus on the actual combat of the war, giving a fuller treatment of aspects that usually get overlooked.

[John Ryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read

With historical accuracy and well developed characters, Wessel weaves a wonderful family epic seamlessly with warnings for the modern world. Dangerous ideas and family loyalty take centerstage in this excellent read. Definitely recommend for anyone who loves WW2 drama, or anyone who just enjoys a good read.

[Tracy Speelhoffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story, based on the author's family's experience. The details and personal accounts are so vivid. I flew through this book. A very relevant and unsettling look at how Germany fell into fascism, with the heart-breaking perspective of having family in Germany and America. So well-written, I really enjoyed this book.

[Elaine Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing Sides, by David K. Wessel, is a must-read for anyone who wants an insider's view of how war threatens a family's cohesiveness. Interspersed with letters and historic photographs, as well as fascinating family memorabilia, this novel offers a portrait of everyday people facing the horrors of war and an era that must never be forgotten.

[Leo W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true-ish tale of one family's experience of being deeply rooted both in a small German community as well as in a NJ German-American community. The protagonist is a young man who must choose sides. The pacing is excellent for a first novel.

[Phil Kearse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight into the Wessel family history. I am proud to say that I know the author and am distantly related (by marriage).This book is a Great read

[Mark Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving and compelling story of the challenges faced by his people during this period. The ones who moved to the US faced the perennial problems of immigrants everywhere. The ones who remained in Germany eventually faced the terrible problem of Hitler. All suffered as Hitler led his people to disaster. A fascinating book.