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The Berlin Family's Secret: A Historical WW2 Novel
They were loyal subjects of the Reich… until it came knocking on their door.
Berlin, 1942. As bombs fall over Europe during the darkest days of World War II, the Kerner family is torn apart by a shocking revelation that, if found out, could spell their doom.
Frantz Kerner and his three grown children have each found their own way of serving their Fatherland. But when Frantz reveals a long-hidden secret, the foundations of their world are shaken to the core as they are forced to confront their loyalty to the Nazi regime – and to each other.
Amid the chaos and heartbreak of war, the Kerners must grapple with their identities and the weight of their Karl, the Luftwaffe pilot, struggles to maintain his blind officer’s faith in his command. Elsa, the government official, desperately tries to protect her newly discovered family from the authorities; and Helmut, the Hitlerjugend infantryman, hides his secret from his brothers-in-arms until the Reich’s plans leave him with no other choice…
With rich historical detail and emotional depth, The Berlin Family’s Secret is a sweeping tale of familial bonds, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Berlin, 1942. As bombs fall over Europe during the darkest days of World War II, the Kerner family is torn apart by a shocking revelation that, if found out, could spell their doom.
Frantz Kerner and his three grown children have each found their own way of serving their Fatherland. But when Frantz reveals a long-hidden secret, the foundations of their world are shaken to the core as they are forced to confront their loyalty to the Nazi regime – and to each other.
Amid the chaos and heartbreak of war, the Kerners must grapple with their identities and the weight of their Karl, the Luftwaffe pilot, struggles to maintain his blind officer’s faith in his command. Elsa, the government official, desperately tries to protect her newly discovered family from the authorities; and Helmut, the Hitlerjugend infantryman, hides his secret from his brothers-in-arms until the Reich’s plans leave him with no other choice…
With rich historical detail and emotional depth, The Berlin Family’s Secret is a sweeping tale of familial bonds, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2024
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293 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 14, 2024
Told in 6 parts, THE BERLIN FAMILY’S SECRET is an historical fiction novel that reads like an autobiographical family story.
An husband and wife have three children. She passes from cancer prior to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime. He raises the children guarding their secret. As the Nazi power takes hold, each child does their part for the fatherland, leaving Berlin and dad at home.
Their adventures to various avenues of service to the country takes readers to different cities and countries with an opportunity to learn about different aspects of the war from a Berliner’s POV. This is not a concentration camp novel, it’s something unique. The story itself is a bit complex and there are a lot of characters to keep track of.
Author, Baruch Cohen, participated in illegal transportation of Jews to Israel during/after the war and wrote this book to honor them. The translator, Ruth Cohen Korabelnik, dedicated her efforts to her father’s legacy. It’s for those reasons I gave the book four instead of three stars. I’m also a champion for indie authors. This book seriously needs an editor; preferably one who speaks English as their primary language and is gifted in Hebrew; help needed here.
That issue aside, if you’re a fan of WW2 fiction, this is something different and worth reading. It’s a bit uneven and can feel uncomfortable but compared to what you’re reading about? I was dumbstruck by how similar historical events are to events happening now. We need to remember history📚
An husband and wife have three children. She passes from cancer prior to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime. He raises the children guarding their secret. As the Nazi power takes hold, each child does their part for the fatherland, leaving Berlin and dad at home.
Their adventures to various avenues of service to the country takes readers to different cities and countries with an opportunity to learn about different aspects of the war from a Berliner’s POV. This is not a concentration camp novel, it’s something unique. The story itself is a bit complex and there are a lot of characters to keep track of.
Author, Baruch Cohen, participated in illegal transportation of Jews to Israel during/after the war and wrote this book to honor them. The translator, Ruth Cohen Korabelnik, dedicated her efforts to her father’s legacy. It’s for those reasons I gave the book four instead of three stars. I’m also a champion for indie authors. This book seriously needs an editor; preferably one who speaks English as their primary language and is gifted in Hebrew; help needed here.
That issue aside, if you’re a fan of WW2 fiction, this is something different and worth reading. It’s a bit uneven and can feel uncomfortable but compared to what you’re reading about? I was dumbstruck by how similar historical events are to events happening now. We need to remember history📚
September 11, 2023
Very good book
Yes we all must keep what is passed so we do not repeat the bad parts ever again. This all happened over a period of time gradually. So many things could have bern done to stop it but nothing was done sometimes due to unbelief, no one thought that a cultured, educated people such as the Germans could do such a thing. Well in truth it was a minority of people that caused it all to happen. And then due to overwelming fear again nothing was done. It is so sad mans inhumanity to man. This is an excellent book that I highly recommend. Also let us tell our children and grandchildren about this awful time in history so it will not be repeated.
Yes we all must keep what is passed so we do not repeat the bad parts ever again. This all happened over a period of time gradually. So many things could have bern done to stop it but nothing was done sometimes due to unbelief, no one thought that a cultured, educated people such as the Germans could do such a thing. Well in truth it was a minority of people that caused it all to happen. And then due to overwelming fear again nothing was done. It is so sad mans inhumanity to man. This is an excellent book that I highly recommend. Also let us tell our children and grandchildren about this awful time in history so it will not be repeated.
August 26, 2023
This is a fast read, focused on a single family living in Berlin. Although the mother was Jewish, the children were never told and grew up typically German. As the war progresses, this story moves to the different fronts and continues a couple of years after Germany's surrender. I found the ending unrealistic but I still enjoyed the book overall. This book has been translated into English by the daughter of the author.
January 30, 2024
A gripping mix fact a fiction.
I liked the way the story developed and the characters were introduced. With introducing so much historical fact the whole story was very believable.To view ww2 from a different perspective i.e. How the Germans and particularly the Jews dealt with it was fascinating. Many people were extremely brave.
This book is a must read for those who doubted the evil of the Nazi regime and the holocaust.
I liked the way the story developed and the characters were introduced. With introducing so much historical fact the whole story was very believable.To view ww2 from a different perspective i.e. How the Germans and particularly the Jews dealt with it was fascinating. Many people were extremely brave.
This book is a must read for those who doubted the evil of the Nazi regime and the holocaust.
November 1, 2024
Thank you
Never forget and yet some have . And they have done it once again and just as horrifying. Thank you for bringing this readable and interesting story. Thank you for my patients wore their tattoos on their inner arms. Thank you for the ones who cried out in their sleep or lived in their flashbacks. Thank you for the families who wait…and wait. I don’t share your ethnicity but you are in my heart and tears and I ask God to bless you
Never forget and yet some have . And they have done it once again and just as horrifying. Thank you for bringing this readable and interesting story. Thank you for my patients wore their tattoos on their inner arms. Thank you for the ones who cried out in their sleep or lived in their flashbacks. Thank you for the families who wait…and wait. I don’t share your ethnicity but you are in my heart and tears and I ask God to bless you
December 30, 2023
A true account of the sorrow of WW2
What I liked the best about this book was that you are rright therehere with the characters during their hardships, their adventures, and their acknowledgement that Nazism murdered destroy ed and nurderedmillions and million of innocent civilians that would
What I liked the best about this book was that you are rright therehere with the characters during their hardships, their adventures, and their acknowledgement that Nazism murdered destroy ed and nurderedmillions and million of innocent civilians that would
August 20, 2024
This is the story of the Kerner family - a father, 2 sons and a daughter - and what they endured during WWII. Franz, the father, reveals to his three children the hidden fact their dead mother was Jewish, and he implores them to keep that secret. They al faced different challenges and struggles as the war grinds to a long end, and this is the basis of the book. It was excellent
October 17, 2023
Loved this
Know about the holocaust and ww11, but reading this made it real to me. I wanted everyone to make it and survive. 40,000,000 people didn't all because of one madman and his followers. Horrible.
Know about the holocaust and ww11, but reading this made it real to me. I wanted everyone to make it and survive. 40,000,000 people didn't all because of one madman and his followers. Horrible.
December 16, 2023
Unique story line for history
As far as I can tell from all my reading about this period, the novel is consistent with the historical facts. It is the perspective of German citizens which I find interesting. In some places we the English appears to be a translation.
As far as I can tell from all my reading about this period, the novel is consistent with the historical facts. It is the perspective of German citizens which I find interesting. In some places we the English appears to be a translation.
January 15, 2024
Engrossing Historical Novel about Nazi Germany
I like historical fiction & this story was one of the better ones. You get to know one family & the trials of their grown children under the Nazi regime. It was fast paced & interesting.
I like historical fiction & this story was one of the better ones. You get to know one family & the trials of their grown children under the Nazi regime. It was fast paced & interesting.
June 4, 2024
Interesting secret
Good read but it didn't pull me in right away. I love reading g historical fiction from this time frame and learning about the struggles many people faced. This one had and interesting secret that made me think.
Good read but it didn't pull me in right away. I love reading g historical fiction from this time frame and learning about the struggles many people faced. This one had and interesting secret that made me think.
October 28, 2024
Compelling
This writer puts you right into the lives of the people of Germany during WWII. It was hard to put this book down. A great telling of the horror that was the Nazi regime.
This writer puts you right into the lives of the people of Germany during WWII. It was hard to put this book down. A great telling of the horror that was the Nazi regime.
March 22, 2025
Outstanding
There are a myriad of aspects of the book that I enjoyed. First , the plot. Very original. Secondly, the construction. Again, original. Thrid, and most important, the ending.
There are a myriad of aspects of the book that I enjoyed. First , the plot. Very original. Secondly, the construction. Again, original. Thrid, and most important, the ending.
September 4, 2023
An interesting story, but not well written. It really could have used some expert editing as it was repetitive in story and dialog.
October 6, 2023
Well written
This reads like a true story, and although the historical events of the war are true, the characters may not be. Truthfully, the details make me wonder!
This reads like a true story, and although the historical events of the war are true, the characters may not be. Truthfully, the details make me wonder!
March 19, 2024
well written novel regarding WWII
The novel provides an insightful look into the lives of a”Jewish” family and what they experienced before, during, and after World War II.
The novel provides an insightful look into the lives of a”Jewish” family and what they experienced before, during, and after World War II.
June 11, 2024
Fantastic read
Right from the start I could not put this book down. It’s clear, fast, and takes you right through ww2 from beginning to finish.
Right from the start I could not put this book down. It’s clear, fast, and takes you right through ww2 from beginning to finish.
July 4, 2024
Family Secret
A German falls in love with a Jew. They marry. Have children but never let the children know they have Jewish blood running through their veins. Good read.
A German falls in love with a Jew. They marry. Have children but never let the children know they have Jewish blood running through their veins. Good read.
Read
October 7, 2024Great! Can't keep it down.
October 10, 2024
Well worded story
I really enjoyed reading this story. Baruch Cohen is a very talented writer who brings his audience into the heart of his story. Thanks!
I really enjoyed reading this story. Baruch Cohen is a very talented writer who brings his audience into the heart of his story. Thanks!
February 22, 2025
Was interesting because it was covering the feelings toward WW2 of actual German people. Many in the book were actually involved in the military. Some were Jewish. It left you with many thoughts.
March 14, 2024
This had all the ingredients needed for a good and thought provoking read. However, it was let down by poor formatting, clunky (and sometimes wrong) translations, and a style of writing that wasn't to my taste.
January 21, 2024
Palestine
So the Jews decided to take Palestine for themselves, steal a country that has belonged to Palestinian, before Mises led these ungrateful people to Isreal. God instructed that Jews must not enter Palestine as that part of the land is theirs. These people are you brothers. The land I give is free and unoccupied land, that is what's allocated to the Jews. Again Jews disobeyed God's orders by taking land from Palestine people. How many are they going to disobey God. Killing innocent Palestinians and stealing there land, which God forbade them to not touch ?
So the Jews decided to take Palestine for themselves, steal a country that has belonged to Palestinian, before Mises led these ungrateful people to Isreal. God instructed that Jews must not enter Palestine as that part of the land is theirs. These people are you brothers. The land I give is free and unoccupied land, that is what's allocated to the Jews. Again Jews disobeyed God's orders by taking land from Palestine people. How many are they going to disobey God. Killing innocent Palestinians and stealing there land, which God forbade them to not touch ?
February 9, 2025
For me, having read 100’s of accounts of the Holocaust, this book was a good review. I appreciate the author giving names and faces to the oppressors and victims of this period - the devoted Members of the party, the drafted, the objectors, and the millions of innocent victims. There can never be enough books written about this horror. What is sick is that in 2024, people are still susceptible, gullible, insane followers of vicious criminal megalomaniacs.
August 20, 2023
Exceptional
Though fictional this book provides an exceptional account of live in Germany for everyone. It also brings forth the brutality of the Hitler's regime of governance by terror. Follow a family's heartache and will to survive.
Though fictional this book provides an exceptional account of live in Germany for everyone. It also brings forth the brutality of the Hitler's regime of governance by terror. Follow a family's heartache and will to survive.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews