The Countess and the Nazis: An American Family's Private War

by Richard Jay Hutto

From American heiress to Nazi resistance fighter, Muriel White's extraordinary journey reveals how one woman's privilege became her weapon against tyranny.

"This compelling tale traces the intricately intertwined history of American high society with European nobility in the face of rising Nazism. A haunting saga of family in the turmoil and tragedy of the twentieth century."—Dina Gold, author of Stolen Legacy 

Drawing from never-before-published memoirs and declassified CIA documents, "The Countess and the Nazis" unveils the remarkable true story of a woman who traded America's Gilded Age society for a title in Prussia's aristocracy—only to find herself making the ultimate sacrifice to protect her children from Hitler's regime.

As the daughter of one of America's most respected diplomats and the wife of a Prussian count, Muriel White Seherr-Thoss moved effortlessly through Europe's royal courts until the Nazi shadow fell across her adopted homeland. When faced with evil, she chose resistance over
Leveraged her aristocratic connections to secure escape routes for Jewish families Witnessed the Italian Fascist invasion of Albania while mentoring the future Queen Geraldine Sacrificed everything to keep her sons from being conscripted into Hitler's army Defied the Gestapo even as they held her virtually prisoner in her own country
From internationally recognized historian Richard Jay Hutto comes a new biography that Publishers Weekly calls "a fascinating story brought to light...an exhilarating account of principled antifascism." This narrative reveals how one woman's courage stood against the rising tide of evil and how she paid the ultimate price for her convictions.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, World War II

288 pages, Hardcover

Published February 18, 2025

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amenably written, although sometimes too prone to dumping information that overwhelms the reader, and the titular Countess wasn't quite as interesting by herself as expected. I would say this is a biography more valuable for the insights into the experiences and circumstances of a privileged upper-class family that weren't willing to go along with Nazism than for Countess Muriel herself.

[SnarkyMoggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a proof copy of this book, and the following review are my own thoughts. None of this is influenced by NetGalley, the author or the publisher.

Over the past couple of years, I've been trying to find books that are focused on one or a few people rather than cities or countries etc. I like how their story can be followed, how you become nestled in their world with nothing pulling you away. It helps you understand them better, feel their emotions and follow their thoughts then if it's various people where you only get glimpses into their lives. So, I have been searching through the proofs available to see if any biography caught my eye, especially if it's during one of my points in history that I like focusing on. This one grabbed my attention, mostly because it wasn't one of the big 'figures' in World War II, but also that it was it a civilian and a woman. After only a few days of receiving a digital copy, I swiped to the first page and began.

This isn't a biography that can be dipped in and out. The reader, in my opinion, needs to dedicate at least a few hours per day, to not only immerse themselves in the story, but also to keep the world straight in their head. I found that I had to set a part of my day to read it because I found myself getting lost, not only due to the multiple people mentioned, but also because this book doesn't always stay in chronological order. And this made it a difficult book to read. The subject matter may be fascinating, but the way the book would switch from what was happening to Countess Muriel White Seherr-Thoss, to the people around her threw me more often then not. Almost all of these characters were listed with not only their connections, but also goes back several generations to explain who their family were. After a while, I found myself wanting to skim as I wanted the story concerning the Countess to continue, not whomever had been introduced. I also forgot who several characters were, and when they did enter the story again, I'd have no clue who they were.

In other cases, I wished that characters, such as her husband, were broadened out. While a terrible man, the author kept dropping information of how he was part of the resistance within Germany. How he may have done this or that. I understand that the focus was supposed to be on the Countess, but as this was something both of them were involved in, I wanted to learn more. Did they ever talk to each other about this? Did they ever cross paths doing this work? Were they involved in the same methods of resistance, or he was more intelligence while the Countess helped people escape the control of the Nazis? I'd have liked more on that, rather than the 1/3rd of the book dedicated to Muriel's children and grandchildren.

I can't honestly say that if I hadn't received this as a proof, I would have finished it within a few months. I'm pretty sure this would have been put on my On Hold Shelf and stayed there, with me eventually getting back to it. It felt a bit too padded, with too much information thrown at me and this ruined the flow. The Countess is a very interesting character, with a fascinating life and her personality comes through clearly in the author's writing. Unfortunately this highlight disappears too often while the author follows other paths of people, and makes it hard to pick it up every time I put it down.

This is a 2 Star book for me. It's not something that I would recommend to anyone who isn't extremely determined. This is a book that needs to be the primary book in the reader's life. Once finished, it does make me want to learn more about the Countess and the world of society and diplomacy that surrounded her, but I wouldn't re-read this book to renew my interest again. I'd look to a different book to do that.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fascinating new history of World War II, Hutto brings the story of Muriel White Seherr-Thoss, the American daughter of a top diplomat and the wife of a Prussian count, to life in this brilliant new biography. Easily navigating the European courts until the Nazi party rose to power, Muriel leveraged her power in favor of the anti-Nazi resistance, organizing escape routes, witnessing the invasion of Albania, keeping her son out of the army, and defying the Nazis even while trapped in Germany. Drawing on unpublished memoirs and declassified documents from the CIA, readers discover this fascinating story of courage and power in the face of fascist Europe in this incredible new book. Excellently written by a top historian, the book is incredibly engaging and very exciting, since Muriel’s resistance activities brought her around Europe and in contact with many great figures and enemies of the time, and readers will love the intensity of and Hutto's narrative flow in this title. The historical detail is well-researched and very engaging, particularly since many of these documents are new to the public, and this gives readers the chance to truly discover a new story in this inspiring, fascinating, and immersive new biography.

Thanks to NetGalley, The Globe Pequot Publishing Group, Inc., and Lyons Press for the advance copy.

[Emma Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a lot of books about the Holocaust, I found myself intrigued by the premise of this book and was looking forward to reading Muriel's story. I enjoyed learning about Muriel's life and how she helped the resistance using her wealth and her connections with the elites at the time. This book was well researched and informative, with various formats of information/interviews etc. I did struggle at times when the story starts going off into different directions with other people's stories/lives and it was hard to remember who was who and what had happened to who etc, I felt this pulled a lot of my focus away from the Muriel's story. That being said I would definitely recommend reading this book

[Elsie Redducs · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

"The Countess and the Nazis" has a close up view of the life of an American heiress who married into European royalty right before the World Wars. Unfortunately, that life did not work out well for Muriel White (Seherr-Thoss). I appreciate the author shedding light on someone who has been forgotten over time. Muriel was definitely not perfect, but she did choose to fight back against the Nazis and she did save some lives during World War II.
The order of the book was very confusing. The chapters of the book were trying to be both topical and chronological and it didn't quite succeed in either. The book would focus on a death and then flip over to a new topic and bring up the person who died during the time they were alive in regard to that topic. I had a really hard time trying to figure out when events where happening and which events were happening at the same time.
Also, a large amount of time was spent on Geraldine, the Queen of Albania. While she is really interesting and I would love a separate book written about her, this part of the book really took away from Muriel's story and left me a little more confused.
All together, I am glad that Muriel is getting a long overdue spotlight on her life. I just wish that the spotlight was more clear and steady.

*Thank you The Globe Pequot Publishing Group, Inc. And NetGalley for this free ARC!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Countess and the Nazis by Richard Jay Hutto was a very thoughtful, well researched and impactful story. Admittedly at times I did get overwhelmed by all of the different family members and keeping track of who was who, but ultimately, I appreciated learning about all of them as I found each one fascinating in their own right. It was also a testament to how much time and research was put into this book by the author. It is important to note that I was reading this book electronically. There was a family tree at the very beginning of the book. Should I have been reading a print version, I would have referred back to it more frequently as It is a great resource for the reader and helps provide easy clarification.

I selected this book because of the title and was very eager to learn about the story of Muriel. What I found was so much more. I liked that the author did not try to paint the picture of a “perfect” Muriel, but instead portrayed her as flawed and relatable. We see her grow throughout the book as she develops her convictions. This is a story not just about her life and death, but about character, strength perseverance, family and how the actions of one person can affect the lives of so many.

Now that I have been satisfied with reading her story, I would very much like to go back and reread the book, taking the time to focus on some of the other characters and historical events that took place. As this was a story I was not familiar with, I was intrigued by all of the ties between the elite families, politicians, etc of the times as well as all of the different places in which the book takes place or references.

This book is well written, educational, insightful and worth both the read and a reread!

[Denise Griffitts]

In The Countess and the Nazis: An American Family's Private War, author and historian Richard Jay Hutto uncovers a fascinating, chilling, and often overlooked narrative from the shadowy corners of World War II history. At the center of this story is Muriel White—an American socialite whose life trajectory shifted dramatically when she married a Baltic-German count with direct ties to the Nazi regime.

What begins as a glamorous tale of high society and international travel quickly darkens into a cautionary exploration of complicity, power, and moral collapse. Through impeccable research and sharp storytelling, Hutto traces Muriel’s rise as a figure of privilege who, by marriage and association, became deeply embedded in the upper echelons of Hitler’s Third Reich.

The most gripping element of this book is not just the historical backdrop, but how close to home it hits. Muriel wasn't a war criminal. She wasn’t orchestrating military movements or signing treaties. But she was in the rooms where it happened. She benefited from the privileges afforded by her proximity to power. And she looked the other way.

Hutto’s writing is crisp, accessible, and deeply human. He never sensationalizes Muriel’s story. Instead, he lets the facts—and her choices—speak for themselves. The result is a biography that reads like a thriller, underpinned by the sobering truth that history is often shaped by the people who say nothing, as much as by those who act.

This book is especially relevant today as we revisit questions of moral responsibility, social influence, and how easily power can seduce even the most unlikely participants. Muriel’s story reminds us that neutrality is a choice—and often a dangerous one.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, diplomacy rested in the hands of a rarified group. Family and school connections kept the whole system going, as the gentlemen diplomats moved their families between the courts of Europe and the US, political matters and dinner parties. Born into this world as the daughter of US ambassador Henry White, Muriel White Seherr-Thoss lived her whole life inside this complicated web of family and politics.

The countess obviously lead an interesting life, but you wouldn't know it from this book. Hutto has clearly done a lot of research and interviews with surviving family members but he doesn't seem to want to share it with the reader. There is very little organization here - chapters are more by theme, with only a vague attempt at chronology. People pop in and out - notably Henry White, who gets half a chapter on his death only to come back in the next chapter when we back track to World War I. It was a much easier read when I broke it down a chapter at a time, as seperate essays on her life. But the oddest thing is how little depth there is here - Hutto hesitates to assign feeling to Muriel that he can't confirm from sources like her letters but it results in a very breezy zoom through her life. The important moments in her life - like her marriage or her death - happen almost as asides before he pivots to a new topic. It's a very choppy starting point but there is good sourcing and several books cited in the notes that I'll be looking into.

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muriel White Seherr-Thoss was an American-born woman who traded high society for a Prussian aristocratic title. As the wife of a count and daughter of a prominent diplomat, she moved seamlessly through Europe's royal courts—until the rise of Hitler forced her to choose resistance over privilege. Drawing from declassified CIA documents and unpublished memoirs, the book chronicles her brave efforts to protect her children from Nazi tyranny.

I had never heard of Murial White Seherr-Thoss before, and I was intrigued to learn more. The book details the influence her parents had on her life and the tragic outcome of her marriage as Europe changed around her. She used her connections to save what lives she could when she couldn’t save herself.

This was a difficult read, mostly because it seemed to jump around quite a bit. For a while, it told her story chronologically, but then would share information she found out later in her life. The author also had a tendency to dump a lot of information about the people around Murial. By the end, I still didn’t feel as though I knew who she had been as a person.

Overall, it was interesting, and I liked seeing how the world changed in a small part of Europe I hadn’t heard of before. Those interested in World War 2 history may enjoy this one. I received an advance reading copy via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many lives that have been forgotten or ignored, and then are brought back into the public eye through some diligent research. This is a case in point, and I found the book an informative, compelling and deeply fascinating account of a remarkable woman, of whom I had never heard. Muriel White Seherr-Thomas was her name, an American heiress who married into the German aristocracy and got caught up in the turmoil of the rise of Nazism. Her fate was tragic indeed. If this had been a novel it would have surely stretched the reader’s credulity, but it’s a true story and a gripping one. Meticulously researched and accessibly written, in my opinion the book could have done with a bit of healthy editing. It jumps about quite a lot in time and place and sometimes loses focus. The structure is not as tight as it could have been, and sometimes the narrative veers away from Muriel altogether. All very interesting but so many characters to keep track of makes for some difficult reading at times. I was particularly interested in the fate of Queen Geraldine of Albania, who became Muriel’s friend – she deserves a book of her own (perhaps there is one?) rather than being a side note in Muriel’s story. However, those quibbles apart, I really enjoyed the book, with its many illustrations, and recommend it wholeheartedly.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at the life of Muriel White, daughter of diplomat Henry White. Born into the wealth and privilege of the Gilded Age, this book is littered with a who's who of the glitterati that made up that interesting time period. The names are very familiar to us: White, Vanderbilt, Livingston, Rutherfurd, and more. Muriel eventually married a Prussian count and moved to a splendid castle in Germany. However, she was unhappy in her marriage and took solace in her children and her friends. She was even a mentor to the future Queen Geraldine of the Albanians, and was with her in her final hours before she departed Albania when the monarchy fell.

While the book is extremely interesting, I do have a few quibbles with it. First is the timeline. It jumps around. For instance, in one section her father is dead, then in the next he's alive, then it jumps and he's dead again. I wish the author had taken a little more time to iron out those inconsistencies. Also, the book is very name heavy. Towards the end of the book, it becomes almost mind numbing trying to keep everyone's name straight.

Of supreme interest was Muriel's mentorship of Queen Geraldine. This was fascinating to me. I would recommend this people with an interest in Gilded Age heiresses, especially those not so well known to modern readers.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only interesting to those who find the noble or upper crust society of the early 20th century mid-European continent primarily- enthralling reads. It's most about the society onus itself, that highest crust (wealth or legacy power) culture of that epoch.

The Countess is not the entire onus of the book at all. Only semi about the title, IMHO. I found it hard to dicipher so many various tangents/inputs. The photos were the best parts of all. All were extremely interesting. Just a comment here. Her mother, Daisy, was supposed to be the most beautiful woman of her time and well/ wide known by all in two continents' society for her looks beyond just an enthralling personality. From the pictures, I thought Muriel (the Countess of the title, her daughter who was killed in 1943 for being outspoken) was MUCH more a facial beauty to my own eyes in these photos.

The writing was not very clear, IMHO. Most would not be able to parse much of this. She was brave, and certainly paid the price for it.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tad repetitive and meandering, this is the fascinating story of an American heiress who married a Silesian Count. It goes into great detail about the lives of her parents and many of the other family members before it gets into the heart of the story. Courageous and strong, even when her marriage broke down, she still assumed responsibility for the people within her sphere. When WWII broke out and she was trapped behind Nazi lines, she managed to get her children to America as well as saving a number of lives.

She did not suffer fools gladly and never hid her disdain for the Nazis. She attempted to thwart them any way she could but it meant her time was limited. In fact, when she saw the SS approaching her front door, she was determined to avoid capture. There is some uncertainty if she committed suicide or was murdered but the result was the same. She died from a fall from her castle battlements. It is an interesting story that I wish had been more of the focus of the book. It was, in spite of this shortcoming, an interesting read. Four purrs and two paws up.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The true story of an American woman who married into Prussian aristocracy in the early twentieth century & became a lifeline for those fleeing the Nazis. Muriel White Seherr-Thoss used her connections to send her sons away to prevent them being conscripted into the German army, & also to help Jewish families escape, all this whilst being prevented from leaving herself. When the Gestapo finally came for her, Muriel made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others.

An interesting & informative book, it was a little difficult at first to keep straight who was who as there were just so many people mentioned. Although this is supposed to be about Muriel in the main, it actually encompasses the wider families & at times Muriel seemed to be almost a peripheral figure. It really worked though as a study of the aristocratic & political world before the Second World War & the author has obviously carried out a lot of painstaking research. 3.5 stars (rounded down)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc/Lyons Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It never ceases to amaze me how intertwined the wealthy families of America and the European aristocracy were in the 19th and 20th centuries. And this book offers another detailed picture of their connectivity.

The Countess and the Nazis is primarily the story of Muriel White - the daughter of a respected aristocrat and a beautiful Gilded Age socialite who married a Prussian Count. It includes the background of her family through several generations both before and after her.

This was my first time hearing about her and her family, but many of the peripheral names associated with their lives are familiar. The book was sometimes redundant and sometimes jumped around to different points in time, but overall it was full of interesting information and quotes from primary sources.

I received an ARC of this book, but all opinions are my own.

[Loretta Runyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the history of the White family. Strong women through the generations.

I appreciate the authors detail. As others have said, I did get a little lost first few chapters and needed to reread several times to get straight. This does get better more into the book and much easier to follow.

Muriel's strength shows through and through. From her marriage to Manni to helping people escape Nazi grips. She put everyone else first and herself lost, leaving a legacy of love behind.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit that for a book with "and the Nazis" in the title, there were a lot less Nazis than I expected. But this book was really interesting none the less.

It's clearly been incredibly well researched, and I loved learning about the Countess' fascinating life.

I did find that there were a lot of people, and the non linear timeline made it slightly confusing at times. I think some family trees might have helped keep clear who was who.

Overall though, this was a really interesting book and the Countess was clearly a strong woman.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to review by NetGalley

I am very interested in this period of history and have read a lot around this.

Muriel helped the resistance, with money and her connections in society. Well reserched and written - i enjoyed the authors style of writing and the fact the author brought into the story other people and their stories.

Muriel was a real person and this makes the story even richer.

Recommended read

[Raquel]

Muriel White did not set out to be a hero. She was an American heiress who — like many other US debutantes at the turn of the 20th century — married a European aristocrat.

Then the Nazis came.

Read my story in the NY Post:
https://nypost.com/2025/03/08/lifesty...

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating account of what happens when rich American heiresses of the early 20th century marry European aristocracy--they end up involved with all the notable names of the two world wars, sitting in Olympics boxes with Hitler himself, smuggling British pilots out of Germany, helping Jewish families escape. It's wild. It's also sad and was such a difficult time to be alive.

[Jean Mehochko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight into the years before and during WWII. So many wealthy American women marrying European royalty and landowners. This book focused on Muriel White.

A bit confusing with all the names and titles (and intermarriage), but very interesting.

[Patricia Sedlmeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but drawn out and boring. It’s all a who knows who story.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extensively researched but a bit jumbled in presentation and needed a different title.