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Growing Up Under The Third Reich
Partners To A Degree: Growing Up Under The Third Reich Book 4
A World War Two Historical Fiction Novel Based On A True Story
As World War II comes to an end for Germany, 14-year-old Karl Veth and his best friend, Harold Kellner, narrowly survive the fall of Berlin. Their knowledge of the city’s subway system plays a key role in their survival during the battle of Berlin and will do so again in the days that follow as the Soviets control the city.
After being arrested by a Russian Political Kommissar, Karl and Harold are given the option of being shipped off to Russian labor camps or completing missions for the Kommissar and earning their freedom. The promise of freedom and the possibility of receiving information about the fate of their families is more than enough to ensure their cooperation.
The Kommissar is continually surprised by Karl and Harold’s ingenuity and resourcefulness as they complete each mission. He develops a fondness for the boys and offers to adopt them and take them back to Russia with him when he returns. Holding out hope they will eventually be reunited with their families, they refuse the Kommissar’s offer. Unfortunately, only one boy’s dream of seeing his family again will come true.
The ravages of war dramatically changed their lives and while Karl and Harold have each suffered the loss of loved ones – one has lost more than the other. One boy will struggle to put his life back on track and the other will embark on a path of revenge – fueled by grief and anger at the lies that caused his loss and the destruction of his homeland.
One boy’s story comes to an end, while the other’s is just beginning.
Books In The Series:
Children To A Degree
Loyal To A Degree
Trust To A Degree
Partners To A Degree
As World War II comes to an end for Germany, 14-year-old Karl Veth and his best friend, Harold Kellner, narrowly survive the fall of Berlin. Their knowledge of the city’s subway system plays a key role in their survival during the battle of Berlin and will do so again in the days that follow as the Soviets control the city.
After being arrested by a Russian Political Kommissar, Karl and Harold are given the option of being shipped off to Russian labor camps or completing missions for the Kommissar and earning their freedom. The promise of freedom and the possibility of receiving information about the fate of their families is more than enough to ensure their cooperation.
The Kommissar is continually surprised by Karl and Harold’s ingenuity and resourcefulness as they complete each mission. He develops a fondness for the boys and offers to adopt them and take them back to Russia with him when he returns. Holding out hope they will eventually be reunited with their families, they refuse the Kommissar’s offer. Unfortunately, only one boy’s dream of seeing his family again will come true.
The ravages of war dramatically changed their lives and while Karl and Harold have each suffered the loss of loved ones – one has lost more than the other. One boy will struggle to put his life back on track and the other will embark on a path of revenge – fueled by grief and anger at the lies that caused his loss and the destruction of his homeland.
One boy’s story comes to an end, while the other’s is just beginning.
Books In The Series:
Children To A Degree
Loyal To A Degree
Trust To A Degree
Partners To A Degree
192 pages, ebook
First published June 23, 2014
25 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Horst Christian
24 books54 followersI was born in Berlin, Germany in 1930. My father taught me to read and write before the age of 5 and by the time I was 10 years old, I discovered my love for writing. I wrote vacation reports and several articles for a German school periodical.
When I was 10, I entered the “Jungvolk,” a subdivision of the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory in the Berlin school system. I then entered the Hitler Youth at the age of 14, also mandatory, and continued writing for the Hitler Youth periodicals.
I was drafted to help defend Berlin against the Soviets at the age of 14 because of my unique knowledge of the subway system and I served as a guide for various SS demolition commandos.
My books are based on my own experiences as a young boy in Germany during World War II and the days leading up to and after the fall of Berlin. There have been many books written about the war, but none from the perspective of a 14 year old boy who was forced to fight for a cause he did not understand.
I immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and became a citizen. My wife, Jennifer, and I live in Northern California on a small ranch, where we have been for the last 30 years.
When I was 10, I entered the “Jungvolk,” a subdivision of the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory in the Berlin school system. I then entered the Hitler Youth at the age of 14, also mandatory, and continued writing for the Hitler Youth periodicals.
I was drafted to help defend Berlin against the Soviets at the age of 14 because of my unique knowledge of the subway system and I served as a guide for various SS demolition commandos.
My books are based on my own experiences as a young boy in Germany during World War II and the days leading up to and after the fall of Berlin. There have been many books written about the war, but none from the perspective of a 14 year old boy who was forced to fight for a cause he did not understand.
I immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and became a citizen. My wife, Jennifer, and I live in Northern California on a small ranch, where we have been for the last 30 years.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 27, 2015
Very interesting
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this whole series. It was interesting to read about how young Germans lived and viewed events during this horrific time in history. I am fascinated with this time period of history and recommend this read to any one who has a love of history.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this whole series. It was interesting to read about how young Germans lived and viewed events during this horrific time in history. I am fascinated with this time period of history and recommend this read to any one who has a love of history.
September 2, 2016
War story
I enjoyed reading the books because the story was written from the German youth perspective, and it reflected the truth from people who lived through it. It would make a great movie.
I enjoyed reading the books because the story was written from the German youth perspective, and it reflected the truth from people who lived through it. It would make a great movie.
June 5, 2015
Historical novel
Very interesting historically. Well written. Easy to read. Kept my attention. Hard to put down. Would recommend it to anyone interested in WWII.
Very interesting historically. Well written. Easy to read. Kept my attention. Hard to put down. Would recommend it to anyone interested in WWII.
July 4, 2015
I couldn't put these books down. What Harold and Karl had to do in their lives was beyond comprehension. I learned so much more about one of my favorite genres in such an interesting story.
October 10, 2020
Well written conclusion to the series. As some others have said in reviews, I also think this was my least favorite of the stories since Karl and Harold separate and the story primarily focuses on Harold. Set in the days after the take-over of Berlin after its fall up to the dropping of the atomic bomb in Japan, the story is from the vantage point of Harold, who works on new 'jobs' for the Kommissar, acting as his new protege.
In the story, we also see Harold begin pursuing his promise to find ways to avenge his mother's death. The story has many twists and speaks of the aftermath of the world war in Europe that left so many younger adults like Harold disillusioned, lost, and searching for hope in a world turned upside down. It also did a good job showing how the ravages of Nazism, though defeated, left Germany and surrounding countries in ruins, as well as Russians bent on seeking revenge for their loss of life on the eastern front and into Russia. As in the other stories in the series, a key take-home message is that war is filled with enormous complexity and contradictions, and the effects of it are far-reaching and lasting not only in the individual lives of people but in the souls of nations.
In the story, we also see Harold begin pursuing his promise to find ways to avenge his mother's death. The story has many twists and speaks of the aftermath of the world war in Europe that left so many younger adults like Harold disillusioned, lost, and searching for hope in a world turned upside down. It also did a good job showing how the ravages of Nazism, though defeated, left Germany and surrounding countries in ruins, as well as Russians bent on seeking revenge for their loss of life on the eastern front and into Russia. As in the other stories in the series, a key take-home message is that war is filled with enormous complexity and contradictions, and the effects of it are far-reaching and lasting not only in the individual lives of people but in the souls of nations.
March 12, 2016
Partners To A Degree is book four in the series by Horst Christian. The story is based on a true story but told as a historical fiction. It is tragic that the events did occur and nothing could be done to stop them. This book takes the young boys, only fourteen and then fifteen, through the aftermath of World War II in Berlin. Adjusting to life under the Russians and then having to try to relocate their families at the same time, proved to be exhausting and dangerous for the two young men.
Karl Veth was overjoyed to be reunited with his Father; but was angry at the Kommissar for using his Father’s life as a tool to get Karl to eliminate an enemy. Karl had come through World War II without having to use his skill as a sniper to kill anyone and did not want to do it now. It seems as if he doesn’t have a choice. He understands the Kommissar’s reasons but doesn’t have to like them. All Karl wants is to take his Father to Westphalia where his Mother and two siblings are now living. First they have to get out of the Russian held portion of Berlin.
Harold Kellner is still reeling from the death of his Mother after repeated rapes and beatings by a Russian unit. The Kommissar was able to find his Mother and bring her to Berlin before she died so her son could be with her and for that he was grateful. However, he felt nothing but getting revenge for her after she died. The Kommissar has also located his Father; but he is being held in Spandau prison for war crimes. Harold takes the Kommissar’s offer to take him under his wing and give him the best education Europe has to offer and a place in the Russian army leadership. This will mean he and Karl will be separated.
Each boy has to choose the path he will now follow since the war is over. They must each stay true to their own values or change them to fit the path they chose. The choice is never easy. The series is an excellent one of two boys who are intelligent and ambitious in the Third Reich and who resist the indoctrination of the Third Reich by questioning what they learn.
Karl Veth was overjoyed to be reunited with his Father; but was angry at the Kommissar for using his Father’s life as a tool to get Karl to eliminate an enemy. Karl had come through World War II without having to use his skill as a sniper to kill anyone and did not want to do it now. It seems as if he doesn’t have a choice. He understands the Kommissar’s reasons but doesn’t have to like them. All Karl wants is to take his Father to Westphalia where his Mother and two siblings are now living. First they have to get out of the Russian held portion of Berlin.
Harold Kellner is still reeling from the death of his Mother after repeated rapes and beatings by a Russian unit. The Kommissar was able to find his Mother and bring her to Berlin before she died so her son could be with her and for that he was grateful. However, he felt nothing but getting revenge for her after she died. The Kommissar has also located his Father; but he is being held in Spandau prison for war crimes. Harold takes the Kommissar’s offer to take him under his wing and give him the best education Europe has to offer and a place in the Russian army leadership. This will mean he and Karl will be separated.
Each boy has to choose the path he will now follow since the war is over. They must each stay true to their own values or change them to fit the path they chose. The choice is never easy. The series is an excellent one of two boys who are intelligent and ambitious in the Third Reich and who resist the indoctrination of the Third Reich by questioning what they learn.
November 10, 2015
Fascinating read
This entire series has kept me glued to book. The representation of the fall of Berlin from the standpoint of two young men with only the limited information given them as well as the showcase of their ability to solve the problems they encountered was rejuvenating. The fact that much of it was factual made it even more worth while
This entire series has kept me glued to book. The representation of the fall of Berlin from the standpoint of two young men with only the limited information given them as well as the showcase of their ability to solve the problems they encountered was rejuvenating. The fact that much of it was factual made it even more worth while
November 13, 2015
This is a great read.
A great read, the whole series has been great. I definitely will recommend all of the Degree series of book's. From the first page of the first book through to the last page of the last book I was on edge to see what would happen next and I was never disappointed.
A great read, the whole series has been great. I definitely will recommend all of the Degree series of book's. From the first page of the first book through to the last page of the last book I was on edge to see what would happen next and I was never disappointed.
January 17, 2017
Engaging Read
This is the 4th book in the series regarding 2 young German teenagers that survived WWII and their challenges as Berlin is invaded by the Russians. This author has the amazing talent of transporting the reader back in time. It is a fast read, but a treasure trove of historical information. So looking forward to more from this author!
This is the 4th book in the series regarding 2 young German teenagers that survived WWII and their challenges as Berlin is invaded by the Russians. This author has the amazing talent of transporting the reader back in time. It is a fast read, but a treasure trove of historical information. So looking forward to more from this author!
October 6, 2014
All 4 of these books should be required reading in high school, maybe even middle school. They show how easily a whole nation can be lead astray.
March 2, 2016
Glad I happened upon this series. Enjoyable and was educational for me. Good read for anyone interested in WWII era.
August 5, 2016
This is a great series of books.
June 7, 2018
Enjoyed!
I liked all 4 books in this series, learning what it was in Gemany in the 40's. Highly recommended series.
I liked all 4 books in this series, learning what it was in Gemany in the 40's. Highly recommended series.
December 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this series! While this book strayed from Karl's point of view and focused on Harold, I found it just as good. Harold isn't the moral character we grew to love like Karl, but a dark, hurt soul bent on revenge. It was nice to see his side.
September 20, 2025
4.5 Stars✨
November 10, 2014
The third book in Christian's series based on his own life and that of a friend as members of the Hitler Youth in the last weeks of WWII and the time right after the surrender of Berlin. Their adventures were harrowing. The contacts they made were important to their survival and to their search for their parents. Did they find their parents? What kind of lives have the boys had since those strange times? Read to find out.
November 27, 2015
Riveting Story
I read all three books to follow these two young men. Their age perspectives are fascinating because they assumed very adult responsibilities without information. They also witnessed horrible actions and survived.
I read all three books to follow these two young men. Their age perspectives are fascinating because they assumed very adult responsibilities without information. They also witnessed horrible actions and survived.
June 27, 2015
I was so sad that Carl wasn't in this books so much but it was still fantastic
August 21, 2016
Interesting read
This whole series was very interesting to read. A view of the German side of WWII from young boys. What a life experience.
This whole series was very interesting to read. A view of the German side of WWII from young boys. What a life experience.
April 24, 2017
I could not get into this book at all. After reading the first two (the second was slow at best), I really couldn't care less whether I finished it or not. That's rare. The story was detailed, but slow.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews