What do you think?
Rate this book
Postwar Drifter: The Kellner Chronicles: Book 1
Based on a true story.
Spring 1948. It’s been three years since the fall of Berlin and the end of the war for Germany, but a new war fraught with political and military tension is gripping the world. A silent and deadly war that will last for decades and Harold Kellner finds himself smack in the middle of it - in cold war Russia.
Born in Germany in 1930, Harold Kellner was raised on Nazi propaganda and like all German boys his age, was forced to become a part of Hitler’s war machine. As the war raged on and the tides turned, Harold and his best friend, Karl Veth, became disillusioned with Hitler and his war and their loyalty to the Fatherland waned. At fourteen years old, they saw no reason to fight to the death and planned a strategy to survive. They narrowly escaped death as Berlin fell and were eventually arrested by a Russian Political Kommissar who planned to use them for his own gains. They carried out secret missions for the Kommissar and over time he was not only impressed by their intelligence and resourcefulness - he developed a fondness for them as well. When Harold’s dream of being reunited with his family was shattered, he accepted an offer by the Kommissar to be adopted and become his protégé.
When Harold accepted the offer to be adopted, he knew of the Kommissar’s political ambitions and that he would be expected to continue conducting clandestine operations for him. In the Spring of 1948, Harold is sent on a number of missions that not only pull him deeper into the world of Soviet intelligence, but also involve eliminating one of the Kommissar’s political rivals. Armed with KGB credentials, his life is becoming more dangerous than it was during the war in Germany.
Adept at learning new languages, Harold is sent to stay with a Swiss banker and his family between missions to further his language studies. The Kommissar has plans to infiltrate Stalin’s ranks by sending Harold in as a translator, but Harold begins to develop plans of his own. Languages are not the only thing Harold is learning during his time with the Swiss banker as he begins to understand how the political and financial worlds truly operate. There are secrets the banker is willing to share with the protégé of a Russian Political Kommissar.
Author’s Harold Kellner’s story began in the Degree series. He was the best friend of Karl Veth, the main character in the books. After World War II ended, their lives took off in two completely different directions. Postwar Drifter is the first book in The Kellner Chronicles, a new series based on Harold’s life. And, as with Karl’s story in the Degree books, The Kellner Chronicles are based on a true story.
Spring 1948. It’s been three years since the fall of Berlin and the end of the war for Germany, but a new war fraught with political and military tension is gripping the world. A silent and deadly war that will last for decades and Harold Kellner finds himself smack in the middle of it - in cold war Russia.
Born in Germany in 1930, Harold Kellner was raised on Nazi propaganda and like all German boys his age, was forced to become a part of Hitler’s war machine. As the war raged on and the tides turned, Harold and his best friend, Karl Veth, became disillusioned with Hitler and his war and their loyalty to the Fatherland waned. At fourteen years old, they saw no reason to fight to the death and planned a strategy to survive. They narrowly escaped death as Berlin fell and were eventually arrested by a Russian Political Kommissar who planned to use them for his own gains. They carried out secret missions for the Kommissar and over time he was not only impressed by their intelligence and resourcefulness - he developed a fondness for them as well. When Harold’s dream of being reunited with his family was shattered, he accepted an offer by the Kommissar to be adopted and become his protégé.
When Harold accepted the offer to be adopted, he knew of the Kommissar’s political ambitions and that he would be expected to continue conducting clandestine operations for him. In the Spring of 1948, Harold is sent on a number of missions that not only pull him deeper into the world of Soviet intelligence, but also involve eliminating one of the Kommissar’s political rivals. Armed with KGB credentials, his life is becoming more dangerous than it was during the war in Germany.
Adept at learning new languages, Harold is sent to stay with a Swiss banker and his family between missions to further his language studies. The Kommissar has plans to infiltrate Stalin’s ranks by sending Harold in as a translator, but Harold begins to develop plans of his own. Languages are not the only thing Harold is learning during his time with the Swiss banker as he begins to understand how the political and financial worlds truly operate. There are secrets the banker is willing to share with the protégé of a Russian Political Kommissar.
Author’s Harold Kellner’s story began in the Degree series. He was the best friend of Karl Veth, the main character in the books. After World War II ended, their lives took off in two completely different directions. Postwar Drifter is the first book in The Kellner Chronicles, a new series based on Harold’s life. And, as with Karl’s story in the Degree books, The Kellner Chronicles are based on a true story.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Audible Audio
Published August 22, 2025
17 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Horst Christian
24 books53 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 20, 2017
Another AMAZING Read!
Horst Christian has done it again! This story chronicles the life and adventures of Harold Kellner, a Berlin teen after the conclusion of WWII. Harold accepts an offer of a Soviet KGB officer as a protege and continues his education at a military academy in Moscow. Harold has a knack for languages, as he becomes fluent in Russian and English. He is sent to Switzerland to continue his studies of foreign languages and to do missions for the Kommissar that has adopted him.
An incredible story that keeps you glued to the book which is based on true life events. Waiting impatiently for the next book in this amazing story, Mr. Horst Christian!
Horst Christian has done it again! This story chronicles the life and adventures of Harold Kellner, a Berlin teen after the conclusion of WWII. Harold accepts an offer of a Soviet KGB officer as a protege and continues his education at a military academy in Moscow. Harold has a knack for languages, as he becomes fluent in Russian and English. He is sent to Switzerland to continue his studies of foreign languages and to do missions for the Kommissar that has adopted him.
An incredible story that keeps you glued to the book which is based on true life events. Waiting impatiently for the next book in this amazing story, Mr. Horst Christian!
June 1, 2018
Cheers to an excellent work
I read the full story in 2 days. All the books in the series are fascinating and offer a glimpse into post-war Europe. The wait for the next book will be excruciating but worth it.
I read the full story in 2 days. All the books in the series are fascinating and offer a glimpse into post-war Europe. The wait for the next book will be excruciating but worth it.
May 2, 2020
Interesting
I found this book very interesting Goodreads say the least. It adds a new insight into post war Europe. The life of Harold is taking a turn not expected.
I found this book very interesting Goodreads say the least. It adds a new insight into post war Europe. The life of Harold is taking a turn not expected.
November 7, 2023
Continuation of Harold’s life under a Russian Kommissar. A lot of intrigue.
February 28, 2017
I loved his other books but one was missing a bit. I loved the story...it's amazing what a 17 year old went through post WWII but the writing style was lacking. Hard to review this for me. Harold was/is a brilliant kid and what he did was beyond what any other 17 year old would do. But the writing was choppy and it was enough at times to stop my reading and have to reread.
April 26, 2016
Another great instalment by Mr. Christian I enjoyed the continuation of Harold's Story. If you read this don't forget to read Children to a Degree, Loyalty to a degree, and Partners to a degree first.
August 11, 2016
Insight into developments of the relationship between Soviets and the US
As a first generation American, these books help explain the postwar history of my mother who, like many who came of age in WWII Germany preferred to remain silent.
As a first generation American, these books help explain the postwar history of my mother who, like many who came of age in WWII Germany preferred to remain silent.
August 30, 2016
I have really liked all of this author's books.
April 8, 2017
Wonderful series
I have followed Harold and Karl from the beginning. I find their experiences riveting and enlightening. Their reactions to the war and postwar situations put me back in time. I especially enjoy the reactions to American and west European customs and riches. This is true of all of the books in the series. This book continues the story of Harold in his fascinating experience with Russian intrigue. I can't wait for the next book.
I have followed Harold and Karl from the beginning. I find their experiences riveting and enlightening. Their reactions to the war and postwar situations put me back in time. I especially enjoy the reactions to American and west European customs and riches. This is true of all of the books in the series. This book continues the story of Harold in his fascinating experience with Russian intrigue. I can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews