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Johann’s War #1
Our Father
“The German Revolution had indeed begun.” The Second German Reich has collapsed in the flames of World War I and the country is in chaos. Republicans, rogue soldiers, and communists are rampaging through the cities and villages of Germany. Faced with destruction, the nationalists fight back against their enemies, turning the country into a battlefield. In Munich, Erich and Johann Brandt are a pair of impressionable teenagers just trying to get by. When Erich falls under the sway of young speaker Adolf Hitler, he joins the party without a second thought. Erich drives further and further into Hitler’s inner circle, which all culminates in a deadly march through the heart of Munich. Horrified at his brother’s fall into National Socialism, Johann does what he can to fight back against the spell that Hitler has placed the country under. That is until he attracts the brutal attentions of SA captain Oswald Yorck. As elections turn against the democratic parties, Johann does his best to save his country before it’s too late. But it could cost him his life…
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
941 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
James Farner
38 books824 followersJames Farner is a professional writer and draws upon his love of fiction and his love of stories that span generations. His signature series Made in Yorkshire was born out of a desire to find out ‘what happened next?’
At the end of every good film, book, or TV show the characters disappear and that’s the end of them. James isn’t alone in the desire to find out what happened to the characters afterwards.
This is how Made in Yorkshire appeared. Starting from 1953 and driving on to the modern day, James explores the different eras of Britain through his colourful cast of characters.
Prior to writing fiction, he enjoyed a career as a freelance writer. His writing has appeared online, in magazines, and in a variety of other publications.
When not writing, he can be found sketching, watching sports, and playing the tin whistle.
At the end of every good film, book, or TV show the characters disappear and that’s the end of them. James isn’t alone in the desire to find out what happened to the characters afterwards.
This is how Made in Yorkshire appeared. Starting from 1953 and driving on to the modern day, James explores the different eras of Britain through his colourful cast of characters.
Prior to writing fiction, he enjoyed a career as a freelance writer. His writing has appeared online, in magazines, and in a variety of other publications.
When not writing, he can be found sketching, watching sports, and playing the tin whistle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 22, 2018
This was a free book offer from iTunes via BookBud. It quickly became clear why it is free.
It’s the first book I’ve read by this author, and the first of many in the “Johann’s War” series. Book 1 is set in Germany between the demise of the Weimar Republic/end of World War I and the rise of the Third Reich/outset of World War II. The premise isn’t bad; it’s just not unique enough, and is in any case overshadowed by the sheer number of flaws.
If you care at all about grammar and writing level, however, don’t torture yourself. You will seriously regret it. The myriad grammatical gaffes and malapropisms will make you gnash your teeth, as will the countless examples of embarrassingly awkward/stilted construction, mixed metaphors, and misogyny.
Additional examples:
“Erich and her had become soul mates with one look.” — Ahem. “Erich and SHE...”.
“I don’t want you to touch it until me or a member of my party comes to collect it.”
“Can I sit down?” ... “No, you can’t.” — May is the grammatically correct auxiliary verb when one asks permission to do something. “ Can means one is physically able to do something. Other languages still use different verbs to differentiate between can and may, like the German kann and mag (1st & 3rd person tense of the infinitive verbs können and mögen, respectively). Sadly, advertisers and even broadcasters in the English-speaking world ignore and thus perpetuate dumbed-down English. Social media will probably be the final nail in the coffin for may.
“She broke her glance whilst an extraordinary fat man on her other side moved to get up.” —Um, “extraordinary” should be “extraordinarily”, because extraordinary modifies the adjective fat, not the noun man. The man is not extraordinary—his girth is.
“She was one of the first members to be a woman .” — No, she was one of the first WOMEN to become a MEMBER.
“What you need to know about these people is they thrive off of intimidation.” — No. “Thrive ON” is grammatically correct.
“Johann gave in. He submitted to his tears and decided to approach Erich.”
“The door slammed behind them, making a gust of air flutter their eyes.”
“There weren’t enough chairs to house them all.” — Or houses to seat them all? Sheesh.
“A grey shroud seemed to have descended over Marwin, giving him a sickly pallor.” — A shroud? That descended in thin air? Or SEEMED to descend, rather. Good grief.
This is but one example of the author’s two-verb (“seem to”+action verb) construction used throughout the book. Why do this? It dilutes meaning, confusing the reader. Is Farner unwilling to commit to a single, more precise action verb, or simply lacks a more sophisticated vocabulary? Or has he done this to ‘pad’ the text for a higher word count? I suspect it’s done merely out of habit, but that does not excuse shoddy writing.
Additional examples (of sundry other problems):
“Erich felt like he’d been flayed by a heavyweight boxer.” — FLAYED? That would be a horrific sight, and fatal for the victim, because it means peeling back the skin, as in skinning a rabbit. The only other meaning for flay is to rip something apart figuratively, such as (ahem) a horribly written book. As for boxer—if Erich were literally assaulted by such a person—pummel would be more appropriate. But Erich only felt pummeled, felt as if he were (NOT “like he was”) physically pummeled. Please consult a dictionary or thesaurus in future, Mr. Farner (and a grammar primer), or hire a professional editor to save yourself any future humiliation. It’s painfully obvious that this is self-published, because no other publisher would dare publish this as-is.
“...Hitler had turned them like a glove being pulled inside out.”
“Most of the crowd had consigned themselves to the victory of the Nazis.” — Consigned, resigned, what’s the diff?
“Oliver put his hat on and recomposed himself...”.
“Rumours began to infest the crowd...”. And later: “the smell of fish infested his nostrils”. — Seriously? This is the best verb you could come up with?
Other descriptions were even more disgusting: “Kuno listened in respectful silence, except to clear the tobacco tar fermenting in the back of his throat.” — Lovely. Thanks ever so for the visuals, which are sure to gross out at least 50% of your readers.
“The sloppy sounds of two drunken people kissing made him grimace. He’d always hated the sound, like a pig swilling around in the mud.” — Another lovely picture he paints. But does a pig “swill around”? Were you free-associating, thinking of “pig swill”? Yikes.
...”Rohm now joined Hitler, Goring, Hess, and the rest of the main Nazis...”. — Would that be the Main River Nazis? Sorry—lame joke. But please. “Main Nazis”?
“Hitler can’t keep up this shutting your mouth thing for much longer, can he?” then
“My father seems to think he’s gone into retirement”... — Hitler is now a pensioner? No, he is hiding, has gone to ground temporarily somewhere in the country. I won’t even address “this shutting your mouth thing”.
“It made him sick to see men fawning over a man like he was a living god. The scream Hitler elicited when he was shot in the arm during the Putsch said otherwise.” — elicited a scream? Like he was a living god? Where do I start...
“Marienplatz square had nothing but confused civilians bowing down to various Nazi speechmakers. Their words looked to fall on deaf ears as only the brown shirts broke off their gatherings...”. — Again, where do I start?
“Known as the Brain of Munich, Johann had ... never taken his studies to further heights.”
“His body moved at a rate of an iceberg preparing to take down the Titanic.” — I had to smile as I envisioned an iceberg wrestling a ship to the ground.
Grammatical errors, awkward constructions, malapropisms and modernisms are not the only problems with this book. The female characters are one of two stereotypes: Madonna or whore.
Marwin’s middle-aged wife Helmine “trotted” like a pig and was one of the cabaret acts at her husband’s local bar. “All he saw was her laboriously applied makeup and the frown lines trying to poke through.” (Frown lines have a life of their own!) She offers to initiate him to sex and they carry on an affair for 2+ years—until he meets a woman his own age.
“Erich hissed at her. “Come on, how naïve can one woman be? I was sixteen. I would have gone to bed with a tree if looked like you had then.” ... “I can’t believe you didn’t know that we had nothing more than a physical relationship. Are you stupid?”
“Erich looked at her as one looks at a foolish little girl threatening to rule the world. He didn’t give her the satisfaction as she trotted away...”.
SUCH a class act, this guy. But what can one expect from someone who hangs out with thugs?
Later, he cries angry tears because Helmine offed herself; not angry for her sake, but because it means HE must live with the pain of knowing he was to blame—which was her aim. Sadly, most of the other male characters are equally self-absorbed. All the male characters here vacillate between acting like Neanderthals and milquetoasts, all except Johann and his Jewish friend Oliver, that is.
They are the only ones who show any integrity, refusing to kowtow to the Nazi thugs. Oliver is ashamed that his Jewish father (and mother, Helmine) is one of the first to join the Nazi party. Johann may be a ‘brain’ academically, but he needs to learn to control his temper and impulsivity, to think before he acts. Both friends have been beaten up several times by Brown Shirts, and soon enough they must admit that they they can no longer afford to be associated with the Communist newspaper, or to be so outspoken about their Communist/Social Democrat beliefs. Because they risk not only their own lives, but the lives of those they love. Johann fears that the thugs—especially York—will harm his mother in order to punish him.
Johann’s mother Julia is a broken woman who mourns her husband’s death and her sons leaving home. She is a quasi Madonna figure, because her love for her sons is all-consuming. But she is vapid and weak—which serves as a convenient foil to Hannah, the rival for her son Erich’s affections.
Julia’s first-born son Erich hasn’t bothered to visit his mother for years, even though they live in the same city, because he is too busy moving up in the ranks of the SS. Hannah is an attractive young woman who is outspoken and sees the world in black and white. (Like those who consider all women as Madonna or whore.) She is an ardent young Nazi party member who isn’t intelligent enough to study the issues, she acts out of hatred, allowing her limbic brain (the prehistoric fight-or-flight part) to take over—because it’s easier than using reason. She parrots the Nazi slogans that vilify and scapegoat the Jews for Germany’s woes. She isn’t married, is attracted Erich, and sees him as her meal ticket to a secure life.
So she moves in with him—making her a ‘whore’ in the eyes of ‘decent’ Germans—though they plan to marry eventually. She isn’t completely stupid, sees a meal ticket to the Good Life, and hooks her wagon to his star. She feels free to criticize Johann and his friend, but wouldn’t dare scold Erich—at least not until she has a ring on her finger. So she acts the traditional German Hausfrau, helpmate to her man. (“Kinder, Küche und Kirche”, after all.) The only authority she has is over their maid—who happens to be ‘Negro’—curious, given the Nazi Party’s views on racial purity.
It’s the first book I’ve read by this author, and the first of many in the “Johann’s War” series. Book 1 is set in Germany between the demise of the Weimar Republic/end of World War I and the rise of the Third Reich/outset of World War II. The premise isn’t bad; it’s just not unique enough, and is in any case overshadowed by the sheer number of flaws.
If you care at all about grammar and writing level, however, don’t torture yourself. You will seriously regret it. The myriad grammatical gaffes and malapropisms will make you gnash your teeth, as will the countless examples of embarrassingly awkward/stilted construction, mixed metaphors, and misogyny.
Additional examples:
“Erich and her had become soul mates with one look.” — Ahem. “Erich and SHE...”.
“I don’t want you to touch it until me or a member of my party comes to collect it.”
“Can I sit down?” ... “No, you can’t.” — May is the grammatically correct auxiliary verb when one asks permission to do something. “ Can means one is physically able to do something. Other languages still use different verbs to differentiate between can and may, like the German kann and mag (1st & 3rd person tense of the infinitive verbs können and mögen, respectively). Sadly, advertisers and even broadcasters in the English-speaking world ignore and thus perpetuate dumbed-down English. Social media will probably be the final nail in the coffin for may.
“She broke her glance whilst an extraordinary fat man on her other side moved to get up.” —Um, “extraordinary” should be “extraordinarily”, because extraordinary modifies the adjective fat, not the noun man. The man is not extraordinary—his girth is.
“She was one of the first members to be a woman .” — No, she was one of the first WOMEN to become a MEMBER.
“What you need to know about these people is they thrive off of intimidation.” — No. “Thrive ON” is grammatically correct.
“Johann gave in. He submitted to his tears and decided to approach Erich.”
“The door slammed behind them, making a gust of air flutter their eyes.”
“There weren’t enough chairs to house them all.” — Or houses to seat them all? Sheesh.
“A grey shroud seemed to have descended over Marwin, giving him a sickly pallor.” — A shroud? That descended in thin air? Or SEEMED to descend, rather. Good grief.
This is but one example of the author’s two-verb (“seem to”+action verb) construction used throughout the book. Why do this? It dilutes meaning, confusing the reader. Is Farner unwilling to commit to a single, more precise action verb, or simply lacks a more sophisticated vocabulary? Or has he done this to ‘pad’ the text for a higher word count? I suspect it’s done merely out of habit, but that does not excuse shoddy writing.
Additional examples (of sundry other problems):
“Erich felt like he’d been flayed by a heavyweight boxer.” — FLAYED? That would be a horrific sight, and fatal for the victim, because it means peeling back the skin, as in skinning a rabbit. The only other meaning for flay is to rip something apart figuratively, such as (ahem) a horribly written book. As for boxer—if Erich were literally assaulted by such a person—pummel would be more appropriate. But Erich only felt pummeled, felt as if he were (NOT “like he was”) physically pummeled. Please consult a dictionary or thesaurus in future, Mr. Farner (and a grammar primer), or hire a professional editor to save yourself any future humiliation. It’s painfully obvious that this is self-published, because no other publisher would dare publish this as-is.
“...Hitler had turned them like a glove being pulled inside out.”
“Most of the crowd had consigned themselves to the victory of the Nazis.” — Consigned, resigned, what’s the diff?
“Oliver put his hat on and recomposed himself...”.
“Rumours began to infest the crowd...”. And later: “the smell of fish infested his nostrils”. — Seriously? This is the best verb you could come up with?
Other descriptions were even more disgusting: “Kuno listened in respectful silence, except to clear the tobacco tar fermenting in the back of his throat.” — Lovely. Thanks ever so for the visuals, which are sure to gross out at least 50% of your readers.
“The sloppy sounds of two drunken people kissing made him grimace. He’d always hated the sound, like a pig swilling around in the mud.” — Another lovely picture he paints. But does a pig “swill around”? Were you free-associating, thinking of “pig swill”? Yikes.
...”Rohm now joined Hitler, Goring, Hess, and the rest of the main Nazis...”. — Would that be the Main River Nazis? Sorry—lame joke. But please. “Main Nazis”?
“Hitler can’t keep up this shutting your mouth thing for much longer, can he?” then
“My father seems to think he’s gone into retirement”... — Hitler is now a pensioner? No, he is hiding, has gone to ground temporarily somewhere in the country. I won’t even address “this shutting your mouth thing”.
“It made him sick to see men fawning over a man like he was a living god. The scream Hitler elicited when he was shot in the arm during the Putsch said otherwise.” — elicited a scream? Like he was a living god? Where do I start...
“Marienplatz square had nothing but confused civilians bowing down to various Nazi speechmakers. Their words looked to fall on deaf ears as only the brown shirts broke off their gatherings...”. — Again, where do I start?
“Known as the Brain of Munich, Johann had ... never taken his studies to further heights.”
“His body moved at a rate of an iceberg preparing to take down the Titanic.” — I had to smile as I envisioned an iceberg wrestling a ship to the ground.
Grammatical errors, awkward constructions, malapropisms and modernisms are not the only problems with this book. The female characters are one of two stereotypes: Madonna or whore.
Marwin’s middle-aged wife Helmine “trotted” like a pig and was one of the cabaret acts at her husband’s local bar. “All he saw was her laboriously applied makeup and the frown lines trying to poke through.” (Frown lines have a life of their own!) She offers to initiate him to sex and they carry on an affair for 2+ years—until he meets a woman his own age.
“Erich hissed at her. “Come on, how naïve can one woman be? I was sixteen. I would have gone to bed with a tree if looked like you had then.” ... “I can’t believe you didn’t know that we had nothing more than a physical relationship. Are you stupid?”
“Erich looked at her as one looks at a foolish little girl threatening to rule the world. He didn’t give her the satisfaction as she trotted away...”.
SUCH a class act, this guy. But what can one expect from someone who hangs out with thugs?
Later, he cries angry tears because Helmine offed herself; not angry for her sake, but because it means HE must live with the pain of knowing he was to blame—which was her aim. Sadly, most of the other male characters are equally self-absorbed. All the male characters here vacillate between acting like Neanderthals and milquetoasts, all except Johann and his Jewish friend Oliver, that is.
They are the only ones who show any integrity, refusing to kowtow to the Nazi thugs. Oliver is ashamed that his Jewish father (and mother, Helmine) is one of the first to join the Nazi party. Johann may be a ‘brain’ academically, but he needs to learn to control his temper and impulsivity, to think before he acts. Both friends have been beaten up several times by Brown Shirts, and soon enough they must admit that they they can no longer afford to be associated with the Communist newspaper, or to be so outspoken about their Communist/Social Democrat beliefs. Because they risk not only their own lives, but the lives of those they love. Johann fears that the thugs—especially York—will harm his mother in order to punish him.
Johann’s mother Julia is a broken woman who mourns her husband’s death and her sons leaving home. She is a quasi Madonna figure, because her love for her sons is all-consuming. But she is vapid and weak—which serves as a convenient foil to Hannah, the rival for her son Erich’s affections.
Julia’s first-born son Erich hasn’t bothered to visit his mother for years, even though they live in the same city, because he is too busy moving up in the ranks of the SS. Hannah is an attractive young woman who is outspoken and sees the world in black and white. (Like those who consider all women as Madonna or whore.) She is an ardent young Nazi party member who isn’t intelligent enough to study the issues, she acts out of hatred, allowing her limbic brain (the prehistoric fight-or-flight part) to take over—because it’s easier than using reason. She parrots the Nazi slogans that vilify and scapegoat the Jews for Germany’s woes. She isn’t married, is attracted Erich, and sees him as her meal ticket to a secure life.
So she moves in with him—making her a ‘whore’ in the eyes of ‘decent’ Germans—though they plan to marry eventually. She isn’t completely stupid, sees a meal ticket to the Good Life, and hooks her wagon to his star. She feels free to criticize Johann and his friend, but wouldn’t dare scold Erich—at least not until she has a ring on her finger. So she acts the traditional German Hausfrau, helpmate to her man. (“Kinder, Küche und Kirche”, after all.) The only authority she has is over their maid—who happens to be ‘Negro’—curious, given the Nazi Party’s views on racial purity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2023
I purchased Farner's book "Gathering Clouds" then realized that it was the second in a series "Johann's War Book" and so ordered Book 1 "Our Father". Taking place between 1919 and 1933, the book focuses on two brothers, Erick and Johann Brandt of Munich, who, despite similar upbringings grow to embrace opposite ideals. Erick, the elder brother, is one of the first to embrace the young firebrand Adolf Hitler, and Johann works for an underground newspaper as he finishes his college degree. Their differences divide them further and further apart while at chance meetings they try to convince each other of the dire consequences of the other's futile path. Despite their differences, Erick manages to get his radical younger brother out of several tight spots.
The book carries us through the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, Night of Long Knives, Kristallnacht, and how the Nazi Party managed to get President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor of Germany.
I enjoyed the storyline and look forward to reading "Gathering Clouds", hoping that there will be some improvement in writing technique. It was filled with teeth-gnashing grammatical errors. Where was the editor? The book would have easily earned 4 stars. This brought it down to 3.
The book carries us through the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, Night of Long Knives, Kristallnacht, and how the Nazi Party managed to get President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor of Germany.
I enjoyed the storyline and look forward to reading "Gathering Clouds", hoping that there will be some improvement in writing technique. It was filled with teeth-gnashing grammatical errors. Where was the editor? The book would have easily earned 4 stars. This brought it down to 3.
November 3, 2024
This is a book I found on my Kobo. It was just ok. The writing wasn't the greatest and the storyline a bit farfetched at times. Two brothers find themselves on opposite sides before WWII. One brother backs Hitler's beliefs, the other not.
November 14, 2017
Our Father follows 2 brothers during the rise of the Nazis; Erich and Johann, showing how devisive politics and war can be. I had continually changing feelings towards Erich, including what kind of a man he was and whether I liked him as a character. Overall I think I leaned towards not liking him as a character, but this in itself showed how well written Our Father was as it takes a certain level of skill to create and write such a unlikeable character.
It was easier to read the second half of the book which was from Johann's point of view, as he was much more relatable.
Appeared to be well researched and had an authentic feel about it. I imagine books such as this are difficult to write as the reader knows how the events mentioned will end but the author still needs to provide them with a hook to keep reading. In this case, it was the seamless mix of historical and fictional characters. I will probably read the second book in the series to see how things develop, but am undecided about whether to read the series as a whole.
It was easier to read the second half of the book which was from Johann's point of view, as he was much more relatable.
Appeared to be well researched and had an authentic feel about it. I imagine books such as this are difficult to write as the reader knows how the events mentioned will end but the author still needs to provide them with a hook to keep reading. In this case, it was the seamless mix of historical and fictional characters. I will probably read the second book in the series to see how things develop, but am undecided about whether to read the series as a whole.
October 20, 2017
I actually read the entire series of Johann's War. This is quite possibly the best historical fiction work on WWII that I have ever read.
Farner ensured that each of the characters had a depth that was unreal. Erich Brandt was both sympathized with in the beginning and hated at the end. Johann was constantly tried in how he felt about the larger picture of Nazism and what was best for humanity.
The historical accuracy was incredible. I cannot imagine the amount of research that Farner has done.
Highly recommended.
Farner ensured that each of the characters had a depth that was unreal. Erich Brandt was both sympathized with in the beginning and hated at the end. Johann was constantly tried in how he felt about the larger picture of Nazism and what was best for humanity.
The historical accuracy was incredible. I cannot imagine the amount of research that Farner has done.
Highly recommended.
October 4, 2017
Munich, Germany. Erich Brandt (son/brother), & Johann Brandt (son/brother), lived with their parents: Bruno Brandt (husband/father BMW factory production), & Julia Brandt (wife/mother).
Anton Drexler was the leader of the German Workers’ Party.
He is speaking tonight at the Sterneckerbrau Beer Hall.
Oliver Rosen’s (14, Johann’s BMF) parents: Marwin Rosen (husband/father), & Helmine Rosen (wife/mother), ran the Pink Flamingo club.
Erich went to work at there.
What happened between Erich & Helmine?
Captain Oswald Yorck was seen kissing Greta Blomberg (Jewish).
He also frequented the Pink Flamingo where she danced.
What happened to Oliver?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written historical fiction WWII book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great WWII book movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. My favorite books to read. This 1 was just OK for me so I will only rate it 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; EBookStage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Anton Drexler was the leader of the German Workers’ Party.
He is speaking tonight at the Sterneckerbrau Beer Hall.
Oliver Rosen’s (14, Johann’s BMF) parents: Marwin Rosen (husband/father), & Helmine Rosen (wife/mother), ran the Pink Flamingo club.
Erich went to work at there.
What happened between Erich & Helmine?
Captain Oswald Yorck was seen kissing Greta Blomberg (Jewish).
He also frequented the Pink Flamingo where she danced.
What happened to Oliver?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written historical fiction WWII book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great WWII book movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. My favorite books to read. This 1 was just OK for me so I will only rate it 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; EBookStage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
February 17, 2022
This is the first book of a seven-part series entitled Johann’s War. This first novel in a historically-based series covers the rise of the Nazis beginning in 1917, ending in 1933. The book provides an often ignored part of Hitler’s story that begins with the humiliating defeat of Germany in World War I, providing fertile ground for scapegoating and a new form of nationalism.
Two brothers from a working class family, Erich and Johann, are the featured players in this drama with Erich choosing to ally himself with the rising power of Hitler while his brother, the family’s academic, chooses the communist opposition. We travel through the various stages of Hitler’s rise to power with the brothers’ providing the “up close and personal” view of its effects on the citizenry. The author portrays many violent scenes perpetrated by Hitler’s “brown shirts” street thugs, giving a realistic view of the brutality of the Nazis from the beginning.
Johann is friends with a young Jewish boy whose father allies himself with Hitler, naively believing that his anti-Jewish rhetoric is just talk. The first book closes as Hitler succeeds in his government takeover, and the Jewish boy and his father discover that Hitler’s hatred against them is real.
The writing in the Kindle version of the first book is far from perfect, but the story and its compelling cast carry the reader along despite grammatical flaws. The strongly drawn characters and the well-researched historical background portend well for the remainder of the series
Two brothers from a working class family, Erich and Johann, are the featured players in this drama with Erich choosing to ally himself with the rising power of Hitler while his brother, the family’s academic, chooses the communist opposition. We travel through the various stages of Hitler’s rise to power with the brothers’ providing the “up close and personal” view of its effects on the citizenry. The author portrays many violent scenes perpetrated by Hitler’s “brown shirts” street thugs, giving a realistic view of the brutality of the Nazis from the beginning.
Johann is friends with a young Jewish boy whose father allies himself with Hitler, naively believing that his anti-Jewish rhetoric is just talk. The first book closes as Hitler succeeds in his government takeover, and the Jewish boy and his father discover that Hitler’s hatred against them is real.
The writing in the Kindle version of the first book is far from perfect, but the story and its compelling cast carry the reader along despite grammatical flaws. The strongly drawn characters and the well-researched historical background portend well for the remainder of the series
October 12, 2018
I recommend the book.
I liked the content and author of this book. The book is set in Germany from 1919 until 1933 and gives a good account of the Third Reich and Hitler's amazing rise to Chancellor. Two brothers are at odds because older is Nazi and the younger is not. Through their experiences, the author delves into the minds of many political groups. The book is not a sob story told by anyone experiencing what went on in those years, and it explains in part why the persecuted did not get out of Germany while they could. There were some grammatical errors in the book which I overlooked and read on. The author's writing mechanics were good. I got this book at a special price through Bookbub and Amazon.
Thank you. Mr. Farmer, for a good read.
I liked the content and author of this book. The book is set in Germany from 1919 until 1933 and gives a good account of the Third Reich and Hitler's amazing rise to Chancellor. Two brothers are at odds because older is Nazi and the younger is not. Through their experiences, the author delves into the minds of many political groups. The book is not a sob story told by anyone experiencing what went on in those years, and it explains in part why the persecuted did not get out of Germany while they could. There were some grammatical errors in the book which I overlooked and read on. The author's writing mechanics were good. I got this book at a special price through Bookbub and Amazon.
Thank you. Mr. Farmer, for a good read.
January 1, 2019
More a 3 and half star book, but I'll be generous. It's a really interesting story, which several reviews have said is historically accurate. I can't vouch for that as I know very little of the time between the wars in Germany. It's written in a very simple style which I quite enjoyed initially. By 25% it was starting to wear thin and seemed quite childish at times in the last 1/4 . If that style doesn't bother you give it a try, as it has an excellent story line. The brothers have polar opposite political views, an interesting dynamic.
October 10, 2017
Made History Come Alive
Really became engrossed in this book. Always a problem with these series that the first book is free and the rest you have to pay for. It does add up. The stories end so abruptly it is frustrating.
I did enjoy the feeling that I was right there living the story. We just visited Berlin and I wished I'd read this before. I really liked the history as a story rather than a dry telling of facts.
Really became engrossed in this book. Always a problem with these series that the first book is free and the rest you have to pay for. It does add up. The stories end so abruptly it is frustrating.
I did enjoy the feeling that I was right there living the story. We just visited Berlin and I wished I'd read this before. I really liked the history as a story rather than a dry telling of facts.
March 31, 2018
As a story, it's poor. Storyline not that exciting or grabbing. Characters are weak and hard to believe.
I wanted to read a book that would inform me about the early years of Hitler's rise in Germany and the rise of the Nazi party and this seemed like a good candidate. I kept reading it as I hoped that it was correct from a historical point of view and this was the only reason I finished it. I won't be reading the next in the series.
I wanted to read a book that would inform me about the early years of Hitler's rise in Germany and the rise of the Nazi party and this seemed like a good candidate. I kept reading it as I hoped that it was correct from a historical point of view and this was the only reason I finished it. I won't be reading the next in the series.
September 27, 2017
This is one of the best Holocaust stories I have read to date. Johann and Erich are brothers who find themselves on different sides of the emerging Nazi regime. Patriotism, religion, government and more are all discussed in this beginning story of the family. I am anxious to continue reading the next books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2018
Excellent historical account
A very accurate and detailed account of the events leading to the rise of Nazism. If you’re just reading it as a “story” you might find the plot a little simplistic, but I found it to be a great way to learn about this historic period without just reading a “dry” history book. I will certainly keep reading the series.
A very accurate and detailed account of the events leading to the rise of Nazism. If you’re just reading it as a “story” you might find the plot a little simplistic, but I found it to be a great way to learn about this historic period without just reading a “dry” history book. I will certainly keep reading the series.
December 27, 2019
Sad, stressful and fearful
Great book that follows how the rise of Hitler affected two families, one of which was Jewish and the other with brothers on opposite sides. Sad, stressful situations during a sad, stressful time in history. This story provides insight into how Hitler had such a strong hold on some people and how others feared him.
Great book that follows how the rise of Hitler affected two families, one of which was Jewish and the other with brothers on opposite sides. Sad, stressful situations during a sad, stressful time in history. This story provides insight into how Hitler had such a strong hold on some people and how others feared him.
February 16, 2020
Brothers Brandt
Brothers raised under the same roof couldn't be more different. One brother chooses the ideology of a mad man, while the other seeks to resist. A great wealth of historical information is tucked into the folds as the writer takes great care to reveal polar opposite political stances.
Brothers raised under the same roof couldn't be more different. One brother chooses the ideology of a mad man, while the other seeks to resist. A great wealth of historical information is tucked into the folds as the writer takes great care to reveal polar opposite political stances.
October 28, 2021
I was born after the war and have only heard members of my family saying what it was like but this book really hit home with what can happen when you have fanatics in charge it should make some people think twice but sadly it won't. Thank you to all the people who fought/fight for freedom the world over
September 28, 2017
An entertaining but ominous beginning
I have a morbid fascination with events in Germany between the wars. This book covers that period very effectively. Good characters with a decent story underneath the bigger story of the rise of Nazism. Looking forward to the next instalment.
I have a morbid fascination with events in Germany between the wars. This book covers that period very effectively. Good characters with a decent story underneath the bigger story of the rise of Nazism. Looking forward to the next instalment.
October 19, 2018
Overall the story was pretty good. However, the plot line did’t really conclude since the reader has to move on to the next book in the series to read what happens- not a great format to follow. The characters were well developed and their interaction moved the plot along.
October 24, 2018
Great story
This was an exciting book! I have read quite a few books on this war, and enjoyed this book. Found out it has a sequel and was disappointed I did not get the while story!
This was an exciting book! I have read quite a few books on this war, and enjoyed this book. Found out it has a sequel and was disappointed I did not get the while story!
December 29, 2022
Johann’s war book 1
Fictional tale of the beginning of WWII for 2 brothers on opposite sides. Well developed characters. Realistic situations. Bought the rest of the series. I’m hooked!!
Fictional tale of the beginning of WWII for 2 brothers on opposite sides. Well developed characters. Realistic situations. Bought the rest of the series. I’m hooked!!
September 26, 2017
Very well written novel about how hard times were during WWII and how opinions differed even within the same family. Engaging characters. Can't wait to read the sequels.
October 1, 2017
This is a well written book. Well researched. A very good description of the times. Now it's onto Book 2.
October 9, 2017
Interesting
I kept wanting to stop reading, but it held my attention and learning about Hitler’s rise to power was interesting.
I kept wanting to stop reading, but it held my attention and learning about Hitler’s rise to power was interesting.
October 14, 2017
Filling the gap
I read a lot of ww2 books but this was the first to bring a story of the early assention of AH. Very entertaining.
I read a lot of ww2 books but this was the first to bring a story of the early assention of AH. Very entertaining.
October 22, 2017
Stunning book. Great history
February 12, 2018
Another great book by James Farner. The editing could have been better, but the story is very well told.
April 26, 2018
I tried to get into this but I just couldn't. I got about a fourth of the way in.
May 23, 2018
Not bad for a free download. :)
October 27, 2018
A sad tale of 2 brothers and the rise of Hitler and the Nazis.
November 1, 2018
Our Father
I guess I had forgotten that it was a series. It was a good story but the characters seemed naive about what was happening.
I guess I had forgotten that it was a series. It was a good story but the characters seemed naive about what was happening.
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