Falkenhorst

by Mark Rascovich

Product Falkenhorst

435 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Mark Rascovich was born in San Francisco, California. He lived in Europe from the time he was two years old until he was twenty-one. He attended schools in Germany, England, Sweden and Paris, and was graduated from the Sorbonne. His World War II service included three years as a reconnaissance pilot in the Alaskan and African theaters and concluded with transport duty on the North Atlantic. After the war, he was engaged in ocean towing, salvage work, marine research and writing. Mr. Rascovich traveled throughout Europe and the Americas, the Near East and Africa. He held pilot licenses for land and sea aircraft and for watercraft.

Reviews

[Cody Engdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of love and redemption set in an action-adventure historical military novel. 

The book is about two young aristocrats forced into an arranged marriage that neither wants. They’re both bullheaded, set in their ways, and selfish, but still likable. The wedding takes place on the eve of the Franco-Prussian war, which will test them dearly.

Gustav immediately harkens to the call of duty, leaving his bride behind on their wedding night so that he can find his glory on the battlefield. Theresa is sent to his family’s ruined estate on the Prussian/Polish frontier. But instead of despairing, she grows in her independence as she strives to build it into a viable farm in his absence. 

There are plenty of action and battle scenes as Gustav and his brother, Albrecht, a civil railroad inspector, have their adventures in the war. The boys couldn’t be more different. Gustav is militant and exacting. Albrecht is sensitive and intellectual. The two will eventually become romantic rivals as the story thickens.

There are compelling human characters full of contrast and depth. Two of my favorites are the obese deposed prince of Hanover, who others call “the Royal Pudding,” but turns out to be courageous and noble, and the effeminate and diminutive French lieutenant others call “l'enfant terrible” because of his ferociousness and bravery.

The depictions of battles are vivid, with a deep understanding of Prussian military and aristocracy. I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. Sadly, the author, Mark Rascovich, died the same year this was published. I think he should be proud of leaving behind such an engrossing swan song.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is both a good, Lutheran morality tale - in its own way - as well as a pretty solid piece of historical fiction about the Franco-Prussian War. In these ways, it goes beyond the accurate plot summary provided by goodreads.

It's a Lutheran morality tale in that - while its characters are all flawed - their adherence to duty before all, combined with an undercurrent of courageous empathy, willingness to put self-righteousness aside, and commitment to forgiveness make things come out right in the end. It starts like an Aristotelian tragedy and ends as an Aristotelian comedy.

To the extent of my limited judgment, it also taught me about the Franco-Prussian War. It was graphic in its details about the chaos and the gangrene and the stupidity without being brutal. And of course it showed Germany becoming and ambitious Empire and struggling to find its place and voice for the future...