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The Lion and the Lamb: The True Holocaust Story of a Powerful Nazi Leader and a Dutch Resistance Worker
A haunting tale of horror and courage "The Lion and the Lamb" begins with a mysterious plane crash which catapults architect Albert Speer into Adolf Hitler's inner circle of calculating men like Himmler, Goebbels and the unstable Hermann Göring. After a botched assassination attempt reveals Speer's name in an SS investigation, he falls under Hitler's suspicion for disloyalty. Meanwhile, Corrie ten Boom decides to risk her own safety and hide hundreds of Jews, for which she suffers greatly.Despite her final transport to Ravensbruck concentration camp, Corrie exudes hope in the midst of her wicked surroundings. Written with exclusive permission with the Ten Boom Museum and Foundation in Holland, and includes a foreword written by the museum director. All characters exists in history, their words are their own, and every person is in the right place at the right time. It stands alone in a genre between biography and historical fiction.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2016
12 people are currently reading
4852 people want to read
About the author
Charles Causey
8 books211 followersCharles Causey's family comes from Hangingdog, North Carolina, a quaint community hidden deep inside the Smoky Mountains. As a boy he ran through lush, green fields alongside his grandfather’s Black Angus cows and swam in the cool creeks and lakes - always with a wary eye out for water moccasins. The tales he heard down those beautifully wooded country roads formed in him a love for people, the outdoors, and good stories, usually told by World War II veterans while rocking together on their front porches. Now Charles has the privilege to serve veterans every day as a military chaplain stationed in Washington D.C. He is married and has four children. His website is: causeybooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 6, 2017
Originally posted to https://christianshelfesteem.wordpres...
If my high school and college textbooks had been written this way, I would have been a more eager student of history. The Lion and the Lamb is an anomaly in the genre of historical fiction because every character is real, their words are often their own, and events (between 1942-1966) are recounted chronologically. Essentially, Charles Causey's narrative infuses the human factors of emotion and moral dilemma into what could otherwise be a dry recollection of facts.
Having read The Hiding Place, I was somewhat familiar with the life and ministry of Corrie ten Boom. However, when her story is laid beside Albert Speer's I realized several things. The first was a staggering illustration of "cause and effect." Speer's place in Hitler's inner circle exposed him to many decisions which had a trickle down effect on ten Boom. Also, the way the darkness of the Reich pervaded their lives and how each reacted —Speer in his own strength and Corrie in God's—provided a stark contrast in wisdom. Finally, while I still may not have the ability to recount times and dates, I have a better grasp of how key decisions turned the war.
The Lion and the Lamb is a poignant glimpse into the past. This book held many new discoveries for me and I felt compelled by the author's writing to examine myself and my faith. How might I have reacted in similar circumstance? This would be a wonderful title for a book discussion group or a reluctant student of history (high school/homeschool where maturity allows).
With thanks to the author/publisher for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are my own.
If my high school and college textbooks had been written this way, I would have been a more eager student of history. The Lion and the Lamb is an anomaly in the genre of historical fiction because every character is real, their words are often their own, and events (between 1942-1966) are recounted chronologically. Essentially, Charles Causey's narrative infuses the human factors of emotion and moral dilemma into what could otherwise be a dry recollection of facts.
Having read The Hiding Place, I was somewhat familiar with the life and ministry of Corrie ten Boom. However, when her story is laid beside Albert Speer's I realized several things. The first was a staggering illustration of "cause and effect." Speer's place in Hitler's inner circle exposed him to many decisions which had a trickle down effect on ten Boom. Also, the way the darkness of the Reich pervaded their lives and how each reacted —Speer in his own strength and Corrie in God's—provided a stark contrast in wisdom. Finally, while I still may not have the ability to recount times and dates, I have a better grasp of how key decisions turned the war.
The Lion and the Lamb is a poignant glimpse into the past. This book held many new discoveries for me and I felt compelled by the author's writing to examine myself and my faith. How might I have reacted in similar circumstance? This would be a wonderful title for a book discussion group or a reluctant student of history (high school/homeschool where maturity allows).
With thanks to the author/publisher for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are my own.
July 7, 2020
The Lion and the Lamb contrasts the face of good, in the ten Boom family, and the face of evil, in Albert Speer, during WWII.
Most of the history of the ten Booms is taken from Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place, a book to which I turn when life seems difficult--in part for the salutary reminder that life could be so much worse but primarily for the hope that radiates throughout. The Hiding Place and Corrie's other books make clear that, except for one disgruntled aunt, the entire ten Boom family dedicated their whole lives to loving sharing--from including the aunts in the overcrowded home, providing food and companionship to the even poorer, raising foster children and operating a nursing home, to the hiding of Jews and forming a resistance group once the Germans occupied Holland. Both the ten Boom father and son had been involved, pre-war, in interreligious programs with the Jews, so the ten Booms were turned to at the very outset of the war, with the Chief Rabbi entrusting the ten Booms with books and others storing precious belongings with the ten Booms. I felt that the book would have been stronger by including this background, which made the wartime actions part of a lifelong pattern.
On the other hand, the book filled in my knowledge of Speer, which was sorely lacking. I had no idea that Speer broke with the other Nazi leaders at the Nuremberg trial, by espousing collective responsibility of the Nazi leadership for the war crimes. Still, through no fault of the author, the answer to how it happened remains as opaque to me as it did when I visited the Holocaust Museum at Dachau so many years ago.
Tellingly, Speer spoke of something missing in Hitler, without seeming to recognize the same emptiness in himself. As noted, all of Speer's intellectual examination of religion in prison never translated into faith.
3.5 stars
Most of the history of the ten Booms is taken from Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place, a book to which I turn when life seems difficult--in part for the salutary reminder that life could be so much worse but primarily for the hope that radiates throughout. The Hiding Place and Corrie's other books make clear that, except for one disgruntled aunt, the entire ten Boom family dedicated their whole lives to loving sharing--from including the aunts in the overcrowded home, providing food and companionship to the even poorer, raising foster children and operating a nursing home, to the hiding of Jews and forming a resistance group once the Germans occupied Holland. Both the ten Boom father and son had been involved, pre-war, in interreligious programs with the Jews, so the ten Booms were turned to at the very outset of the war, with the Chief Rabbi entrusting the ten Booms with books and others storing precious belongings with the ten Booms. I felt that the book would have been stronger by including this background, which made the wartime actions part of a lifelong pattern.
On the other hand, the book filled in my knowledge of Speer, which was sorely lacking. I had no idea that Speer broke with the other Nazi leaders at the Nuremberg trial, by espousing collective responsibility of the Nazi leadership for the war crimes. Still, through no fault of the author, the answer to how it happened remains as opaque to me as it did when I visited the Holocaust Museum at Dachau so many years ago.
Tellingly, Speer spoke of something missing in Hitler, without seeming to recognize the same emptiness in himself. As noted, all of Speer's intellectual examination of religion in prison never translated into faith.
3.5 stars
November 28, 2017
A very sad but wonderfully written book ..No words
March 8, 2017
I received this book as a giveaway from Goodreads.Well written and a chilling, sometimes sickening telling of a time when pure evil existed. Humanity, kindness and care disappeared when Hitler and his cronies ruled Germany. I don't understand their mentality Hitler was a sick and twisted man who manipulated those around him. His orders muddled, those around him jockeying for power, no one making much sense. It was obvious they weren't going to win the war. Corrie ten Boom was a remarkable Dutch woman who with millions of others suffered beyond our imagining. Her faith and her family sustained her. Her story and those she shared it with was often too terrible to comprehend. How anyone survived such disgusting treatment and conditions was a miracle.
October 14, 2018
Great book. Very often when books tackle two separate characters/stories, I find that I am more interested in one than the other. Not this time - I was as equally interested in both of the storylines. It was fascinating to me to go back and forth between both - I think gave an even better understanding of the dynamics of WWII, Hitler's reign and the impact on those impacted . Highly recommend this book.
August 15, 2020
PERFECTION FOR THE LOVER OF WWII FICTION
I am a lover of all things WWII and this is now one of my top favorites on the subject. Oddly enough I had never come across the name of Albert Speer (or at least don’t recall or not enough to have made any kind of impression) in all my various readings and viewings over the years. I knew of Corrie Ten Boom and have owned her book The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom for years but hadn’t gotten around to reading it and now I REALLY want/intend to. I mean what a phenomenal human being!
I truly enjoyed the dual storylines of Speer and Corrie and I was expecting them to converge but though they didn’t literally, it was a story of how one’s actions––or lack of––affected others. I suppose I must have gravitated toward Corrie’s story a bit more because each time one of her chapters/sections ended I was always left wanting more and couldn’t wait to return to her and I loved the faithfulness she and her sister maintained throughout their ordeal. . .but don’t get me wrong about the Albert Speer portions that were meticulously researched and I felt like I was really in the mind of Speer in all of his many encounters and internal struggles concerning the Reich.
Charles is truly a talented writer and no doubt did his homework to brilliantly bring us very true events into a fictional telling about very real people and I just felt like I was experiencing everything these two very different individuals were. I had parts that made me chuckle and smile and parts that grieved me to tears.
So now I have read two of Causey’s books: Trains to Treblinka and now this one and to ask me to choose a favorite would be darn near impossible so I highly recommend reading both! Charles, I look forward to reading more of your works and any future works. :)
I am a lover of all things WWII and this is now one of my top favorites on the subject. Oddly enough I had never come across the name of Albert Speer (or at least don’t recall or not enough to have made any kind of impression) in all my various readings and viewings over the years. I knew of Corrie Ten Boom and have owned her book The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom for years but hadn’t gotten around to reading it and now I REALLY want/intend to. I mean what a phenomenal human being!
I truly enjoyed the dual storylines of Speer and Corrie and I was expecting them to converge but though they didn’t literally, it was a story of how one’s actions––or lack of––affected others. I suppose I must have gravitated toward Corrie’s story a bit more because each time one of her chapters/sections ended I was always left wanting more and couldn’t wait to return to her and I loved the faithfulness she and her sister maintained throughout their ordeal. . .but don’t get me wrong about the Albert Speer portions that were meticulously researched and I felt like I was really in the mind of Speer in all of his many encounters and internal struggles concerning the Reich.
Charles is truly a talented writer and no doubt did his homework to brilliantly bring us very true events into a fictional telling about very real people and I just felt like I was experiencing everything these two very different individuals were. I had parts that made me chuckle and smile and parts that grieved me to tears.
So now I have read two of Causey’s books: Trains to Treblinka and now this one and to ask me to choose a favorite would be darn near impossible so I highly recommend reading both! Charles, I look forward to reading more of your works and any future works. :)
January 25, 2019
This was an amazing story. So hard to read at times but I couldn't put the book down.
September 26, 2017
I read a lot of WWII books but this one was presented in a way that I've never read. The author wrote about what was happening in the lives of two very different people during the war during the same time period. He contrasted a person who was truly good -- Corrie ten Boom who was part of the Dutch resistance and hid Jews in her home until she was discovered by the SS and sent to jail and then to a concentration camp with her sister. She believed the good in all people and was a strong Christian person who knew that it was her duty to help others. The other person is Albert Speer, a man who was in Hitler's inner circle and was a close friend and was a truly evil person.
The author did a great job of researching his book and every person who is mentioned in the book is a real person and their actions have been detailed from national archives.
This book reads like a novel and even though the reader may know all about the war, we learn so much about why people acted like they did. It's a wonderful read and shows the good vs the evil of a tumultuous time in the history of the world.
Thanks to goodreads for a copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
The author did a great job of researching his book and every person who is mentioned in the book is a real person and their actions have been detailed from national archives.
This book reads like a novel and even though the reader may know all about the war, we learn so much about why people acted like they did. It's a wonderful read and shows the good vs the evil of a tumultuous time in the history of the world.
Thanks to goodreads for a copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
March 15, 2019
Well written account of two remarkable lives. Causey artfully weaves together the stories of Albert Speer and Corrie Ten Boom as both seek to not only survive Nazi Germany during WWII, but seek to do so with a clean conscience. A griping recounting of the moral dilemmas facing the people who find themselves in dark times. The Lion and the Lamb is not only a well written story, but it invites the reader to deep moral and ethical examination.
January 30, 2019
It may be too soon after reading to review this book. My heart does not want to bring into the same paragraph an officer of the Third Reich who, brilliant though he was, enabled so much massacre in his country and the Dutch woman who risked her safety and home to save Jews seeking escape from the Gestapo and the Dutch police supporting Hitler.
Corrie ten Boom was a heroine of our faith and heroine to the Jews and other resistance workers who found secret shelter in her family home. Her sister, Betsie, is a study in amazing faith and grace that, passed on to Corrie, became an amazing story of forgiveness and obedience that brought redemption to the most needy and most in need. The love the sisters shared in the darkest pit of inhuman cruelty is testimony to Betsie's statement that God's love "is deeper still".
Bringing Hitler's architect/officer and Corrie ten Boom together in this fictionalized biography made an interesting comparison in the effect one person's motives, decisions, and obedience may have. Causey's presuppositions that made this a work of fiction lend themselves to greater empathy for both the horrible and heroine, making an intense reading experience.
This book may inspire you to purchase the autobiographical accounts of each to gain greater understanding.
Corrie ten Boom was a heroine of our faith and heroine to the Jews and other resistance workers who found secret shelter in her family home. Her sister, Betsie, is a study in amazing faith and grace that, passed on to Corrie, became an amazing story of forgiveness and obedience that brought redemption to the most needy and most in need. The love the sisters shared in the darkest pit of inhuman cruelty is testimony to Betsie's statement that God's love "is deeper still".
Bringing Hitler's architect/officer and Corrie ten Boom together in this fictionalized biography made an interesting comparison in the effect one person's motives, decisions, and obedience may have. Causey's presuppositions that made this a work of fiction lend themselves to greater empathy for both the horrible and heroine, making an intense reading experience.
This book may inspire you to purchase the autobiographical accounts of each to gain greater understanding.
Read
December 4, 2018I received a book from the author and immediately delved into reading what turned into a fascinating and involving account of two characters from holocaust era Germany and Holland. If you have read any of Corrie Ten Boom's books, you are familiar with what she was about.....resistance to the Nazis (I hate to even type that....I so detest them). But apart from Ten Boom, the book details the inner workings of the party especially from the viewpoint of one man who was somewhat ignorant of what was really going on (but was punished for his involvement, nonetheless).
If you don't like to read a book from start to finish at one time, this book will be a challenge to you. The characters in the book are SO REAL that one can almost imagine being with them as the story unfolds. (and the author must have had some really deep research into the Nazi party). However, if you enjoy reading from start to finish at one time or you remember well what you have read, this book should delight you.
Actually, despite not being able to "put the book down", I heartily recommend this book for reading. One poignant story, which I had read before but was more detailed in this book, is about the time that Corrie, at a prayer meeting, met a man who had been a guard at her prison camp....He offered his hand as a new believer, fully repentant of his Nazi crimes, and Corrie admitted that at first she could not accept his hand in fellowship. What happens next ? I will leave you hanging. READ this book.
If you don't like to read a book from start to finish at one time, this book will be a challenge to you. The characters in the book are SO REAL that one can almost imagine being with them as the story unfolds. (and the author must have had some really deep research into the Nazi party). However, if you enjoy reading from start to finish at one time or you remember well what you have read, this book should delight you.
Actually, despite not being able to "put the book down", I heartily recommend this book for reading. One poignant story, which I had read before but was more detailed in this book, is about the time that Corrie, at a prayer meeting, met a man who had been a guard at her prison camp....He offered his hand as a new believer, fully repentant of his Nazi crimes, and Corrie admitted that at first she could not accept his hand in fellowship. What happens next ? I will leave you hanging. READ this book.
May 23, 2025
Great book!
April 22, 2017
This book does differ from your regular textbook-style, non-fiction title. It's written slightly more in the style of how you would read a fictional book, but completely based on true fact. The characters do talk and interact with one another as you would find in a story, and there are also explanatory paragraphs that fill you in on the historical backdrop and context. I certainly wouldn't mind reading a few more factual titles that are penned in this unique way.
The other singular element that makes this book stand out is that it pairs two unlikely stories as one, piecing together two completely different angles of the World War II saga. The reader is shown the wide contrasts, the spiritual, political, and emotional differences between a powerful Third Reich leader and a hospitable Dutch watchmaker's daughter, each just trying to be their best when wartime calls and beckons.
A large portion of the narrative that talks about Corrie ten Boom, I recognized much of the material from The Hiding Place, even though it's been a few years back since I have read it, so I rather enjoyed the "refresher". I so relished in the fact that the author incorporated and highlighted so much of Corrie's faith and spiritual strength. This definitely stood out to me, and made me enjoy The Lion and the Lamb even more so because of its spiritual content.
I soaked in so, so much information from this book, it's unbelievable. I highlighted many passages and made so many notes during my reading time, that's it actually ridiculous. I sure gleaned more than what I expected to...
I feel that where I learned the most is where it concerns the German leaders, particularly with Hitler and the men ranking directly beneath him, most notably, Albert Speer, Reich Minister of Armaments and War Production. Not that I exactly desired to know all about these men, even though I do enjoy my historical research... but I took away a lot of facts that I never knew before about the time period, the historical significance of certain events, and about the personal lives of these men who guided worldwide distress into action. There's a ton of info about the Nazi viewpoint in this book, and while not all of it is fascinating to read, and some of it may rile you with disgust... still, it's good to know about, to be informed about what our world went through.
NOTE to the discerning reader & parents: There are mentions of how the prisoners at the concentration camps had to undress completely. Although NOT described in too much detail, this event does happen several times. There are some gory death scenes, a couple of which that were particularly graphic (related to blatant deaths committed by Nazis, sickening brutal mass murders).
Best recommended for high-school-age students or adults.
If you are a reader who enjoys non-fiction, researching World War II, or is inspired by the Ten Boom family's legacy, buy this book for you and your friends.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for a free copy of this book; I was not required to post a positive review.
The other singular element that makes this book stand out is that it pairs two unlikely stories as one, piecing together two completely different angles of the World War II saga. The reader is shown the wide contrasts, the spiritual, political, and emotional differences between a powerful Third Reich leader and a hospitable Dutch watchmaker's daughter, each just trying to be their best when wartime calls and beckons.
A large portion of the narrative that talks about Corrie ten Boom, I recognized much of the material from The Hiding Place, even though it's been a few years back since I have read it, so I rather enjoyed the "refresher". I so relished in the fact that the author incorporated and highlighted so much of Corrie's faith and spiritual strength. This definitely stood out to me, and made me enjoy The Lion and the Lamb even more so because of its spiritual content.
I soaked in so, so much information from this book, it's unbelievable. I highlighted many passages and made so many notes during my reading time, that's it actually ridiculous. I sure gleaned more than what I expected to...
I feel that where I learned the most is where it concerns the German leaders, particularly with Hitler and the men ranking directly beneath him, most notably, Albert Speer, Reich Minister of Armaments and War Production. Not that I exactly desired to know all about these men, even though I do enjoy my historical research... but I took away a lot of facts that I never knew before about the time period, the historical significance of certain events, and about the personal lives of these men who guided worldwide distress into action. There's a ton of info about the Nazi viewpoint in this book, and while not all of it is fascinating to read, and some of it may rile you with disgust... still, it's good to know about, to be informed about what our world went through.
NOTE to the discerning reader & parents: There are mentions of how the prisoners at the concentration camps had to undress completely. Although NOT described in too much detail, this event does happen several times. There are some gory death scenes, a couple of which that were particularly graphic (related to blatant deaths committed by Nazis, sickening brutal mass murders).
Best recommended for high-school-age students or adults.
If you are a reader who enjoys non-fiction, researching World War II, or is inspired by the Ten Boom family's legacy, buy this book for you and your friends.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for a free copy of this book; I was not required to post a positive review.
March 8, 2017
The book review for today is “The Lion and the Lamb” by Charles Causey. It falls in the genre of non fiction and historical.
This novel falls in the time frame of World War II and the Holocaust. It revolves primarily around two characters. The first is Albert Speer, a Nazi, who is in Hitler’s most inner circle and Corrie ten Boom a Danish woman who is quite the opposite as she is helping giving Jews shelter who are on the run and helping them escape.
We have Speer who is not a fan of others who Hitler surrounds himself with such as Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels and Hermann Goring. As the war progresses the dictator starts to unravel and gets erratic in his decisions making Speer uncertain where his loyalty lies with his leader or with the German people.
Corrie on the other hand is the daughter of a clockmaker who starts to shelter and help Jews with their escape away from the Nazis. It doesn’t take long though for someone to give the ten Boom family up and they end up in jail and soon Corrie and her sister ends up at a concentration camp
The book brings out a lot of emotions from the reader. As a history buff I do a lot of research on World War II and in particular Germany and their leader at the time. The facts listed in the book is corroborated by links and sites to where one can further check out.
This gave me a new insight into two lives that were living as opposite in viewpoint and living status. However the characters interacted in the book whether it is true or a writer’s license it worked for me, I was able to learn more about this time in our history. A good pickup.
This novel falls in the time frame of World War II and the Holocaust. It revolves primarily around two characters. The first is Albert Speer, a Nazi, who is in Hitler’s most inner circle and Corrie ten Boom a Danish woman who is quite the opposite as she is helping giving Jews shelter who are on the run and helping them escape.
We have Speer who is not a fan of others who Hitler surrounds himself with such as Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels and Hermann Goring. As the war progresses the dictator starts to unravel and gets erratic in his decisions making Speer uncertain where his loyalty lies with his leader or with the German people.
Corrie on the other hand is the daughter of a clockmaker who starts to shelter and help Jews with their escape away from the Nazis. It doesn’t take long though for someone to give the ten Boom family up and they end up in jail and soon Corrie and her sister ends up at a concentration camp
The book brings out a lot of emotions from the reader. As a history buff I do a lot of research on World War II and in particular Germany and their leader at the time. The facts listed in the book is corroborated by links and sites to where one can further check out.
This gave me a new insight into two lives that were living as opposite in viewpoint and living status. However the characters interacted in the book whether it is true or a writer’s license it worked for me, I was able to learn more about this time in our history. A good pickup.
June 23, 2017
Wow....What an amazing story and an exciting read. The story and characters sucked me in. Accurate depiction of WWII events and the implications it had on all those who lived at that time. The book is compelling and it is really well written. This is a must read!! Highly recommended.
July 23, 2017
The Lion and the Lamb by Charles Causey was not what I expected and I found it hard to read. It is more of a story with more documentary and I found it hard to get into.
It is a story of Hitler and his compatriots and how some followed blindly and some from fear of retaliation. The Jews that were sent to consecration camps, the ones who possibly escaped and those that betrayed their fellow Jews.
There is a lot of facts that make for a good History lesson but not necessarily an easy novel read. I can only wish History was taught more like this in school then the litany of names and date facts.
I received a free copy from Westbow Press and Thomas Nerlson Publishing Group. No review, positive or otherwise, was required – all opinions are my own.
It is a story of Hitler and his compatriots and how some followed blindly and some from fear of retaliation. The Jews that were sent to consecration camps, the ones who possibly escaped and those that betrayed their fellow Jews.
There is a lot of facts that make for a good History lesson but not necessarily an easy novel read. I can only wish History was taught more like this in school then the litany of names and date facts.
I received a free copy from Westbow Press and Thomas Nerlson Publishing Group. No review, positive or otherwise, was required – all opinions are my own.
July 19, 2018
I had read Corrie Ten Boom's a while ago, so seeing her story side by side one of Hitler's top aides, was an interesting choice. Causey writes this as a novel, but his research on the historical detail is amazing. He alternates chapters between Ten Boom and Albert Speer. Both deal with betrayal, both starting off as innocent or naive. Who is the lamb? Who is the lion? Something for each reader to discern on their own. It took me a while to read this novel. Not because I didn't like it. I did like it. The subject matter, and seeing part of WWll Germany from Speer's side, was difficult at times.
****This book was received from the author, Charles Causey, through a Goodreads giveaway. ****
****This book was received from the author, Charles Causey, through a Goodreads giveaway. ****
October 19, 2019
Very well-written book which alternates between the stories of Nazi leader Albert Speer and a Dutch resistance worker, Corrie ten Boom.
September 10, 2017
I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.
What an enjoyable book. That isn't easy to say when the book is about the Nazis and what they did to Jews and others during World War II. Yet that is an accurate descriptor to me. Causey tells the story of what happened during the last few years of World War II just like that...a story. He presents history as if you were reading a novel. I love history and minored in it in college, but even I think it tends to be dry at times. Not this book and not the way Causey tells it.
Causey writes about those in power in the Nazi party including Hitler, Goebbels, Goring, Hess, Himmler and one of the lead character in this book Albert Speer, who was the architect and munitions minster for the Nazi party. Speer struggles with Hitler's decisions regarding his burned earth philosophy as the Allies surrounded Berlin. Speer didn't have much to do with the concentration camps yet he used Jews as basically slaves in the factories to support the Nazi war effort. You get an inside view as to all those in power trying to get Hitler to listen to them and ignore the others. You will also see the final days of the Nazis and their destruction through death or through their trial for war crimes.
The other part of the book is such a contrast. This part of the book focuses on Corrie ten Boom, who was a Christian Dutch lady who led the resistance in Holland by hiding Jews in her home from the Nazis. She is eventually betrayed and end up spending time at Auschwitz and Ravensbruck. The descriptions of what took place at the concentration camps comes through what Corrie saw and experienced. It was horrible. Yet through it Corrie and her sister Betsie show the love of Jesus to others including their captors. One of the most touching scenes involves Corrie meeting a guard years after she was freed following one of her speeches. The guard was horrible to her and others. Corrie describes her struggle to show love and forgiveness to this individual. She is only able to do it through Jesus. Her embrace of one of the men who brutalized her brought tears to my eyes. I am not sure I could ever do what Corrie did.
Great read for those who love history, love a great story or those who love God.
What an enjoyable book. That isn't easy to say when the book is about the Nazis and what they did to Jews and others during World War II. Yet that is an accurate descriptor to me. Causey tells the story of what happened during the last few years of World War II just like that...a story. He presents history as if you were reading a novel. I love history and minored in it in college, but even I think it tends to be dry at times. Not this book and not the way Causey tells it.
Causey writes about those in power in the Nazi party including Hitler, Goebbels, Goring, Hess, Himmler and one of the lead character in this book Albert Speer, who was the architect and munitions minster for the Nazi party. Speer struggles with Hitler's decisions regarding his burned earth philosophy as the Allies surrounded Berlin. Speer didn't have much to do with the concentration camps yet he used Jews as basically slaves in the factories to support the Nazi war effort. You get an inside view as to all those in power trying to get Hitler to listen to them and ignore the others. You will also see the final days of the Nazis and their destruction through death or through their trial for war crimes.
The other part of the book is such a contrast. This part of the book focuses on Corrie ten Boom, who was a Christian Dutch lady who led the resistance in Holland by hiding Jews in her home from the Nazis. She is eventually betrayed and end up spending time at Auschwitz and Ravensbruck. The descriptions of what took place at the concentration camps comes through what Corrie saw and experienced. It was horrible. Yet through it Corrie and her sister Betsie show the love of Jesus to others including their captors. One of the most touching scenes involves Corrie meeting a guard years after she was freed following one of her speeches. The guard was horrible to her and others. Corrie describes her struggle to show love and forgiveness to this individual. She is only able to do it through Jesus. Her embrace of one of the men who brutalized her brought tears to my eyes. I am not sure I could ever do what Corrie did.
Great read for those who love history, love a great story or those who love God.
November 18, 2017
I won this book from GoodReads.
Although this story is fiction, it is basically non-fiction with fictional dialogue. This is an alternating account of two individuals in the later years of World War II.
Corrie ten Boom is a young, Dutch resistance fighter with a strong faith in God and Christ. Although only 16 as the story begins, she is called to protect Jews from the Germans who have invaded Holland and involves her entire family in this mission. They are eventually caught and sent to work camps, initially in Holland, then to Ravensbruck in Germany. Her faith and desire to teach others the love of Christ helps her survive the cruelty and inhumanity of her situation.
Albert Speer is a Nazi party member, initially Hitler's architect and then his Armaments Minister. His job includes assuring that the weapons and equipment needed by the German army are made, even if that means importing slave labor from conquered countries. As his story begins, he is beginning to have doubt about his Hitler and what he is doing under Hitler's command. Although, he does eventually countermand Hitler's orders to limit the destruction of Germany, he is unable truly break from Hitler's hold on him.
A third story line, weaved in to a lesser extent, is that of Heinrich Himmler, the architect of the Nazi "final solutions" to exterminate the Jews.
As the stories of Corrie and Speer are interwoven, one sees the stark contrast of how each reacts to the evil they see around them. Corrie questions her reaction when she feels herself hating those who treat her and others with such contempt, calling on her faith to let her continue to see the humanity in those that don't see it in her. Speer on the other hand finds ways to not see what he knows is happening and to justify his actions, despite knowing they are evil.
Compelling reading with an original approach. I would recommend to those that like historical fiction and WWII reading.
Although this story is fiction, it is basically non-fiction with fictional dialogue. This is an alternating account of two individuals in the later years of World War II.
Corrie ten Boom is a young, Dutch resistance fighter with a strong faith in God and Christ. Although only 16 as the story begins, she is called to protect Jews from the Germans who have invaded Holland and involves her entire family in this mission. They are eventually caught and sent to work camps, initially in Holland, then to Ravensbruck in Germany. Her faith and desire to teach others the love of Christ helps her survive the cruelty and inhumanity of her situation.
Albert Speer is a Nazi party member, initially Hitler's architect and then his Armaments Minister. His job includes assuring that the weapons and equipment needed by the German army are made, even if that means importing slave labor from conquered countries. As his story begins, he is beginning to have doubt about his Hitler and what he is doing under Hitler's command. Although, he does eventually countermand Hitler's orders to limit the destruction of Germany, he is unable truly break from Hitler's hold on him.
A third story line, weaved in to a lesser extent, is that of Heinrich Himmler, the architect of the Nazi "final solutions" to exterminate the Jews.
As the stories of Corrie and Speer are interwoven, one sees the stark contrast of how each reacts to the evil they see around them. Corrie questions her reaction when she feels herself hating those who treat her and others with such contempt, calling on her faith to let her continue to see the humanity in those that don't see it in her. Speer on the other hand finds ways to not see what he knows is happening and to justify his actions, despite knowing they are evil.
Compelling reading with an original approach. I would recommend to those that like historical fiction and WWII reading.
August 20, 2017
I won this book through goodreads' first reads and am so glad I did!
I enjoy reading about history and have read a lot about the more famous or infamous people of WWII. I may have read something that mentioned Nazi Albert Speer, but if I did, I don't recall, so everything I read in this book about him and about Dutch resistance worker Corrie ten Boom was new to me. While I found much to admire about Ms. ten Boom's determination to help Jew's flee persecution and her grit in surviving Nazi death camps, I was intrigued by Albert Speer's relationship with Hitler and his activities to support the war. His job to supply arms to the German army required a large labor force which was mostly comprised of forced labor that began to disappear to the Nazi camps, creating issues within Hitler's close circle.
Then there were the troubles created when his name was found on a list of people who could run the war/country if Operation Valkyrie succeeded in assassinating Hitler. Thus some officers in the German military viewed Speer as a rational/sane human being. As one of the few high-ranking Nazi's to survive and be sentenced during the Nuremburg trials, the judges thought so too and sentenced him to less than a life sentence in prison.
This book is well researched and I found the stories of the Lion and the Lamb (sometimes I wondered which person was which), very interesting and would recommend this book to anyone who has only read about the more famous WWII figures.
I enjoy reading about history and have read a lot about the more famous or infamous people of WWII. I may have read something that mentioned Nazi Albert Speer, but if I did, I don't recall, so everything I read in this book about him and about Dutch resistance worker Corrie ten Boom was new to me. While I found much to admire about Ms. ten Boom's determination to help Jew's flee persecution and her grit in surviving Nazi death camps, I was intrigued by Albert Speer's relationship with Hitler and his activities to support the war. His job to supply arms to the German army required a large labor force which was mostly comprised of forced labor that began to disappear to the Nazi camps, creating issues within Hitler's close circle.
Then there were the troubles created when his name was found on a list of people who could run the war/country if Operation Valkyrie succeeded in assassinating Hitler. Thus some officers in the German military viewed Speer as a rational/sane human being. As one of the few high-ranking Nazi's to survive and be sentenced during the Nuremburg trials, the judges thought so too and sentenced him to less than a life sentence in prison.
This book is well researched and I found the stories of the Lion and the Lamb (sometimes I wondered which person was which), very interesting and would recommend this book to anyone who has only read about the more famous WWII figures.
December 2, 2017
This review is for a book I won from the GoodReads giveaways: I really enjoy historical novels and this was very well written. I couldn't put it down and when I had to, I thought about it's contents until I could get back to reading it. I researched some of the facts on the internet as I was reading it and the historical facts in it are accurate. This book isn't your typical historical fiction novel, though. It is inspiring and goes deeper into the power of hope and love in the most dire of human situations. I had never read a WWII story or nonfiction text from the perspective of a Nazi, so this was eye opening, as well. I knew nothing of Speer before reading this book. The Holocaust and Hitler's motivations for war were deplorable, however, it opened my eyes to the German people's perspective that they were just fighting for what they thought was the good of their country. The amazing thing about Speer was that when he realized Hitler's purposes were not entrenched in the good of the country but in his unstable ideas about humanity, he did a 180 and contradicted him as much as he could. Would we have the integrity to do that when our lives, our families' lives and those of our countrymen are at stake? This book definitely opened my eyes to a different perspective in history as well as increased a desire in me to be a stronger person of integrity.
September 25, 2017
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. I love historical fiction novels and this book did read as a novel, but it was anything but fiction. I've read plenty of historical fiction books about WWII but this is the first one that every character in the book was an actual historical figure. I learned of the horrors of the concentration camps through the eyes of Corrie ten Boom and how she struggled with her faith throughout but was able to forgive her tormentors in the end. I also learned through Albert Speer's story of what it was like to be in Hitler's inner circle and the constant jockeying for the madman's approval and affection. This book was blunt in it's descriptions and often left me sickened by how evil the Nazi regime was, especially when The Architect spoke so callously about the extermination of the Jewish people.
November 7, 2017
I was excited to receive this book in the mail through goodreads because I enjoy reading historical fiction about the Holocaust. Charles Causey is a great writer who has done a lot of research on the topic, I found it interesting that he is a military chaplain.
This book was fascinating to me because the main character, Albert Speer was a Nazi and Hitler's closest male adviser. It's not very common to read a historical fiction novel which focuses on a Nazi. The book also focuses on Corrie Ten Boom and her courage and faith during WWII. The Lion and Lamb is a haunting story of horror and hope during this tragic time in history.
I plan on buying this book as a Christmas gift for my father in law (a WWII history buff) and father as they both enjoy reading about history. I received this book as a giveaway through goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
This book was fascinating to me because the main character, Albert Speer was a Nazi and Hitler's closest male adviser. It's not very common to read a historical fiction novel which focuses on a Nazi. The book also focuses on Corrie Ten Boom and her courage and faith during WWII. The Lion and Lamb is a haunting story of horror and hope during this tragic time in history.
I plan on buying this book as a Christmas gift for my father in law (a WWII history buff) and father as they both enjoy reading about history. I received this book as a giveaway through goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2021
3.5 stars. Well written, well researched account of the contrasting stories of one of Hitler's cabinet ministers, Albert Speer, and one of Holland's heroes, Corrie Ten Boom. Some really interesting info here about the personalities surrounding Hitler and the way they manoeuvred around him like high school girls trying to stay in the popular crowd. As someone who has read more about the experience of the Jews and resistance fighters during WWII, I really did not have a lot of knowledge about Hitler's cronies so it was all pretty new to me. Although I did recognize the parts of Speer's story that were retold in the movie "Valkyrie." I think this book would really appeal to WWII history buffs and those who like to read inspirational stories of faith, along with ethical conundrums galore. Such a tragically sad part of the world's history and we have so much we can learn from it!
September 16, 2018
I'm finding the words hard to describe this book. While devastating and disgusting at many times throughout; it is balanced with the prospect of love, hope for things in the future after this war. I could not write updates as I continued thru the material, for it played with the emotions upon my mind and heart as I progressed through this well written and balanced account of the two lives. Lives touched by similarities and profound differences. Clearly a must read for those interested in the historic accounts and the atrocities of Hitler's war.
August 19, 2017
At first I expected the book would show how Albert Speer and Corrie Ten Boon's lives intersected. The I realized that the author was demonstrating how two different individuals looked at the horror which was Nazi Germany from different paradigms. History does not need to be dry and difficult to read. This book's easy to read format was delightful while maintaining accuracy to the subjects.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 25, 2018
An excellent, interesting comparison of the choices made by Albert Speer, Corrie ten Boom, and Heinrich Himmler -- and the consequences of their choices.
If you love Corrie ten Boom, you'll recognize much of her story, taken from "The Hiding Place."
The comparisons among the main characters make for a fascinating read, as well as a chance to consider our own choices.
Highly recommended.
If you love Corrie ten Boom, you'll recognize much of her story, taken from "The Hiding Place."
The comparisons among the main characters make for a fascinating read, as well as a chance to consider our own choices.
Highly recommended.
September 7, 2017
The Lion and the Lamb is a very interesting story of the Holocaust told from two different perspectives...one from a Holocaust survivor and the other from a Nazi officer who was very close to Hitler. The book is well written, educational and a good read, though sad.
January 31, 2018
This is such a well-written book and very captivating. I had read about Corrie ten Boom, but I had never heard of Albert Speer before. It was great to revisit Corrie’s story as well as learn about Speer, one of Hitler’s close group. I love how the author toggles, or balances, between these two figures.
Thanks to the author and the Goodreads Giveaway page for giving me a free copy. My review is my own.
Thanks to the author and the Goodreads Giveaway page for giving me a free copy. My review is my own.
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