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Enemies: A War Story
A gripping novel based on astonishing true events...
It is the summer of 1941, and two young men from Chicago embark on an epic journey. First, they road trip down to Mexico, where they spend a few idle months before hopping a freighter to Japan. From there, they sign on as merchant seamen for a three-month voyage to Europe, landing in occupied France on the very day that Nazi Germany declares war on the United States. Their adventure has suddenly taken a dark turn.
Wolfgang Wergin and Herbie Haupt are American citizens, though German by birth. Both have lived in America since the age of five, yet now they are faced with a harrowing choice. They can join a Nazi sabotage mission heading to the United States or be drafted into the German army and sent to the Russian front. One chooses the first option, and one the second, but will either survive?
While this fragment of history is mostly forgotten today, the episode became one of the most sensational news stories of its time, garnering intense national interest. " A War Story" is a fictionalized version of this true story, sticking as close to the facts as possible.
This is a novel that raises challenging questions about the meanings of patriotism, justice, and American morality during difficult times. More than anything, though, it is simply a story that yearns to be told.
It is the summer of 1941, and two young men from Chicago embark on an epic journey. First, they road trip down to Mexico, where they spend a few idle months before hopping a freighter to Japan. From there, they sign on as merchant seamen for a three-month voyage to Europe, landing in occupied France on the very day that Nazi Germany declares war on the United States. Their adventure has suddenly taken a dark turn.
Wolfgang Wergin and Herbie Haupt are American citizens, though German by birth. Both have lived in America since the age of five, yet now they are faced with a harrowing choice. They can join a Nazi sabotage mission heading to the United States or be drafted into the German army and sent to the Russian front. One chooses the first option, and one the second, but will either survive?
While this fragment of history is mostly forgotten today, the episode became one of the most sensational news stories of its time, garnering intense national interest. " A War Story" is a fictionalized version of this true story, sticking as close to the facts as possible.
This is a novel that raises challenging questions about the meanings of patriotism, justice, and American morality during difficult times. More than anything, though, it is simply a story that yearns to be told.
478 pages, ebook
Published April 29, 2018
960 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Rosenberg
40 books83 followersKenneth Rosenberg is a California writer whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Surfer Magazine and other publications. Kenneth attended UCLA where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. When he is not writing, he spends his time surfing, snowboarding and traveling the world on a shoestring.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 5, 2018
Fascinating fictionalized account of the eight German saboteurs who were put ashore in Florida and New York during World War II. They were to destroy aspects of America’s war production, but most, apparently, had no intention of doing so.
Herbert Haupt was a naïve young man interested in good times and ran away to Mexico to avoid responsibilities. The story of his odyssey with his friend Wolfgang Wergin is incredible. They spent three weeks in Mexico until they ran out of money. They couldn’t return to the US until paying a duty on the car Wolfgang sold when they were broke. Since they were both naturalized Americans of German birth, the German consulate got them passage on a ship going to Japan. From there, they went to Germany. Herbie jumped at the chance to return to the US with the saboteurs; Wolfgang declined, believing the G-men would get them. He ended up fighting in the German army on the Russian front. Not until 1956 was Wergin able to return to the United States.
The seven other saboteurs are fleshed out. One was a survivor of Gestapo torture and imprisonment; another was badly wounded in the Wehrmacht. George Dasch intended all along to turn them all in as his way of fighting the Nazi regime.
The account of Herbert Hoover and the FBI is disgusting. The saboteurs’ treatment and trial were never about justice, but about appearances and a moral victory over Germany. Six were executed. Dasch and Burger were repatriated to Germany in 1948, but their lives were ruined.
And Hoover wanted glory. He was more guilty than the saboteurs, lying to them, trying to hide the fact that Dasch went to the FBI rather than the FBI discovering a nefarious plot afoot. Hoover should have been executed.
July 20, 2019
Great book!!!
This book is one of the best books I have ever read!!! I think I Edgar Hoover shows his true colors and was responsible for the way this case turned out!!! I thank you Mr Rosenberg for writing the truth!!
This book is one of the best books I have ever read!!! I think I Edgar Hoover shows his true colors and was responsible for the way this case turned out!!! I thank you Mr Rosenberg for writing the truth!!
June 14, 2024
Yay! I finished!
I debate what to rate this book... 2.5?
This is a fictionalized account of a story during WWII of Germans sent to the United States with orders and explosives to sabotage the US. We're introduced to a huge cast of characters, namely Wolf and Herbie. Both born in Germany, they move to the US with their families at a young age. The book starts with them young and full of ideas of how they're going to get out and see the world. As they navigate the world, things go wrong and each of them are forced to make choices that will take them deeper into the war.
There were parts of this I really enjoyed. I liked the beginning where we got to know Wolf and Herbie and to see their friendship. I also appreciated glimpses into life at this time during WWII and to see choices people made in order to survive to the next day.
I struggled a bit with the constant introduction of new characters and how the book started to feel kinda chunky and a bit hard to navigate. I felt at times like I was wading through sludge to get to the next part of the story. While interesting, it was a lot to take in.
Personally, I also struggled with how I assumed this book would go to what actually happened in the story. I felt like there were times that the story ended up being very focused on one characters and then nothing much of the other. We're given all these other characters and as a reader, try to connect with them and their lives. What I wanted this book to be and what it was fought against each other. No fault of the author's as they told this fictionalized account...but in my head I wanted this book to be something different based on the blurb and I had a hard time separating that. lol
Overall, I'm happy to have read this and tried something different. I appreciate historical fiction novels set in this time period and plan to read more historical fiction in general.
Reading Challenge 2024
Month: June Letter: E/F
I debate what to rate this book... 2.5?
This is a fictionalized account of a story during WWII of Germans sent to the United States with orders and explosives to sabotage the US. We're introduced to a huge cast of characters, namely Wolf and Herbie. Both born in Germany, they move to the US with their families at a young age. The book starts with them young and full of ideas of how they're going to get out and see the world. As they navigate the world, things go wrong and each of them are forced to make choices that will take them deeper into the war.
There were parts of this I really enjoyed. I liked the beginning where we got to know Wolf and Herbie and to see their friendship. I also appreciated glimpses into life at this time during WWII and to see choices people made in order to survive to the next day.
I struggled a bit with the constant introduction of new characters and how the book started to feel kinda chunky and a bit hard to navigate. I felt at times like I was wading through sludge to get to the next part of the story. While interesting, it was a lot to take in.
Personally, I also struggled with how I assumed this book would go to what actually happened in the story. I felt like there were times that the story ended up being very focused on one characters and then nothing much of the other. We're given all these other characters and as a reader, try to connect with them and their lives. What I wanted this book to be and what it was fought against each other. No fault of the author's as they told this fictionalized account...but in my head I wanted this book to be something different based on the blurb and I had a hard time separating that. lol
Overall, I'm happy to have read this and tried something different. I appreciate historical fiction novels set in this time period and plan to read more historical fiction in general.
Reading Challenge 2024
Month: June Letter: E/F
December 2, 2024
I do not read a lot of history or historical fiction. It bores me. True crime, however interests me. Sometimes the two things intersect.
This book was amazing! I was drawn into the characters very early on. I will admit that the book had a bit of a slow start, but by the time I got the the trial, I couldn't put the book down. As I was reading, I was pulling up the bios of the Eight and trying to draw my own conclusions. My heart broke for Herbie every step of the way. He was a kid stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time. He did not deserve the end he got.
This book wet my appetite and I am eager to read firther about this case.
This book was amazing! I was drawn into the characters very early on. I will admit that the book had a bit of a slow start, but by the time I got the the trial, I couldn't put the book down. As I was reading, I was pulling up the bios of the Eight and trying to draw my own conclusions. My heart broke for Herbie every step of the way. He was a kid stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time. He did not deserve the end he got.
This book wet my appetite and I am eager to read firther about this case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2018
Good History, but VERY Dry Reading
This book provides a nice, fictional account of a little-known piece of WW2 history (that is, it combines some historical facts with a lot of literary license). There is a lot of information provided on some characters, but an initially prime “friend” seems to have been entirely dropped (much to my surprise). In the end, this is like reading an embellished history book ... it is interesting, if you like such things, but it is not the kind of writing that you just can’t put down ... consequently, be prepared to spend longer getting through this book than you would, for instance, with a well-written spy story.
This book provides a nice, fictional account of a little-known piece of WW2 history (that is, it combines some historical facts with a lot of literary license). There is a lot of information provided on some characters, but an initially prime “friend” seems to have been entirely dropped (much to my surprise). In the end, this is like reading an embellished history book ... it is interesting, if you like such things, but it is not the kind of writing that you just can’t put down ... consequently, be prepared to spend longer getting through this book than you would, for instance, with a well-written spy story.
July 6, 2018
Enemies: A War Story, by Kenneth Rosenberg is a fascinating, fictionalized account of a little-known, somewhat shameful interlude of incidents that took place in the United States during World War II.
It’s the story of two young men, Herbie Haupt and Wolfgang Wergin. Both men were born in Germany but became American citizens after traveling to the U.S. as children. They take off on a two week jaunt to Mexico and end up halfway around the world, just as the U.S is entering the war. One goes to the Russian Front in Germany’s army, the other travels to the U.S. in a German submarine, along with seven other who wash up on the shores of New York and Florida.
I had heard reports of Nazis invading the beaches of the those two states over the years, but never realized the circumstances. It’s an incredibe story, covered up by J.Edgar Hoover and the F.B.I. Most of the men who travelled to the United States, perhaps all of them, never wanted to harm anyone in the U.S. They were on an ostensible mission to commit sabotage anywhere they could in the U.S, and had both the explosives and the cash to do it. But the ringleaders decide to go to the FBI to confess all, to their own detriment and those of their comrades. Six of the eight men were executed, and the other two imprisoned and ultimately deported. It’s a terrible story.
But it proves once again that truth can be stranger than fiction. If not for one or two circumstances, the two men’s lives who are the focus of the story might have been very different.
What makes this story so authentic is the inclusion of the transcripts of the military tribunal at which these men were convicted. Some details are invented to make the story a bit more romantic in places, but this is overshadowed by the facts of the case.
Also included are the stories of several men convicted along with Haupt. Some of them had served in the German military, one had been imprisoned in a German concentration camp, and one had narrowly escaped death in a slaughter of Nazi soldiers by its own government.These men present a variety of facades: One who clings to the concepts of right and wrong, a couple of others who cling to the memory of their wives, and others who struggle as best as they can once intercepted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This book is a little wordy, especially in places that do not really related to the facts of the case. It’s a self-published book, available on Kindle Unlimited, if you’re a member of that. But I wish the author would submit the book to an agent and sell it to a publisher, so some of these little annoyances could be cleared up and the story could potentially be told on the big screen. It would ultimately make a fine film, and I would be one of the first to buy a ticket.
It’s the story of two young men, Herbie Haupt and Wolfgang Wergin. Both men were born in Germany but became American citizens after traveling to the U.S. as children. They take off on a two week jaunt to Mexico and end up halfway around the world, just as the U.S is entering the war. One goes to the Russian Front in Germany’s army, the other travels to the U.S. in a German submarine, along with seven other who wash up on the shores of New York and Florida.
I had heard reports of Nazis invading the beaches of the those two states over the years, but never realized the circumstances. It’s an incredibe story, covered up by J.Edgar Hoover and the F.B.I. Most of the men who travelled to the United States, perhaps all of them, never wanted to harm anyone in the U.S. They were on an ostensible mission to commit sabotage anywhere they could in the U.S, and had both the explosives and the cash to do it. But the ringleaders decide to go to the FBI to confess all, to their own detriment and those of their comrades. Six of the eight men were executed, and the other two imprisoned and ultimately deported. It’s a terrible story.
But it proves once again that truth can be stranger than fiction. If not for one or two circumstances, the two men’s lives who are the focus of the story might have been very different.
What makes this story so authentic is the inclusion of the transcripts of the military tribunal at which these men were convicted. Some details are invented to make the story a bit more romantic in places, but this is overshadowed by the facts of the case.
Also included are the stories of several men convicted along with Haupt. Some of them had served in the German military, one had been imprisoned in a German concentration camp, and one had narrowly escaped death in a slaughter of Nazi soldiers by its own government.These men present a variety of facades: One who clings to the concepts of right and wrong, a couple of others who cling to the memory of their wives, and others who struggle as best as they can once intercepted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This book is a little wordy, especially in places that do not really related to the facts of the case. It’s a self-published book, available on Kindle Unlimited, if you’re a member of that. But I wish the author would submit the book to an agent and sell it to a publisher, so some of these little annoyances could be cleared up and the story could potentially be told on the big screen. It would ultimately make a fine film, and I would be one of the first to buy a ticket.
July 24, 2018
When I first looked at this book, the cover made me think that this would be another random fiction set in world war two. I was pleasantly surprised to find that to not be the case. This book is based on an historical event that is rarely ever talked about. We don't hear about it in school, we don't generally see it mentioned in historical T.V. shows. I was captivated for the entire read, and found myself searching for more information constantly. While minimal, I did find the occasional missing/added word, using homonyms of words, or misspelling.
The book starts with two naturalized American teenagers taking an impromptu trip to Mexico. What follows is a life changing adventure. When unable to return to the United States, they are shanghaied by the German Consulate in Mexico. Sent to Germany in the early days of America's involvement in the war, they are forced into making a difficult choice: return to America and hurt the country they call home, or be drafted into the German Army.
Herbie Haupt makes the painful choice to return home in hopes that once he lands on the beach he will be able to escape. Joined by seven others, he is sent to sabotage school and travels to America's shores in a U-boat. In this group he finds others, who like him were born in Germany but emigrated to the United States. Some of them, like Peter Burger and George Dasch harbor hatred for Nazi Germany, while others are willing to kill to insure they succeed. Will they decide to disappear into the crowd and follow through with the terrible plan, or will they turn against their fellow saboteurs?
The book starts with two naturalized American teenagers taking an impromptu trip to Mexico. What follows is a life changing adventure. When unable to return to the United States, they are shanghaied by the German Consulate in Mexico. Sent to Germany in the early days of America's involvement in the war, they are forced into making a difficult choice: return to America and hurt the country they call home, or be drafted into the German Army.
Herbie Haupt makes the painful choice to return home in hopes that once he lands on the beach he will be able to escape. Joined by seven others, he is sent to sabotage school and travels to America's shores in a U-boat. In this group he finds others, who like him were born in Germany but emigrated to the United States. Some of them, like Peter Burger and George Dasch harbor hatred for Nazi Germany, while others are willing to kill to insure they succeed. Will they decide to disappear into the crowd and follow through with the terrible plan, or will they turn against their fellow saboteurs?
November 8, 2018
When I started reading this book, I didn't realize that it was based on actual events. I even decided that I didn't like a couple of the "characters". As I kept reading, I was drawn in by the story and began to understand the characters and even like some that at first put me off. I was half way through the book before I realized that this had actually happened. That real life is often stranger than fiction.
I commend the author on his ability to relay history in way that reads as a novel. I have rarely found a book so compelling. The author alludes in the afterward to readers becoming angry about him showing these men in a compassionate light. I found it refresher. Men are not 100% one thing. Yes, some where legitimate Nazis for a time. Some had affairs. But none of them were pure evil as the newspapers of the time portrayed them.
I wish that the tribunal's transcripts would have been made public a lot sooner, and that Dasch and Berger could have been pardoned. Or better yet, that they could have been given public trials. Maybe a 22 year old kid would have been spared, or even some of the others. At the same time, I understand the US's need for 'a win" during the drawn out war. I am just glad that all things hidden are eventually revealed; for the "saboteurs'" sakes and the comeuppance of Hoover.
I highly recommend this book to teens and adults who love history, espionage, WWII or really to anyone who loves a good read
I commend the author on his ability to relay history in way that reads as a novel. I have rarely found a book so compelling. The author alludes in the afterward to readers becoming angry about him showing these men in a compassionate light. I found it refresher. Men are not 100% one thing. Yes, some where legitimate Nazis for a time. Some had affairs. But none of them were pure evil as the newspapers of the time portrayed them.
I wish that the tribunal's transcripts would have been made public a lot sooner, and that Dasch and Berger could have been pardoned. Or better yet, that they could have been given public trials. Maybe a 22 year old kid would have been spared, or even some of the others. At the same time, I understand the US's need for 'a win" during the drawn out war. I am just glad that all things hidden are eventually revealed; for the "saboteurs'" sakes and the comeuppance of Hoover.
I highly recommend this book to teens and adults who love history, espionage, WWII or really to anyone who loves a good read
November 19, 2018
ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY
A novel that is based on actual events, concerning two German young men, who have lived in the United States the majority of their life’s, taking place during World War II, is loosely the premise. Although, given the time in history and that they innocently crossed the border to Mexico for a couple of weeks, the intrigue has just begun. Reads like a fine wine novel, but is really a true story with a few enhancements for enjoyment. Some books are - why did I read, whereas this book is, I feel fortunate that I was given the ability to test drive this wonderfully written doc-history novel. The twists and turns of what would I do in such a situation arose many times. Each time, whether it was what the young man did or not, I actually felt the tension and could not and did not put the book down. Currently, with the happenings of the United States and the rest of the World, “Enemies” feels contemporary and like something that can happen again. As the saying goes, “Bite my tongue”. But read the book as biting it”.
I want to thank Net Galley for a gratis copy of Enemies:A War Story. My review is located on Net Galley; Good Reads; Facebook; Twitter and Other fine locations.
A novel that is based on actual events, concerning two German young men, who have lived in the United States the majority of their life’s, taking place during World War II, is loosely the premise. Although, given the time in history and that they innocently crossed the border to Mexico for a couple of weeks, the intrigue has just begun. Reads like a fine wine novel, but is really a true story with a few enhancements for enjoyment. Some books are - why did I read, whereas this book is, I feel fortunate that I was given the ability to test drive this wonderfully written doc-history novel. The twists and turns of what would I do in such a situation arose many times. Each time, whether it was what the young man did or not, I actually felt the tension and could not and did not put the book down. Currently, with the happenings of the United States and the rest of the World, “Enemies” feels contemporary and like something that can happen again. As the saying goes, “Bite my tongue”. But read the book as biting it”.
I want to thank Net Galley for a gratis copy of Enemies:A War Story. My review is located on Net Galley; Good Reads; Facebook; Twitter and Other fine locations.
June 13, 2024
3.5 Enemies is the story of German saboteurs who were sent to the U.S. during World War II. At first, we are introduced to Herbie and Wolf and their respective lives in Chicago. Both were born in Germany, but came to the U.S. at a young age. As young adults they decide to go on an an adventure to Mexico. Things don't go as planned, and they are eventually sent to Germany. During this time we are also introduced to Dasch, Berger, Neubauer, Kerling, Schmidt, etc....
The introduction of all these characters is why I can't give this book a higher rating. I understand why the author needed to do so, but it was a bit clunky for me. I felt like we were supposed to get attached to Herbie and Wolf, but the introduction of everyone else made that hard. At one point I thought I might have to start writing down who everyone was. However, as the story progressed, and everyone was introduced, it made for a lot smoother reading. The last 100 pages was by far the best and brought the rating up for me. All in all, it was a very interesting story, and one I was glad to learn about.
2024 Reading Challenge
June Letter: E
The introduction of all these characters is why I can't give this book a higher rating. I understand why the author needed to do so, but it was a bit clunky for me. I felt like we were supposed to get attached to Herbie and Wolf, but the introduction of everyone else made that hard. At one point I thought I might have to start writing down who everyone was. However, as the story progressed, and everyone was introduced, it made for a lot smoother reading. The last 100 pages was by far the best and brought the rating up for me. All in all, it was a very interesting story, and one I was glad to learn about.
2024 Reading Challenge
June Letter: E
July 27, 2018
Our story begins when three friends living in Chicago in 1941 decide to take a road trip to Mexico. Herbie Haupt, Wolf Wergin and Hugo Troesken are young and adventurous as they pile into Wolf's car and head south, thinking they would find jobs South of the border.
After Hugo decides to leave the others, poor decision after poor decision plagues the remaining amigos as they journey to Japan, through France, and finally Germany which is deep in the throes of WWII. A chance to get back to America presents itself, and, though the conditions are less than ideal, the boys elect to sign up, thinking they can outsmart the Nazis when on American shores.
Based on a true story, Enemies is a tale of two friends caught up in "Why not?" who suddenly find out just what "Why not?" really means.
Even knowing the ending, I was captivated by this account of decisions gone terribly wrong.
I read this EARC courtesy of Net Galley and Books Go Social pub date 04/29/18
After Hugo decides to leave the others, poor decision after poor decision plagues the remaining amigos as they journey to Japan, through France, and finally Germany which is deep in the throes of WWII. A chance to get back to America presents itself, and, though the conditions are less than ideal, the boys elect to sign up, thinking they can outsmart the Nazis when on American shores.
Based on a true story, Enemies is a tale of two friends caught up in "Why not?" who suddenly find out just what "Why not?" really means.
Even knowing the ending, I was captivated by this account of decisions gone terribly wrong.
I read this EARC courtesy of Net Galley and Books Go Social pub date 04/29/18
January 9, 2021
Excellent read!
Great book telling the story from all the different individuals involved.
I liked how the author recounted the true story from the individuals perspectives. Gave me a chance to think of the motives of people's actions of the time. This was a time of very strong national feelings and also a time when people's situation and circumstances. Even the people that were not part of the main narrative, demonstrated the feelings of the times.
Author explained his research and explain how close he got to actual events and what he was able to track down actual events and details at the end of the book.
To be totally honest, I was not thinking this was a 40s spy/war book. It was on my Kindle app book list and I was in a 50s detective reading spree and originally thought is was a detective novel.
I am so glad I read this book! You need to read this book!
Great book telling the story from all the different individuals involved.
I liked how the author recounted the true story from the individuals perspectives. Gave me a chance to think of the motives of people's actions of the time. This was a time of very strong national feelings and also a time when people's situation and circumstances. Even the people that were not part of the main narrative, demonstrated the feelings of the times.
Author explained his research and explain how close he got to actual events and what he was able to track down actual events and details at the end of the book.
To be totally honest, I was not thinking this was a 40s spy/war book. It was on my Kindle app book list and I was in a 50s detective reading spree and originally thought is was a detective novel.
I am so glad I read this book! You need to read this book!
December 16, 2024
The victors make the history
This stirring tale takes the reader back to World War Two , a time when our nation was united in a war against the powers of evil . This book looks at the lives of ordinary people caught up in the complexities of being in the wrong place at the wrong time , forced to make life -altering decisions which led them down a dangerous path . The author skillfully shows how basically simple people were trampled by those in political power , including FDR and J Edgar Hoover. It is ironic that FDR campaigned on helping the forgotten man in the 1930s yet made these individuals not just forgotten but vilified in a country at war.
My congratulations to K Rosenberg for putting together with detailed research an exciting readable tale with strong moral overtone .
This stirring tale takes the reader back to World War Two , a time when our nation was united in a war against the powers of evil . This book looks at the lives of ordinary people caught up in the complexities of being in the wrong place at the wrong time , forced to make life -altering decisions which led them down a dangerous path . The author skillfully shows how basically simple people were trampled by those in political power , including FDR and J Edgar Hoover. It is ironic that FDR campaigned on helping the forgotten man in the 1930s yet made these individuals not just forgotten but vilified in a country at war.
My congratulations to K Rosenberg for putting together with detailed research an exciting readable tale with strong moral overtone .
April 24, 2023
"Enemies: A War Story" is an historical fiction covering an almost unknown story in our country's WWII history. This book follows the paths of 2 young German-American men as they tumble from the new freedoms of young adulthood into the throngs of war machines on both sides that have political and PR agendas.
Herbie Haupt and Wolfgang Wergin head off to Mexico on a spur-of-the-moment adventure. When they run out of money, they take a German merchant marine ship to Japan and from there were delivered to Germany and eventually land in the German army. Haupt ends up back in the States when he agrees to join a German sabotage mission and Wolfgang is sent to the Russian front.
Based on extensive research, Rosenberg's novel challenges the ideas of loyalty, patriotism, and justice.
Herbie Haupt and Wolfgang Wergin head off to Mexico on a spur-of-the-moment adventure. When they run out of money, they take a German merchant marine ship to Japan and from there were delivered to Germany and eventually land in the German army. Haupt ends up back in the States when he agrees to join a German sabotage mission and Wolfgang is sent to the Russian front.
Based on extensive research, Rosenberg's novel challenges the ideas of loyalty, patriotism, and justice.
December 14, 2023
This is a fairly long book that tells of the serious consequences resulting from foolish choices. Herbie Haupt finds out that his girlfriend is pregnant with his child. He is not ready to settle down. He and his friend Wolfgang Wergin decide to drive to Mexico and enjoy a last fling before Herbie does the right thing by his girlfriend. A decision to sell Wolfgang's car would have been foolish regardless, but it results in consequences that no one could have foreseen.
During the first part of this book the foolishness of these two young men made me think of a movie that our sons loved and my husband and I didn't: "Dumb and Dumber". But what followed from their actions was definitely not funny. It did make for an interesting and compelling story.
During the first part of this book the foolishness of these two young men made me think of a movie that our sons loved and my husband and I didn't: "Dumb and Dumber". But what followed from their actions was definitely not funny. It did make for an interesting and compelling story.
September 7, 2020
This becomes a fine book
Unfortunately, I purchased this awhile ago and completely forgot what this book was about. Set in the early part of World War II, we meet a series of characters who are unrelated and I had a hard time determining where the author was going with the tale. About a quarter of the way into the book, I had the “light bulb” moment and the book became quite interesting. The author is excellent in taking historical characters and humanizing them. Their fate, sadly, was predetermined by other forces. In my opinion, their sentence did not match the crime. A story well told.
Unfortunately, I purchased this awhile ago and completely forgot what this book was about. Set in the early part of World War II, we meet a series of characters who are unrelated and I had a hard time determining where the author was going with the tale. About a quarter of the way into the book, I had the “light bulb” moment and the book became quite interesting. The author is excellent in taking historical characters and humanizing them. Their fate, sadly, was predetermined by other forces. In my opinion, their sentence did not match the crime. A story well told.
November 7, 2018
Worth Your Time to Read
There is a lot going on in the first part of the book, following the histories of those involved. I did not pay enough attention to names & so was a little confused as to who was or did what. I believe that is my fault, not the author. As I approached the end of this book, I was just sick. What a travesty. Our justice system at work. Even so, I highly recommend the book. I read a lot. And am highly interested in WWII. Another causality of a terrible time in history. It blows my mind.
There is a lot going on in the first part of the book, following the histories of those involved. I did not pay enough attention to names & so was a little confused as to who was or did what. I believe that is my fault, not the author. As I approached the end of this book, I was just sick. What a travesty. Our justice system at work. Even so, I highly recommend the book. I read a lot. And am highly interested in WWII. Another causality of a terrible time in history. It blows my mind.
July 21, 2020
Great story told by a great story teller.
Found the story very hard to follow in the beginning as the author built up the main characters background. But,this was necessary to understand the author s take on these young men and how naive they were in worldly knowledge. These men were not evil men but some we’re misguided youths,adventures, and just plain dumb. And one knows from current day fake news how the American public can be misled or directed in unpopular causes. Great job and a great read.
Found the story very hard to follow in the beginning as the author built up the main characters background. But,this was necessary to understand the author s take on these young men and how naive they were in worldly knowledge. These men were not evil men but some we’re misguided youths,adventures, and just plain dumb. And one knows from current day fake news how the American public can be misled or directed in unpopular causes. Great job and a great read.
January 14, 2023
Enemies
This book deserves your attention as a enthralling account of world war 2 history from a group of men and families brought together by the powerful forces of that period. While it seems improbable at times the reader is brought along by the author in his telling of a story that has a right to be told warts and all. Taught provoking as a social and human tale. Not a hero villain , good versus bad ,victor over defeated narrative which the author remarks does not agree with everyone. Rosenberg has done good by his telling of this fascinating war time story.
This book deserves your attention as a enthralling account of world war 2 history from a group of men and families brought together by the powerful forces of that period. While it seems improbable at times the reader is brought along by the author in his telling of a story that has a right to be told warts and all. Taught provoking as a social and human tale. Not a hero villain , good versus bad ,victor over defeated narrative which the author remarks does not agree with everyone. Rosenberg has done good by his telling of this fascinating war time story.
March 10, 2023
OK as a page turner. Not that well written, no style but effortless to follow. The German is awful: it should have been proofread. Umlauts are random, misspellings abound and where used of du/ Sie is inappropriate. For an author trying to add an air of authenticity, it fails completely. “Du bist ein gutter junge, Wolfgang,” she said. You are a good boy. “Dankeshoen. For everything.” : just as examples, ‘ein guter Junge’ , ‘danke schön’. Also, Herbie sending an open letter to Wolf would not have escaped the attention of the Gestapo.
August 19, 2023
Seriously? Self published? One of the best books, the story is immensely interesting and not at all diminished by the ‘sympathetic tone’. I can’t imagine going to Mexico at 21 then Japan, Germany and finally America on a submarine. Were these men true terrorist, hellbent on blowing up manufacturing facilities? No, I think they were naive and, in some cases, somewhat stupid men who wanted to get back to America. I get the way we needed to protect our shores and the times. Knowing, as we do now, how J.Edgar Hoover was it’s not surprising at all the outcome. Loved the book.
October 17, 2023
Things I never knew
I'd learned a bit about the Nazi saboteurs in history classes, of course, but unil now, I haven't read anything else about the incident. The whole story is fascinating and a little worrying. I don't expect countries on a wartime footing to be merciful to their enemies, but apparently there were extenuating circumstances here that were willfully overlooked by the American justice system. I'd like to think my country is better than that, but reading non-whitewashed history is eye-opening for sure.
I'd learned a bit about the Nazi saboteurs in history classes, of course, but unil now, I haven't read anything else about the incident. The whole story is fascinating and a little worrying. I don't expect countries on a wartime footing to be merciful to their enemies, but apparently there were extenuating circumstances here that were willfully overlooked by the American justice system. I'd like to think my country is better than that, but reading non-whitewashed history is eye-opening for sure.
June 20, 2024
3.5* How do the Nazis give young adult males cash? And expect betrayal of the males' homeland
If this wasn't based on actual 3vents, I would list this as a comedy. The fledgling FBI with JEdgar's control issues & paranoia really makes this a historical oddity but very good.
This is great story telling, because no one could make this up. Hope to see it as a mini series.
Recommend for any reader interested in WWII or how everyone ignored the horror in Europe. This is an education.
Well done
If this wasn't based on actual 3vents, I would list this as a comedy. The fledgling FBI with JEdgar's control issues & paranoia really makes this a historical oddity but very good.
This is great story telling, because no one could make this up. Hope to see it as a mini series.
Recommend for any reader interested in WWII or how everyone ignored the horror in Europe. This is an education.
Well done
July 30, 2024
When I first saw this book advertised I knew I had to read it. Number one it is based on a true account. It is not the typical war story though. It takes place in the US and in Germany - a new twist in the story - American boys go over to Mexico for some fun and end up in Germany - they are learning how to sabotage certain areas in the U.S. How this comes about and ends is one story that is hard to believe but possible. I highly recommend this book and don't start it late in the evening because you won't get mich sleep. I could not put this book down. You won't be disappointed.
February 18, 2019
A disturbing and wrenching story of the human toll of America’s involvement in WW II
Starting off slowly, this story based on true events during WW II gradually draws the reader in, creating real emotional conflict about the complex decision making Behling 9 German-Americans who came to Germany on 1942 answers drawn into a scheme to surreptitiously return to the US and sabotage critical AMERICAN infrastructure. Ultimately a fascinating read.
Starting off slowly, this story based on true events during WW II gradually draws the reader in, creating real emotional conflict about the complex decision making Behling 9 German-Americans who came to Germany on 1942 answers drawn into a scheme to surreptitiously return to the US and sabotage critical AMERICAN infrastructure. Ultimately a fascinating read.
March 6, 2019
What a tale
This well-researched and well-written story leaves one feeling frustrated at the outcome of the young men caught in a time of war. Nazi Germany and a fearful and hateful America in the years of WWII created the atmosphere that led to this travesty of justice.
The book is a page-turner. Life’s capriciousness leads the young men in this tale to hope for justice in America only to be sucked into J Edward Hoover’s machinations.
This well-researched and well-written story leaves one feeling frustrated at the outcome of the young men caught in a time of war. Nazi Germany and a fearful and hateful America in the years of WWII created the atmosphere that led to this travesty of justice.
The book is a page-turner. Life’s capriciousness leads the young men in this tale to hope for justice in America only to be sucked into J Edward Hoover’s machinations.
July 9, 2019
Fascinating story
I’ve known this story for years. But this is a unique perspective that tells the story of the “Germans” in a way that is unusual for American readers. There is no question in my mind that the tribunal was illegal and orchestrated to ensure the death of the “spies” without regard to the facts of the case. It is a shame that these men, particularly Haupt, were killed before they could tell their story. This is the next best thing though.
I’ve known this story for years. But this is a unique perspective that tells the story of the “Germans” in a way that is unusual for American readers. There is no question in my mind that the tribunal was illegal and orchestrated to ensure the death of the “spies” without regard to the facts of the case. It is a shame that these men, particularly Haupt, were killed before they could tell their story. This is the next best thing though.
August 10, 2019
Eight German spies who came by submarine to the US
I had trouble putting this book down once I started. It is well written and researched and the author did an outstanding job. It showed how , The FBI tried to take sole credit for the capture of these spies when the truth is, they probably would never have been caught as they never intended to become saboteurs. Two of them turned them selves in to the FBI.
I had trouble putting this book down once I started. It is well written and researched and the author did an outstanding job. It showed how , The FBI tried to take sole credit for the capture of these spies when the truth is, they probably would never have been caught as they never intended to become saboteurs. Two of them turned them selves in to the FBI.
February 6, 2021
I'm sure Hollywood made a movie of this story at some point as it did sound familiar but I really enjoyed reading this. I actually was not aware of the back story of these guys. Some were very tragic if not all. War is not pretty and people are selfish. Shows just what a government will do to enhance it's preceived stature to the world. The losers were the "innocent" or less innocent who paid with their lives and what a way to go. Worth a read.
Read
April 28, 2022This book was a fantastic couldn't put down read. Being born in 1939, I can relate to the boys sense of adventure.
I was waiting for the boys to be pardoned at the end, but no such luck. The last few chapters shows the paranoid culture that existed at that time.
How people who were supposed to uphold the law, could ignore the rule of law just for the sake of politics escaped me.
Anyway enjoy the read.
I was waiting for the boys to be pardoned at the end, but no such luck. The last few chapters shows the paranoid culture that existed at that time.
How people who were supposed to uphold the law, could ignore the rule of law just for the sake of politics escaped me.
Anyway enjoy the read.
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