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Edelweißpiraten
Rare Book
Paperback
First published July 21, 2012
18 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Dirk Reinhardt
14 books8 followersDirk Reinhardt, Jahrgang 1963, studierte Geschichte und Germanistik. Nach seiner Promotion war er als wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter und als freier Journalist tätig. 2009 erschien sein erstes Kinderbuch, dem bald weitere folgten. 2016 wurde er mit dem Friedrich-Gerstäcker-Preis für Jugendliteratur ausgezeichnet.
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Dirk Reinhardt, born in 1963, studied history and German studies. After his doctorate, he worked as a research assistant and as a freelance journalist. His first children's book was published in 2009 and was soon followed by others. In 2016 he was awarded the Friedrich Gerstäcker Prize for Youth Literature.
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Dirk Reinhardt, born in 1963, studied history and German studies. After his doctorate, he worked as a research assistant and as a freelance journalist. His first children's book was published in 2009 and was soon followed by others. In 2016 he was awarded the Friedrich Gerstäcker Prize for Youth Literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 28, 2021
I really enjoy the Edelweiss Pirates books, this is a good version although quite tame and slow if you have read the Edelweiss Pirates Series, those books pack a punch of action, exciting climax, emotion and some really funny parts.
That said this is a good novel, the characters are life-like and this book is extremely well written. The author is amazing how he describes the scenes, not sure if this is Young Adult. The writing is a little advanced and some words I had to google to know what they mean and they were in English.
Dirk Reinhardt shows how young people risked just as much as other resisters, and with just as much conviction. The book is certainly not for the faint of heart, it can be harrowing at times. Well, it was during a war.
That said this is a good novel, the characters are life-like and this book is extremely well written. The author is amazing how he describes the scenes, not sure if this is Young Adult. The writing is a little advanced and some words I had to google to know what they mean and they were in English.
Dirk Reinhardt shows how young people risked just as much as other resisters, and with just as much conviction. The book is certainly not for the faint of heart, it can be harrowing at times. Well, it was during a war.
January 19, 2022
It was ok, a little strange in places, irrelevant information and gaps. I have already read the first two in the Edelweiss book series which is fact/fiction and those are far superior and seemed to have covered most of this and more already.
Still a nice take on them, if you are interested in the Edelweiss Pirates and WW2
Still a nice take on them, if you are interested in the Edelweiss Pirates and WW2
March 6, 2025
A powerful, moving novel about the Edelweiss Pirates—a group of young rebels who risk everything for their freedom and to resist the Nazi regime during WWII.
Extract from the afterword:
“It might well have begun as almost harmless youthful recalcitrance, but the edelweiss pirates had the courage and decency to stand up against an unjust regime, and they wouldn’t be thrown off that course, even by brutal persecution. They were part of the other, better, Germany. We should not stop telling that story.”
Extract from the afterword:
“It might well have begun as almost harmless youthful recalcitrance, but the edelweiss pirates had the courage and decency to stand up against an unjust regime, and they wouldn’t be thrown off that course, even by brutal persecution. They were part of the other, better, Germany. We should not stop telling that story.”
November 9, 2017
Und auch hier kann ich nur wieder sagen, dass ich solche Bücher nicht nach gut oder schlecht bewerten werde.
Ich gebe Büchern mit solcher Thematik grundsätzlich IMMER fünf Punkte, einfach weil sich jeder über dieses Thema informieren sollte und wissen sollte was damals vor sich ging.
Das Buch hat mal andere Einblicke in die damalige Gesellschaft gezeigt.
Man liest oft Bücher über die Judenverfolgung, Berichte über das Leben der Juden damals usw., aber in diesem Buch zeigt man die Geschichte der deutschen Kinder/Jugendlichen die keine Lust auf diese dummen Nazis hatte (sorrynotsorry) & einfach ihre Freiheit haben wollten - wie wohl viele Menschen damals.
Genießen wir unsere Freiheit für sie mit & 'kämpfen' dafür, dass sowas nie wieder passiert.. nie!
Ich gebe Büchern mit solcher Thematik grundsätzlich IMMER fünf Punkte, einfach weil sich jeder über dieses Thema informieren sollte und wissen sollte was damals vor sich ging.
Das Buch hat mal andere Einblicke in die damalige Gesellschaft gezeigt.
Man liest oft Bücher über die Judenverfolgung, Berichte über das Leben der Juden damals usw., aber in diesem Buch zeigt man die Geschichte der deutschen Kinder/Jugendlichen die keine Lust auf diese dummen Nazis hatte (sorrynotsorry) & einfach ihre Freiheit haben wollten - wie wohl viele Menschen damals.
Genießen wir unsere Freiheit für sie mit & 'kämpfen' dafür, dass sowas nie wieder passiert.. nie!
March 15, 2022
A missed opportunity, the Edelweiss Pirates and White Rose were hero's, this novel seems to have taken parts from different Edelweiss Pirates novels to make this one. Terrible ending, it left you feeling empty.
Other books or the Edelweiss Pirates Series are far better reads.
Still if you like WW2 YA, its wroth a look at.
Other books or the Edelweiss Pirates Series are far better reads.
Still if you like WW2 YA, its wroth a look at.
April 11, 2023
The Edelweiss Pirates by Dirk Reinhardt explores the story of a nazi resistance group (The Edelweiss Pirates) that arose among youths during WWII. The main storyline is told through a diary format by a former member of the youth resistance group.
This story highlights a lesser known aspect of the Second World War, youth resistance, which gives the reader a fresh insight on how civilians in Germany were affected by the war and the regime. This premise is perfect for every history-nerd out there who are looking for a fresh take on the Second World War.
What I found to be very beautiful with this story was how the different relationships between people were portrayed: the relation between Daniel and Josef, the relation between Josef and his brother, and the relation between Josef and Tilly. I think my heart shattered during most of the conversations between Josef and his brother.
Thus, despite this story being about a well known historical event, the plot is laced with elements that are largely unknown by the general public. The book can best be summarized as a gripping tale about the adventures of teenage rebels.
A huge thanks to NetGalley for providing this advanced reader copy!
This story highlights a lesser known aspect of the Second World War, youth resistance, which gives the reader a fresh insight on how civilians in Germany were affected by the war and the regime. This premise is perfect for every history-nerd out there who are looking for a fresh take on the Second World War.
What I found to be very beautiful with this story was how the different relationships between people were portrayed: the relation between Daniel and Josef, the relation between Josef and his brother, and the relation between Josef and Tilly. I think my heart shattered during most of the conversations between Josef and his brother.
Thus, despite this story being about a well known historical event, the plot is laced with elements that are largely unknown by the general public. The book can best be summarized as a gripping tale about the adventures of teenage rebels.
A huge thanks to NetGalley for providing this advanced reader copy!
October 17, 2021
A beautiful, well told story that shows there are many ways of fighting oppression.
The afterword notes that Barthel Schink was hanged in 1944 by the Gestapo with other edelweiss pirates. His mum applied to the regional government in 1954 to get him recognised as a victim of political oppression.
The authorities responded EIGHT years later that he and his friends were just criminals based on witness accounts by former Gestapo.
Its not surprising young people in Germany rose up in 1968 partly because of all the nazis still employed and in positions of respectability. How can a society not be rotten to its core when it tolerates that.
In Germany and across Europe that resistance goes on, as the ideas of the nazis take new forms targeting migrants and refugees. Young people who stand up to their hatred stand in the tradition of the edelweiss pirates.
The afterword notes that Barthel Schink was hanged in 1944 by the Gestapo with other edelweiss pirates. His mum applied to the regional government in 1954 to get him recognised as a victim of political oppression.
The authorities responded EIGHT years later that he and his friends were just criminals based on witness accounts by former Gestapo.
Its not surprising young people in Germany rose up in 1968 partly because of all the nazis still employed and in positions of respectability. How can a society not be rotten to its core when it tolerates that.
In Germany and across Europe that resistance goes on, as the ideas of the nazis take new forms targeting migrants and refugees. Young people who stand up to their hatred stand in the tradition of the edelweiss pirates.
April 24, 2023
We don't know a lot about the internal German Resistance, only about The White Rose.
This is a story that mixes history with fiction and creates an exciting story about a group of teens who act against the Nazi regime.
A well plotted and gripping story, good storytelling and character development
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
This is a story that mixes history with fiction and creates an exciting story about a group of teens who act against the Nazi regime.
A well plotted and gripping story, good storytelling and character development
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
July 4, 2024
I have found yet another Holocaust/World War II era book that opened my eyes to yet another unknown group of people, the teens of Germany. It is worth reading because you learn how those coming of age during WWII Germany suffered as well, not as drastically as those in concentration camps, of course; however, their youth and innocence was stolen just the same. Although the book was based on the autobiographies of the actual Edelweiss pirates along with academic research, the fictional characters' resistance to Hitler Youth and all it stood for and their loyalty to their close-knit group of friends makes for a solid, plausible book. It alternates between the past (1940s) in first person diary form and present (2012) with a first person narration type of format. It starts very slow as you have figure out the first person narrator in each format and settle in to the style of writing created for each character. Due to this struggle in the beginning, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars as the writing style was not my favorite; nonetheless, it will be a great addition to my Holocaust unit for an advanced student who needs a challenge and wants to absorb beyond the camps into the lives of German teens during WWII.
December 5, 2020
It was written so realistic and I appreciated the change of perspectives between Gerlach and Daniel!
September 13, 2023
best book I've read ALL YEAR. I'm absolutely infatuated with these kids. They're like my best friends. I want to go to all the places in Germany they'd hang out at. I'm also going to go to the EL-DE house someday because of them. oh and I'm getting an edelweiss pirate tattoo over my heart.
February 17, 2024
2.75/5⭐️s - Usually, when I buy a book because the cover catches my eye, it ends up being a story I enjoy. I did enjoy this one, but I also should have done a little more research before picking it for its cover - I thought it was non-fiction, but it was fiction inspired by real-life events. The true Edelweiss Pirates are certainly inspiring in their refusal to conform to and be part of the Nazi regime, but this story, and the style in which it was written, was really lacking. The writing comes off as young adult. The characters are likeable, but I also didn't feel like they had much depth. The alternating timeline and the relationship between Daniel and Mr. Gerlach is odd and, again, just lacks depth and background. The connection discovered at the end almost felt like an afterthought and didn't make me feel anything more for the story. The diary chapters are long, and the present day chapters were tiny - I wished there had been more balance.
January 28, 2024
Livro de 200 páginas, no formato de diário e paralelamente tem uma outra história que é contada ao longo do livro. O autor fez um prefácio contextualizando o ambiente em que a história vai se passar, e só fim do livro, no posfácio, ele trás uma reflexão sobre a ideia que quis transmitir nas histórias, ele aponta os principais ideias e esclarece principais dúvidas. Não encontrei pontas soltas nas histórias. Recomendo o livro para quem tem interesse em entender como os jovens alemães que não participavam de forças militares viam a guerra. O livro tbm conta com um glossário, para esclarecer os termos e siglas usados na época.
January 1, 2021
Wirklich verständlich und gut geschrieben.
Es ist eine herzzerreißende Geschichte und zeigt, wie planlos viele Jugendliche zu dieser Zeit waren, was für Grausamkeiten im eignem Land passierten. Der Perspektivenwechsel von früher zu heute macht alles nochmal interessanter und gibt dem Leser eine Antwort, was aus dem Hauptcharakter geworden ist. Ich habe gehört das in meiner Schule der Autor dieses Buches, uns über Videochat besuchen wird. Darüber freue ich mich schon sehr!
Es ist eine herzzerreißende Geschichte und zeigt, wie planlos viele Jugendliche zu dieser Zeit waren, was für Grausamkeiten im eignem Land passierten. Der Perspektivenwechsel von früher zu heute macht alles nochmal interessanter und gibt dem Leser eine Antwort, was aus dem Hauptcharakter geworden ist. Ich habe gehört das in meiner Schule der Autor dieses Buches, uns über Videochat besuchen wird. Darüber freue ich mich schon sehr!
September 5, 2021
A YA historical drama shedding light on some of the anti-nazi resistance in 1930s and 1940s Germany. This is ideal for 14-16year olds and provides a lot of food for thought on the subject of how anyone can stand up in the face of oppression.
The Michael Rosen introduction, and historical note at the end add to the overall effect of this book.
The Michael Rosen introduction, and historical note at the end add to the overall effect of this book.
October 20, 2021
An incredible story of young Germans in Nazi Germany who did not conform and rebelled against the party. This is fictional novel but based on reality. I never knew that there were young people in Germany who rebelled and bravely fought against the Nazis. Truly humbling - makes you question how you would have behaved in those times. This is a must read book. An absolute classic.
July 2, 2023
We're in Germany, during World War Two – and also, sans italics, in current times. The modern story is of a kid who stumbles into befriending an elderly gent, and the italic sections (so common they make the upright font seem to lean left in comparison) are the old chap's wartime diaries – the ones he swore never to write. For he started out in a group of rapscallions, feeling the need to grow their hair, duff people up and rebel a bit, who really took to being anti-Nazis. He and his best friend get themselves kicked out of the Hitler Youth, get lowly apprenticeships as a result, the gang gets picked on by authorities all over – and then things get more serious, with attention from first the SS and then the Gestapo. Something – and it's not just the shocking scene in the prologue – makes you realise there is a tragedy at the end of all this…
You can take a lot from these briskly read pages, and that will be rather different if you're a British reader or reading a copy from the author's native Germany. Clearly there's a need felt to address the issue of how these street yobs turned into, quote, an "unpatriotic rabble with no fatherland", as people perceive them. There is definitely an attempt being made to show the violence that war causes – Germany in the early 1940s was not an oasis of calm and peace with two warring fronts either side, for it was rife with a certain sort of domestic warfare – bullying, threats, assault from those in power.
And this book, like the characters, really doesn't like those in power. This is very much a socialist text, much like the ones the kids try to spread in leaflet form. The characters are quite daft with it – oh, so the RAF only bombed certain parts of town because their bigwigs would never attack the Nazi bigwigs? No, you soft lummoxes, it's because the war effort was based on labour in the factories, and people stuck in such menial jobs lived where the factories were. The wartime food shortages also become a huge us-and-them matter, with claims the powers that be live in the black market and profit from it, when it's equally illegal for them as for the poor, just nothing they'll ever be held up on.
As I say, there is much to take from this. You can even compare the easy forgetfulness of the titular gang with a certain Nazi leader – they always cower after a threat disturbs their status quo, then think it nothing and never likely to happen again, in much the same way Hitler hubristically chased failure with failure, and only saw success after success. SS questioning? Nah, backs to the wall and this is won. Potential Gestapo torture? A brief setback. Stabbing someone? A recoverable position if we all muck in.
So, yes, this is a collection of naive people doing naive things, but somehow that's justified because it's under Nazi oppression. (And talking of naive, you'll be scratching your head trying to work out how and why the diary still gets written in the later sections, when it would have been impossible to keep it secret.) And the fact remains, this is based on the truth of these lads and laddesses, who did honestly go from proto-hoodlums into rabble-rousing reactionary resistance fighters. Their descent into doing dafter and dafter things for what became more and more of a cause is a very interesting read, but I did find their ideals reached in rather silly ways. Three and a half stars.
You can take a lot from these briskly read pages, and that will be rather different if you're a British reader or reading a copy from the author's native Germany. Clearly there's a need felt to address the issue of how these street yobs turned into, quote, an "unpatriotic rabble with no fatherland", as people perceive them. There is definitely an attempt being made to show the violence that war causes – Germany in the early 1940s was not an oasis of calm and peace with two warring fronts either side, for it was rife with a certain sort of domestic warfare – bullying, threats, assault from those in power.
And this book, like the characters, really doesn't like those in power. This is very much a socialist text, much like the ones the kids try to spread in leaflet form. The characters are quite daft with it – oh, so the RAF only bombed certain parts of town because their bigwigs would never attack the Nazi bigwigs? No, you soft lummoxes, it's because the war effort was based on labour in the factories, and people stuck in such menial jobs lived where the factories were. The wartime food shortages also become a huge us-and-them matter, with claims the powers that be live in the black market and profit from it, when it's equally illegal for them as for the poor, just nothing they'll ever be held up on.
As I say, there is much to take from this. You can even compare the easy forgetfulness of the titular gang with a certain Nazi leader – they always cower after a threat disturbs their status quo, then think it nothing and never likely to happen again, in much the same way Hitler hubristically chased failure with failure, and only saw success after success. SS questioning? Nah, backs to the wall and this is won. Potential Gestapo torture? A brief setback. Stabbing someone? A recoverable position if we all muck in.
So, yes, this is a collection of naive people doing naive things, but somehow that's justified because it's under Nazi oppression. (And talking of naive, you'll be scratching your head trying to work out how and why the diary still gets written in the later sections, when it would have been impossible to keep it secret.) And the fact remains, this is based on the truth of these lads and laddesses, who did honestly go from proto-hoodlums into rabble-rousing reactionary resistance fighters. Their descent into doing dafter and dafter things for what became more and more of a cause is a very interesting read, but I did find their ideals reached in rather silly ways. Three and a half stars.
April 19, 2023
For such a good story…how was the big reveal that connected the past and the present two pages long?! The connection between the timelines- the whole reason for telling the story and the framing that comes around every few chapters to remind you- is resolved as almost an afterthought. I wouldn’t be surprised if the actual words used were “so by the way, the reason he told me about this was actually (spoiler)” and then the book ends.
It was enjoyable it was a new subject area for me and it was about a resistance to the holocaust that wasn’t political, it was personal. It took a new approach with those living under the Nazis, and it was very nice to see something that wasn’t only the brutalization of minorities.
But my god all that to be overshadowed by the least written connection that I have ever seen- and I’ve seen some rushed endings. Can you even call the framing resolved?
It was enjoyable it was a new subject area for me and it was about a resistance to the holocaust that wasn’t political, it was personal. It took a new approach with those living under the Nazis, and it was very nice to see something that wasn’t only the brutalization of minorities.
But my god all that to be overshadowed by the least written connection that I have ever seen- and I’ve seen some rushed endings. Can you even call the framing resolved?
October 5, 2023
Young Adult Historical Fiction. WWII Germany. Written as journal entries interspersed with present day thoughts. A teen visiting his grandfathers grave notices an elderly man watching him. The teen is curious about this mysterious man and what he wants from him. When they finally meet and talk, the elderly man wants the teen to read his journal about his teen years as a member of the Edelweiss Pirates. Although this is fiction, it is about an actual group of rebellious German teens in Nazi Germany. It took me awhile to get interested in the story. It felt disconnected in the beginning. It seemed to drag. At times I was getting restless and bored with it but I finished it. The last third of the story the action picked up. Recommend for 6th grade and up.
September 14, 2024
Firstly, I haven't been reading as often as I should because I've learned how to cross stitch. So that's one of the reasons this book took so long to get through.
The other reason? It really wasn't all that great. Going into it, I was expecting it to be nonfiction, and when it wasn't that was a bit of a letdown. The diary format was a little annoying with most of the print being in italics, and the "present day" bits had potential but absolutely no foreshadowing. The main two plot twists, if you can call them plot twists, were revealed in a few short sentences at the end of the book, and feel like they were just thrown in on a whim.
Overall I liked reading about everyday Germans during WWII (most books are about Jewish people) but the plot and delivery just didn't cut it.
The other reason? It really wasn't all that great. Going into it, I was expecting it to be nonfiction, and when it wasn't that was a bit of a letdown. The diary format was a little annoying with most of the print being in italics, and the "present day" bits had potential but absolutely no foreshadowing. The main two plot twists, if you can call them plot twists, were revealed in a few short sentences at the end of the book, and feel like they were just thrown in on a whim.
Overall I liked reading about everyday Germans during WWII (most books are about Jewish people) but the plot and delivery just didn't cut it.
April 21, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Although the book was a quick read and fairly addicting, I spent at least half of it confused.
What were the Pirates against, Nazis or authority.
It really just seems like a gang of bored kids hanging out. From my understanding the Nazis were rather organized and would catch a bunch of non HJ and put them to work pretty fast.
I just couldn't my brain to make connect WW2 in 1941 to the first half of the book.
I did like the story anyhow and the second half was more in tuned to my knowledge (non educated) of WW2
Although the book was a quick read and fairly addicting, I spent at least half of it confused.
What were the Pirates against, Nazis or authority.
It really just seems like a gang of bored kids hanging out. From my understanding the Nazis were rather organized and would catch a bunch of non HJ and put them to work pretty fast.
I just couldn't my brain to make connect WW2 in 1941 to the first half of the book.
I did like the story anyhow and the second half was more in tuned to my knowledge (non educated) of WW2
March 29, 2023
A touching story about a group of young people rebelling against the Nazi regime.
I did feel that it started off a bit slow at first but I soon felt like I was totally immersed in Josef's world. Although it was a fictional account of reality, I still cared deeply for the characters and got quite emotional a few times.
I really appreciated the foreword and afterword for some historical context which provides some food for thought and has prompted some further reading and research on the real youth resistance groups across Germany.
A very moving read, overall.
I did feel that it started off a bit slow at first but I soon felt like I was totally immersed in Josef's world. Although it was a fictional account of reality, I still cared deeply for the characters and got quite emotional a few times.
I really appreciated the foreword and afterword for some historical context which provides some food for thought and has prompted some further reading and research on the real youth resistance groups across Germany.
A very moving read, overall.
March 11, 2020
Es ist ein Buch, das sehr viel Potential für den Schulunterricht aufweißt. Es ist in zwei Zeitebenen geschrieben. Einmal wird in Form von Tagebucheinträgen, worin auch Dialoge vorkommen, von der Vergangenheit erzählt und zudem treffen sich der Tagebuchschreiber und eine weitere Person in der heutigen Zeit und sprechen über die damalige Zeit.
February 12, 2023
Boek over weinig gekend jeugdig verzet in nazi Duitsland. De moeite om te lezen en vlot geschreven, al denk ik dat het meer voor 15+ is en dat de 12jarige er nu niet goed van zou zijn. Andere reviews ervan lezen doet me opnieuw beseffen hoe anders WO II was voor Engelstaligen (UK en Ierland) dan voor mensen van het continent. Beseffen dat zij niet opgroeiden in een omgeving waarbij alle grootouders de bezetting meemaakten is vreemd.
April 1, 2023
The Edelweiss Pirates was a fantastic story. Dirk Reinhardt masterfully wove this tale with pieces of actual fact and really put one in the past, you truly feel for the characters. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to reread it. When my daughter is old enough, I think this is one that I will make sure that she gets to read as well.
April 24, 2023
The premise of a German perspective of WWII was enticing but the execution felt unfinished.
The journal entry sections took up 75% of the book and rambled about the same thing for multiple pages.
I learned a lot but didn’t enjoy reading.
The journal entry sections took up 75% of the book and rambled about the same thing for multiple pages.
I learned a lot but didn’t enjoy reading.
January 6, 2024
"Leute wie wir brauchen nur die Luft zum Atmen, den Weg zum Wandern und Das Lied zum singen"
July 10, 2024
The characters friendship is unique
July 12, 2024
“All I can think is that he chose me”
January 2, 2025
Poorly written but I get it’s a kids book. Gives a decent account of who the EP were
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews