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Safe Harbor
In World War II Berlin, Jews such as Erich Reinhold, who can pass for Aryan, and his sweetheart, Nessa Baumgartner, go underground. In a city where Jewish life is being snuffed out, they soon find themselves in a world of false identification papers and forged ration cards, risking their lives to help others escape to freedom.
Safety is a foreign word, danger is everywhere and love is a luxury they can’t afford. But maybe, in spite of danger and separation, they will find their safe harbor.
Safety is a foreign word, danger is everywhere and love is a luxury they can’t afford. But maybe, in spite of danger and separation, they will find their safe harbor.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 6, 2020
A MUST READ
I started this book and was captivated immediately. The characters, the incredible history details and the plot pulled together was a remarkable read.
Gerhardt Roberts wrote a wonderful novel with so much history and romance that I didn’t want to put the book down.
You won’t be disappointed at all reading Safe Harbor.
I started this book and was captivated immediately. The characters, the incredible history details and the plot pulled together was a remarkable read.
Gerhardt Roberts wrote a wonderful novel with so much history and romance that I didn’t want to put the book down.
You won’t be disappointed at all reading Safe Harbor.
April 20, 2021
Terrific WWII story about the Jews who managed to stay hidden right in plain sight in Berlin. Story full of yearning, sadness, pain, love and hope!
Read
November 29, 2020I was in the thick of reading the fourth in a series of what is currently fifteen suspense novels, and when I read so many such books in a row, I prefer to take a break from the blood, gore and mayhem in order to read something, well, a little lighter. At about that same time, a call was put out to read and possibly review this book. Without really paying attention to the topic, I agreed, but indicated that it would probably take me several weeks to do so. The book was sent to me by the author, who is listed above as R. F. Rabe, however, the author is Gerhardt Roberts and as fans of Sheila Roberts (as I am) know, is Mr. Sheila Roberts. In any case, I was given this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I got the book and saw the topic and I was immediately a little bummed. I am totally aware of the history of WWII and have read many a book about and set during that time period. The world is in the midst of a pandemic where people are getting ill and dying. At the same time, many folks are complaining that their civil rights are being violated because they are required to socially distance and wear masks-to protect others-in public. If anything, I just wanted to read something a bit fluffier right now.
Along comes this book set in a time and place where people are persecuted because of their religion, or perhaps because of their ancestor's religion. They are considered to be an inferior race and are forced to sell their possessions, that is property and businesses, at huge a loss to those who are considered to be a superior race, by the madmen in charge. Then they have no livelihoods in order to support themselves and their families. Ultimately, they are forced to leave their homeland. If they choose to stay, they can hide or hide in plain sight. If they are caught, they are killed and if they are lucky, put into concentration camps. Either way, they are treated no better than animals.
Nessa Baumgartner will not leave Germany as she has an aunt who is elderly and ill. Erich Reinhold will not leave Nessa, who he loves. His family ultimately leaves to join other family in the US. while Erich and Nessa become part of the underground assisting others in leaving the country, in order find Safe Harbor. They watch and work in plain sight as their beloved homeland becomes more and more war torn. The ultimate question is, will they be able to find their own Safe Harbor?
My own personal experience with the aftermath of WWII is that my father served during the German reconstruction. He was stationed in Germany for approximately three years, where he met and married his first wife. He brought his bride back to the US and they had my oldest brother. The story, as I was told, is that when my brother was a toddler, she wanted him to meet her family, so, she traveled with my brother to Germany and they never returned. I believe she told him his father was dead and when he was older, he learned the truth. I have been told that he apparently maintained his US citizenship until the US attempted to draft him for the Vietnam war, at which time he had absolutely no stake in the US fight, so, he surrendered his citizenship. My father and his first wife ultimately divorced and he married my mother. They had five children together, the last one being 'born dead.' When we were in our teen years, we learned we had another brother in Germany. We have since seen him, and his family, several times over the years, but, as you can imagine, this is a difficult situation.
Of course, I have thought much in recent times how the people of today would have coped with incidents such as those of WWII. After reading this book, I am totally not sure we’d survive.
I got the book and saw the topic and I was immediately a little bummed. I am totally aware of the history of WWII and have read many a book about and set during that time period. The world is in the midst of a pandemic where people are getting ill and dying. At the same time, many folks are complaining that their civil rights are being violated because they are required to socially distance and wear masks-to protect others-in public. If anything, I just wanted to read something a bit fluffier right now.
Along comes this book set in a time and place where people are persecuted because of their religion, or perhaps because of their ancestor's religion. They are considered to be an inferior race and are forced to sell their possessions, that is property and businesses, at huge a loss to those who are considered to be a superior race, by the madmen in charge. Then they have no livelihoods in order to support themselves and their families. Ultimately, they are forced to leave their homeland. If they choose to stay, they can hide or hide in plain sight. If they are caught, they are killed and if they are lucky, put into concentration camps. Either way, they are treated no better than animals.
Nessa Baumgartner will not leave Germany as she has an aunt who is elderly and ill. Erich Reinhold will not leave Nessa, who he loves. His family ultimately leaves to join other family in the US. while Erich and Nessa become part of the underground assisting others in leaving the country, in order find Safe Harbor. They watch and work in plain sight as their beloved homeland becomes more and more war torn. The ultimate question is, will they be able to find their own Safe Harbor?
My own personal experience with the aftermath of WWII is that my father served during the German reconstruction. He was stationed in Germany for approximately three years, where he met and married his first wife. He brought his bride back to the US and they had my oldest brother. The story, as I was told, is that when my brother was a toddler, she wanted him to meet her family, so, she traveled with my brother to Germany and they never returned. I believe she told him his father was dead and when he was older, he learned the truth. I have been told that he apparently maintained his US citizenship until the US attempted to draft him for the Vietnam war, at which time he had absolutely no stake in the US fight, so, he surrendered his citizenship. My father and his first wife ultimately divorced and he married my mother. They had five children together, the last one being 'born dead.' When we were in our teen years, we learned we had another brother in Germany. We have since seen him, and his family, several times over the years, but, as you can imagine, this is a difficult situation.
Of course, I have thought much in recent times how the people of today would have coped with incidents such as those of WWII. After reading this book, I am totally not sure we’d survive.
November 24, 2020
This story, and the characters, will stay with me for a very long time. Gerhardt Roberts brings the reader into a world where neighbors turn on neighbors, children learn to mock and hate, and the beautiful homeland of Germany becomes unrecognizable, hostile, and deadly towards those deemed unworthy - anyone with Jewish ancestry. I found myself riveted and deeply saddened as I read this historically accurate and totally gripping story of courage, faith, love, betrayal, hope, and triumph. This author does not shy away from the hatred and prejudice that the Jews faced in pre-WWII Germany, without resorting to stereotypical or anecdotal displays of the brutality they faced. Instead, we are completely enveloped in the families and lives of just everyday, normal citizens of Germany - who happen to be Jewish. The love story which runs throughout rings true and satisfies those looking for romance. Roberts also, however, sprinkles German words, places, and phrases in addition to tense and nerve wracking scenes with chases, explosions, and combat, as full out war breaks out around the world - satisfying those looking for suspense, thrills, and adventure.
December 6, 2020
I am a fan of these types of stories. Yet, to pull them off the author has to write a great story with engaging characters as these books are very character driven. I am happy to report that Mr. Roberts did pull this off successfully with this book.
Erich and Nessa are the main characters but all of the other characters in this story played important parts as well. There was not a dull moment to be found within the pages of this book. Once, I started reading I could not stop. I was swept into this story. My emotional investment in Erich and Nessa's story was strong. Therefore, everything that they experienced was felt. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction or looking for a really good book to read.
Erich and Nessa are the main characters but all of the other characters in this story played important parts as well. There was not a dull moment to be found within the pages of this book. Once, I started reading I could not stop. I was swept into this story. My emotional investment in Erich and Nessa's story was strong. Therefore, everything that they experienced was felt. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction or looking for a really good book to read.
October 14, 2021
This is a compelling tale! The brutal facts of war torn Berlin are woven into a story of heart break, love and compassion. Roberts follows the journey of Nessa and Erich, both classified as Jews by the Hitler regime. This is their tale of working in the Underground to help others survive and escape, in an ugly time in their country's history. This is a page turner that will have you laughing, crying and ultimately rubbing your goosebumps. Enjoy!
February 26, 2023
The Book Safe Harbor by Gerhardt Roberts brings the heart pounding of the reality of fear and torture when citizens were marked as Jews during World War II. Erich and Nessa plan to wed, but instead become conductors in the underground helping others escape the persecution and torture by the Gestapo. This book draws you in while you experience Erich and Nessa’s fear of the unknown, then the loss and unrest of the political and social changes from the Germans. A great book that I couldn’t put down as I wondered whether Erich and Nessa’s faith in God would carry them through safely. After Nessa’s identity is discovered by the Gestapo, she traveled to America hoping that Erich would survive and join her? The author transports you into a life of risk and danger as Erich and Nessa hide in plain sight to guide others to safety, but at what cost?
January 16, 2021
See my review @FreshFiction. https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...
November 4, 2020
Gerhardt Roberts’ book Safe Harbor was not something I would normally read but said I would read it for a review. I am not into books with history in it and at first this one didn’t catch my interest, but then…I couldn’t put it down! Learning about what happened in Germany in Hitlers time with the Jews and the hardships (and courage) that the people had, combined with a love story that you wanted to root for and weren’t sure how it would end, left me wanting to know more. Erich and Nessa’s love story is surrounded by the cruelty and unhuman part of history that most people find unpleasant or just don’t know about. This book shows that love can conquer all. I recommend this book to everyone, young and old.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews