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Chasing the American Dream
It's 1955. David stands on the courthouse steps in Cleveland, buttoning his overcoat, when his gaze catches the martial stride of a passerby. He recoils. It s Dr. Gerhardt Adler, a brutal ex-S.S. Major who David sent to Nuremburg shackled in the back of a U.S. Army Jeep. Determined to discover what that war criminal is doing in the U.S., David reverts to old habits he mastered in the Office of Strategic Services and pursues the Nazi. Feeling cheated by his role during the war, safe behind Allied lines, he sees another chance to be a hero. But how much will it cost? Chasing the American Dream captures David's quest for justice against those who committed crimes against humanity during World War II. To his horror, it transforms into a fight with the U.S. government who threatens his own American dream.
254 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
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About the author
Lorelei Brush
3 books6 followersWebsite: https://Loreleibrush.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 2, 2021
4.5 stars. When "Chasing the American Dream" opens, World War II and ending and David is part of an elite unit fighting to evacuate and close a gruesome Nazi camp that used forced labor to build rockets for the Axis Forces side of the war. David is fully committed to doing what is right and believes that the bad will be punished. Fast forward ten years later, David is still very much haunted by what he witnessed in Europe and so he is especially shocked to see someone from his past that he very much believed got what was coming to him long ago. He sees a brutal Nazi from the camps simply riding the bus in Ohio as if none of the terrible things he did mattered just 10 years later. This is a story about how even noble acts can be interpreted incorrectly if the acts don't suit a particular narrative favored at the time.
I have read plenty of World War II books and definitely many about the atrocities that the Allied Forces uncovered when they were liberating the various occupied places. This book gives you a glimpse of that but what really makes this book interesting is how it covers the period 10 years later when the United States is now dealing with other crises: the Red Scare and the Cold War. David's frame of reference is very much informed by the world he experienced ten years prior where all Nazis were to be punished to fit their crimes. It was interesting to see how he grappled with how what he felt was truly fair and just becomes up for debate as the United States focuses on fighting the Cold War.
I was a little familiar with "Operation: Paperclip" before this book but this book really brought it to life for me. In the 1950s, countering the Soviet Union and engaging in things like the Space Race becomes so important to the U.S. government that they will do whatever it takes to win, including bringing Nazi scientists (enemies of the previous war) to the United States without punishment in order to gain an advantage over the Soviets, no matter how morally murky it makes things. This book does a great job of showing how such a big shift in policy, culture, and beliefs could happen in a relatively small amount of time.
The detail in the book was really wonderful and it is clear how much effort the author put into creating David's world, both in Europe and at home. I loved reading about these events that I did not really know that much about as the shame of giving into quick wins over the Soviet and even the Red Scare itself are a blight in American history and are not often talked about.
They say that those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it. This book made me think of other times throughout history where right and wrong are blurred and bent in order to pursue a particular goal without caring about the context or what the ramifications are. The best books are those that make you ponder things long after you close the book. This is one of those!
I have read plenty of World War II books and definitely many about the atrocities that the Allied Forces uncovered when they were liberating the various occupied places. This book gives you a glimpse of that but what really makes this book interesting is how it covers the period 10 years later when the United States is now dealing with other crises: the Red Scare and the Cold War. David's frame of reference is very much informed by the world he experienced ten years prior where all Nazis were to be punished to fit their crimes. It was interesting to see how he grappled with how what he felt was truly fair and just becomes up for debate as the United States focuses on fighting the Cold War.
I was a little familiar with "Operation: Paperclip" before this book but this book really brought it to life for me. In the 1950s, countering the Soviet Union and engaging in things like the Space Race becomes so important to the U.S. government that they will do whatever it takes to win, including bringing Nazi scientists (enemies of the previous war) to the United States without punishment in order to gain an advantage over the Soviets, no matter how morally murky it makes things. This book does a great job of showing how such a big shift in policy, culture, and beliefs could happen in a relatively small amount of time.
The detail in the book was really wonderful and it is clear how much effort the author put into creating David's world, both in Europe and at home. I loved reading about these events that I did not really know that much about as the shame of giving into quick wins over the Soviet and even the Red Scare itself are a blight in American history and are not often talked about.
They say that those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it. This book made me think of other times throughout history where right and wrong are blurred and bent in order to pursue a particular goal without caring about the context or what the ramifications are. The best books are those that make you ponder things long after you close the book. This is one of those!
May 10, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5.0
This original story illustrates the challenges faced by European Jews assimilating back into ‘normal’ life after WW2.
Read full review in the 2021 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This original story illustrates the challenges faced by European Jews assimilating back into ‘normal’ life after WW2.
Read full review in the 2021 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 4, 2020
Chasing the American Dream is an intriguing story that starts with war, but quickly moves into the personal story of a man, his heroic ambitions, and his family’s sacrifices. The family drama, in turn, morphs into courtroom suspense that sheds light on post-WWII America’s conflicted morality.
Along the way, the reader learns fascinating aspects of 1950s history, when the U.S. Government secretly brought German (former Nazis) scientists here to help us compete in the Russian arms race.
In the novel, the protagonist—David Svehla, who’s inflated his wartime heroism—sees one of those former Nazi scientists in Cleveland. He’s determined to get justice for his Jewish friend who’s a concentration-survivor. More than that, he wants really to become the hero he claims to be. He immediately runs headlong into America’s own devils: McCarthyism, cronyism, bigotry, and government secrecy.
While the novel’s excellent details will make you feel you’re in 1950s Cleveland, the topics feel totally current—cancel culture, over-the-top press coverage, and government conspiracies. I imagine it would provide terrific fodder for a book club conversation.
In summary, this swift-moving, poignant story of one man’s obsession to be a hero both entertains and informs the reader. Highly recommended.
Along the way, the reader learns fascinating aspects of 1950s history, when the U.S. Government secretly brought German (former Nazis) scientists here to help us compete in the Russian arms race.
In the novel, the protagonist—David Svehla, who’s inflated his wartime heroism—sees one of those former Nazi scientists in Cleveland. He’s determined to get justice for his Jewish friend who’s a concentration-survivor. More than that, he wants really to become the hero he claims to be. He immediately runs headlong into America’s own devils: McCarthyism, cronyism, bigotry, and government secrecy.
While the novel’s excellent details will make you feel you’re in 1950s Cleveland, the topics feel totally current—cancel culture, over-the-top press coverage, and government conspiracies. I imagine it would provide terrific fodder for a book club conversation.
In summary, this swift-moving, poignant story of one man’s obsession to be a hero both entertains and informs the reader. Highly recommended.
January 29, 2021
"Chasing the American Dream" offers a compelling story about competing commitments during the 1950’s. Should the U.S. continue to pursue Nazi SS officers who committed atrocities or, if they happen to be genius rocket scientists, ignore their past behavior and use them to protect the country from Russian missiles? Combine those competing commitments with a family man who wishes he had been more of a hero in the war and Ms. Brush helps readers gain insight into the anxiety and downright hysteria in an era that is often idealized.
The book also helps us explore the anxieties and fears which underlie some of the darkness that we deal with now.
Readers will discover that Ms. Brush bases the book very loosely on her own father and draws on extensive research into Operation Paperclip which brought those Nazi scientists to America and the fanaticism of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
The book also helps us explore the anxieties and fears which underlie some of the darkness that we deal with now.
Readers will discover that Ms. Brush bases the book very loosely on her own father and draws on extensive research into Operation Paperclip which brought those Nazi scientists to America and the fanaticism of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
February 11, 2021
The 'hero' of this novel is a US intelligence veteran who is scarred with his war experiences liberating Nazi labor camps. A sadistic war camp criminal, Adler, whom David arrested in Germany in 1945, turns up in Cleveland 10 years later. The Nazi has parlayed his knowledge of rocket fuels to a prosperous living situation and teaching position. David risks family and career to expose Adler and is smeared by the FBI and unnamed sources as a Communist. The novel follows his pain as it unfolds an uncertain future. It was captivating to read and very REAL. Given the current political climate, with 'neo-Nazi' groups exercising public spaces, this novel is extremely relevant, as is the question of accountability for crimes committed in the past. It's almost as if the author had been prescient to the early 2021 political situation.
June 4, 2021
I received a free copy of this book via The History Quill Book Club.
What an interesting book.
Starting this story was disconcerting as it was rather gruesome & gritty but totally vital for the story to to start again years later.
The main character, David Svehla, becomes obsessed with getting justice, no matter what it costs him.
I thought the story was well researched, a very difficult subject was beautifully written about in a very accessible style.
The book certainly opened my eyes to what happened after World War 2 and the start of the 'Space Race'.
What an interesting book.
Starting this story was disconcerting as it was rather gruesome & gritty but totally vital for the story to to start again years later.
The main character, David Svehla, becomes obsessed with getting justice, no matter what it costs him.
I thought the story was well researched, a very difficult subject was beautifully written about in a very accessible style.
The book certainly opened my eyes to what happened after World War 2 and the start of the 'Space Race'.
March 12, 2021
I really liked this book. Lorie gives you characters you want to root for. The main character is a flawed man, but you want he to be successful. The whole story was very realistic and relatable. I recommend it 100%.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews