Wolf: A Novel

by Herbert J. Stern, Alan A. Winter

In the Great Tradition of Herman Wouk, Author of  Winds of War and War and Remembrance , Wolf is a Thoroughly Researched Historical Novel about a Man who is Not Yet a Monster . . . but Will Soon Become the Ultimate Adolf Hitler.

Perhaps no one is more controversial or more hated than Adolf Hitler. Yet questions remain about how this seemingly unremarkable man gained power to become one of the most diabolical dictators of all time. Based on extensive research, the historical novel Wolf  lifts the curtain on Hitler’s secret life, revealing truths that have been hidden for one hundred years.  

The story begins as World War I is ending, when the fictional character Friedrich Richard meets Hitler in the mental ward of Germany’s Pasewalk Hospital. Hitler, a.k.a. Wolf, is an army corporal suffering from hysterical blindness. Unable to see or care for himself, the future Führer relies upon Friedrich for assistance, and the two men form an unbreakable bond.

As  Wolf progresses, Friedrich becomes history’s eyes and ears. Interacting with real people, places, and events during a fifteen-year time frame, Friedrich watches Hitler evolve step-by-step into a megalomaniacal dictator. A book for history buffs and fiction fans alike, this remarkable thriller, now available for the first time in paperback, presents a fully-realized, flesh-and-blood Hitler that is more realistic and more chilling than any we’ve seen before. 

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, World War II, Military Fiction, 20th Century

552 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2020

Reviews

[Martie Nees Record · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gene: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Skyhorse
Pub. Date: Feb. 11, 2020

The Director of Publicity for “Wolf: A Novel” contacted me to ask if I would be interested in an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of this historical fiction. I was about to say thanks but no thanks (already have too many on my TBR list) until I learned who the authors were—more to come on them later. I am so glad that I accepted the book and grateful that it was offered to me. Wolf is a meticulously researched historical novel about a man who isn’t yet the monster that he will become later in life, a man who is the embodiment of evil: Adolf Hitler. I was amazed at how much I learned about Hitler in this book. Did you know that Wolf was his nickname? Did you know that in 1918 he was in a soldiers’ mental health hospital for hysterical blindness? Or that as a corporal Hitler was denied a promotion for lack of leadership ability? And most surprisingly, this most hated man was also known to be a ladies’ man? I kid you not. Throughout his career, he paid off women to squash the potential sex scandals.

“Wolf” is the story of Hitler’s life immediately following WWI. If you ever wondered how the Nazis took control, you won’t after reading this book. They did not seize the country. It was a slow political movement made possible due to all the fighting amongst the country’s political parties striving to obtain power. I was so fascinated by this systematic explanation, like chess pieces on a board, that I actually typed it all up. Then remembered I was writing a book review, not a history paper. The authors make it look easy to weave together fact and fiction. In between reading about the rise of real-life monsters such as Hermann Göring, Heinrich Himmler and Reinhard Heydrich, there is also the book’s fictional protagonist and narrator, Friedrich Richard. Through this character, you will find yourself in nightclubs with movie stars as well as prostitutes in brothels. Moreover, you get a front row seat to Germany’s then-bohemian life style. All sorts of unconventional shenanigans became acceptable. Think the 1970s movie “Cabaret.”

The book’s co-authors are Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter. Stern is a former US attorney for the District of New Jersey. He also served as a judge of the US Court of Berlin. He authored the non-fiction book, “Judgment in Berlin.” Winter graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in History and has graduate degrees from New York University and Colombia University. He is the author of four novels. One was a “Kirkus Selected Best Book.” The newsletter “The Jewish Voice,” wrote that this novel “debunks the myths surrounding the life of Adolf Hitler.” One learns that he was capable of loving and maintaining friendships. I know, very hard to believe but it’s footnoted. Friedrich meets Hitler when they are in the same hospital in 1918. He is there because he is suffering from a war-related brain injury that left him with impaired memory. They become good friends. I thought it was ingenious how the authors created a protagonist with amnesia. As they say in the endnotes, “He is a clear window through which we observed people and events.”

Though the narrator’s eyes the plot simply hits me in my American gut. Two of the many examples are when Hitler began his sterilization programs in an attempt to prevent persons deemed to possess undesirable heritable characteristics. Friedrich questions the reasoning behind needing an Aryan race. It is explained to him that they took the idea from America’s broadly accepted law that “One-Drop” of black blood in a white person is enough to consider that person to be black. “They enforce purity and superiority of Anglo-Saxon blood. Their goal is to protect the integrity of anything that threatens American heritage.” Because our protagonist’s memory is a blank slate, it suddenly seems understandable to him. Another heartbreaking example is when reading that in the early years of the Nazi party, the wealthy Jews donated to Hitler. They considered themselves loyal Germans who wanted the best for their country. Again, since Friedrich has no past knowledge, he naively agrees with them.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, so I read many. A complaint I have is that it has become a trend to compare German Fascism to the current White House Administration. They are usually written so loud that it gives me a headache and bores me to tears. “Wolf” is over 500 pages long. The chapters are divided by months and years in chronological order. By the time you finish the novel, the comparison becomes inevitable, but you need to piece them together over the years. It is not spoon-fed to you. Now, I am not saying that President Trump is Hitler-like. I am saying that the book helps one understand the comparisons. Germany had a perfect political storm that allowed evil to flourish.

The book’s last paragraphs take place in 1934. The German President Hindenburg dies. “The next morning a law was passed that combined the offices of president and chancellor.” Hitler fools the Germans into believing that this is out of respect for the deceased President. In reality, dictatorship is his goal. Hitler then calls for his Generals to swear before God their unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer of the Reich. “These few words—and what they represented—sealed the fate of Germany.” Before Hitler, “the armed forces swore their allegiance to protect the country” not a leader.

“Wolf” only has six fictional characters, including the protagonist. The rest is pure history. Yet, the tale reads like a page-turning thriller. I do wish that the authors had explained in more detail why a dark haired Austrian man was so intent on creating a blond-haired, blue-eyed German nation (something about his troubled childhood); Still, I just gobbled this one up. This educational read is easy to follow. Although it is an adult historical fiction, young adults would learn much while getting lost in the tale’s drama. If “Wolf” ever shows up on a syllabus in a high school history class, I would be surprised if kids cut the class.

I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review
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[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Jane Wesman Public Relations, Inc., Skyhorse Publishing, HFVBT and the authors for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wolf
By: Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter


*REVIEW* ☆☆☆☆
In their novel, Wolf, Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter seamlessly weave historical fact and fiction to create a humanized portrait of the embodiment of evil in Adolf Hitler(Wolf). This is the story of his early life after WWI before he became the greatest dictator of all time. In 1918 in a mental institution, the narrator, a young man with amnesia whom the doctors name Friedrich Richard, meets Wolf, suffering from hysterical blindness, and the two are fast friends. Once released, these men ultimately end up in Berlin where Richard joins Wolf and his Nazi inner circle. The novel spans sixteen years, and during this time, we see Hitler's rise to power through the eyes of Richard. Many historical figures are named and surprising things are revealed about Wolf. For example, he was a ladies man, which is difficult for me to imagine, but, of course, these women didn't know what we know about Hitler. It's also strange to believe that Hitler had actual relationships and friendships with people who cared about him. How could anyone have ever cared about Hitler? I say this, however, with the benefit of hindsight. I found this aspect most striking about Wolf-Hitler as a real person-because no living man could possibly do what Hitler did, and yet, the truth remains. Richard eventually begins to see the direction Wolf and the Nazi party are headed, and he decides to do what he thinks is best, whether in agreement with Wolf or not. Although the narrator, Friedrich Richard is fictional, his story is steeped in historical facts and is truly unbelievable. Wolf is an extremely compelling and absorbing novel that offers a striking and profound characterization of a truly evil man. WWII enthusiasts should pick up this astounding book today. This is a book I will not soon forget.

[Sud666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf was surprisingly good. The authors did extensive research and I noted the documents at the end were to be found at the Musmanno Collection at Ohio State University. Thus, as faculty, I skipped on over to the Special Collections section of the Rare Books & Manuscripts section (it's where OSU stores rare manuscripts) and perused the Elisabeth Billig Papers (she was a German citizen and a simultaneous interpreter for Judge Musmanno during Nuremberg Trials).

Wolf is the story of the rise of Adolf Hitler. It is seen through the eyes of Friedrich Richard, a fictional vehicle to tell the story. Richard meets Hitler in a hospital as they both recover from their wounds. Tis friendship then stays intact as Hitler grows in power. Starting in 1918 it is a tale of the rise of the Nazi party and Hitler. Richard starts out a supporter, in the story he's SS, but as it dawns of him the true nature of Hitler and the potential (that will be realised) for a Holocaust of the Jewish peoples, he struggles to help those he can before it is too late.

All the key players will slowly be introduced from Himmler to Goebbels. It's a very good historical fiction for those who would like an idea of how the party came together and how their views shifted. It also intelligently addresses the confusion I often find in laymen about why the far right Nazi part had Socialist in their party name. The authors also do an excellent job explaining the complex negotiations and politics between Hindenburg and Hitler. Many complex machinations are easily explained in the form of the story. Kudos to the authors for describing very complex issues as a story, yet at the end you understand how the complex parilemtary system of the Weimar Republic worked.

I also liked the author's use of different characters to show the different views prevalent in Germany. We will see it from the perspective of the Jewish people, through the eyes of the rabid Nazis and through the eyes of those squarely in the middle. I must also note that if you notice, it was the antics of the Communists with their violence, riots, protests that pushed the people in the middle to support the Nazis. Without those cretins, the Nazis might have never gotten past even 20%, at best. But, sadly for all humanity and most especially Germany that is not what happened.

So why not 5 stars? Well the author, IMHO, fell too much in love with his own character of Richard. FAR too much time is spent on utter nonsense developing a fictional character. I get it..he was killing time since Richard meets Hitler in 1918 and there are several years of nothing, thus instead we get Richard's adventures playing piano. I'd rather have spent time on the major players of the Weimar, but even through those moments you will run across the developments of the wider world through conversations. But, still I wanted to read more about the rise of Hitler, not the escapades of a made up character.

Fascianting story. Well researched for the information and a very entertaining read. It's a slow motion roller coaster ride that will end only in the plunge. If you are familiar with the events, it's almost as if you can see it coming. One last thing- the Albert Einstein on the boat scene? Awesome!

Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in the rise of Hitler but doesn't wish to read a 1,000+ pages of "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by William Shrier (though you ought too, it is a magesterial work and worth your time). Also kudos to a book that got me off my lazy ass and had me walk across campus to check out a document or two.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many, myself included, have wondered how Hitler rose to be the dictator he did. How he gained the power and votes that he did, how he was able to control thousands, if not millions and bring down humanity. How could one person be able to make other believe that someone with a certain ancestry was to be hated and murdered without a second thought. It is still something that is so unfathomable. One person.

The novel Wolf, was a very interesting look into Hitler's life starting right after WWI, and the decade that he took to rise to the power he did. Hitler, although often came across as an annoying man who would fail at any sort of government position, took his time to methodical figure out how to get to where he did. He was conniving, he was a liar, he was captivating, he overpromised, he was good at laying blame elsewhere, and most of all he was the greatest manipulator of all.

Wolf is written from the character viewpoint of, Friedrich Richard who met and befriend Wolf just after WWI, in a mental hospital. The two became quick friends as both were finding themselves. Friedrich had not memory of who he was and the doctors were amazed at his recover, and Wolf had temporary blindness and had relied on Wolf for assistance with everyday medial things until his sight came back. The two formed a bond that would never be broken.

Wolf learned quickly that Friedrich was one he needed to keep close, and one who would become extremely loyal as a friend, and reliable for anything he would need. Friedrich at first was glad to be of help to Wolf, and was often straight forward with him. He was the one who could talk him off a ledge, but one who Hitler respected enough to respect that Friedrich could often speak the truth of what he thought. Hitler knew Friedrich had quite a few good Jewish friends, and often was in the same belief as he was.

Throughout the decade, Friedrich is often privy to meetings and insight into Hitler's slow takeover of Germany. He is often warned by others, and comments are made that people either think Hitler is a joke and full of himself, or that he is bad news and nothing could come out of him gaining any sort of power. Friedrich often took it with a grain of salt, when he would confront Hitler, often he would reassure him, that so and so was behind the Jewish arrest or business closings and move on.

It is isn't until years and years later, as Friedrich is being pulled into more and more scandals and clean up's that he is realizing that maybe some of those warnings did hold water and that the person he believed Hitler to be really has been a sheep in Wolf clothing this whole time.

One incident makes him realize that he was blinded this whole time, and as he was often told- maybe he is the only one close enough who could dare bring down this monster. The only one who Hitler trust's enough to never see anything coming, if Friedrich dare attempt anything.

This novel was VERY good. It really had a lot of information, and background on the slow rise to power that Hitler did accomplish. Even though it is a large novel, it was a fast read and flowed well for covering over a decade of events and people. It was also interesting to read about some of those who came into power under Hitler and how, as you often see the same names repeated the more you read WWII historical fiction.

Thank you to Andrea Stein with Jane Wesman Public Relations and Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours for the opportunity to read and review Wolf! I HIGHLY recommend this novel for anyone interested in knowing more about how Hitler was able to gain such power over people.

[The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm, interesting but heavy. The back cover blurb kinda implies this is a villain origin story, but that doesn't really capture what this Historical Fiction is. Wolf does not make light of history, nor is it sympathetic to Nazism. It does, however, portray Hitler as human and complex, not just a two-dimensional paragon of evil.

Imagine, if you will, that a man is hospitalized with blindness incurred as a Bavarian infantryman during The Great War. While convalescing, he is paired with a soldier suffering from amnesia who can guide him around the hospital. The amnesiac is kind and gentle in spite of his large size, and the men strike up a deep bond of friendship. The blind man, who goes by Wolf, is Adolf Hitler; the amnesiac is given the name Friedrich Richard, who was another soldier that recently died in the same hospital (a doctor says he didn't need his name anymore; might as well pass it on to someone who can use it.)

The book takes us through real-life historical events from the eyes of a semi-apolitical member of Hitler's inner circle. Friedrich totally agrees with Wolf that Germany needs new leadership, fresh ideas, economic relief, etc., but at the same time he completely disagrees with Wolf's hatred of non-Aryans. The dichotomy of Friedrich repeatedly rationalizing his friendship with Wolf while refusing to acknowledge the escalating atrocities around him is interesting. Time and again, friends and lovers try to get Friedrich to open his eyes, but he stands by the man he considers a brother.

The author's use of Friedrich Richard as a proxy to explain how an entire nation could have gone along with genocide is an oversimplification. It's not like the whole country got to understand Hitler on a personal level before he totally went mad. Some Germans probably were genuinely evil, but personally I think most were pressured to conform out of fear. Average Germans were unable to leave the country without Party authorization, and they had no way to protest or fight back that wouldn't land them in front of a firing squad. It's an impossible situation I can't imagine being in; thank God for the Allied forces who put an end to that insanity.

Anyhoo, Wolf probably isn't right for the average escapist reader. It's intense in spots and generally glum, and I should mention the novel ends abruptly with Hitler just elected president. A followup is clearly intended but not yet published. But if pre-WWII German history is your thing, or maybe you have a biographical interest in Hitler (highly fictionalized, of course), Wolf might be up your alley.

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched fictional account of Hitler’s rise to power.

In 1918, a young man wakes up in a German hospital with no memory. Referred to as Patient X, he undergoes major plastic surgery for shrapnel wounds that he received to his face, head, and body. As his physical scars heal, his memory continues to elude him. Once he had healed physically, X was transferred to a mental ward in Pasewalk Hospital near the Poland border. He began to see a new doctor and while his memory recollection falters, X is given an opportunity to assume the name of a fallen soldier, Friedrich Richard. He also befriends a new patient sharing his room who is being treated for blindness from a gas attack in the trenches. He comes to call this friend Wolf. Upon their departure of the hospital he learns Wolf’s true name, Adolf Hitler.

It was in Pasewalk Hospital that Hitler’s plans were put into motion. Originally a quiet painter and appreciator of art history and architecture, Hitler tied his emotions to his love of Germany. In spite of the gas attack, Hitler’s blindness was attributed the Fatherland’s defeat in the Great War. His doctor came to realize this and told Hitler that he was destined to be the one to lead Germany into a new era of greatness. Within minutes Hitler’s sight returned. Over the next fifteen years, Friedrich led an interesting life that remained entangled to Hitler. However, their views were not always in sync. Hitler keep Friedrich as his most trusted ally as the only person who knew the truth of what happened at Pasewalk. Friedrich also remained loyal to Hitler and often became the only voice of reason that the Fuhrer would entertain.

For someone who voraciously reads about World War II history and events that precede that war, I realized that I have not researched as much on the time frame from 1918 to 1933. I learned so much from this book. Even though it is a fictional account, the events and timelines all match up. And it wasn’t just Hitler’s history that was interesting, but about many of Germany’s industries that have been merged together with names we know today but were separate players during this time frame. This book also introduced some US history that we’re not rather proud of but is important to know about so that it doesn’t occur again.

One of my favorite aspects to historical fiction accounts is when it makes me go research the credibility of the book. I would spend a couple of hours reading through this and then spend another couple of hours researching out what I had just read. It all matched up. Several of the historical characters were fun to find out more about to see what they went on to do during the war. I think that this is one of the greatest compliments that an author can have. Job well done.

As for the story itself, it flowed great and I enjoyed Friedrich as the narrator. I can’t personally understand his willingness to drop everything at a moment’s notice to help Hitler. I’m sure it had to do with Hitler being (literally) his oldest known friend due to the amnesia. But there were times that Friedrich had a really good thing going and he ended up throwing it away. Even so, it was fun to see the adventures he had from working on a cruise liner, to a film scorer, to overseeing security for nightclubs.

There is some occasional harsh language throughout the book as well as multiple references to sex, underage sex, and other elements that will make some readers uncomfortable. I recommend this book for mature readers who enjoy the historical time period. Based on the merits of the research, I’m giving this book 5 Stars!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing account of how Hitler came to power and the relationships he cultivated before the war that helped him gain power. It really gave me an interesting background into the early years of the Nazi party. It is so hard to believe how abysmal Germany must have been between 1918-1930 to make people turn a blind eye to what was right in front of them.
The way the story was told was very engaging. A fictional man Richard became Wolf or Hitler's friend in the days after world war one while they were in a hospital together. Friedrich Richard was the narrator throughout. At first you see him feel fierce loyalty towards Wolf and the emerging party but then after certain circumstances he slowly started to feel deep down that his associates were a problem.
The authors do an amazing job at bringing the reader back to the days before the war and depicting the German people and the countries climate during that time seamlessly. I'd highly recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers.

[Fazila · Rating 4 out of 5]

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FBRC REVIEW :

DISCLAIMER : Thank you so much for RABT book tours for having me on the hosting team of this tour. I was provided with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wolf is the story of Friedrich Richard, a soldier who wakes up with severe injuries that left him with a memory loss. He becomes patient X and gets moved to Pasewalk facility where he meets an intriguing patient who goes by the name of Wolf. Wolf was admitted due to blindness caused by the gas attack. In reality, he was diagnosed as a psychopath who is suffering from hysterical blindness. The story of Adolf Hitler and how he became the chancellor and then the dictator of Germany garnering the support of Germans is masterfully told in this historical fiction filled with facts and history. The book was so captivating and engaging that I couldn't put it down. The story is told from the perspective of the fictional character Friedrich has no bias due to his memory loss and it helps us understand the complexities and intricacies of Hitler's personality better without it being shadowed by former prejudices. I loved this book and would love to read more of the history of Germany to get a better grasp on it. The reason I gave the book 4.5 stars is because I felt the story ended abruptly with no resolution at the end with Friedrich's character. I would love to read more about how everything plays out next because of the shift in his beliefs, his view on life. I highly recommend checking this book out. Also if you are a history nerd and love politics this book will be a highly engrossing read for you as it incorporates thoroughly researched facts and real events with real characters. This book gives you the best part of history, politics, and fiction all rolled into one compelling read. I highly recommend reading this book if you are a history & political junkie.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda's Book Obsession Reviews "Wolf A Novel" by Herbert J. Stern & Alan A. Winter, Skyhorse Publishing, February 2020

Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter authors of "Wolf A Novel" have written a disturbing, dark, intense, and thought-provoking novel.  The Genres for this Novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction. The authors have used poetic license to use some fictional characters to help narrate the story of Adolf Hitler before he was so powerful. The timeline for this story starts in 1918 in a mental hospital. It continues to when Hitler has risen to power.

Friedrich Richard is a fictional character who needed plastic surgery and regular surgery after being hurt during World War One. In addition, he has no memory of who he is. He is given the name of "X' and then Friedrich Richard. At this hospital, he meets Adolf Hitler, who is called "Wolf", who has hysterical blindness. Friedrich helps Adolf with everything, and when Adolf gets his eyesight back, they become very close. In this book, Friedrich and Wolf are friends for 15 years. Friedrich is sympathetic to the Jewish people that he meets and becomes good friends with some of them,  Although he has amnesia, Friedrich is able to play the piano, and is very strong.  It seems that the authors have created Friedrich to try to moderate Wolf's moods and actions, and be sort of a "conscience".

I appreciate that the authors have done such a tremendous amount of research. I also found it surprising that "Wolf" seemed to have a way with the ladies. At one point he uses a poem and claims he has written it, but it was written by another poet.   Also, it is mentioned that Wolf (Hitler) was very loyal to early friends. As Hitler and the Nazi party become powerful, there are betrayals and evil, that we know from History.

"Wolf" is an evil, "psychopathic"  man, that caused millions of people to die, and this book does show how he came to power. I would recommend this dark and thought-provoking novel for those people interested in World War Two and the life of how Hitler became so ruthless and powerful.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a day when people are sending a message of love, I'm reading the book WOLF about a man who sent a message of hate.

Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter team up to create a brilliant blend of fact and fiction in this well researched historical novel. And, I must tell you that this book had me hooked at the Prologue where Bernard Weiss is saved by fictional character Friedrich Richard.

The story is narrated by Richard. About four chapters in, we are taken back to October 21st, 1918. Germany has suspended all submarine warfare and two men have a close encounter outside Pasewalk Military Hospital.

The man with bandaged eyes, being guided from the wagon cart to the ground, is called Wolf ( Adolf Hitler). The man following is Friedrich Richard. A name assumed from a soldier who'd taken his own life.

Yes! Hitler's soon to be bunkmate has amnesia.

Hitler is the central character of the story. He's receiving special care for the mentally afflicted. Hitler believes himself to be suffering vision loss due to gas poisoning but we learn it's actually hysterical blindness.

The hospital is short-staffed, so Richard befriends Hitler with kindness and the two form a strong bond.

Aside from his military training, Hitler is a fine artist who expresses he despised his father who was an abusive drunkard. Hitler's father died and Hitler's mother was not able to be saved by the Jewish doctor who attended to her illness.

Less than a month from Hitler's arrival at the hospital the Armistice of Compiègne is signed and Hitler is devastated by this news.

Dr. Forster is employed in Pasewalk Hospital's psychiatric department. He hypnotizes Hitler and a monster is created. Hitler believes his sight is regained because he has a special purpose and heavy responsibility to save Germany.

Soon after, Richard and Hitler are discharged from the hospital. Richard follows Hitler as he rises to power and becomes the chancellor of Germany.

I found this book to be an utterly astounding look at dominating hierarchy which is well known in wolves. We find unified forces who obeyed orders. Hitler engages in small talk, forms bonds, and uses people to achieve his ends. He has a plan and it seems nothing is going to stand in the way of this WOLF.

I received a copy of this evocative thriller through the generosity of Jane Wesman Public Relations, Inc. Despite the depressing nature of the book, as we already know of the social discrimination and genocide against specific groups, we can appreciate the open and honest way in which the authors write about relationships. We can recognize the things we take so readily for granted and build on the hope for a brighter, more compassionate, future.

[Gwendalyn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Andrea Stein with Jane Wesman Public Relations and Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours for this wonderful opportunity to read a truly amazing novel and review Wolf.

I received an ARC and Historical Notes from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Herbert Stern and Alan Winter’s Extraordinary Novel Transports Readers to the years in Germany, 1918 to 1934. A reflective personal view of Hitler’s ambitious Rise to Power.

WOLF, by Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter, is a thought provoking novel based on extensive research, a masterpiece of historical fiction that is brings to life the years those critical events between the first WW1 and WW2.

In 1918, a young man wakes up in a German hospital who has a genuine case of amnesia. He has undergone extensive major plastic surgery for shrapnel wounds that he received to his face, head, and body. In time he regains his strength, but his memory continues to elude him. Without documents or any information the hospital refers to him as Patient X. After his transfer to Pasewalk Mental Hospital a doctor assigns him the name of a dead soldier, Friedrich Richard. Shortly after his arrival he meets a fellow patient who Is suffering from conversion disorder or hysterical blindness. This patient becomes dependent on main the protagonist for intimate help with day to day task. He is Adolf Hitler, but his close friends call him, Wolf. Through their ordeal in psychiatric hospital they form a strong bond of friendship, that will carry them through until the reality of what Wolf’s true intentions are when they come to light.

Through Richard’s sixteen year narration we see first hand Germany’s Political turmoil and economic struggles. As critical moments of the crashing death of Germany’s democracy unfolds through these remarkable emotional pages.
Hitler’s extreme anti-Semitic comments were more rhetorical than substance.

“I myself never thought he would carry through with his threats.
Friedrich Richard…”

An exquisitely written, absorbing read, that I completely inhaled. The novels pace and depth, with its fleshed out historical and fictional characters is both compelling as it is frightening. An astonishing book that captures the true nature of Adolf Hitler, from his charismatic presence and leadership ability. His strength as an Orator that fueled the distain of the common German people as they were struggling under the weight of The Treaty of Versailles. Economic inflation and debts and reparation payments drained the German government This allowed the perfect opportunity for an ambitious leader to rise up and ignite a country with traditional appeal to nationalism, and loyalty to its Fatherland.

This is brilliantly written book, with its atmospheric descriptive details and absorbing narration, will stay with long after you close the book.
A breathtaking novel that gives the reader the opportunity to be front and center in a dark and emotional time during this period of our world’s history.

If you are interested in more of the authors’ meticulous research you can access Historical Notes at http://www.notesonwolf.com/

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part I, chapter one, it is July 1918. A German soldier is in a hospital in Berlin recovering from wounds and surgery. He has no memory. He doesn’t know his name. He is later transferred to Pasewalk Hospital. The town of Pasewalk is in far east Germany near Poland. It’s near the Baltic Sea. It is a doctor at this hospital who names the German soldier with no memory. His name becomes Friedrich Richard. He is a tall and handsome man. Probably in his twenties. He learns early on that he knows guns and ammunition. He also knows how to fight. Pasewalk Hospital has patients who have a mental instability from being in the war. It’s a noisy hospital with men who scream, stutter, and sob loudly. Another soldier is brought to the hospital after he lost his eyesight in a gas attack. The two men become friends.
Even in the opening pages of the book, I don’t have empathy for these two soldiers. It’s a strange experience to not feel empathy for the characters. These feelings followed me through the entire book. I don’t like the men. I don’t care what happens to them. Of course I know what “Wolf” became. I know he was a disturbed-frenzied-psychopath murderer.
Friedrich is handsome and he attracts females like pesky flies. I didn’t have sympathy for any of the women.
It is difficult to read a lengthy book and be unmoved for the characters. I continued to read, because it is an enticing story about the origins of the Wolf’s demented beginnings.
Wolf is probably one of the most hated men who ever lived. To read a book that shows his human qualities is odd. He was a monster. I don’t want to read a book that brings human qualities about him. This is a block to overcome when reading this book.
The storyline showed me the reasons behind the Wolf’s brutality and insanity. And, his plot and purpose, and his steps to carry out those plans. I feel this story has achieved a strong storyline despite unlikable characters.
It is an achievement to write a book with unlikable characters-monsters, and, yet, draw the reader in to the story. It’s like walking a fine line.
Wolf is obviously not a feel good book. It requires a different “thinking cap” to read it.
Source: I received a complimentary hardback copy from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review.

[Ninu Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf is such a well-researched book.
I am never too keen on biographies and the copy of 'Mein Kempf' has stayed with me for the longest. But, Wolf was incredible at being a historical fiction, charting Hitler's rise to power from 1918 to 1934. The central character of Friedrich Richard, with no prior memory, becomes perfect at taking the readers through this journey. Hitler's character is dissected and a lot of focus is given on his personal life.
The pace is perfect for me, except maybe when there is too much going about Hitler and Geli, his niece. I enjoyed the fact that Berhnerd Weiss, Emil Maurice, and Goebbels become such personal characters, outside the purview of history textbooks.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC!

In “Wolf” Herbert J. Stern does a remarkable job of turning historical monsters back into men. This isn’t to say that the Nazi leadership becomes sympathetic, but it does allow the reader to see and better understand how Hitler rose to power and how the average person could support him. What I appreciated most was the author’s attention to historical accuracy and his subtlety; in the opening chapters Hitler is introduced so quietly that the reader doesn’t realize who he or she is reading about at first. Readers who enjoy page-fueled time travel will welcome this lengthy work that covers the period from WWI to WWII.

[Zoe L.]

What happens when you find out the man you considered a friend is actually a monster? Wolf tells a story that is rarely touched upon in books, the story of the rise of Adolf Hitler. Told through the lense of a fictional character, Wolf takes us on a journey from the end of the first World War to the rise of one of history’s most atrocious leaders. It is truly a terrifying look into how easily one person instilled fear and hatred amongst an entire country of people.

At this point I feel as if it has almost become taboo to talk about Hitler himself. The holocaust was one of the most horrific events in history, but rarely do we talk about the man who caused it. My knowledge of Hitler’s early life were solely that he was a painter and that his relationships with Jewish individuals were not necessarily what you would expect. But, what caused him to snap? What led him to want to wipe out an entire group of people?

I believe that these questions are why reading Wolf is almost like reading a horror story. We know what is coming, but now we are learning a bit more on the mechanics behind the future. The fact that this book is also extremely well researched adds to the horror, as much of the story is based on facts and not entirely fiction. It is honestly quite a chilling look into the human character, or lack thereof.

As you can see by my photo, this is a time period that I have read a lot about. However, my knowledge on the events from the end of WWI are very much lacking. Knowing about one time in history is one thing, but learning all aspects of the event is another. I think it is just as important to learn about what created such a monster as knowing the atrocities he accomplished.

View the full review on my blog and enter to win a copy.

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[Darcia Helle]

This is a DNF for me. While the content is interesting, the writing style drags and lacks an emotional connection.

I have immense respect for the amount of research done by the author. Though this book didn't work for me, it might hold appeal for others interested in this topic.

[Elliot J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

My negative review here duplicates the one I've posted on Amazon. I am a lifelong student of the Third Reich as an avocational historian and have by now, being 81, read at least 200 books about both the regime and Hitler with whom this preposterous novel deals.
As a novel it is poorly written with very mediocre dialogue and wooden characters. Characterization and dialogue are the sine qua non of a good novelist and these two authors fail. Far worse is the absolutely ridiculous and historically untruthful foundational plot. In this way-too-long novel the protagonist befriends the temporarily blinded Hitler in a military hospital in 1918 becomes his single, closest friend, becomes no less than a close Nazi confidante and an SS Obergruppenfuhrer (Lt. Gen.) and yet throughout intensely dislikes Nazi brutality, violence and above all, anti-semitism. So this protagonist, Richard, sticks with Hitler at the highest level from 1918 all the way to 1934 and the conclusion of the Roehm purge and Hitler all of this time continues to have him as his only friend despite Richard's loathing of the very foundation of Nazism and Hitler's attitudes. If you can believe this I have the Brooklyn Bridge to sell you for a nickel. Worse, the thesis of the book is that Hitler was something you never heard of...THE SEX KING. Yes, Hitler was a combination of Hugh Hefner, Warren Beatty and Errol Flynn, having sex with innumerable women. The worst, to me, element is that the authors declare that this Hitler-as-sex-God description is based on all of their historical research and they denounce all of the scores of eminent American, British and German historians who for 70 years, have written dozens of books about Hitler including his love life and utterly reject this inane nonsense they put forward. The authors mock by name the single most eminent living biographer of Hitler, Prof. Sir Ian Kershaw of the Univ. of Exeter...they alone have with their private "research" reveal a Hitler unknown to anyone else on earth. Incidentally, the facts are that while millions of German women were infatuated with Hitler, HE was not erotically drawn to them. Indeed his mistress Eva Braun complained to her sister, Greta, at the Berghof where she was confined during the war, that "I get nothing from Hitler as a man, nothing." Not to mention Hitler may well have had only one testicle from birth and was so overwrought about it that he refused to ever have a fully naked physical examination by a physician.
So here you have an inferior, poorly written novel by two amateurs pretending to be historians based on a ludicrous plot. The pity is many reviewers not at all knowledgeable about the history of Hitler and his Reich, swallow this nonsense and praise this book.

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]


** Didn’t Meet My Expectations

Based on the description of the book’s plot and extensive research claimed to be conducted by the authors I was sure Wolf would be a big I’d enjoy. Unfortunately, this book fell well short of my expectations for the following reasons:

-The primary fictional character, Friedrich Richard, presented as Hitler’s closest friend and confidant from the time they met in a hospital in 1918 through 1934, didn’t ring true for me;

-For the most part, the authors’ character development were one-dimensional and their dialogue skills were stilted;

-I have some doubts about their historical accuracy regarding Hitler’s sexual prowess as a “ladies man” since this seems to contradict much of what has been published about Hitler in this area by other noted well noted and respected historians, who I tend to believe more than the authors of Wolf; and

-Lastly, to the abrupt manner in which the authors concluded the book. And while I know the authors have published a sequel to Wolf, I won’t be reading it since I, like everyone else, know Hitler’s ultimate fate.

#Wolf #Net Galley

[Sue Blanchard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thankyou to NetGalley, Skyhorse Publishing and the authors, Herbert J Stern and Alan A Winter, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Wolf in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I was intrigued by the premise of the storyline, so I was quite eager to actually read this book.
Unfortunately, I found I had trouble getting into the storyline and maintaining interest.
Not a book for me.

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well researched historical fiction novel. A POV character, who is not real, was added to allow us to follow Hitler from the end of WWI , as he recovers from his psychological wounds, up until he becomes the dictator of Germany in the early 1930's. There is a related web site that presents very detailed historical notes for those that want to dive in more deeply.

[Susan The Book Dragon Campton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome my Fellow Freakish Feasting Feydragons! Tonight’s Gem is in this old, cracked leather bag, pay great attention to that ugly symbol on the pouch. It is reviled the world over by good Dragons everywhere. It is the contents we concern ourselves with this evening. Let us pour them out on this piece of blue velvet. See? Runes carved from diamonds. Germanic and Teutonic they appear to be, but on second look they have been altered to do someone’s bidding, like propaganda. On second look, they aren’t even diamonds, but some type of crystal. Everything seems very real at first, but then we realize it was all a fraud, used by a subtle beast to get his way, to murder, plunder, control. This is Gem Makers’ Herbert J. Stern and Alan R. Winter’s “Wolf“, one of the best historical fiction novels I have read to date.
Imagine you wake up in a hospital, you are wounded and have no memory of who you are. You do not remember what you look like, your name, your family, what you did, what your tastes or beliefs were before the explosion that tore your memory from your brain the way your fellow soldiers had their limbs torn from their bodies. You work hard to bring it all back, but you cannot. Day after day, nothing comes to you. Plastic surgery has fixed your face. The doctors had no photo to go on and so they do their best by making you look like a famous movie actor, but they can do nothing for your brain.
You are one day asked to help a fellow soldier placed in the bed next to yours. He has been blinded. You think it is by a chemical weapon, but your doctor confides it is not a weapon, but rather hysteria at your country losing the war that has brought on this lack of sight. So, with nothing better to do, you begin to help. He eventually regains his sight, you do not regain your memory. He keeps you as a fast friend, closer than a brother, you appreciate this, but are at loose ends..no memory, no history, you cannot settle so easily. Then your new friend begins to spout ideas that bother you, but what can you do? You are not one for speaking out. You are too unnerved by your situation.
This is the predicament Friedrich Richard finds himself in. He only has the name because the a doctor gave it to him. It belonged to a dead soldier that no one will come looking for and his death was not reported (so you believe). His new friend calls him Friedrichshen (dear or close fried) a symbol of their closeness. He asks Friedrich to call him, not by his formal name, but rather ‘Wolf’ as his friends do. This is Friedrich’s introduction to Adolf Hitler.
Stern and Winter introduce us to one of the most evil men in world history in this way. He is not the crazed dictator, shouting, railing, shaking his fist…rather he is a wounded soldier. They build him over a stretch of years so that we are given a seat at one of the ugliest plays on the Human Stage. This is how Adolf Hitler was made. This is how he evolved from a mediocre artist and decorated corporal to a dictator who took millions of lives and would have taken millions more had he been able.
Friedrich is one of the best characters I have ever read. I had sympathy for him at times, at others not at all. I wanted to shake him, shoot him, help him, hide him. The people he meets and the places he took me in this story were phenomenal. He hides a secret because part of his memory begins to return and it would seem to very insignificant. He sits down one afternoon and suddenly plays the piano and does it very well. His life is now in danger from this moment on.
I would love to see this book be read in every high school in America. Every college. I have a list of books I would love to see read to expose dictators for who and what they were, both the small and the large.. I refuse to use the word “great”. We live in a time when too many adults say they do not know what the Holocaust was or they do not understand who the dictators of WWII were. This is one of those books. If you know someone who is one of these persons…I would urge you to buy them this book. At 500 pages it is not a quick read, but it is captivating, at times breathtaking, but most of all, I could not put it down. I read it over the course of 10 days while fighting of the dreaded Beast Bronchopneumonia. The characters in this book lived, ran businesses, held government posts. This is not fiction from whole cloth. This is fiction from Truth.
If you are a student of WWII you very well may learn things you did not know, I certainly did! If you love excellently researched historical fiction, this is it! It is very reasonably priced as well and is sold wherever good books are sold.
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy of this book from Sky Horse Publishing #skyhorsepublishing and #hfvirtualbooktours as part of the tour for this book.

[Michelle Malsbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter, Authors
Wolf A Novel
Skyhorse Publishing, ISBN 978-1-950994-72-4
Historical Fiction, Romance, Politics, Germany, Europe, USA
539 pages
February 2020 Review
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM

Review

Herbert J. Stein was previously a US Attorney for New Jersey. (2020, back cover) Stern was tasked with prosecuting some of the political glitterati in Newark, Jersey City and Atlantic City while working in this capacity. He has penned three prior books and one was made into a major motion picture. (Judgment in Berlin, Diary of a DA; The True Story of the Prosecutor Who Took on the Mod, Fought Corruption and Won; Trying Cases to Win. Diary of a DA was made into a movie starring Martin Sheen and Sean Penn and it won the 1974 Freedom Foundation Award.
Alan J. Winter has written four books previously- Island Bluffs; Snowflakes in the Sahara; Someone Else’s Son; Savior’s Day. (2020, back cover) Savior’s Day was selected as Best Book in 2013 by Kirkus. He is a graduate of Columbia University’s Creative Writing Program and has graduate degrees from Columbia and NY University.

This book opens in Berlin in 1933. Chapter 1 reverts back to 1918. Two men who are casualties of the war become unlikely friends. One has amnesia and the other hysterical blindness. The one with amnesia helps the hysterically blind man see again. The nameless man falls for this nurse, Anna because she is so kind. Eventually, their romance fizzles out and he moves on to the next woman. Anna is hurt because she was in love with him. He is tall, lanky, and handsome. She feels safe next to him. The nameless man undergoes all sorts of therapies to try to assist his amnesic mind to recall something, anything from his past to no avail. Eventually, the physician gives him the name Friedrich Richard. The real Friedrich Richard has died. Friedrich has several romances, one with a famous actress who later moves to America. For a number of years this unknown man lives under this assumed name and even begins to believe himself that man. Will his memory ever come back?
The hysterically blind man is known as Wolf, but his full name is Adolph Hitler. This book traces the history of his rise to power, his distaste for the Jews and his lengthy female conquests. Apparently, Wolf has a penchant for young women and even beds his niece. He also has little respect for women and no time to play favorites.

The two men remain friends and continue to roam in the same circles until it is time for Wolf to rise to the title of Chancellor. The only divide between the men is that Friedrich has many Jewish friends and Wolf wants them extinguished because he believes that they are unclean and water down the purity of the German race. As his party gains momentum and seats in their government and notoriety with the people in Germany Wolf is asked to be the vice-Chancellor under a man he dislikes and disrespects. Wolf is adamant not to share that power or assume the role of Vice-Chancellor even if it means he is getting closer to his end game.

Want to know what happens next? Read it. I totally enjoyed this book and the writing style of both authors. I would highly recommend it as your winter read.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Tik Tok | You can find my review here.

As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.

Not many historical figures are as monstrous as Hitler. He was nothing short of pure evil. He will never be anything more than that. Learning about this bleak and horrific era in history is always something that has been equal parts unsettling and fascinating. Wolf explores this history in a blunt, sharpened into focus, kind of way and leaves readers to soak up the knowledge of why and how Hitler rose to power.

The decade in which he did rise up in the ranks and fed on fear has always been a bit of a question mark to me. Most of us could never fathom the hatred and fear mongering; the cruelty, the murder and relentless targeting. We see the boiling point through a lens of history and textbooks, and the aftermath of such a horrifying time. Mechanically speaking, I've always looked at these horrifying people--and their disgusting acts of hatred and death--and wanted to know how they came to be.

What made them tick.

Who fueled their shadowy nature and fanned the flames.

Something about the history of Hitler, and the Nazi party, has always been deeply baffling to me. Of course, it would be, given the era in which we've lived. Wolf adds this layer to history that is simply put and chilling. The lack of humanity that came with this time in history has always chilled me to the very bone and, like many, I've never been able to quite grasp any logical aspects of it. (Because there are none.)

Wolf provides readers a glimpse into the history of Hitler's rise to power and reminds us of the strange charm he held in the eyes of his followers. Like many of the same types of people, he was full of dark qualities, and charm. He was manipulative and cruel in a way that disarmed many. What has always struck me as heart-stopping is that the act he put on was able to create such a startling and bloody chapter in history.

It goes without saying that this book was highly captivating for me. It gave me goosebumps of fear and disgust. It informed me on some fragments of history that has been lost to time or lesser known. Readers who find the darkness of history fascinating. It fills in a lot of blanks for me and left a taste in my mouth that comes with this particular era. Wolf was a fantastic, well-written and researched novel that will very much so leave you feeling chilled to the bone.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did Adolph Hitler rise to power? How could the German people fall for his rhetoric and hate speech? Wolf tells the story of Hitler’s rise to power through the eyes of his friend Friedrich Richard.

Friedrich Richard awakens in a hospital at the end of WWI with no memory of what came before this point in time. He had no ID on him when he was wounded and he had plastic surgery after his massive head wound. No one knows what he originally looked like. He is given a name and is sent to a hospital to try to recover his memory. While there he meets his bunkmate Adolph Hitler who was blinded by a gas attack. While at the hospital, Hitler is treated by a psychiatrist as his blindness does not have a physical cause. The two strike-up a friendship and Richard’s physical strength allows him to be a “fixer” to Hitler as he begins his political career.

Richard likes Hitler’s message of German power and anger at the forced payments the country has to make in reparations after WWI. He does not like and overlooks Hitler’s racist messages. Richard has a Jewish friend. He himself is not racist, so what is the problem if he supports someone who is?

Richard is often away from Hitler and is only usually called back when there are problems which mainly have to do with Hitler’s womanizing. Indeed, at various points in the book, I felt like all I was reading about were Richard and Hitler’s conquests. Richard discovers that he is a virtuoso piano player and learns to entertain crowds. He also ends up composing music for movies. I was intrigued by this and the early film industry.

The beginning scene of the book is riveting and action packed and it is tied up at the end. I enjoyed the story, although I thought Hitler was a side character in a story about his rise to power. It was an interesting take on someone realizing that even though they can be a personal friend with someone, power and hate can turn them into someone they no longer understand.

Favorite Quotes:

“I came to learn that loyalty was the virtue Adolph Hitler prized most”

“Life is not as simple as you’re making it to be Lillian. It is not always black or white. There is plenty of grey. It’s true that our party is far from perfect, but they are our only chance to restore our greatness.”

Book Source: Review Copy as part of the TLC Book Tour.

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2020...

[Brittany Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf is the story of Hitler’s life immediately following WWI. Now it is historical fiction technically, due to some characters and some instances, but it does a great job of mixing a whole lot of fact in there as well. If you ever wondered how the Nazis took control you won’t after reading this book.

The book shows that there was in fact a 16-year timeline that brought Hitler to his main desire. There were ups and downs and plenty of drama that all unfolded behind the scenes. The book does show that Hitler did not just did not seize power from the country, but there was a slow political movement due to all the fighting amongst other political parties. You get a feel for the characters and where they came from and what they stood for. You saw the calm before the storm, but most of all you get a feel as to how it all could have happened.

The characters are a mix of factual people ut our main character, the narrator of the whole thing is a fictional character. Fredrich Richard was in hospital with a young Adolf Hitler and they became friends, and quite inseparable. Fredrich was a very well thought out character that had so much depth to him. He completely believed in his country and even Hitler- with only one exception. He had some Jewish acquaintances that he refused to give up, and he did not buy into the anti-semitic ideology but kept his counsel on that issue as was asked.

This book was done in great detail and you can see all the research and hard work that went into it. The words really do paint a picture and you can see how things are as they go along. It shows you a different side of Germany and even a few points in there make you look at America a little differently of the time. I really did enjoy this book- I haven't seen much in the way of a prelude to THE Hitler that we all know. It was interesting to see this idea/story come out that gives us a different vantage point to the man.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authors Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter https://alanwinter.com published Wolf in 2020. In addition to Wolf, Stern has published one other novel while Winter has published five.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘R’ due to scenes of violence and mature situations. The primary character is Friedrich Richard. The book is a work of historical fiction, but it incorporates many facts from the period.

The story begins in 1918 as WWI is ending. WWI German veteran Richard is in the hospital. It is there where he first meets another veteran calling himself Wolf. A man who is otherwise known as Adolf Hitler. It is there that they become life-long friends.

While Richard is not a true believer in the Nazis, he does become a close confidant to Hitler. He sees from the inside how the Nazis rise to power. Richard is present at many significant events and meets the principles within the party. He is also familiar with the young women who Hitler becomes close to.

The novel spans the period 1918 to 1934. Richard tells in the first person what he sees, hears, and experiences. Some of his observations are what the authors speculated to have happened. Much of it is historical fact.

I enjoyed the 12+ hours I spent reading this 552-page novel of WWII era historical fiction. I particularly enjoyed this novel because I recently finished reading Hindenburg, Ludendorff, and Hitler: Germany’s Generals and the Rise of the Nazis. That book covers roughly the same period from a strictly historical perspective. Many of the events covered in Hindenburg appear in this novel. I am glad that I read Hindenburg first. The cover art is very plain. I think something better could have been chosen. I give this novel a rating of 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

[The Christian Book Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its only fair to admit that I am not a big fan of reading books about Adolf Hilter. My dislike has nothing to do with Adolf Hilter (those that do not learn from the past are doom to repeat it ), but simply they tend to be more of a research paper than a story. Wolf held my attention from the moment I read the Prologue to the last word on page 534. Wolf is a historical fiction about a soldier, known as Patient X (renamed by his doctor to Friedrich Richard and later discovered his real name was Haus Bechstin) who is confirmed in a hospital ward after having reconstructive plastic surgery on his face and an acute case of amnesia with a man named Wolf aka Adolf Hilter (Adolf means splendid wolf), who is suffering from hysterical blindness causes by a gas bomb. The two soldiers quickly became best friends, Friedrich saw both the soft and hard side of Adolf Hilter and witness the "first step to its inexorable death of Germany"/" One people, One State, One Leader (Adolf Hitler)." Adolf Hitler's desire for racial purity lead to the creation of the holocaust and laws as 'The Sterilization Law' that sterilized any female that displays any signs of schizophrenia, advanced diabetes, states of insanity, and chronic alcoholism. In Hitler's eyes, the law would save the country the medical cost associated with these types of chronic illnesses and conditions. I found the book, Wolf, to be historically accurate, intriguing and a must-read for any book lover.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much of this I liked, yet there were aspects I thought could have been better. The perspective of what Hitler was like as a person, and how he was able to rise to power, was captivating and was what sucked me into the idea of the book. It seemed to be very well researched. I had a lot of trouble keeping the players straight - many are absolutely familiar names, and I’m sure experts know them inside and out, but I could have used a cheat sheet and some better explanations of the government structure both pre- and during-Nazi times. So: the concept was great, and well-researched, though their research conflicts with some experts. The cons: the fictional character Richard was intriguing, but there was so much of his story line that wasn’t resolved. I feel like if you’re going to use someone who wasn’t actually there, fully developed their story line and personality. You can’t change the historical parts, but you can change his story. Perhaps there will be a sequel? The ending was super abrupt and bizarre. It ended with Hitler being approved as dictator (clearly not a spoiler, as well all know how this story ends…), so that makes sense, but there was no resolution with Richard.

[Lori Sinsel Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles "Wolf's" life for 15 years beginning at the end of WWI. Wolf is better known to us as Adolph Hitler. This is a completely researched chronicle of little known facts and untold story about how this seemingly inconsequential man became the world's most despised mass murderer of all times.
This was a very detailed eye opening account of Hitler's life leading up to his over take of power in Germany. I learned a huge amount, things I never would have thought about Hitler and how he rose to the power he did. It is fascinating and very disturbing, how easily he took over and how he was blindly followed by so many.
This is a must read to anyone wanting to learn the background leading up to WWII.
Thank you to Skyhorse Publishing and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

[C. Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important thing to me about any Historical Read is that the authors are true to the time and setting and that it feels authentic to those aspects. You can tell the authors really put a lot in to this book in making sure all of that came across for the reader. The descriptions and imagery used really does highlight the era completely. It's a winding story that has a barrage of ups and downs. There are many heavy hitters throughout and the authors do a great job of making sure the reader understands and can keep up with everything along the way. I would say it is very well paced and gives just enough along the way to keep the reader flipping pages. It's a solid story about a very important time in history.