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War Story
A fresh look at World War II through the eyes of four young people who come of age during the war years.
Nine-year-old Achim relates his experiences on the home front in New Haven, Connecticut. He’s a canny Tom Sawyer type with a good heart and a knack for reporting the important events of the times and his adventuresome life. He manages a little business, goes to school, supports the war effort, becomes a black marketer and attempted murderer, and falls in love at least twice all before the age of twelve.
Horst is a hardened Nazi tank commander captured by the Allies as the Afrika Korps collapses and sent to a POW camp in Mississippi. His journey involves saving his Panzer crew, surviving the war as a prisoner, and making sense of the challenges to his core belief in the deity of Adolf Hitler. Improbably, his is also a love story.
Liesel gains her commercial pilot’s license at sixteen, enters psychological doldrums when she feels betrayed by Lindbergh, her flying hero, and finds her way to Britain, where she and her sidekick, Marylou, become known as the Lancaster Twins and ferry British war plans for the ATA during the last two years of the war.
Paul, an engineering graduate from Yale, joins the Army as a second lieutenant to begin an eventful career as a code breaker, radar designer and rocket man. He takes part in two of the war’s little known but highly significant secret missions that led to America’s dominance in outer space.
The four heroes connect in ways the reader learns as the story unfolds. The author scrutinizes various forms of discrimination, from misogyny to anti-Semitism and examines forgotten aspects of the war, such as the incarceration of American citizens of German and Italian descent, the exchange of German for American prisoners in Sweden, and legacy of American POW camps.
And each hero has a love story to tell.
Nine-year-old Achim relates his experiences on the home front in New Haven, Connecticut. He’s a canny Tom Sawyer type with a good heart and a knack for reporting the important events of the times and his adventuresome life. He manages a little business, goes to school, supports the war effort, becomes a black marketer and attempted murderer, and falls in love at least twice all before the age of twelve.
Horst is a hardened Nazi tank commander captured by the Allies as the Afrika Korps collapses and sent to a POW camp in Mississippi. His journey involves saving his Panzer crew, surviving the war as a prisoner, and making sense of the challenges to his core belief in the deity of Adolf Hitler. Improbably, his is also a love story.
Liesel gains her commercial pilot’s license at sixteen, enters psychological doldrums when she feels betrayed by Lindbergh, her flying hero, and finds her way to Britain, where she and her sidekick, Marylou, become known as the Lancaster Twins and ferry British war plans for the ATA during the last two years of the war.
Paul, an engineering graduate from Yale, joins the Army as a second lieutenant to begin an eventful career as a code breaker, radar designer and rocket man. He takes part in two of the war’s little known but highly significant secret missions that led to America’s dominance in outer space.
The four heroes connect in ways the reader learns as the story unfolds. The author scrutinizes various forms of discrimination, from misogyny to anti-Semitism and examines forgotten aspects of the war, such as the incarceration of American citizens of German and Italian descent, the exchange of German for American prisoners in Sweden, and legacy of American POW camps.
And each hero has a love story to tell.
- GenresFiction
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2021
5 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Rolf Margenau
9 books100 followersRolf Margenau has written six novels and published two photography books.
The novels feature a main character named Wylie Cypher, first seen as a twenty-year-old college dropout who comes of age during the Korean War. At forty, Wylie is a successful but burned out lawyer with a failing marriage. He tries to find lost youth on a trek with his daughter through the high Andes. Instead, he finds mayhem, murder, a devastating civil war in Peru, and loses a toe.
Retired, in his mid-sixties, Wylie does battle with BIG AG as a Master Gardener. He befriends a group of eco-terrorists who help save the Monarch butterfly. Then, in a novel called National Parks, an aged Wylie lives in a dystopian future where Congress attempts to sell off our national parks to bail out a bankrupt country.
Longevity, a fable about the results of a medical team’s effort to prolong human life by 30 years, will be published early in 2019. In it Lucy Mendoza leads a team of scientists at the Prendergast Foundation who are testing an enzyme that might extend our lives by thirty years. The federal government, a major pharmaceutical company, and a billionaire investor have no qualms about eliminating Lucy to ensure that project will fail. Her former lover Grant Duran, an ex-Marine special ops officer who’s lost a hand and is now a molecular biologist, thwarts the first attempt on her life.
The novels featuring a younger Wylie are realistic, with a dose of humor. The books about older Wylie are solidly satirical. Critics find them very funny, but meaningful and thought provoking.
The author retired Wylie Cypher in 2019 to research and write about how young people with a German background respond to the demands of World War II, on the home front, at war and in an American POW camp. War Story was published in September 2021.
Rolf Margenau lives amid farmland in northern New Jersey with his first wife of over sixty years.
The novels feature a main character named Wylie Cypher, first seen as a twenty-year-old college dropout who comes of age during the Korean War. At forty, Wylie is a successful but burned out lawyer with a failing marriage. He tries to find lost youth on a trek with his daughter through the high Andes. Instead, he finds mayhem, murder, a devastating civil war in Peru, and loses a toe.
Retired, in his mid-sixties, Wylie does battle with BIG AG as a Master Gardener. He befriends a group of eco-terrorists who help save the Monarch butterfly. Then, in a novel called National Parks, an aged Wylie lives in a dystopian future where Congress attempts to sell off our national parks to bail out a bankrupt country.
Longevity, a fable about the results of a medical team’s effort to prolong human life by 30 years, will be published early in 2019. In it Lucy Mendoza leads a team of scientists at the Prendergast Foundation who are testing an enzyme that might extend our lives by thirty years. The federal government, a major pharmaceutical company, and a billionaire investor have no qualms about eliminating Lucy to ensure that project will fail. Her former lover Grant Duran, an ex-Marine special ops officer who’s lost a hand and is now a molecular biologist, thwarts the first attempt on her life.
The novels featuring a younger Wylie are realistic, with a dose of humor. The books about older Wylie are solidly satirical. Critics find them very funny, but meaningful and thought provoking.
The author retired Wylie Cypher in 2019 to research and write about how young people with a German background respond to the demands of World War II, on the home front, at war and in an American POW camp. War Story was published in September 2021.
Rolf Margenau lives amid farmland in northern New Jersey with his first wife of over sixty years.
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August 3, 2021
WWII experiences of loosely connected characters, especially the adorable child Achim
This novel is a collection of stories of WWII-themed chapters from a German or German-American viewpoint. It follows the wartime experiences of aviation-mad Liesel, the German Panzer commander Horst, rocket engineer Paul and the child Achim, with each chapter following one of these.
The characters are loosely connected. Paul is a classmate of Liesel. Liesel is Achim’s babysitter, and he is best friends with Liesel’s younger sister. Horst is Achim’s uncle.
Achim enjoys the circus with his cousins, until a tiger bit of one of their hands. His best friend is no longer allowed to play with him because he’s a ‘dirty jerry’.
Commander Horst’s Panzer tank makes its way through the Libyan desert to Tripoli. He wants to dismiss the defeated Italian troops as ’cowardly macaronis’ but can’t help but see them as fellow soldiers. After the battle of Kasserine Pass, they’re no longer winning. He ends up in a POW camp in Mississippi, where he falls in love with the black nurse, Dora.
Aviation-crazy Liesel takes her first solo flight in 1936. A year later she is the youngest licensed pilot in Connecticut. She is upset over what her idol Charles Lindbergh said about Jews. Her parents are German Jews. Germans and Japanese immigrants are being ‘interned’, and her father’s law firm is representing them.
Paul graduates from Yale, then graduates from officer training in the army. He is sent to London to work at Bletchley Park.
Each chapter features one character and tells their story, but they each have a theme, as well. One wonders who are our real enemies; one examines the allocation of food and rations; one looks at everything that wasn’t as good as it was before the war. A common theme is the contradictory position of German-Americans, when their country is at war with their homeland. And what the Nazi ideology looks like from the viewpoint of the defeated. Two of the characters, Liesel and Paul, experience war-time bereavements.
Horst and Dora come to visit Achim’s family, get married, get jobs and settle in New Haven.
The novel was built around real research, and it gives hitherto little-known insights into D-Day, POW camps, the internment of ‘enemy aliens’, prisoner exchange, letters home.
The most disappointing thing about this novel was the ending. It just ends with Achim saying, ‘that’s all I wanted to tell you. Goodbye’. I don’t know how I wanted it to end, but that wasn’t it.
The best are the sections on Achim. They are written in first person, affording us a child’s eye view on the war and how it affected the children on the homefront. These chapters give us a glimpse into the hardships suffered by the nation during war, and are told from the adorable point of view of a child.
This novel is a collection of stories of WWII-themed chapters from a German or German-American viewpoint. It follows the wartime experiences of aviation-mad Liesel, the German Panzer commander Horst, rocket engineer Paul and the child Achim, with each chapter following one of these.
The characters are loosely connected. Paul is a classmate of Liesel. Liesel is Achim’s babysitter, and he is best friends with Liesel’s younger sister. Horst is Achim’s uncle.
Achim enjoys the circus with his cousins, until a tiger bit of one of their hands. His best friend is no longer allowed to play with him because he’s a ‘dirty jerry’.
Commander Horst’s Panzer tank makes its way through the Libyan desert to Tripoli. He wants to dismiss the defeated Italian troops as ’cowardly macaronis’ but can’t help but see them as fellow soldiers. After the battle of Kasserine Pass, they’re no longer winning. He ends up in a POW camp in Mississippi, where he falls in love with the black nurse, Dora.
Aviation-crazy Liesel takes her first solo flight in 1936. A year later she is the youngest licensed pilot in Connecticut. She is upset over what her idol Charles Lindbergh said about Jews. Her parents are German Jews. Germans and Japanese immigrants are being ‘interned’, and her father’s law firm is representing them.
Paul graduates from Yale, then graduates from officer training in the army. He is sent to London to work at Bletchley Park.
Each chapter features one character and tells their story, but they each have a theme, as well. One wonders who are our real enemies; one examines the allocation of food and rations; one looks at everything that wasn’t as good as it was before the war. A common theme is the contradictory position of German-Americans, when their country is at war with their homeland. And what the Nazi ideology looks like from the viewpoint of the defeated. Two of the characters, Liesel and Paul, experience war-time bereavements.
Horst and Dora come to visit Achim’s family, get married, get jobs and settle in New Haven.
The novel was built around real research, and it gives hitherto little-known insights into D-Day, POW camps, the internment of ‘enemy aliens’, prisoner exchange, letters home.
The most disappointing thing about this novel was the ending. It just ends with Achim saying, ‘that’s all I wanted to tell you. Goodbye’. I don’t know how I wanted it to end, but that wasn’t it.
The best are the sections on Achim. They are written in first person, affording us a child’s eye view on the war and how it affected the children on the homefront. These chapters give us a glimpse into the hardships suffered by the nation during war, and are told from the adorable point of view of a child.
September 15, 2021
“War Story” by Rolf C. Margenau is a refreshingly interesting story told very cleverly. In the preface, our protagonist Joachim, aka Achim, aka Joe is an older man cleaning out the attic of the sold home he has lived in for 44 years. He comes across an old photograph of his family, neighbors, and friends, as well as his old diary which stirs up cherished memories which in turn become our story. Each chapter is titled in a character’s name and focuses on their life and adventures but other characters are involved because they are all connected. As the book progresses the main characters have multiple chapters.
The story begins in the summer of 1941 when Achim is 8 years old and focuses on the lives of this group of people from New Haven, Connecticut. While there are some scenes of war and descriptions of the consequences of war, the story mostly focuses on everyday life on the home front during World War II. A few of the characters serve in Europe and their adventures are especially interesting. Achim’s parents both emigrated to America from Germany after World War I and the story looks at how German Americans were treated. They also worry about their families back in Germany one of whom is a tank commander that ends up in a POW camp in Mississippi.
What a nice treat it was to read a war story told from the perspective of home. Even the characters that serve in Europe we meet and get to know at home. We then follow them there making them locals who went to war instead of people we meet in Europe. It’s much more personal. I enjoyed this story so much, I am wishing for a sequel that follows Achim’s life from the end of this story at age 13 to him selling his family home of 44 years. Enjoy!
The story begins in the summer of 1941 when Achim is 8 years old and focuses on the lives of this group of people from New Haven, Connecticut. While there are some scenes of war and descriptions of the consequences of war, the story mostly focuses on everyday life on the home front during World War II. A few of the characters serve in Europe and their adventures are especially interesting. Achim’s parents both emigrated to America from Germany after World War I and the story looks at how German Americans were treated. They also worry about their families back in Germany one of whom is a tank commander that ends up in a POW camp in Mississippi.
What a nice treat it was to read a war story told from the perspective of home. Even the characters that serve in Europe we meet and get to know at home. We then follow them there making them locals who went to war instead of people we meet in Europe. It’s much more personal. I enjoyed this story so much, I am wishing for a sequel that follows Achim’s life from the end of this story at age 13 to him selling his family home of 44 years. Enjoy!
August 26, 2021
Margenau's War Story is a historical fiction novel that tells of 4 young people growing up during the era of WWII. Achim is a 9-year old boy of German descent who lives in New Haven, Connecticut. A curious boy with a generous heart, Achim describes his everyday life, from attending school to running his own business and interweaves these with events of the times, such as the attack on Pearl Harbor. Liesel receives her commercial pilot license at 16 and follows her journey as she joins the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and eventually ends up in Britain with her friend Marylou, ferrying British war planes for the ATA. Paul joins the Army after graduating Yale with an engineering degree and travels to Britain to begin his career as a code breaker. Horst is a Nazi tank commander who is captured by the Allies after the falls of the Afrika Korps and is sent to a POW camp in the US. Most WWII historical fiction novels focus on the events that occur in Europe, but I enjoyed that Margenau chose to focus on characters of the German community in the US as well as a German POV. The four narratives come together in an interesting way and Margenau explores different forms of discrimination that occurred during the time period such as misogynist and antisemitism. I especially enjoyed reading Liesel's narrative and learning more about the role women pilots played in the war effort.
October 19, 2023
Rolf Margenau is the author of 8 books. War Story was published in 2021. It is the 58th book I completed reading in 2023.
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, mature language, and a few mature situations, I categorize this novel as R.
This historical novel follows four young people as they experience World War II. The story primarily weaves the experiences of four survivors: Achem, Horst, Liesel, and Paul. It does touch on others, including Werner Von Braun.
Achem is the youngest at 9 years old. He is of German heritage but has grown up in Connecticut. Though he suffers from his German heritage, he actively supports the war effort as best he can. His story is one of the American Homefront during the war. Finds out that his Uncle Horst is a POW in Mississippi.
Horst is in his twenties and is serving in a Panzer unit of the German Wehrmacht. He sees action in North Africa as a radioman, then a tank commander. Horst surrenders his tank to save his crew. He is among the prisoners transported to the US and is interned in a POW camp in Mississippi. His belief in Hitler and what the Nazis cause faded. He meets Nurse Dora there and falls in love with her.
Liesel was a college Senior when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. She had earned her pilot’s license at 16 and had developed a love of aircraft. She joins the WASPs and travels to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas for training. Disappointed with what she will be offered in that volunteer organization, she leaves Texas for England. At 23, she joined the British ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary).
Paul Schafer was 22 when he graduated from Yale in 1942 with an engineering degree. His heritage makes him fluent in German. Because of that, coupled with his interest in electronics, he ended up in the Army Signal Corps. That background destines him for assignment at Bletchley Park.
I enjoyed the 9.5+ hours I spent reading this 343-page WWII historical fiction novel. It provides some insight into the home front aspects of WWII. I like the cover art. It gives a montage preview of the book. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, mature language, and a few mature situations, I categorize this novel as R.
This historical novel follows four young people as they experience World War II. The story primarily weaves the experiences of four survivors: Achem, Horst, Liesel, and Paul. It does touch on others, including Werner Von Braun.
Achem is the youngest at 9 years old. He is of German heritage but has grown up in Connecticut. Though he suffers from his German heritage, he actively supports the war effort as best he can. His story is one of the American Homefront during the war. Finds out that his Uncle Horst is a POW in Mississippi.
Horst is in his twenties and is serving in a Panzer unit of the German Wehrmacht. He sees action in North Africa as a radioman, then a tank commander. Horst surrenders his tank to save his crew. He is among the prisoners transported to the US and is interned in a POW camp in Mississippi. His belief in Hitler and what the Nazis cause faded. He meets Nurse Dora there and falls in love with her.
Liesel was a college Senior when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. She had earned her pilot’s license at 16 and had developed a love of aircraft. She joins the WASPs and travels to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas for training. Disappointed with what she will be offered in that volunteer organization, she leaves Texas for England. At 23, she joined the British ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary).
Paul Schafer was 22 when he graduated from Yale in 1942 with an engineering degree. His heritage makes him fluent in German. Because of that, coupled with his interest in electronics, he ended up in the Army Signal Corps. That background destines him for assignment at Bletchley Park.
I enjoyed the 9.5+ hours I spent reading this 343-page WWII historical fiction novel. It provides some insight into the home front aspects of WWII. I like the cover art. It gives a montage preview of the book. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
November 16, 2021
‘War Story,’ penned by Rolf Margenau and illustrated by Coralyn Fausz, offers a unique take on World War II through the eyes of four young, impressionable protagonists struggling to find their way through a war-torn world.
Despite the horrific backdrop, ‘War Story’ is essentially a coming-of-age tale. There’s a nine-year-old New Englander (Achim), a sixteen-year-old female pilot (Liesel), a Yale-grad turned code-breaker (Paul), and finally, a nazi soldier toiling away in an Allied POW camp (Horst). Through each of these characters, readers are offered a unique glimpse of the second world war. Be it age, gender, or even nationality, Margenau does an impressive job conveying the varying challenges that each stage of life presents. Additionally, the New Jersey-based writer succeeds in showing how interwoven the war became with people’s day-to-day lives.
While each of these character arcs would easily qualify as a compelling novella, the real magic here is how Margenau ties together all four stories into a comprehensive narrative. ‘War Story’ begins with a much-older Achim stumbling upon an old diary in his attic. A wave of long-dormant memories transports the old man to his childhood, and from there, Margenau rotates perspectives throughout the subsequent chapters. It’s an incredibly effective technique that benefits both the characters and the overall pace of the novel.
While compelling drama and a healthy dose of romance may be enough for most readers, this is, after all, a work of historical fiction. Long-time fans of the genre will have little patience for errors or inconsistencies, and for that reason, accuracy is key. In this regard, Margenau delivers in spades. ‘War Story’ not only nails the major historical ‘bullet points,’ it also succeeds in shining a light on some of the war’s lesser-known missions. The inclusion of a Nazi character is also a nice touch, as Horst’s personal journey is one of the more interesting aspects of this novel.
In every measurable way, ‘War Story’ is a well-written, satisfying slice of historical fiction. But the book’s greatest strength just might be its potential appeal to readers who traditionally steer clear of the genre. Character-driven and historically sound, ‘War Story’ is contemporary drama at its finest.
Despite the horrific backdrop, ‘War Story’ is essentially a coming-of-age tale. There’s a nine-year-old New Englander (Achim), a sixteen-year-old female pilot (Liesel), a Yale-grad turned code-breaker (Paul), and finally, a nazi soldier toiling away in an Allied POW camp (Horst). Through each of these characters, readers are offered a unique glimpse of the second world war. Be it age, gender, or even nationality, Margenau does an impressive job conveying the varying challenges that each stage of life presents. Additionally, the New Jersey-based writer succeeds in showing how interwoven the war became with people’s day-to-day lives.
While each of these character arcs would easily qualify as a compelling novella, the real magic here is how Margenau ties together all four stories into a comprehensive narrative. ‘War Story’ begins with a much-older Achim stumbling upon an old diary in his attic. A wave of long-dormant memories transports the old man to his childhood, and from there, Margenau rotates perspectives throughout the subsequent chapters. It’s an incredibly effective technique that benefits both the characters and the overall pace of the novel.
While compelling drama and a healthy dose of romance may be enough for most readers, this is, after all, a work of historical fiction. Long-time fans of the genre will have little patience for errors or inconsistencies, and for that reason, accuracy is key. In this regard, Margenau delivers in spades. ‘War Story’ not only nails the major historical ‘bullet points,’ it also succeeds in shining a light on some of the war’s lesser-known missions. The inclusion of a Nazi character is also a nice touch, as Horst’s personal journey is one of the more interesting aspects of this novel.
In every measurable way, ‘War Story’ is a well-written, satisfying slice of historical fiction. But the book’s greatest strength just might be its potential appeal to readers who traditionally steer clear of the genre. Character-driven and historically sound, ‘War Story’ is contemporary drama at its finest.
October 7, 2021
Achim was only nine years old and living in New Haven, Connecticut when the world went to war. His parents were from Germany and had family still living there. Horst was a loyal German and a tank commander for the Afrika Korps. Liesel loved to fly and worshipped Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. Paul was an engineering graduate who entered Officer Candidate School. World War II is explored through their experiences and how it touched their lives and their families.
When Horst is captured and sent to a POW camp in Mississippi it is not what he expected. Along with his tank crew he settles into the camp’s routine. They follow the progress of the war through newsreels and are faithful to Hitler until they see the destruction caused by the war and learn of the extermination camps. Liesel gets her chance to fly when she joins the Air Transport in London. Paul is stationed at Bletchley Park to work with Enigma. His fluency in German opens opportunities as an interrogator in Tunis and ultimately an assignment with the OSS. Each finds love and experiences losses, but it is Achim and his friends Stosh and Inky (Inge) and their growing awareness of the events shaping their world that is the heart of this story. Carefree days with trips to the ballpark or the lake give way to learning to help with ration coupons, collecting aluminum and patching their rubber bicycle tires.
Rolf Margenau’s story exhibits the joys, the fears and the heartbreaks of the time and allows you to become emotionally involved with his characters. As a lover of historical fiction I was drawn into Morganau’s descriptions of life both on the home front and on the fields of battle. I received a copy of this book from the author for my review and I would like to thank him for providing a wonderful story that kept me awake at night to read just one more chapter.
When Horst is captured and sent to a POW camp in Mississippi it is not what he expected. Along with his tank crew he settles into the camp’s routine. They follow the progress of the war through newsreels and are faithful to Hitler until they see the destruction caused by the war and learn of the extermination camps. Liesel gets her chance to fly when she joins the Air Transport in London. Paul is stationed at Bletchley Park to work with Enigma. His fluency in German opens opportunities as an interrogator in Tunis and ultimately an assignment with the OSS. Each finds love and experiences losses, but it is Achim and his friends Stosh and Inky (Inge) and their growing awareness of the events shaping their world that is the heart of this story. Carefree days with trips to the ballpark or the lake give way to learning to help with ration coupons, collecting aluminum and patching their rubber bicycle tires.
Rolf Margenau’s story exhibits the joys, the fears and the heartbreaks of the time and allows you to become emotionally involved with his characters. As a lover of historical fiction I was drawn into Morganau’s descriptions of life both on the home front and on the fields of battle. I received a copy of this book from the author for my review and I would like to thank him for providing a wonderful story that kept me awake at night to read just one more chapter.
October 4, 2021
Once in a while, we stumble upon a book, so captivating and beautifully written whose plot lingers on long after the reading is done. War Story by Rolf Margenau is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of four people that include Achim, a nine-year-old boy of German descent living in America. The other three are Liesel, a young woman who joins the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, Paul, an engineering graduate from Yale, and Horst, a Nazi tank commander. Each chapter focuses on the four characters and their lives during the second world war.
Buoyed by meticulous characterization and well-defined prose, it was hard to imagine War Story as a work of fiction. Margenau has a special gift of writing as these characters' stories flowed nicely from the beginning to the end. The imaginary transportation to the war period is perfectly done as well. What I liked most about the book is that all the characters are uniquely built and would feature in a novel on their own. The author does not rush the story but rather allows the characters to evolve as the book buds.
This is a story about friendships, survival, loss, and sorrow. Across the chapters, readers will encounter various emotions as well as some key themes such as discrimination that makes one ponder through the reading. The book offers what other historical novels do, the lessons of the past. In my opinion, Margenau has penned a classic. Fans of historical fiction will find War Story a perfect candidate for binge-reading
Buoyed by meticulous characterization and well-defined prose, it was hard to imagine War Story as a work of fiction. Margenau has a special gift of writing as these characters' stories flowed nicely from the beginning to the end. The imaginary transportation to the war period is perfectly done as well. What I liked most about the book is that all the characters are uniquely built and would feature in a novel on their own. The author does not rush the story but rather allows the characters to evolve as the book buds.
This is a story about friendships, survival, loss, and sorrow. Across the chapters, readers will encounter various emotions as well as some key themes such as discrimination that makes one ponder through the reading. The book offers what other historical novels do, the lessons of the past. In my opinion, Margenau has penned a classic. Fans of historical fiction will find War Story a perfect candidate for binge-reading
December 9, 2021
Rolf Margenau’s historical fiction War Story depicts the various repercussions of war, subtle and clear-cut, through the eyes of four young people who represent the milieu and state-of-mind of the general public, providing an explicit picture of not only the war events, but also the mental and psychological state of the general public during WWII.
From a nine-year-old German American named Achim to a sixteen-year-old Leisel with a fascination for flying, the author deftly links the paths of the novel's four protagonists together, wonderfully weaving differing perspectives, mental growth, perseverance, and familial bonds across the story. Though the novel unfolds against the backdrop of WWII, it also encompasses the politics behind the war, unfair treatment of German and Italian Americans by the government and the general public, and misogynist treatment that forces Leisel to join ATA instead of her heart set in the frontline. As a reader, I found the characters' concern for their loved ones' life while yet maturing through and performing their responsibilities to be touching.
War Story, a work of fiction and facts, is emotionally evocative and gripping from the outset, when the narrator discovers a "picture of family arrayed on bleachers on a grassy field" and sets the story in action. I recommend the book to fans of classic fiction as well as people who enjoy multi-character plots.
From a nine-year-old German American named Achim to a sixteen-year-old Leisel with a fascination for flying, the author deftly links the paths of the novel's four protagonists together, wonderfully weaving differing perspectives, mental growth, perseverance, and familial bonds across the story. Though the novel unfolds against the backdrop of WWII, it also encompasses the politics behind the war, unfair treatment of German and Italian Americans by the government and the general public, and misogynist treatment that forces Leisel to join ATA instead of her heart set in the frontline. As a reader, I found the characters' concern for their loved ones' life while yet maturing through and performing their responsibilities to be touching.
War Story, a work of fiction and facts, is emotionally evocative and gripping from the outset, when the narrator discovers a "picture of family arrayed on bleachers on a grassy field" and sets the story in action. I recommend the book to fans of classic fiction as well as people who enjoy multi-character plots.
January 16, 2022
War Story follows four young individuals as WW2 unfolds and disasters strike. Achim, Paul, Liesel, and Horst are the four protagonists, and it is from their perspectives we see the war and all it entailed. From the battlefields and espionage to war profiteers and anti-semitism, War Story lifts the lid on some of history's darkest moments.
War Story is a work of historical fiction set in WW2 that follows events set mainly in Germany and America. Having read the book, it is evident that the author took the time to research WW2 in-depth before tackling this work. There are a couple of spelling mistakes, but overall the writing and flow of the book are immersive and thoughtfully done.
The characters are engaging and interesting. The book is split into chapters that rotate between Achim, Paul, Liesel, and Horst. Initially, I assumed I would favor one or two characters to the others, as often happens when there is more than one protagonist. Instead, I found all four characters equally fascinating and their stories captivating. As each chapter ends, you look forward to the next chapter to continue that individual story. Each character, and their story, is written to the same standard, which ensures there is never a dull moment.
War Story is a very enjoyable book that is a great addition to the genre. I highly recommend it.
War Story is a work of historical fiction set in WW2 that follows events set mainly in Germany and America. Having read the book, it is evident that the author took the time to research WW2 in-depth before tackling this work. There are a couple of spelling mistakes, but overall the writing and flow of the book are immersive and thoughtfully done.
The characters are engaging and interesting. The book is split into chapters that rotate between Achim, Paul, Liesel, and Horst. Initially, I assumed I would favor one or two characters to the others, as often happens when there is more than one protagonist. Instead, I found all four characters equally fascinating and their stories captivating. As each chapter ends, you look forward to the next chapter to continue that individual story. Each character, and their story, is written to the same standard, which ensures there is never a dull moment.
War Story is a very enjoyable book that is a great addition to the genre. I highly recommend it.
March 15, 2022
“War Story” takes place during WWII and follows four young people as they grow up in that era. Nine-year-old Achim is American born to German parents. Horst is a Nazi tank commander. Liesel’s a young woman who earns her piloting license only to be disillusioned by her one-time pilot heroes. Finally, Paul is a young American who joins the army as a code breaker after receiving an engineering degree from Yale.
Overall, I found this story to be engrossing and intriguing. The four points of view break up the story and push it forward in a way that makes you want to get to the next section of your favorite tale/speaker. I really personally enjoyed Achim’s point of view as there was an innocence about it that was endearing. Each story had something a little different going for it and I can see how different people with connect with different tales. The connections between the characters were more in relation and not especially overt, but still connected the story together into one tale. The full blog post can be found at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I found this story to be engrossing and intriguing. The four points of view break up the story and push it forward in a way that makes you want to get to the next section of your favorite tale/speaker. I really personally enjoyed Achim’s point of view as there was an innocence about it that was endearing. Each story had something a little different going for it and I can see how different people with connect with different tales. The connections between the characters were more in relation and not especially overt, but still connected the story together into one tale. The full blog post can be found at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
February 11, 2022
War story is a well-written historical fiction offering a different perspective on World War II. The coming of age story includes a nine-year-old New Englander, Achim, a Yale grad student, Paul, a sixteen-year-old female aviatrix who flies warplanes, Liesel, and a Nazi soldier, named Horst. Each character, to their own, has a specific personality and character that meshes well with the other characters.
When an older Achim finds an old diary, memories begin to resurface themselves, and the story starts to tell itself. Each character is given a chapter and this sectioned off each of their personality and backstory really well. I thought the work was organized, and it was apparent to witness the amount of work and care that had gone into the book.
There are many ways where this book could expand into a series. The novel is filled with action, adventure, romance, and humor. I enjoyed the story’s premise, and the pace was steady, allowing everything else to move along, keeping the reader intrigued.
I recommend this book to history and war story fans.
When an older Achim finds an old diary, memories begin to resurface themselves, and the story starts to tell itself. Each character is given a chapter and this sectioned off each of their personality and backstory really well. I thought the work was organized, and it was apparent to witness the amount of work and care that had gone into the book.
There are many ways where this book could expand into a series. The novel is filled with action, adventure, romance, and humor. I enjoyed the story’s premise, and the pace was steady, allowing everything else to move along, keeping the reader intrigued.
I recommend this book to history and war story fans.
September 9, 2021
World War II is filled with heartbreaking tales. Rolf Margenau tells four such stories that make an indelible impression. Achim, Liesel, Paul, and Horst are war heroes who lived through the horrors of war. Horst is also a significant figure whose contributions have aided the United States' domination in space.
I enjoy reading World War II stories because it intrigues me how people can survive such horrors and still be brave enough to face the world anew. Most of the stories I've read reveal who the enemies and allies are. However, this book shows us that even comrades may be nasty at times. It provided me with a new perspective on World War II.
I was struck the most by Achim's story because I can't imagine what the young boy went through to become a black marketer and attempted murderer before the age of twelve. War makes no distinction between men, women, or children. It treats everyone with equal cruelty.
I enjoy reading World War II stories because it intrigues me how people can survive such horrors and still be brave enough to face the world anew. Most of the stories I've read reveal who the enemies and allies are. However, this book shows us that even comrades may be nasty at times. It provided me with a new perspective on World War II.
I was struck the most by Achim's story because I can't imagine what the young boy went through to become a black marketer and attempted murderer before the age of twelve. War makes no distinction between men, women, or children. It treats everyone with equal cruelty.
April 30, 2023
This is a story about 4 people's experiences during World War II. Achim is a young boy in New Haven, Connecticut. Liesel gets her pilot's license at sixteen and after a brief period of depression joins the women pilots ferrying planes during the war and eventually goes to England to work for the ATA in Britain. Paul, who as an engineering graduate from Yale, goes to Bletchley Park to work on codes and then ends up at the end of the war working for the OSS and is responsible for getting Warner von Braun to come assist the Americans with what he knows about Rockets. And Horst, whose sister is Achim's mother, ends up in a prisoner of war camp in Mississippi and meets a nurse there and falls in love. After the war, Horst comes to New Haven and marries his fiance, Dora and they settle in New Haven. This was a very good story except for a few editing errors. Really enjoyed reading about the different perspectives of the characters and enjoyed reading more about World War II.
September 9, 2021
While I enjoyed the overall story (stories) of this novel, the conversations seem stilted. War Story is about four young people during WWII - either American, German, or German-American - I liked this interesting angle on familiar topic. Most WWII stories focus on a British or French character, but this historical fiction focused on the war after Pearl Harbor and how Americans responded. Throughout the novel you see the characters' separate stories and then how they come together. I really enjoyed the story of Horst & Dora - really cute & not expected. Not sure about Liesel & Paul, an unrequited romance that ends weird (IMO - no spoilers). 3.5 stars for me - rounded up to 4.
December 18, 2021
Interwoven with some historical facts, this author knows how to create real magic while portraying horrific World War II scenes. Whether characters toil away in prison camps or have to deal with the aftermath of dealing with such circumstances, it is a tragic time in history. Margenau creates hope for a brighter future by writing romance into the story. This is a break through book which is thought provoking and touches readers hearts by helping them realize the little known secret missions during World War II and how it touches our everyday life even today with the butterfly effect it creates. It keeps a reader thinking. Good job!
June 12, 2022
Really liked this book! I've always been interested in stories based on WWII but I seldom find one that stresses the home front efforts as this one did. It tells of the experiences of four interesting and diverse young people during the war and how they intersect with each other. It's well written and has a number of little known compelling aspects of the war that are seldom addressed. It's fiction but there's lots of historical information here. A really enjoyable read.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
September 23, 2021
This was a very enjoyable and informative book. It looks at different aspects of WWII through 4 different perspectives. I thought they were all handled well and especially liked Achim’s voice.
This book was written like a novelized history book. Overall it worked, but sometimes dialogue was cheesy and characters didn’t come across as strongly as they could have.
There was a lot of swearing that I thought was unnecessary.
This book was written like a novelized history book. Overall it worked, but sometimes dialogue was cheesy and characters didn’t come across as strongly as they could have.
There was a lot of swearing that I thought was unnecessary.
December 2, 2021
Rolf Margenau tries to create a unique story but fails in originality. World War II books, including those told through the eyes of young adults who were actually there, are a dime a dozen. Trying to create a unique story is difficult and the author didn’t pull it off. On the other hand, he does tell their stories with detail and accuracy. Readers will learn more about the war and how it affected those who lived through it.
October 2, 2021
My son is all about learning things about WWII. He loves history and facts and stories regarding that time. We read parts of it together, and it was fascinating and sorrowful. Beautifully written with an eye for detail, this talented storyteller weaves an interwoven tale of lives that pulls you into another time.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
July 28, 2023
1 star for how long the stories dragged on and the amount of strong language and sexual scenes I had to skip. Should have skipped the whole book in reality. Do not recommend. There are many other war books that are written much better (without so many typos and misspellings) with less trash in it.
April 17, 2022
This historical fiction book was excellent. Once started I wanted to continue reading to see what would happen to them. I also liked how they were related to each other. How four different experiences touched each other. It was easy reading but brought upon many different areas of the war.
dnf
May 7, 2023DNF @ 5% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
This was a little slow and I didn’t care for the writing style.
This was a little slow and I didn’t care for the writing style.
September 22, 2021
World War 2 stories are not uncommon and like every other genre they vary in quality from book to book. I was pleasantly surprised by ‘War Story’ to say the least. The book was gritty and never shied from the horrors of war but was thankfully never anything but respectful and showed restraint were necessary. It left a bigger impact on me than explicitly gory or overly dramatic war stories. The romance is the only overdone part and leaves a more historical and real book feeling a tad Hollywood in places. This only a minor complaint and might improve the book for others. However it was an overall brilliantly written and emotive book.
November 30, 2024
typos
Once I got familiar with all the characters,the story was fascinating. There were a lot of typographical errors. Particularly, than and that.
Once I got familiar with all the characters,the story was fascinating. There were a lot of typographical errors. Particularly, than and that.
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