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Los huérfanos del Führer / The Fuhrer's Orphans
¿Podrías encontrar esperanza en los momentos más oscuros?
En una zona industrial descuidada de Múnich, en tiempos de la guerra, 27 niños asustados y hambrientos se esconden de la Gestapo. Sus padres fueron enviados a campos de concentración y ellos tienen otro sitio a dónde ir.
La maestra Claudia Kellner descubre al grupo cuando acoge a dos víctimas sin hogar, arriesgando su propia seguridad para darles refugio.
Mientras tanto, el comando Peter Chesham, un espía colaborando con los británicos, se infiltra con éxito en territorio del Tercer Reich. Pero su misión ultrasecreta se ve amenazada al descubrir el escondite de los huérfanos.
Si continúa con su misión, habrá consecuencias fatales para todos a su alrededor. Y si no, los nazis podrían ganar la guerra. Peter enfrenta un dilema acatar órdenes o salvar a los niños.
¿Dirigirá la operación final de escape o completará la tarea que se le ha dado?
Su decisión podría determinar el cauce de la historia…
Basada en eventos reales, Los huérfanos del Führer es una novela poderosa y conmovedora situada en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, perfecta para los seguidores de Heather Morris y Robert Harris.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
In this moving novel based on true events, a teacher and a British spy discover a group of children hiding from the Nazis in WWII Munich.
When their parents are taken to concentration camps, twenty-seven children are left alone, hungry, and scared. Claudia Kellner, a German elementary school teacher, discovers the group hiding in a deserted Munich railroad yard. Only able to hide two of them in her home, she is desperate to find shelter for the others.
Meanwhile, British spy Peter Chesham has penetrated Third Reich territory. But his critical mission is interrupted when he discovers the orphans’ hiding place. Following through on his orders would have fatal consequences for them. But giving up could mean losing the war. Now Peter and Claudia must work together, attempting an impossible rescue operation with the children’s lives—and the fate of the world—at stake.
En una zona industrial descuidada de Múnich, en tiempos de la guerra, 27 niños asustados y hambrientos se esconden de la Gestapo. Sus padres fueron enviados a campos de concentración y ellos tienen otro sitio a dónde ir.
La maestra Claudia Kellner descubre al grupo cuando acoge a dos víctimas sin hogar, arriesgando su propia seguridad para darles refugio.
Mientras tanto, el comando Peter Chesham, un espía colaborando con los británicos, se infiltra con éxito en territorio del Tercer Reich. Pero su misión ultrasecreta se ve amenazada al descubrir el escondite de los huérfanos.
Si continúa con su misión, habrá consecuencias fatales para todos a su alrededor. Y si no, los nazis podrían ganar la guerra. Peter enfrenta un dilema acatar órdenes o salvar a los niños.
¿Dirigirá la operación final de escape o completará la tarea que se le ha dado?
Su decisión podría determinar el cauce de la historia…
Basada en eventos reales, Los huérfanos del Führer es una novela poderosa y conmovedora situada en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, perfecta para los seguidores de Heather Morris y Robert Harris.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
In this moving novel based on true events, a teacher and a British spy discover a group of children hiding from the Nazis in WWII Munich.
When their parents are taken to concentration camps, twenty-seven children are left alone, hungry, and scared. Claudia Kellner, a German elementary school teacher, discovers the group hiding in a deserted Munich railroad yard. Only able to hide two of them in her home, she is desperate to find shelter for the others.
Meanwhile, British spy Peter Chesham has penetrated Third Reich territory. But his critical mission is interrupted when he discovers the orphans’ hiding place. Following through on his orders would have fatal consequences for them. But giving up could mean losing the war. Now Peter and Claudia must work together, attempting an impossible rescue operation with the children’s lives—and the fate of the world—at stake.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
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848 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 26, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE FUHRER’S ORPHANS: A Moving and Powerful Novel Based on True Events by David Laws is set around the year 1940 at the beginning of WWII and is the type of historical fiction I love to read.
The two main characters had been on opposite ends of the Kindertransport which transported refugee children from Prague to England before the Nazis shut down all escape of refugees from the Third Reich. Unknown to each other, they are about to come together in a critically important secret mission in Munich.
Claudia Kellner is an elementary teach in Munich who is living with several secrets. She is approached by Erika Schmidt, a mother of a student in her class, to see if she would be willing to help with children who are hiding in “The Maze”, a deserted and overgrown portion of the railroad yard in Munich. Erika does not know of Claudia’s past and that Claudia will do anything to save children.
Lieutenant Peter Chesham comes from a well-to-do family and has lived a flamboyant and adventurous life. Having been trained as a railroad engineer and having family in Switzerland, he is picked to covertly enter the Third Reich to destroy a new railroad engine designed by an American defector that could change the balance of the war in Hitler’s favor.
Peter and Claudia cross paths when Peter is told by his underground connections that the destruction of the engine could also destroy the abandoned railyard and kill the children in hiding. A plan is devised to get the children out of Munich while also still accomplishing the destruction of the new engine.
Will Peter, Claudia and their underground connections be able to pull off the ultimate escape to save the children, while still accomplishing their mission to destroy the engine that could change history?
I really enjoyed this story and the growing suspense surrounding the ultimate fate of the children juxtaposed against the intrigue surrounding the destruction of the engine all while Peter and Claudia grew to trust each other and reveal their personal secrets. For me, there was a slight lag in the beginning of the story as all of the information about the Breitspurbahn rail was explained, but it quickly took off after all the characters where put into place.
An entertaining and compelling read for all of us who crave stories set in this time-period with a different twist than what we have read before. I am looking forward to checking out other books by this author, also.
Thanks very much to Bloodhound Books for allowing me to read this ebook prepublication.
THE FUHRER’S ORPHANS: A Moving and Powerful Novel Based on True Events by David Laws is set around the year 1940 at the beginning of WWII and is the type of historical fiction I love to read.
The two main characters had been on opposite ends of the Kindertransport which transported refugee children from Prague to England before the Nazis shut down all escape of refugees from the Third Reich. Unknown to each other, they are about to come together in a critically important secret mission in Munich.
Claudia Kellner is an elementary teach in Munich who is living with several secrets. She is approached by Erika Schmidt, a mother of a student in her class, to see if she would be willing to help with children who are hiding in “The Maze”, a deserted and overgrown portion of the railroad yard in Munich. Erika does not know of Claudia’s past and that Claudia will do anything to save children.
Lieutenant Peter Chesham comes from a well-to-do family and has lived a flamboyant and adventurous life. Having been trained as a railroad engineer and having family in Switzerland, he is picked to covertly enter the Third Reich to destroy a new railroad engine designed by an American defector that could change the balance of the war in Hitler’s favor.
Peter and Claudia cross paths when Peter is told by his underground connections that the destruction of the engine could also destroy the abandoned railyard and kill the children in hiding. A plan is devised to get the children out of Munich while also still accomplishing the destruction of the new engine.
Will Peter, Claudia and their underground connections be able to pull off the ultimate escape to save the children, while still accomplishing their mission to destroy the engine that could change history?
I really enjoyed this story and the growing suspense surrounding the ultimate fate of the children juxtaposed against the intrigue surrounding the destruction of the engine all while Peter and Claudia grew to trust each other and reveal their personal secrets. For me, there was a slight lag in the beginning of the story as all of the information about the Breitspurbahn rail was explained, but it quickly took off after all the characters where put into place.
An entertaining and compelling read for all of us who crave stories set in this time-period with a different twist than what we have read before. I am looking forward to checking out other books by this author, also.
Thanks very much to Bloodhound Books for allowing me to read this ebook prepublication.
February 21, 2023
3,5✨️
Enquanto alguém que cresceu a ler livros sobre o holocausto, fiquei mesmo mesmo contente por ter recebido este livro! Acredito piamente que livros sobre este assunto nunca são demais tendo em conta que foi um marco tão importante na história do mundo e devemos tentar a todo o custo informar quem vem e gerações futuras das coisas horríveis que aconteceram para que não se volte a repetir.
Apesar de este livro ser um livro de ficção, senti que o que estava a ler era real, porque estas coisas aconteceram efetivamente e não consigo sequer imaginar o que as pessoas que passaram por estas situações sentiram.
As duas personagens principais estiveram em lados opostos nos Kindertransports (transporte de crianças) de Praga para Inglaterra antes de os Nazis pararem a saída de refugiados do Terceiro Reich. Agora, sem saberem, estão prestes a juntarem-se numa missão importante em Munique para ajudarem a salvar 27 crianças vítimas do holocausto.
Apesar de ter ficado um pouco confusa por vezes sobre quem era quem (houve demasiados nomes para a minha cabeça), foi uma história que gostei realmente de ler e apesar de ser uma leitura mais pesada pelo seu tema, o suspense sobre se as crianças iam conseguir escapar ou não deixou-me completamente agarrada. Gostei muito de ver a evolução da Claudia e do Peter, tanto a nível pessoal, tanto um com o outro e na confiança (ou desconfiança) que sentiam.
Recomendo este livro a quem gosta de histórias passadas neste período de tempo. Foi muito interessante ler uma história sobre o holocausto por um ponto de vista que nunca tinha conhecido, o de quem tentou ajudar.
Enquanto alguém que cresceu a ler livros sobre o holocausto, fiquei mesmo mesmo contente por ter recebido este livro! Acredito piamente que livros sobre este assunto nunca são demais tendo em conta que foi um marco tão importante na história do mundo e devemos tentar a todo o custo informar quem vem e gerações futuras das coisas horríveis que aconteceram para que não se volte a repetir.
Apesar de este livro ser um livro de ficção, senti que o que estava a ler era real, porque estas coisas aconteceram efetivamente e não consigo sequer imaginar o que as pessoas que passaram por estas situações sentiram.
As duas personagens principais estiveram em lados opostos nos Kindertransports (transporte de crianças) de Praga para Inglaterra antes de os Nazis pararem a saída de refugiados do Terceiro Reich. Agora, sem saberem, estão prestes a juntarem-se numa missão importante em Munique para ajudarem a salvar 27 crianças vítimas do holocausto.
Apesar de ter ficado um pouco confusa por vezes sobre quem era quem (houve demasiados nomes para a minha cabeça), foi uma história que gostei realmente de ler e apesar de ser uma leitura mais pesada pelo seu tema, o suspense sobre se as crianças iam conseguir escapar ou não deixou-me completamente agarrada. Gostei muito de ver a evolução da Claudia e do Peter, tanto a nível pessoal, tanto um com o outro e na confiança (ou desconfiança) que sentiam.
Recomendo este livro a quem gosta de histórias passadas neste período de tempo. Foi muito interessante ler uma história sobre o holocausto por um ponto de vista que nunca tinha conhecido, o de quem tentou ajudar.
June 19, 2024
3,5 🌟
27 niños que huyen de la Gestapo ๏ Una maestra que arriesga más de lo que debe ๏ Un espía británico con una misión
Los huérfanos del Führer es una novela ambientada durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial y basada en hechos reales. La historia se desarrolla en 1940, en una zona industrial de Múnich, donde 27 niños de diferentes edades, asustados y hambrientos, se esconden de la Gestapo, quienes arrestaron a sus padres.
La maestra Claudia Kellner descubre al grupo cuando recibe a dos víctimas sin hogar, arriesgando su propia seguridad al darles refugio. Mientras tanto, Peter Chesham, un espía británico, logra infiltrarse en el territorio del Tercer Reich para llevar a cabo una misión ultrasecreta.
En este libro no encontrarás menciones a los campos de concentración y los sucesos allí vividos, ni a las bombas, ni a escenas propias de la guerra. Por el contrario, nos muestra las injusticias y daños colaterales vividos desde dentro y en la propia Alemania.
A pesar de siempre disfrutar de las novelas históricas ambientadas en esta época, con este libro me pasó algo bien particular, no empatice con la trama, con los personajes, ni con sus acciones. Se me volvió completamente plana y tediosa. En otras novelas, generalmente los niños aportan un granito de esperanza, calidez y hasta comicidad a la trama, pero en este caso nada sucedió.
Los personajes me resultaron planos, con pocos matices, la historia corre lenta, y el final… pues bueno… hay debate sobre ese final. Creo que no me gustó del todo la narrativa del autor, pero aún hoy no logro identificar que es lo que no me ha gustado.
“Los planes mejor estructurados no sobreviven al primer disparo”.
27 niños que huyen de la Gestapo ๏ Una maestra que arriesga más de lo que debe ๏ Un espía británico con una misión
Los huérfanos del Führer es una novela ambientada durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial y basada en hechos reales. La historia se desarrolla en 1940, en una zona industrial de Múnich, donde 27 niños de diferentes edades, asustados y hambrientos, se esconden de la Gestapo, quienes arrestaron a sus padres.
La maestra Claudia Kellner descubre al grupo cuando recibe a dos víctimas sin hogar, arriesgando su propia seguridad al darles refugio. Mientras tanto, Peter Chesham, un espía británico, logra infiltrarse en el territorio del Tercer Reich para llevar a cabo una misión ultrasecreta.
En este libro no encontrarás menciones a los campos de concentración y los sucesos allí vividos, ni a las bombas, ni a escenas propias de la guerra. Por el contrario, nos muestra las injusticias y daños colaterales vividos desde dentro y en la propia Alemania.
A pesar de siempre disfrutar de las novelas históricas ambientadas en esta época, con este libro me pasó algo bien particular, no empatice con la trama, con los personajes, ni con sus acciones. Se me volvió completamente plana y tediosa. En otras novelas, generalmente los niños aportan un granito de esperanza, calidez y hasta comicidad a la trama, pero en este caso nada sucedió.
Los personajes me resultaron planos, con pocos matices, la historia corre lenta, y el final… pues bueno… hay debate sobre ese final. Creo que no me gustó del todo la narrativa del autor, pero aún hoy no logro identificar que es lo que no me ha gustado.
“Los planes mejor estructurados no sobreviven al primer disparo”.
March 28, 2024
Historia basada en hechos reales, que nos cuenta la manera en que fueron rescatados 27 niños Judios de las garras del Nazismo.
Lectura ágil y entretenida.
Lectura ágil y entretenida.
October 21, 2020
This is my first book by this author, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. This is a well written story that is full of action and suspense. The characters bring the story to life and engaging. I enjoyed the twists and turns that the characters brought. They kept me turning pages as well as sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. This is a great story that I highly recommend. It made such a great afternoon read.
July 22, 2022
Hoy os traigo una historia basada en hechos reales, ambientada en el Múnich de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Una historia sobre 27 niños judíos escondidos de la Gestapo. Un dilema, cumplir órdenes o salvar a los niños. Una historia de superación y humanidad sobre cómo en una época oscura y terrible hubo personas que arriesgaron sus vidas para salvar a muchos niños.
Hitler ha empezado a construir una amplia red de líneas de vía ancha para unir todo el continente, Breitspurbahn. Esto significa que en un solo tren podría llevar una división Panzer a cualquier lugar.
A Peter le proponen liderar un equipo que descubra y destruya la pieza clave, el secreto mejor guardado, un nuevo motor revolucionario para dotar de energía a los trenes que está construyendo un ingeniero estadounidense .
Claudia Kellner, maestra en Munich, fue muy activa em en Praga en los Kindertransports evacuando niños judíos a Inglaterra.
Erika, madre de un alumno le propone que se encargue de un grupo de huérfanos que se esconden de la Gestapo en El laberinto,cerca de los almacenes del ferrocarril de los que ella es encargada y en los que hay todo tipo de componentes necesarios para llevar a cabo distintos proyectos. Pero no sólo es la encargada, también es un miembro muy importante de una célula de la resistencia. Y en esos almacenes es donde se guarda la nueva unidad, donde se ha construido y donde se va a probar.
Así, Peter, Claudia y Erika se verán involucrados en una operación en la que cada uno tiene sus propios intereses, Peter destruir el motor, robar los planos y persuadir al ingeniero de desertar. Claudia y Erika salvar a los niños.
Aunque las órdenes son realizar el sabotaje en los almacenes, para evitar males a las personas que allí trabajan intentarán hacerlo en el viaje que va a hacer el tren a Suiza para mostrarlo al mundo. Y Claudia pretende esconder a los niños en eese mismo tren y cruzar con ellos la frontera alemana.
Un libro muy entretenido y de fácil lectura, que gustará a los amantes de ese periodo histórico.
Hitler ha empezado a construir una amplia red de líneas de vía ancha para unir todo el continente, Breitspurbahn. Esto significa que en un solo tren podría llevar una división Panzer a cualquier lugar.
A Peter le proponen liderar un equipo que descubra y destruya la pieza clave, el secreto mejor guardado, un nuevo motor revolucionario para dotar de energía a los trenes que está construyendo un ingeniero estadounidense .
Claudia Kellner, maestra en Munich, fue muy activa em en Praga en los Kindertransports evacuando niños judíos a Inglaterra.
Erika, madre de un alumno le propone que se encargue de un grupo de huérfanos que se esconden de la Gestapo en El laberinto,cerca de los almacenes del ferrocarril de los que ella es encargada y en los que hay todo tipo de componentes necesarios para llevar a cabo distintos proyectos. Pero no sólo es la encargada, también es un miembro muy importante de una célula de la resistencia. Y en esos almacenes es donde se guarda la nueva unidad, donde se ha construido y donde se va a probar.
Así, Peter, Claudia y Erika se verán involucrados en una operación en la que cada uno tiene sus propios intereses, Peter destruir el motor, robar los planos y persuadir al ingeniero de desertar. Claudia y Erika salvar a los niños.
Aunque las órdenes son realizar el sabotaje en los almacenes, para evitar males a las personas que allí trabajan intentarán hacerlo en el viaje que va a hacer el tren a Suiza para mostrarlo al mundo. Y Claudia pretende esconder a los niños en eese mismo tren y cruzar con ellos la frontera alemana.
Un libro muy entretenido y de fácil lectura, que gustará a los amantes de ese periodo histórico.
August 3, 2022
Nothing is clear cut. Claudia, who has worked with the Kindertransport and helps several other children, wants to remain in Germany. Peter is pacifist and has also been involved with the Kindertransport yet he's prepared to kill. The story is left a little open-ended and that may even make it more believable. I worry about some things though. A hard plastic chair in the 1940s? The incorrect spelling of Führer. The unlikely success of the way the children are hidden.
October 21, 2020
Set in WW2 during a volatile time in and around Munich.
At the centre of it all are 27 orphans whose parents have been sent to the camps or have been killed.
The story is told through the two main characters both of whom want to do what is right, but will it come at great cost to one or the others ultimate goal!
One a teacher, who knowing the risks finds herself becoming involved with the 27 young orphans, and she finds herself prepared to go above and beyond to ensure the safety of her young charges.
The other is a man with a job to do, to stop Germany winning the war.
It is a period of time, and a subject matter that has always held an interest to me, and although initially I found it rather wordy and quite drawn out. It becomes an emotive and compelling read.
At the centre of it all are 27 orphans whose parents have been sent to the camps or have been killed.
The story is told through the two main characters both of whom want to do what is right, but will it come at great cost to one or the others ultimate goal!
One a teacher, who knowing the risks finds herself becoming involved with the 27 young orphans, and she finds herself prepared to go above and beyond to ensure the safety of her young charges.
The other is a man with a job to do, to stop Germany winning the war.
It is a period of time, and a subject matter that has always held an interest to me, and although initially I found it rather wordy and quite drawn out. It becomes an emotive and compelling read.
March 14, 2025
aunque el libro trata sobre la segunda guerra mundial, no esperéis bombas ni campos de concentraciones. La trama gira al rededor de unos niños que hay que sacar de la Alemania nazi y el experimento de un tren en esa época. Lograran salir los niños del país? Tendréis que descubrirlo leyendo el libro.
October 26, 2020
Interesting story about WWII, and very well written. I would recommend.
October 24, 2020
Excellent book
I enjoy reading books dealing with the war, and evacuation of the Jewish peple. This one was well written. Just wanted more!
I enjoy reading books dealing with the war, and evacuation of the Jewish peple. This one was well written. Just wanted more!
February 17, 2023
A pesar de ser una historia ficticia seguramente hubo muchos niños huérfanos en las guerras por decisión de sus propios padres, es decir, eran los padres quienes decidían dejarlos en bosques, bodegas abandonadas, etc. con la esperanza de que sobrevivieran solos y no en campos de concentración. Y seguramente hubo muchos héroes que se encargaron cómo pudieron de ellos. Me gustó el libro.
January 26, 2021
Ridiculous plot and characterisation. Unconvincing changes of view of characters. Weak main character and unlikely scenarios a real disappointment.
Creaky plot and hackneyed ending. Obstacles overcome with astounding ease
May have been based on fact but reads like a poorly thought out fantasy with lack of credible detail from someone who knows little about railway operations.
Creaky plot and hackneyed ending. Obstacles overcome with astounding ease
May have been based on fact but reads like a poorly thought out fantasy with lack of credible detail from someone who knows little about railway operations.
July 29, 2022
Los huérfanos del Führer es una interesantísima novela de David Laws ambientada en Múnich en 1940 y en la que, inspirándose en hechos reales, se nos relata el heroico y dificil rescate de un grupo de niños.
Es la primera obra que leo de este autor inglés y me ha gustado mucho su forma de narrar la historia desde dos puntos de vista: el de la maestra germana que se empecina en salvar a los pequeños, Claudia Kellner, y el de Peter Chesham, el soldado británico que se verá en la tesitura de cómo ayudar a los niños y no poner en peligro la misión que le lleva a colarse en la Alemania nazi.
Sin histrionismo ni exageración, de modo fluido y ameno, David Laws nos presenta a un pequeño grupo de la Resistencia bávara que planea destruir unos gigantescos trenes que pueden conseguir que la balanza de la guerra se decante del bando nazi y, de paso, salvar a unos famélicos y enfermos chiquillos de morir en cualquier momento, ya que su efímero escondite cada vez es menos seguro.
En mi opinión, uno de los aspectos más acertados de Los huérfanos del Führer es que se nos narra los sucesos desde dentro, teniendo en cuenta el sufrimiento de la población alemana no solo asediada por un conflicto bélico, sino también sumida en el terror constante que suponía el poder convertirse en objetivo de la Gestapo, ser denunciados por cualquier vecino cual régimen inquisitorial… y todo ello, al tiempo que intentaban seguir adelante con su día a día, bajo el yugo del Tercer Reich, comulgaran o no con la postura del partido nazi. Y, desde luego, el conocer la labor desempeñada por muchos de ellos, personas anónimas que se arriesgaban a ayudar a los submarinos, sobrenombre con el que se denominaba a aquellos que se veían obligados a esconderse para no caer en manos de las autoridades.
Me ha encantado el temple y el coraje de Claudia —que, para mí, es el eje y el personaje central del libro—, la habilidad de Peter de meterse y salir de casi cualquier situación y el que el papel desempeñado por los niños no sea meramente anecdótico.
La novela me ha recordado muchísimo a lo sufrido por la población ucraniana hace solo unos meses porque algunas de las escenas descritas en las páginas de Los huérfanos del Führer parecían un calco a las que vimos a través de los medios de comunicación.
Sin duda, este es un libro muy recomendable para todo amante de la Historia y, en concreto, de la del siglo XX.
Mi valoración es 4,5/5.
Es la primera obra que leo de este autor inglés y me ha gustado mucho su forma de narrar la historia desde dos puntos de vista: el de la maestra germana que se empecina en salvar a los pequeños, Claudia Kellner, y el de Peter Chesham, el soldado británico que se verá en la tesitura de cómo ayudar a los niños y no poner en peligro la misión que le lleva a colarse en la Alemania nazi.
Sin histrionismo ni exageración, de modo fluido y ameno, David Laws nos presenta a un pequeño grupo de la Resistencia bávara que planea destruir unos gigantescos trenes que pueden conseguir que la balanza de la guerra se decante del bando nazi y, de paso, salvar a unos famélicos y enfermos chiquillos de morir en cualquier momento, ya que su efímero escondite cada vez es menos seguro.
En mi opinión, uno de los aspectos más acertados de Los huérfanos del Führer es que se nos narra los sucesos desde dentro, teniendo en cuenta el sufrimiento de la población alemana no solo asediada por un conflicto bélico, sino también sumida en el terror constante que suponía el poder convertirse en objetivo de la Gestapo, ser denunciados por cualquier vecino cual régimen inquisitorial… y todo ello, al tiempo que intentaban seguir adelante con su día a día, bajo el yugo del Tercer Reich, comulgaran o no con la postura del partido nazi. Y, desde luego, el conocer la labor desempeñada por muchos de ellos, personas anónimas que se arriesgaban a ayudar a los submarinos, sobrenombre con el que se denominaba a aquellos que se veían obligados a esconderse para no caer en manos de las autoridades.
Me ha encantado el temple y el coraje de Claudia —que, para mí, es el eje y el personaje central del libro—, la habilidad de Peter de meterse y salir de casi cualquier situación y el que el papel desempeñado por los niños no sea meramente anecdótico.
La novela me ha recordado muchísimo a lo sufrido por la población ucraniana hace solo unos meses porque algunas de las escenas descritas en las páginas de Los huérfanos del Führer parecían un calco a las que vimos a través de los medios de comunicación.
Sin duda, este es un libro muy recomendable para todo amante de la Historia y, en concreto, de la del siglo XX.
Mi valoración es 4,5/5.
January 20, 2021
The Fuhrer’s Orphans is by David Laws. The world knows about the Kindertransports that took place before World War II began. Very few people knew of the Kindertransports financed and run by Sir Nicholas Winton from Prague. He was a businessman who saw what was happening and couldn’t help but get involved in trying to get children. It wasn’t until much later in his life that his wife accidently uncovered what he had done and let the world know. This novel involves a young German woman, Claudia, who had helped guide the children onto the train to get them settled before leaving for England. It also involves a young English man, Peter, who met the children in England and helped them find their new volunteer parents. Ironically, they are brought together in Munich where Claudia is caring for a group of children who were hiding together in order to avoid capture by the Nazis and where Peter has come in from England to persuade Herr Hoskins not to continue to create a new prototype of an engine and a double wide railway which will help Hitler move his army from place to place faster. Claudia says she will help him in his endeavor with Hoskins if he will help her get her group of twenty-seven orphans out of Germany to safety. Will they be able to help each other?
The book is very good and it kept me up at night reading it. I just had to finish it and find out what happened to Claudia and Peter
The book is very good and it kept me up at night reading it. I just had to finish it and find out what happened to Claudia and Peter
December 28, 2023
A very solid, well-written account of one of the somewhat positive sides of those fighting against Nazi atrocities. Characters have complete, believable personalities and backgrounds that the author keeps consistent, and weaves skillfully into the telling.
Having read many books regarding this subject, I realize it's difficult to avoid some stereotyping of characters, even those on the periphery of the novel. The author does a very good job of avoiding those, as well as of the type of characters in general. For example, the main female character is feminine and nurturing, and strong, but not a caricature of those traits as is so often found in historical novels, especially when a writer isn't skilled enough to balance what he or she has already written about someone with that person's evolution as the story goes on.
Hopefully, not a spoiler… I love happy ending, however, sometimes, leads throughout then walks us right into a happy ending that not only betrays the characters true selves, but makes the rest of the story less interesting. When everything just falls into place at the end, I often regret having read the book, or dream up my own, more interesting ending. This one wasn't a shock, as there are direct mentions of what each main character might do after their mission, but it felt very appropriate, and we get as much believable full closure, in the case of those 2, as we should.
Having read many books regarding this subject, I realize it's difficult to avoid some stereotyping of characters, even those on the periphery of the novel. The author does a very good job of avoiding those, as well as of the type of characters in general. For example, the main female character is feminine and nurturing, and strong, but not a caricature of those traits as is so often found in historical novels, especially when a writer isn't skilled enough to balance what he or she has already written about someone with that person's evolution as the story goes on.
Hopefully, not a spoiler… I love happy ending, however, sometimes, leads throughout then walks us right into a happy ending that not only betrays the characters true selves, but makes the rest of the story less interesting. When everything just falls into place at the end, I often regret having read the book, or dream up my own, more interesting ending. This one wasn't a shock, as there are direct mentions of what each main character might do after their mission, but it felt very appropriate, and we get as much believable full closure, in the case of those 2, as we should.
June 22, 2021
Can they Escape from the Third Reich. 27 children and 3 adults?
Children hiding in a forested area. Arrest, Dachau, or Freedom
A prim school teacher appalled at the children sent away from school. Appalld at the lessons she is forced to teach. Can she give them a better !ife? A British soldier with Swiss relatives. Secrets from Peter the soldier, Stef the Swiss uncle, Erika the German components distributor, Claudia the school teacher, and a host of others conspire to get these children to England, freedom, New families, and a better life. But can they succeed? And how? British nail biter to the last page.
Children hiding in a forested area. Arrest, Dachau, or Freedom
A prim school teacher appalled at the children sent away from school. Appalld at the lessons she is forced to teach. Can she give them a better !ife? A British soldier with Swiss relatives. Secrets from Peter the soldier, Stef the Swiss uncle, Erika the German components distributor, Claudia the school teacher, and a host of others conspire to get these children to England, freedom, New families, and a better life. But can they succeed? And how? British nail biter to the last page.
April 18, 2021
The Fuhrer’s Orphans, set in London and then Munich and finishing on the Swiss-German border in 1940, the tale of a Operation Z agent sent to destroy a new jet-propulsion rail engine that would revolutionize transport by rail. It is complicated by a group of feral kids, children whose parents were seized by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps or killed. The dilemma for the4 British agent, one of those wwho helped Guy Winton get mostly Jewish children out of Prague before the war and given new homes and families in Britain. It's a tangled tale of intrigue, moral dilemma and courage.
September 13, 2021
Not as good as I'd hoped, but...
...certainly wasn't bad! For me, there were times when it moved very slowly, but IDK whether that was the writing or just that I was under the weather. I lived outside of Munich back in the mid-80's & sometimes felt as if I "recognized" locations although I'm sure it was more imagination, due to the 40 year time difference! I think I would have preferred that more of the story be focused on the children rather than the train. Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of the WWII genre.
...certainly wasn't bad! For me, there were times when it moved very slowly, but IDK whether that was the writing or just that I was under the weather. I lived outside of Munich back in the mid-80's & sometimes felt as if I "recognized" locations although I'm sure it was more imagination, due to the 40 year time difference! I think I would have preferred that more of the story be focused on the children rather than the train. Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of the WWII genre.
November 17, 2022
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2022: #31. Un libro sobre un desastre provocado por el ser humano
Mmm... me sabe mal decir que me aburrió bastante porque esta basado en un hecho real, creo que la historia en que se basó es sumamente interesante pero su ejecución no fue del todo buena.
Claudia y Peter tienen su propia historia y sus respectivos motivos para hacer lo que hacen y aún así no logré conectar con ninguno de los dos.
Siento que sólo leí por leer, quizá en otro momento lo habría disfrutado mucho más.
Mmm... me sabe mal decir que me aburrió bastante porque esta basado en un hecho real, creo que la historia en que se basó es sumamente interesante pero su ejecución no fue del todo buena.
Claudia y Peter tienen su propia historia y sus respectivos motivos para hacer lo que hacen y aún así no logré conectar con ninguno de los dos.
Siento que sólo leí por leer, quizá en otro momento lo habría disfrutado mucho más.
June 12, 2021
The Fuhrer's Orphans
This book was a surprise to me because I knew about the children being sent to other kids countries prior to the outbreak, but never as depicted here. How cruel and frightening for the children and how courageous for the good people who risked everything to. Save them.
A wonderful history of yet another horror by Hitler and his evil regime! God save us from a repetition'!
This book was a surprise to me because I knew about the children being sent to other kids countries prior to the outbreak, but never as depicted here. How cruel and frightening for the children and how courageous for the good people who risked everything to. Save them.
A wonderful history of yet another horror by Hitler and his evil regime! God save us from a repetition'!
November 30, 2020
Book is as described
I was hesitant to read this book, but am glad I read it. It was a moving and well written account of activities that I wasn’t aware of up to now. I’m left feeling uplifted by the main characters’ courage and humanity, though bereft at humanity’s actions that led the main characters to save the children.
I was hesitant to read this book, but am glad I read it. It was a moving and well written account of activities that I wasn’t aware of up to now. I’m left feeling uplifted by the main characters’ courage and humanity, though bereft at humanity’s actions that led the main characters to save the children.
February 26, 2021
Bad ending
I loved the book right up to the ending which was horrible and heartbreaking. To spend so much time reading and have this ending was so disappointing. There are enough factual books on this period that have heartbreaking outcomes. One that is part fact and part fiction could at least have a happy ending.
I loved the book right up to the ending which was horrible and heartbreaking. To spend so much time reading and have this ending was so disappointing. There are enough factual books on this period that have heartbreaking outcomes. One that is part fact and part fiction could at least have a happy ending.
April 18, 2021
It was quite an interesting book. Found out some interesting facts but mostly because I often read stories concerning the 2nd W.W. and especially the terrible things that took place in Germany regarding the Jewish people and their family. The storyline was a different slant. I would recommend this.
April 28, 2021
Helping save children during the war
Mixed feelings about this novel. It has a basic story about saving children during the war, along with destroying a new type of train. It was hard for me to follow at times and the novel didn't reach a level of interest I have found in other books about this time in history.
Mixed feelings about this novel. It has a basic story about saving children during the war, along with destroying a new type of train. It was hard for me to follow at times and the novel didn't reach a level of interest I have found in other books about this time in history.
October 17, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book and couldn’t put it down. However, I did feel the plot, though based on true stories was weak in some areas. The huge obstacles the children, Peter and Claudia faced seemed to be overcome too easily. More could have been made of the children’s lives in a Lord of the Flies type scenario and I felt the train journey was unlikely ( was it ever actually built and run?) would there really have been space for children to move around behind the panels? Any way it was a good fictional read but I wouldn’t recommend it to those strict historians.
January 9, 2022
A different twist on a Holocaust story
This book held my interest throughout, although there were a few times I thought, "come on, let's get this plan going!"
Then suddenly it was over! An abrupt and unexpected ending.
Not sure how plausible many parts are, but still held suspense and brought various strands together well.
This book held my interest throughout, although there were a few times I thought, "come on, let's get this plan going!"
Then suddenly it was over! An abrupt and unexpected ending.
Not sure how plausible many parts are, but still held suspense and brought various strands together well.
May 25, 2022
I had never know about the gigantic train which was the basis of the story. I was intrigued, especially since it was to play a part in Hitler's domination of Europe and beyond. Although I enjoyed most of the characters, I found much of the story jumping from one thing to another with no segway. I felt that parts had been left out. It did not flow smoothly. The ending also seemed abrupt. All in all, I could assign only 3 stars.
March 15, 2025
4 ⭐️
Me gustó y mucho, me encanta como el autor mezcló cosas que ocurrieron realmente junto con ficción, los últimos capítulos del libro me tuvieron temblando y con ansiedad, pero al final valió totalmente la pena leerlo, no es de mis acostumbradas lecturas pero la verdad pero pareció un excelente libro.
Me gustó y mucho, me encanta como el autor mezcló cosas que ocurrieron realmente junto con ficción, los últimos capítulos del libro me tuvieron temblando y con ansiedad, pero al final valió totalmente la pena leerlo, no es de mis acostumbradas lecturas pero la verdad pero pareció un excelente libro.
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