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World War One #1
Pieces of Silver
Liesel Bonner never questioned her devotion to her country. But because of her heritage, her country questions her. Despite the fact that no one has any proof of her disloyalty, Liesel is fired from her stenographer's position and has great difficulty finding another job because few people trust those with a name as German as her own. When she begins to suspect that the man she loves is involved in espionage against America, Liesel knows she has to do something. As her trust for others crumbles, Liesel finds that only God's loving protection--and the enigmatic agent who is tearing her world apart--can save her.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2006
About the author
Maureen Lang
38 books211 followersMaureen Lang
Maureen Lang has always had a passion for writing. She wrote her first novel longhand around the age of 10, put the pages into a notebook she had covered with soft deerskin (nothing but the best!), then passed it around the neighborhood to rave reviews. It was so much fun she's been writing ever since.
Most of her books are historical, with an emphasis on faith and romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 7, 2010
I LOVED this book! Loved the plot, the characters, the setting, everything about it. It was a well-written, interesting story that kept me interested from beginning to end. The conflict the heroine faced was genuine - as she came to realize that she never really knew the man that she thought she was prepared to marry! Highly recommend this book!
January 16, 2019
Loved it!
I never cared for history during my school days. Having said that, it is amazing to me that I can't put down one of Maureen Lang's historical books until I've read every last word. She is such an awesome storyteller -- lots of twists and turns to keep the reader's interest. I've never thought much about the prejudices against German Americans during the World War until I read this book. I love that the good guys come out on top, and we're subtly reminded throughout to trust God's plan no matter how impossible something seems. And, WOW, the sneak peek for the second book in the series was SO unexpected! Write quickly, Maureen. I can't wait to read the sequel!
I never cared for history during my school days. Having said that, it is amazing to me that I can't put down one of Maureen Lang's historical books until I've read every last word. She is such an awesome storyteller -- lots of twists and turns to keep the reader's interest. I've never thought much about the prejudices against German Americans during the World War until I read this book. I love that the good guys come out on top, and we're subtly reminded throughout to trust God's plan no matter how impossible something seems. And, WOW, the sneak peek for the second book in the series was SO unexpected! Write quickly, Maureen. I can't wait to read the sequel!
June 7, 2018
Interesting plot and believable characters
This is a beautiful piece of writing! The book is well written and not in need of editing. The author kept the story moving at such a pace the reader is never bored. The Christian faith element was expressed with grace and simplicity. I will recommend this book to my daughter, which for me is giving the ultimate compliment. Incidentally, I don't write reviews for books I consider mediocre.
This is a beautiful piece of writing! The book is well written and not in need of editing. The author kept the story moving at such a pace the reader is never bored. The Christian faith element was expressed with grace and simplicity. I will recommend this book to my daughter, which for me is giving the ultimate compliment. Incidentally, I don't write reviews for books I consider mediocre.
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October 5, 2021Ik heb het geprobeerd, maar uiteindelijk opgegeven.
December 28, 2022
Read. This. Book. I just finished Pieces of Silver and have that wonderful “book hangover” one gets with a fantastic story. There is a second book and I plan to jump in soon. I was immersed from the first sentence and put off chores and sleep to finish. The caliber of writing is excellent with just enough description and era-specific references to set the time. The dialogue evokes the time period and the cultural background of the various characters. There were a lot of characters, but all were unique and complex (even the secondary and minor ones) to keep everyone straight. Twists and turns kept me guessing, and although it’s not a “suspense” novel, the intrigue and need to see what was going to happen kept me turning pages. At the risk of gushing, I loved the male protagonist, David. Having heard the stories from my German ancestors, I can say the author did a great job of exemplifying the difficult situations those with German heritage found themselves in during WWI (and WWII), as well as the different ways people responded as a result of the treatment. Messages of God’s love, mercy, and sovereignty are effectively woven throughout the story. I will read this again. And again. Highly recommended.
April 8, 2010
It could have been wonderful. The idea of addressing the juxtaposition of the American immigrant experience with World War I was intriguing. There is a lot of potential here. Unfortunately, the plot was merely okay and the character development was weak. Knowing who will end up together is not the problem - we often have romance novels figured out. But the road to romance is so poorly written I don't think I would have finished the book were it not for the recommendation of a friend and the promise of a twist ending.
Lang is simply too verbose in all the wrong places. The classic example for me was the following. The setting is: smitten agent seeks disappeared love interest. he runs to the office where she was last seen to find out the door is locked. Lang spends an entire paragraph delving into his past and telling us how he learned to pick locks (and it goes back to his relationship with his father). What?! While this flaw could have been solved with better editing, all the missteps of this work are not so easily remedied.
As for character development, we are informed REPEATEDLY in the opening pages that our hero, David de Serre is a man of few words, yet he suddenly becomes eloquence perfected when he encounters our heroine? Where is the confusion generated in her (or others) by his reticence? How does this make him a good agent? etc. While time is given to the three major characters of De Serre, Liesel and Josef, the parents and siblings are rather blah, begging to be drawn more vividly. Rather than merely state that the two fathers raised their sons differently, it would have been better to see some concrete examples of the difference in home life/ activities/ memories of our coming of age young people (although they are really a bit old for their parts here). The death of Josef's mother is mentioned, but never explored in regard to his relationship with his father. The immigrant struggle and experience of the parents is not explored beyond factual details. And the experience of second generation immigration is trivialized - Josef wants to be German, Liesel wants to be American. We know this because they state it several times, and the report on each uncovers that Liesel only participated in American clubs growing up and Josef in German ones. If the immigrant experience were this tidy it wouldn't be a source of story!
Finally, it takes more to write good historical fiction than a knowledge of what year the Lincoln Memorial was built. While modern sensibilities are not quite projected onto our characters, they really have no cultural grounding, leaving them flat. The one area that is filled out is the romance genres use of "words as a caress" and reference to the cardiac state of the intendeds, etc. In addition, the repeated, and highly inappropriate for the time, scenes of physical contact between our heroes only serves to obliterate any tension built by the plot. Rather than shocking the characters into changing their actions (as would have been required in the setting) they merely plod on, sharing their boring 'wonderings' with us. blah. blah. blah.
But perhaps the character least served by this lack of setting is Josef. I am not familiar with the tone of German Americans during the first World War (that was something I wanted to learn about), but much of Josef's impetus for his actions seems to be a Nazi-ism that wasn't present in this time period. There also seems to be a thorough knowledge of Darwin's "Origin of Species" which I find to be strange, given that the Scopes trial thrusting Darwin into school curricula across the country took place 7 years AFTER our setting (and keep in mind that the Scopes trial opened the teaching of evolution to COLLEGES - and only one of our characters attended college). Placing these ideas into Josef's character in such a developed form is ridiculous for a young man coming of age during the World War I.
Finally, Christian readers will find a real theological problem in the articulation of differing perspectives. "America is a nation blessed by God." is set up against "the rightful ascent of German ways". And I cannot understand the scene from which Liesel determines "Josef loves Germany more than GOD!" Oh my! The patriotism and nationalism of our time is a subject worthy to be examined, but Lang's presentation comes as racist (Germans are the enemy in the war, so we are supposed to dislike them), sectarian (protestant Americans are better, wiser, and just plain right compared to those Germans we are supposed to dislike), and without Biblical foundation (if God can acknowledge the pagan practices of the Babylonians, yet use them as part of His plan to discipline Israel, I think it is quite difficult to assert that God is on a particular side in a modern war). How theology played out in the experience of German Americans would have been another wonderful theme to explore, but alas, we shall have to look for other works to do so.
World War II has generally overshadowed World War I in fiction, but Bodie Thoene has an excellent series called "Shiloh Legacy" that starts with "In my Father's House". Those looking for good historical fiction would do well to read anything by Bodie Thoene or Lynn Austin. Lynn Austin, though she doesn't cover World War I, creates excellent work in historical settings. I particularly enjoyed her Civil War series which starts with "Candle in the Darkness" - i have yet to be disappointed in a Lynn Austin novel.
Lang is simply too verbose in all the wrong places. The classic example for me was the following. The setting is: smitten agent seeks disappeared love interest. he runs to the office where she was last seen to find out the door is locked. Lang spends an entire paragraph delving into his past and telling us how he learned to pick locks (and it goes back to his relationship with his father). What?! While this flaw could have been solved with better editing, all the missteps of this work are not so easily remedied.
As for character development, we are informed REPEATEDLY in the opening pages that our hero, David de Serre is a man of few words, yet he suddenly becomes eloquence perfected when he encounters our heroine? Where is the confusion generated in her (or others) by his reticence? How does this make him a good agent? etc. While time is given to the three major characters of De Serre, Liesel and Josef, the parents and siblings are rather blah, begging to be drawn more vividly. Rather than merely state that the two fathers raised their sons differently, it would have been better to see some concrete examples of the difference in home life/ activities/ memories of our coming of age young people (although they are really a bit old for their parts here). The death of Josef's mother is mentioned, but never explored in regard to his relationship with his father. The immigrant struggle and experience of the parents is not explored beyond factual details. And the experience of second generation immigration is trivialized - Josef wants to be German, Liesel wants to be American. We know this because they state it several times, and the report on each uncovers that Liesel only participated in American clubs growing up and Josef in German ones. If the immigrant experience were this tidy it wouldn't be a source of story!
Finally, it takes more to write good historical fiction than a knowledge of what year the Lincoln Memorial was built. While modern sensibilities are not quite projected onto our characters, they really have no cultural grounding, leaving them flat. The one area that is filled out is the romance genres use of "words as a caress" and reference to the cardiac state of the intendeds, etc. In addition, the repeated, and highly inappropriate for the time, scenes of physical contact between our heroes only serves to obliterate any tension built by the plot. Rather than shocking the characters into changing their actions (as would have been required in the setting) they merely plod on, sharing their boring 'wonderings' with us. blah. blah. blah.
But perhaps the character least served by this lack of setting is Josef. I am not familiar with the tone of German Americans during the first World War (that was something I wanted to learn about), but much of Josef's impetus for his actions seems to be a Nazi-ism that wasn't present in this time period. There also seems to be a thorough knowledge of Darwin's "Origin of Species" which I find to be strange, given that the Scopes trial thrusting Darwin into school curricula across the country took place 7 years AFTER our setting (and keep in mind that the Scopes trial opened the teaching of evolution to COLLEGES - and only one of our characters attended college). Placing these ideas into Josef's character in such a developed form is ridiculous for a young man coming of age during the World War I.
Finally, Christian readers will find a real theological problem in the articulation of differing perspectives. "America is a nation blessed by God." is set up against "the rightful ascent of German ways". And I cannot understand the scene from which Liesel determines "Josef loves Germany more than GOD!" Oh my! The patriotism and nationalism of our time is a subject worthy to be examined, but Lang's presentation comes as racist (Germans are the enemy in the war, so we are supposed to dislike them), sectarian (protestant Americans are better, wiser, and just plain right compared to those Germans we are supposed to dislike), and without Biblical foundation (if God can acknowledge the pagan practices of the Babylonians, yet use them as part of His plan to discipline Israel, I think it is quite difficult to assert that God is on a particular side in a modern war). How theology played out in the experience of German Americans would have been another wonderful theme to explore, but alas, we shall have to look for other works to do so.
World War II has generally overshadowed World War I in fiction, but Bodie Thoene has an excellent series called "Shiloh Legacy" that starts with "In my Father's House". Those looking for good historical fiction would do well to read anything by Bodie Thoene or Lynn Austin. Lynn Austin, though she doesn't cover World War I, creates excellent work in historical settings. I particularly enjoyed her Civil War series which starts with "Candle in the Darkness" - i have yet to be disappointed in a Lynn Austin novel.
January 11, 2020
She was born as American, though her parents were German. With the threat of war, and the dictation of letters that were highly confident, that went thru the office, They felt compelled to let her go. Saying she was the best they had had in the two years. Meeting that same block as she tried to find another job. Then she wondered about the man she loved, it seemed he was Into espionage. With trust in God, she hoped for a path to follow. A good story and you admire her courage.
November 16, 2018
Pretty good story with a dose of adventure.
Some anachronisms, though... would she really be allowed to wander around and ride the trolley across town on her own? Maybe it’s a social class thing and it would have been acceptable but it seemed a bit off.
Also some of the political/patriotic arguments seemed to fit ww2 better than ww1
Some anachronisms, though... would she really be allowed to wander around and ride the trolley across town on her own? Maybe it’s a social class thing and it would have been acceptable but it seemed a bit off.
Also some of the political/patriotic arguments seemed to fit ww2 better than ww1
November 16, 2018
She loved an American traitor
Liesl loved Josef her whole life until she was shown things about Josef she couldn't comprehend. Horrific things she didn't want to believe. As she realizes the truth,Liesl finds herself swept into a world where America needs her help to catch the man she has loved.
Liesl loved Josef her whole life until she was shown things about Josef she couldn't comprehend. Horrific things she didn't want to believe. As she realizes the truth,Liesl finds herself swept into a world where America needs her help to catch the man she has loved.
October 16, 2021
Loved this!! It grabbed me on the first page and never let go. What a great story. I'd never read anything by this author before, and now I look forward to getting the second book in this series, which because of the older date of this book (2006) I won't have to wait for. So glad I found this author.
July 29, 2018
Well, I went back and forth to 2 stars and 3 stars. As I thought about this book, I realized that this book had what I like about book. They live their faith. It's more than that they go to church.
What I didn't like was the first 4 chapters. So confusing, I almost gave up.
USA: DC
What I didn't like was the first 4 chapters. So confusing, I almost gave up.
USA: DC
October 29, 2018
Nice read
I liked the book. It made a point of the German discrimination during the first world war. And how some German Americans were loyal versus those who thought themselves German.
I liked the book. It made a point of the German discrimination during the first world war. And how some German Americans were loyal versus those who thought themselves German.
October 1, 2019
Really enjoyed this book, easy story to follow well written
Love reading war stories this a favourite with the love suspense and thriller story line. Looking forward to reading book 2.
Love reading war stories this a favourite with the love suspense and thriller story line. Looking forward to reading book 2.
September 23, 2018
Germamy
A great story ! Reading about Word War 2 brings back a lot of memories of a terrible time for our world .A So reminds us that prayers are answered .
A great story ! Reading about Word War 2 brings back a lot of memories of a terrible time for our world .A So reminds us that prayers are answered .
Read
June 19, 2019Good read.
September 3, 2019
I really enjoyed this historical drama of the period just before WWI.
September 24, 2019
Interesting perspective
Fans of WWI and WWII novels romance will enjoy this book that explores the concept of personal loyalty versus patriotism.
Fans of WWI and WWII novels romance will enjoy this book that explores the concept of personal loyalty versus patriotism.
January 11, 2021
Disgusting book. David DeSerre, the main male character was supposed to be a Christian but he acted horribly from beginning to end.
Read
September 28, 2021The start of WW1 Liesel gets involved with her friend Joepf who wants Germany to win the war. David is with the Justice Department and falls in love with Leisel.
December 17, 2023
It's so encouraging to see how God works out the details!!
July 21, 2025
part one
I wish I had known this isn’t a complete book. No conclusion to the main plot or characters in this part one of how many? I will imagine the rest of story.
I wish I had known this isn’t a complete book. No conclusion to the main plot or characters in this part one of how many? I will imagine the rest of story.
August 9, 2025
Fabulous! It will keep you up all night in suspense!!
June 29, 2026
Had never read Maureen Lang's book. Very impressive. Kept me from wanting to put down my book.
September 5, 2011
It's 1917, and America is at war with Germany.
Liesel Bonner's world changes forever on the day she loses her job as a stenographer, simply because she's of German blood. She's an American citizen, born and bred, she's never questioned her loyalty to the United States. But government agent David de Serre does, and so does the country he represents. He also questions the allegiance of her beau Josef von Woener. Who will she trust? What path will she choose? Who will she trust? Liesel is torn between love for her country, her faith in God, and her longing for lasting love, in this book of betrayal and loyalty, in the year of 1917. What will she choose?
Having never read anything by Maureen Lang, I didn't know what to expect. But this book was definitely worth my time! Almost as soon as I started reading I felt connected to the character of Liesel. Reading about her struggles, and how she dealt with them, was inspiring. She is such an inwardly strong character, yet vulnerable. But so remarkably strong.
While David de Serre might not have been the hero in a red cape, he was very admirable. Not in the flashy sort of way but in the way that slowly-grows-on-you-and-you-don't-know-why. Which I thought was very well done. Plus he knows his Bible. The perfect hero. I'm a huge fan.
The plot was skillfully woven, and encompassed most of my favorite things in one book! Those things are: intrigue, mystery, suspense, romance, history, touching characters, WWI era, & spies! Whenever I picked it up, from putting it down, I was instantly plunged back into the year of 1917. It didn't take time, just, BAM! And I was there. Definitely one of my top ten favorite reads this year - so far anyway!
Also, I found the characters and dialog, warm, engaging and believable. I thought that it presented both sides of the conflict very well. Which is something that really caught my attention about this book. The new angle of German-Americans caught between two countries that they loved. It was fresh and intriguing.
As a closing word, I found nothing that I found objectionable in the content. Just some kissing, but I didn't find that objectionable. So in the end I will most certainly be on the lookout for more books by Maureen Lang! Thanks!
ISBN: 0-8254-3668-0
Buy the book HERE
Special thanks to Kregel Publishing who provided this book to me for review free of charge. Thanks!
Liesel Bonner's world changes forever on the day she loses her job as a stenographer, simply because she's of German blood. She's an American citizen, born and bred, she's never questioned her loyalty to the United States. But government agent David de Serre does, and so does the country he represents. He also questions the allegiance of her beau Josef von Woener. Who will she trust? What path will she choose? Who will she trust? Liesel is torn between love for her country, her faith in God, and her longing for lasting love, in this book of betrayal and loyalty, in the year of 1917. What will she choose?
Having never read anything by Maureen Lang, I didn't know what to expect. But this book was definitely worth my time! Almost as soon as I started reading I felt connected to the character of Liesel. Reading about her struggles, and how she dealt with them, was inspiring. She is such an inwardly strong character, yet vulnerable. But so remarkably strong.
While David de Serre might not have been the hero in a red cape, he was very admirable. Not in the flashy sort of way but in the way that slowly-grows-on-you-and-you-don't-know-why. Which I thought was very well done. Plus he knows his Bible. The perfect hero. I'm a huge fan.
The plot was skillfully woven, and encompassed most of my favorite things in one book! Those things are: intrigue, mystery, suspense, romance, history, touching characters, WWI era, & spies! Whenever I picked it up, from putting it down, I was instantly plunged back into the year of 1917. It didn't take time, just, BAM! And I was there. Definitely one of my top ten favorite reads this year - so far anyway!
Also, I found the characters and dialog, warm, engaging and believable. I thought that it presented both sides of the conflict very well. Which is something that really caught my attention about this book. The new angle of German-Americans caught between two countries that they loved. It was fresh and intriguing.
As a closing word, I found nothing that I found objectionable in the content. Just some kissing, but I didn't find that objectionable. So in the end I will most certainly be on the lookout for more books by Maureen Lang! Thanks!
ISBN: 0-8254-3668-0
Buy the book HERE
Special thanks to Kregel Publishing who provided this book to me for review free of charge. Thanks!
July 28, 2014
Read with a book club.
This was my first book set during the WWI period, and I enjoyed reading from the perspective of a German-American family. The first half of the book seemed to be typical period romance, but the second half was full of suspenseful twists and turns. It was hard to put this book down once it got going. Well written (and probably researched) I would read this author again.
(Side note: They had to make so many adjustments to get access to a telephone that I longed to lend them my cell. It would have made life easier for them.)
This was my first book set during the WWI period, and I enjoyed reading from the perspective of a German-American family. The first half of the book seemed to be typical period romance, but the second half was full of suspenseful twists and turns. It was hard to put this book down once it got going. Well written (and probably researched) I would read this author again.
(Side note: They had to make so many adjustments to get access to a telephone that I longed to lend them my cell. It would have made life easier for them.)
November 9, 2015
I really enjoyed the book! I was never quite sure how it would all tie together, and the last couple chapters had me on the edge of my seat.
That said, the beginning through the middle of the story seemed to drag on. And, maybe it was just me, but the plot seemed to go in circles.
However, it was worth the read, and a very interesting story and look at the home life during WWI.
That said, the beginning through the middle of the story seemed to drag on. And, maybe it was just me, but the plot seemed to go in circles.
However, it was worth the read, and a very interesting story and look at the home life during WWI.
October 1, 2014
At first I wasn't sure if I'd like this book. One of the reasons being I was having a hard time at first following who was who.
I liked how she learned that she had put her relationship with her boyfriend ahead of God and how she realized she assumed too much about his relationship with God.
I liked how she learned that she had put her relationship with her boyfriend ahead of God and how she realized she assumed too much about his relationship with God.
November 24, 2009
I read this a few years ago, so don't feel qualified to review it now, but anything by Maureen Lang is very, very good.
Wonderful romance taking place in the World War I era.
Wonderful romance taking place in the World War I era.
January 12, 2011
Book 1 of 2...
March 14, 2012
No words. I have no words with which to describe how much I loved this book, and effectively convince you to go in search of your own copy. Just read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews