Wednesday, November 2, 2011

In the garden of beasts : love, terror, and an American family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson.

Stacks E748.D6 L37 2011
Recommended by Colleen Lougen, Librarian

Another riveting read from Erik Larson (Devil in the White City, Isaac's Storm, and Thunderstruck) about Hitler's ascent to power. Told through the real life accounts of William Dodd, the American ambassador to Germany (1933-1937) who moved his wife and two children to Berlin. The story is reconstructed from William and his daughter, Martha's diaries and letters. This book quickly draws you in and makes you feel like you are living in 1930's Berlin. The name of the book comes from the English translation of Tiergarten which is the Central Park of Berlin and where much of the book takes place. Great book for anyone interested in this period of history.