In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

I get into moods where I read a lot of World War II books, (mostly Holocaust stories, memoirs, or psychological insights) where I sit for days or weeks and read one after another. Then, for some weird reason I stop. It is a love/hate relationship. I suppose it has to do with my own family perishing in the Holocaust, knowing that my family could have been bigger or that I may not have been in this world if things had turned out differently. In any case, when I saw that one of my favorite historical fiction writers, Erik Larson, had written his newest novel, In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin, I knew that I had to read it. Erik Larson is one of the best historical fiction writers that I have come across. He manages to introduce us to historical people that will probably not be remembered (other than a Wikipedia page) and become completely vested into their lives.

In the Garden of Beasts in summery recalls the American Ambassador to Germany, William E. Dodd and his daughter Martha Dodd’s experience in Germany during Hitler’s Chancellorship. This period in time was the birth of the Nazi party and the beginning of the anti-communist sentiment and the vapid anti-Semitism that spread throughout Germany in the 1930’s. As a history nut it was so interesting to see all actual incidents that occurred during that time. One that will always stick in my mind was when a non-Jewish woman wanted to marry a Jewish man and she was dragged by a group of SS and shamed in public. Of course as the years progressed things did get worse. It was also interesting that concentration camps were mentioned, mainly Dachau as well as the castration of the disabled and mentally impaired. Larson managed to show the reader the United States response by memorandums sent from different departments and how their personal beliefs affected the US’s decisions to intervene or not.

Larson did a tremendous job with William and Martha. William is a very uptight Southern Democrat who has very opinionated ideals. He is almost puritan in his work ethic and moral orders. His passion in life is the old South and his book he has been trying to finish. He doesn’t get along with the rest of his colleagues at the Embassy as he likes to watch his money and does not like to waste his money frivolously on such things as entertaining dignitaries and even likes to walk to work. The antithesis of his character is his daughter Martha. Martha loves the good life, but not as much as she loves men. She has several affairs and has numerous engagements. The famed astronomer/poet Carl Saigon is even mentioned as one of her beau’s. In Germany she falls in love with a communist, who we later learn is a Russian spy. When first arriving in Germany she is amazed and enthralled by the fervor that has engulfed Germany and is dying to meet Hitler. As the story continues she is appalled by what she see’s and realizes how mistaken she was. The Dodd’s only last in Germany for less than two years but their time there permanently changes their lives forever. William Dodd dies shortly after, Martha marries a Jewish American banker who is a communist and during McCarthyism relocates to Europe where she lives today.

Usually after reading a Larson book I do a lot of research about some of the events and the people he mentions in the stories. I love an author that teach you something new, that to me is the definition of reading. Reading opens you up to new worlds, new people, experiences, and points of view.

Thank you Mr. Larson, Keep them coming.

I give it 8 out of 10.