Scan barcode
reginacattus's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating and haunting insight into the life of a "ordinary Nazi". Here, Lee skillfully weaves the tale, from the lead-up to his birth, right up to the repercussions to date following his death, of a decidedly average and unremarkable man, who nonetheless was very much a part of the Nazi machine. The story is weaved together with added context of the other lives that touched Griesinger's, and the wider social & political landscape (even drawing in influences of enslavement and racism in America). There is also some air of detective novel as Lee describes hunting through archives and conducting interviews to uncover and connect each detail. It all makes for a rather chilling examination of how the more average citizen would also be drawn into the regime, making it hit much closer to home than a standard textbook or trivia line about Europe during the world wars. Frequent reminders of the horrors experienced and perpetrated both by and upon German soldiers and civilians keep at each point keep the story very firmly placed in its context.
rachelemm's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this fresh take on the much written about period of Nazi rule in Germany during WW2.
The book has two objectives, one is to find out more about Dr. Robert Griesinger, an SS Officer who hid a number of important documents in the upholstery of an armchair; the other story is of the armchair itself and where it takes Daniel Lee as he carries out his investigations.
I thought both aspects of the book were well done although I found myself more intrigued by the modern day storyline as Lee tried to unpick and understand the legacy left behind by Dr. Griesinger.
Even if you have read a lot on Nazi Germany and on the SS, I think this will be a rewarding read. It shows how easily ordinary men were able to adopt the values of the Nazi party. Griesinger was a regular guy with a wife and kids, he wasn't some monster. And that's the point here, it was people like Robert that allowed the Nazi regime to operate for as long as it did as efficiently as it is did and their behaviour is worthy of study if we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
I found Lee's writing style informative and engaging and would definitely read something else from him in future.
The book has two objectives, one is to find out more about Dr. Robert Griesinger, an SS Officer who hid a number of important documents in the upholstery of an armchair; the other story is of the armchair itself and where it takes Daniel Lee as he carries out his investigations.
I thought both aspects of the book were well done although I found myself more intrigued by the modern day storyline as Lee tried to unpick and understand the legacy left behind by Dr. Griesinger.
Even if you have read a lot on Nazi Germany and on the SS, I think this will be a rewarding read. It shows how easily ordinary men were able to adopt the values of the Nazi party. Griesinger was a regular guy with a wife and kids, he wasn't some monster. And that's the point here, it was people like Robert that allowed the Nazi regime to operate for as long as it did as efficiently as it is did and their behaviour is worthy of study if we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
I found Lee's writing style informative and engaging and would definitely read something else from him in future.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
This is stellar research, but the nature of the story is rather dull. This book is a huge contribution to academic history about Nazi Germany, but it is not a suspenseful or gripping read, and it took me a while to get through this. I would only recommend it to other people who are equally or more interested in WWII history.
jennyhk's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. I love historical novels and I found this really interesting. It’s both an historical detective story and a gripping account of one historian’s hunt for answers, At times the book read a little like some kind of dissertation, a little too academic for me. Overall I enjoyed it though and learned a lot about the 'other' side of history.
sandsing7's review against another edition
2.0
The beginning and ending were very interesting but the middle was filled with just too much speculation to make it worthwhile.
makikooni's review against another edition
3.0
This position belongs to quite a different type of literature I have been reading in recent years. The book is unique and one of the kind. It follows the journey of a researcher on her way to discover everything she can about one particular 'ordinary Nazi' connected with her family history.
The story itself is heavy on dates and specific information therefore I would categorize it as a biography. I was expecting more of the lighter type story yet it doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy the book. The information in it are well researched and annotated at the end of the book but the book also includes a lot of guessing what could have happened.
I would recommend the book to anybody interested in WW2 and. biographies. Others may find it a bit heavy to read.
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
The story itself is heavy on dates and specific information therefore I would categorize it as a biography. I was expecting more of the lighter type story yet it doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy the book. The information in it are well researched and annotated at the end of the book but the book also includes a lot of guessing what could have happened.
I would recommend the book to anybody interested in WW2 and. biographies. Others may find it a bit heavy to read.
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The SS Officer’s Armchair - Daniel Lee
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Random House and Netgalley.
This is not my usual sort of book, in fact I stumbled upon this one by accident.
Daniel Lee has thoroughly investigated the life of Robert Griesinger, a German lawyer, and a member of the SS. Lee was tipped off about Greisinger through the discovery of some nazi documents that were found in an armchair that was sent to be re-upholstered.
I have learnt a lot from reading this book and you can see just how much time and effort Lee has put into researching the information that has been included.
Rating: 4/5
A very detailed read.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Random House and Netgalley.
This is not my usual sort of book, in fact I stumbled upon this one by accident.
Daniel Lee has thoroughly investigated the life of Robert Griesinger, a German lawyer, and a member of the SS. Lee was tipped off about Greisinger through the discovery of some nazi documents that were found in an armchair that was sent to be re-upholstered.
I have learnt a lot from reading this book and you can see just how much time and effort Lee has put into researching the information that has been included.
Rating: 4/5
A very detailed read.
booklarking's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
One of the best researched history books I have ever read.