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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Cradles of the Reich was an interesting read about the Lebensborn program… temporary homes for German woman to create “racially pure” children. There are so many crazy ideas that the Nazis had and this was one of them. I’d heard a bit about the program a few times in reading about WWII, but this is the most in-depth story I’ve read regarding it. The story is told from the point of view of 3 women. The first, Gunde, is a young pregnant woman chosen to come to one of the homes to stay healthy and deliver her baby. She hides a secret that could be devastating for her if discovered. The second, Hilde, is a teenager who falls for a older, married Nazi officer and is excited when she becomes pregnant with his baby. He pulls some strings to get her into the home. She’s thrilled to be “doing her duty” to her country and Hitler by bringing a “racially pure” child into the world. The last, Irma, is a nurse who comes to work in the home after feeling betrayed by her boyfriend. The way the German government convinced citizens to hate Jews, people who had mental or physical problems, and anyone else who did not live up to their standards was insane. It’s amazing how people could be brainwashed like that. In addition, though, people who refused to stand by and allow fellow humans to suffer did some heroic things to help as many as possible.
The book was one that I enjoyed reading for the most part. Unfortunately, the ending seemed to wrap up too quickly and left some loose threads as to what happened to several people. I could see a sequel and hope the author decides to write one. This book caught my attention as another part of this time period I’d briefly heard of but not read much about. I’m glad I decided to give this one a go written by a new-to-me author.
The book was one that I enjoyed reading for the most part. Unfortunately, the ending seemed to wrap up too quickly and left some loose threads as to what happened to several people. I could see a sequel and hope the author decides to write one. This book caught my attention as another part of this time period I’d briefly heard of but not read much about. I’m glad I decided to give this one a go written by a new-to-me author.
I didn't think it was possible to read a unique story set in WW2 Germany that I hadn't already read a version of. Jennifer Coburn proved me wrong. This book tells the story of pregnant mothers, maternity homes and eugenics in Nazi Germany. Like most WW2 books, this book is emotionally heavy. However, I was quickly sucked into the plot and was very eager to see how it all ended. My only complaint is that the book ended abruptly and there are some unfinished plot lines. I would recommend it overall. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of this novel.
This is not ‘just another World War Two book.’
⭐ It’s a mini history lesson on a devious and traumatic top-secret Nazi policy.
⭐ It shows us that we have the ability within us to change the course of another’s life by forging connections that have the potential to carry another through dark moments.
⭐ It encourages us to dig deep and find the catalyst to enable us to act with heroism when we least feel like a hero.
⭐ It answers why civilized, ordinary people became seduced by a fanatic.
⭐ It warns us that a Hitler-style leader can be elected and subtly sow seeds of hatred for another race, group or religion.
Coburn transported me back in time and explored the experiences of those women who gave birth for Hitler and revealed why and how young German women became such willing participants. I knew that the Third Reich members were obsessive about race and racial purity and that it lead to two horrific policies; the Holocaust and Lebensborn. While I’ve educated myself more about the monstrous Holocaust, I’ve not made much of an effort to learn more about the mirror-opposite program and the lengths the Nazis went to increase the numbers of racially desirable. I knew that there was a breeding program, but was not prepared for what author Jennifer Coburn had extensively researched and presented!
In highlighting this barbaric program, Coburn crafted three women representative of each facet of the German population. Gundi Schiller’s response to Germany at war was to join the resistance. On the other end of the spectrum is Hilde Kramer, a highschool student who saw the prestige and eagerly supported Hitler’s movement. Somewhere in the middle was Nurse Irma Binz who decided to put her head down and go about her own business. When Coburn has them meet at Heim Hochland, the maternity home near Munich, readers get an opportunity to see how each woman reacts to her ‘duty.’ The beauty of this for me is a learning experience, especially crafted by an author who has spent dauntless hours delving into the written accounts of others who represented the same section of the German population as her characters. By exploring these girls’ personal relationships, with each other and with the Nazi officers, I gain insight into areas of history I’d never have had the opportunity to know about nor understand.
Coburn effectively placed me in a front-row seat as the policies of the state-supported program called Lebensborn unfolded, helped me see the relevance and importance of studying this event in history, and gave me a deeper and more lasting understanding of what really happened.
You need to pick up this eye-opening account and see for yourself why this isn’t just another historical fiction book.
I can’t wait to see what the author has planned for her next historical fiction novel featuring Nazi propaganda.
I was gifted this advance copy by Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
⭐ It’s a mini history lesson on a devious and traumatic top-secret Nazi policy.
⭐ It shows us that we have the ability within us to change the course of another’s life by forging connections that have the potential to carry another through dark moments.
⭐ It encourages us to dig deep and find the catalyst to enable us to act with heroism when we least feel like a hero.
⭐ It answers why civilized, ordinary people became seduced by a fanatic.
⭐ It warns us that a Hitler-style leader can be elected and subtly sow seeds of hatred for another race, group or religion.
Coburn transported me back in time and explored the experiences of those women who gave birth for Hitler and revealed why and how young German women became such willing participants. I knew that the Third Reich members were obsessive about race and racial purity and that it lead to two horrific policies; the Holocaust and Lebensborn. While I’ve educated myself more about the monstrous Holocaust, I’ve not made much of an effort to learn more about the mirror-opposite program and the lengths the Nazis went to increase the numbers of racially desirable. I knew that there was a breeding program, but was not prepared for what author Jennifer Coburn had extensively researched and presented!
In highlighting this barbaric program, Coburn crafted three women representative of each facet of the German population. Gundi Schiller’s response to Germany at war was to join the resistance. On the other end of the spectrum is Hilde Kramer, a highschool student who saw the prestige and eagerly supported Hitler’s movement. Somewhere in the middle was Nurse Irma Binz who decided to put her head down and go about her own business. When Coburn has them meet at Heim Hochland, the maternity home near Munich, readers get an opportunity to see how each woman reacts to her ‘duty.’ The beauty of this for me is a learning experience, especially crafted by an author who has spent dauntless hours delving into the written accounts of others who represented the same section of the German population as her characters. By exploring these girls’ personal relationships, with each other and with the Nazi officers, I gain insight into areas of history I’d never have had the opportunity to know about nor understand.
Coburn effectively placed me in a front-row seat as the policies of the state-supported program called Lebensborn unfolded, helped me see the relevance and importance of studying this event in history, and gave me a deeper and more lasting understanding of what really happened.
You need to pick up this eye-opening account and see for yourself why this isn’t just another historical fiction book.
I can’t wait to see what the author has planned for her next historical fiction novel featuring Nazi propaganda.
I was gifted this advance copy by Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This was a decent book, fast read and engaging. I found several of the leads caricatures and a bit unrealistic
When you thought you know about all the atrocities the Nazis committed and then you find one more that you had only really heard about in passing… I’m grateful to the author for writing this novel and for deeply researching the Lebensborn program. I loved that there were three characters with three different positions in the novel, and just how well they fit into the narrative in general. My only wish: that it had been longer. The ending is actually perfect, but I wanted all loose ends tied up just for my own piece of mind… So I will do that in my end.
Must read in my opinion!!
Must read in my opinion!!
This was a good story about 3 German women during WWII, revolving around the Lebensborn Maternity Houses. I liked having the 3 different perspectives; one is a resistance fighter, one is a true Nazi, and one is probably the more typical of the German population at that time, a woman who doesn't ask questions and just keeps her head down. I gave 3 stars because this one was an average book - nothing bad, nothing great. If you like historical fiction, and you're interested in the womans perspective during WWII, then give this one a go.
Was interested in reading about a different aspect of WW2. Unfortunately some of the story fell a little flat and the ending was very abrupt.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Set during WWII Bavaria, Cradles of the Reich is based on the true and lesser-known Lebensborn Society maternity homes story. With the goal of racial purity, Heinrich Himmler strongly encouraged SS officers to breed with pure Aryan women to create a perfect Nazi-Aryan nation. Many women were ecstatic and proud to be part of the program. They were housed in better rooms than many had, were fed well and had a sisterhood of sorts. Over a quarter of a million babies were also wrenched from their families and taken away to "Germanize". Some were raised by SS couples, others were deemed not good enough and killed.
In this heartbreaking but beautiful book, three women with unrelated lives meet at a breeding hospital, Heim Hochland. Deceit abounds as Nazi propaganda is rife including that of "mothers-in-training" which sounds much nicer than the reality. Middle-aged nurse Irma with life experience saw the goings on at the "maternity hospital". Pregnant teen Hilde was over the moon happy about carrying the racially pure baby of a high-ranking Nazi official. Prized Aryan and pregnant Gundi was secretly part of the Resistance. Readers are privy to the fascinating viewpoints of these and other characters including the men, very interesting to read but also extremely sad and disturbing to know that this happened to real people.
My favourite aspects about the book are the unique storyline, the perspectives of the women involved in various ways and the gorgeous and emotive writing which swept me away into a completely different world.
Historical Fiction fans in particular ought to pick up this book. Well worth your time. It compelled me to do further research to educate myself.
My sincere thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this difficult yet captivating book. My heart broke as I learned more about the horrendous Lebensborn tragedy and kidnappings which ended in incomprehensible devastation for the children who had no voice. Books like this are important.
In this heartbreaking but beautiful book, three women with unrelated lives meet at a breeding hospital, Heim Hochland. Deceit abounds as Nazi propaganda is rife including that of "mothers-in-training" which sounds much nicer than the reality. Middle-aged nurse Irma with life experience saw the goings on at the "maternity hospital". Pregnant teen Hilde was over the moon happy about carrying the racially pure baby of a high-ranking Nazi official. Prized Aryan and pregnant Gundi was secretly part of the Resistance. Readers are privy to the fascinating viewpoints of these and other characters including the men, very interesting to read but also extremely sad and disturbing to know that this happened to real people.
My favourite aspects about the book are the unique storyline, the perspectives of the women involved in various ways and the gorgeous and emotive writing which swept me away into a completely different world.
Historical Fiction fans in particular ought to pick up this book. Well worth your time. It compelled me to do further research to educate myself.
My sincere thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this difficult yet captivating book. My heart broke as I learned more about the horrendous Lebensborn tragedy and kidnappings which ended in incomprehensible devastation for the children who had no voice. Books like this are important.
I love a powerful historical fiction story set during World War II and this one is exactly that. The story follows three main characters Gundi, who has become pregnant and while she is the perfect Aryan beauty, she is involved with a resistance group; Hilde who wants nothing more than to become a wife and perfect member of the Reich and a nurse, Irma. All three find their lives intertwined at the Nazi breeding program Heim Hochland.
First, I will say I had no idea this even happened. It was shocking to read and learn about. Second, Coburn tackles the subject with such beautiful prose but doesn't hold back either. There are certainly times it is difficult to read, knowing that this all went on in our not-so-distant history.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, especially set in World War II, this is not one to miss.
Thank you Sourcebooks, Suzy Approved Book Tours, and Jennifer Coburn for the gifted eARC and physical copy!
First, I will say I had no idea this even happened. It was shocking to read and learn about. Second, Coburn tackles the subject with such beautiful prose but doesn't hold back either. There are certainly times it is difficult to read, knowing that this all went on in our not-so-distant history.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, especially set in World War II, this is not one to miss.
Thank you Sourcebooks, Suzy Approved Book Tours, and Jennifer Coburn for the gifted eARC and physical copy!