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The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero by Patricia McCormick
amylandranch's review against another edition
4.0
A short but jam packed accounting of Dieter Bonhoeffer and his role in trying to warn the world of Hitler and the atrocities going on. I liked the little snippets of history in their own boxes so the reader could learn more about what was going on in relation to the story. I also liked reading about people who did not agree with what was happening and tried to do something about it. I learned some new things, especially about the role of religion in the war. Accessible and easy to read, this will appeal to history and WW2 buffs. 6th grade and up.
kriscricket's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
Author likes to end each chapter with either fore shadowing or a cliff hanger statement. Good as a YA book
booksandbosox's review against another edition
3.0
Very fast-paced read about a piece of history that I knew nothing about. Organized well, but, as an adult reader, it was obvious that there is much more to the story than presented here. However, this is a nice, concise introduction to a fascinating piece of WWII history and a man who deserves more attention. I appreciated the author's note about the potential for our own activism and considering how difficult it was for Bonhoeffer to make choices he did. This will definitely find an audience with middle school fans of non-fiction.
Thanks to the publisher for a digital advance reader's copy, provided via Edelweiss.
Thanks to the publisher for a digital advance reader's copy, provided via Edelweiss.
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one, which surprised me. I read it immediately after reading another book about a minister, which I didn't enjoy as much and I thought perhaps it had to do with the protagonist's profession. I guess not! This book traces Dietrich Bonhoeffer's entire life, but concentrates mainly on his adulthood. You learn about this particular conspiracy to kill Hitler. I think, in this time when many people feel lost and helpless, it's important to read books like this which show us that, yes, you can stand up to power, but there will be consequences. I felt so bad for Bonhoeffer's family. McCormick's style of writing must have worked better for me than the other book I read. I was a little irritated by the short chapters, but I think for reluctant readers and people who are used to that style, they will like it more.
thisgrrlreads's review against another edition
5.0
A thriller where you know the failed ending ahead of time--Hitler lives, Bohoeffer dies--and yet it's still really engrossing. McCormick manages to edit out boring parts, she skips years and summarizes with rechless abandon, only focusing on what's important to this story about Bonhoeffer. My heart ached for Bonhoeffer and his family, who were killed for their crimes right near the end of the war, right before Hitler killed himself. I also learned an incredible amount about how Hitler used and abused the church in Germany for his own ends, which I'd never totally understood.
holtkaren's review against another edition
5.0
good synopsis of life in Nazi Germany from a Christian's perspective--one who took action against the Nazis even when established church did not
heatherjodavis's review against another edition
5.0
Such an engaging and swift-moving account of Bonhoeffer--very inspirational to all!
bethmitcham's review against another edition
3.0
Biography of a man who opposed Hitler and was executed by him just before the end of the war. A lot of time is spent on his youth and early days as a pastor. Good but not great -- the frantic scrambling of the last few years are a bit confusing.
isabelashley's review against another edition
4.0
The Plot to Kill Hitler is a non-fiction novel about a conspiracy to end Adolf Hitler's life during his rule of Nazi Germany. The novel follows the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his role in the three assassination attempts on Hitler. It explores his early years and his faith, but it also explores Nazi Germany. It goes over the start of Nazi Germany and how it progressively got worse and worse as the years went on and inched closer to the start of World War II. It is a beautiful blend of Bonhoeffer's personal life and what it was like in Nazi Germany during the 1930's to 1940's. An easy and insightful way to tell history.
I found the novel easy to get into and read, which I was thankful for. I was scared that it would read like a text book and become boring and impossible to read at times, but that didn't happen. Instead, I found myself intrigued and wanting to keep reading. I found the history side very interesting and insightful. I loved the new information I was able to learn and the new side of World War II I was able to see. It was an interesting read about an awful time in world history showing that not everyone in Germany blindly followed Hitler and even were working to overthrow/assassinate him. The reason I gave the novel four stars instead of a full five stars, though, is there were bits where the story lulled and did feel more like a text book. Other than that, though, I found the novel easy to follow and understand and a great way to tell history. I would recommend this novel to friends. I actually am wanting to recommend this to my little brother because I think it is something that he would be interested in. I would recommend it to those who are just getting into nonfiction novels and maybe need something easy from nonfiction.
Content Warnings: Death, Mockery of Race
I found the novel easy to get into and read, which I was thankful for. I was scared that it would read like a text book and become boring and impossible to read at times, but that didn't happen. Instead, I found myself intrigued and wanting to keep reading. I found the history side very interesting and insightful. I loved the new information I was able to learn and the new side of World War II I was able to see. It was an interesting read about an awful time in world history showing that not everyone in Germany blindly followed Hitler and even were working to overthrow/assassinate him. The reason I gave the novel four stars instead of a full five stars, though, is there were bits where the story lulled and did feel more like a text book. Other than that, though, I found the novel easy to follow and understand and a great way to tell history. I would recommend this novel to friends. I actually am wanting to recommend this to my little brother because I think it is something that he would be interested in. I would recommend it to those who are just getting into nonfiction novels and maybe need something easy from nonfiction.
Content Warnings: Death, Mockery of Race