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2.48k reviews for:
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
Erik Larson
3.77 AVERAGE
2.48k reviews for:
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
Erik Larson
3.77 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
dark
slow-paced
informative
slow-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Good but lots of facts and people to keep track of. An interesting read.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
I had so much hope/excitement for this book and it was just ok. There were some interesting moments but I was really bored with all of Marth's conquests. I think the story of pre-war Germany was fascinating.
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
A challenging read, but I think an important one.
First of all, I absolutely love Eric Larson's writing. It's a rare talent to be able to make someone laugh out loud while reading a history book about the rise of Nazi Germany. The research is impeccable, and Larson does a great job of making real life read more like a novel than a textbook.
I think the true value of In the Garden Of Beasts is it's ability to showcase the insidious nature of evil, and the importance of listening when people tell you that something is not right. Dodd tried to speak out, and was ignored, and we all know the rest of the story.
It's really hard to see myself in the everyday people that the Dodds encountered in the streets of Berlin. There is such a disconnect between the horrors in the world around them, and the need to get up and go to work in the morning.
I did feel that the book ended slightly abruptly, true, in all fairness, to the actual history. And also in all fairness, Larson did say that it was the story of "an American family," and not of an era. But still. It really would have only had to cover another 10 months to finish through when America pulled their ambassadors.
Overall, a worthwhile and enjoyable (for what the subject matter is) read.
First of all, I absolutely love Eric Larson's writing. It's a rare talent to be able to make someone laugh out loud while reading a history book about the rise of Nazi Germany. The research is impeccable, and Larson does a great job of making real life read more like a novel than a textbook.
I think the true value of In the Garden Of Beasts is it's ability to showcase the insidious nature of evil, and the importance of listening when people tell you that something is not right. Dodd tried to speak out, and was ignored, and we all know the rest of the story.
It's really hard to see myself in the everyday people that the Dodds encountered in the streets of Berlin. There is such a disconnect between the horrors in the world around them, and the need to get up and go to work in the morning.
I did feel that the book ended slightly abruptly, true, in all fairness, to the actual history. And also in all fairness, Larson did say that it was the story of "an American family," and not of an era. But still. It really would have only had to cover another 10 months to finish through when America pulled their ambassadors.
Overall, a worthwhile and enjoyable (for what the subject matter is) read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Police brutality, Murder, War, Deportation
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced