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2.49k reviews for:
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
Erik Larson
3.77 AVERAGE
2.49k reviews for:
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
Erik Larson
3.77 AVERAGE
Although this book reads like a novel, it's important to remember that this is a non-fiction account about historical figures. As such, the usual expectations for interesting characters or exciting plots that actual novels have may not apply here. Once the right expectations are set, however, this will be a very interesting read.
My main takeaway from this book is its depiction of the widespread reluctance of almost every major political figure at the time to recognize the nazi threat, not only for Germany but for Europe. Even ambassador Dodd and his daughter Martha, the main protagonists of the book, took a considerable amount of time to realize that the nazis were, as the book title says, violent beasts. Not only that, but when Dodd was able to see through Hitler's facade of"peace", he tried to warn the US about Hitler's true intentions of invading every country in his path, and for this, Dodd was ridiculed by almost everyone in Washington.
Although Dodd was an atypical choice for the job, Roosevelt was able to see how this man would be able to do the job he had for him: represent his country's stance against the rise of fascism in Europe. Dodd was able to stay true to his beliefs and values, even to his detriment. The nazis took much from many people, and Ambassador Dodd was no exception, and he saw how his hopes and dreams slowly slipped through his fingers during his time in Berlin.
I also found the story about Martha, the ambassador's daughter, to be fascinating. A very open-minded woman in the 1930s, who had affairs with nazis, Soviet spies, scientists, French diplomats, and even a prince, sometimes dating several simultaneously. But most importantly, even this young woman, who initially came to Berlin to have a good time, witnessed violence and cruelty and became disilussioned with the nazis, whom she had admired during her first months in Berlin.
Overall the book was very interesting and informative, I only felt that the ending was somewhat rushed, but despite this it was still very entertaining.
My main takeaway from this book is its depiction of the widespread reluctance of almost every major political figure at the time to recognize the nazi threat, not only for Germany but for Europe. Even ambassador Dodd and his daughter Martha, the main protagonists of the book, took a considerable amount of time to realize that the nazis were, as the book title says, violent beasts. Not only that, but when Dodd was able to see through Hitler's facade of"peace", he tried to warn the US about Hitler's true intentions of invading every country in his path, and for this, Dodd was ridiculed by almost everyone in Washington.
Although Dodd was an atypical choice for the job, Roosevelt was able to see how this man would be able to do the job he had for him: represent his country's stance against the rise of fascism in Europe. Dodd was able to stay true to his beliefs and values, even to his detriment. The nazis took much from many people, and Ambassador Dodd was no exception, and he saw how his hopes and dreams slowly slipped through his fingers during his time in Berlin.
I also found the story about Martha, the ambassador's daughter, to be fascinating. A very open-minded woman in the 1930s, who had affairs with nazis, Soviet spies, scientists, French diplomats, and even a prince, sometimes dating several simultaneously. But most importantly, even this young woman, who initially came to Berlin to have a good time, witnessed violence and cruelty and became disilussioned with the nazis, whom she had admired during her first months in Berlin.
Overall the book was very interesting and informative, I only felt that the ending was somewhat rushed, but despite this it was still very entertaining.
Read this book awhile ago but thought I’d review... this book was so hard to put down. I would stay up late reading and ending up finishing it so quickly.
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Reading this book in 2025 is a real trip. It was hard not to see the parallels to the contemporary USA; I can't engage with it without that bias. Perhaps something good history books do is allow us to see how others allowed something to happen that we can't imagine allowing to happen ourselves. Despite the smart yet conversational writing (particularly in presenting all our flawed and frustrating main characters in a sympathetic manner) and all of the political and personal intrigues, I kept feeling the frustration of feeling helpless in preventing it from happening again. The one thing that grated for me was the continuous cliffhanger style of the chapters that sometimes oversold the resolution.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Another great read from Erik Larson. He delivers history to you in a way you can't stop reading.
dark
informative
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
This is my third book by Larson and while not great it was a fairly compelling read. Pre-war Germany, the budding power of Hitler, Gestapo etc. FDR appoints William Dodd a professor to be the American Ambassador to Germany in 1933. Many "highups" in the government thought Dodd a bad choice, some made fun of him. Dodd was a unique individual and he and his family living in Germany at this time gives insight into how it would be to experience the growing power of Germany, the Nazis. Dodds daughter, Martha was a strong and somewhat wild person who had romantic ideas as well as adventures while living there. Romantic in both meanings of the word.
Looking back one reason Dodd was disliked was because he was not a strong isolationist, at least not in the beginning. He sent reports which many times didn't reach to right people and even if they had most likely nothing would have been done. In retrospect, Dodd was a pretty good man and saw what was happening in Germany and how fast the ugliness of where Hitler and his regime was headed. He did the best he could. Whether brave or naive, he was funny and a couple of places in the book when he is lecturing some Nazis and once even Hitler he stirred up rage. I don't think he realized until later how dangerous or precarious his situation became. It should be read by anyone who wonder how and why what happened there progressed to become a tragic and horrific tragedy. I think Dodd was a good man. If he had been heeded, perhaps WWII could have been nipped in the bud. Read it and see what you think. Maybe 4 1/2 stars now that I reflect on it.
Looking back one reason Dodd was disliked was because he was not a strong isolationist, at least not in the beginning. He sent reports which many times didn't reach to right people and even if they had most likely nothing would have been done. In retrospect, Dodd was a pretty good man and saw what was happening in Germany and how fast the ugliness of where Hitler and his regime was headed. He did the best he could. Whether brave or naive, he was funny and a couple of places in the book when he is lecturing some Nazis and once even Hitler he stirred up rage. I don't think he realized until later how dangerous or precarious his situation became. It should be read by anyone who wonder how and why what happened there progressed to become a tragic and horrific tragedy. I think Dodd was a good man. If he had been heeded, perhaps WWII could have been nipped in the bud. Read it and see what you think. Maybe 4 1/2 stars now that I reflect on it.