Comments (67)

In the Garden of Beasts

Love, Terror, and An American Family in Hitler's Berlin
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May 12, 2023ndoz rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Pretty slow. Instead of focusing on Ambassador Dodd’s interactions with the Nazi Government, Larson fixes much of his attention on Dodd’s daughter Martha who was basically the town pump for Nazis, Soviet Spies, authors, journalists and…
Apr 27, 2023Herrickdl_Matthew rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A thoughtful and fascinating look at how the United State and other Allied Powers responded to the growing threat of National Socialism in Germany during the lead up to World War Two. Truly a thought provoking examination of the steps…
Nov 14, 2022Wilsonnc rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I listened to this book, which may explain my somewhat different reaction from other commenters'. I did not find it slow. For me, "In the Garden of Beasts" addressed and was helpful in understanding two questions in particular: (1) What…
Dec 29, 2021klimekk rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
didn't expect that book be so good that well documented book show us what III Reich and Hitler's insanity was for Germans and people living there we have sometimes wrong idea from the movies, which are showing atrocities, stupid guys and…
Sep 29, 2021Jenkskitten rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Slow and almost boring since it was written from letters and messages from the characters involved. Over half the book consist of the first 6 months of Dodd's assignment as ambassador to Germany. The author slowly, and I mean slowly…
May 11, 2021HooeyB rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Good research, interesting history. Kinda slow
Jan 25, 2021ayles rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Erik Larson books are so well researched and written. His books never disappoint the reader. Intense book to read and you will find yourself thinking 'history repeats itself'
Dec 22, 2020fififlint rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I wish the character of Martha who became a spy for the Soviet Union as early as 1935 had been more developed. She was much more than the irresponsible woman who attended parties. How was she recruited? Did her activities have any impact…
May 13, 2020LAHscot rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
My first Larson book in the age of COVID-19, March 2020; copy on hand - vow to read more via ebooks from the Library
Dec 26, 2019FPL_John rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book is a great read for anyone interested in what Germany was like just prior to WWII. Seen through the eyes of the US Ambassador to Germany and his family it is a fascinating glimpse of how a country could devolve into a brutal…
Jan 07, 2019LPL_PolliK rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Larson writes masterful narrative nonfiction (and a cautionary tale) that takes a deep dive into 1933 Germany, just after Hitler has been named Chancellor. We see the unraveling of a nation firsthand through the eyes of the American…
Oct 13, 2017
If you're looking for an intimate portrait of how real people witnessed the rise of a brutal dictatorship, this book will satisfy...and terrify. I found it especially interesting to watch the characters steadily realize what the Nazi's…
Jul 22, 2017cmarie20 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Fascinating and terrifying book! Felt like the author was reading the book to me -
Jul 04, 2017Janice21383 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Innocents Abroad: Between the Wars. This story of ambassadorial intrigue as the Nazis take power in republican Germany -- in other words, fiddling while Rome burns -- is not as interesting as it should be. The elements are all there, but…
Feb 09, 2017shayshortt rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
In the Garden of Beasts is richly described, from the scenery to the characters, in a manner that gives a horrifying immediacy to a crucial turning point in history. From our vantage point in the future, we are forced to see through the…
Jan 04, 2017Nora1000 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book was recommend to me by others also wanting to discover how an educated and tolerant society like Germany in the mid 30's was so wholly consumed by the Nazi machine. It goes along with "Hitler's Willing Executioners" as a must…
Dec 01, 2016GeneKathol rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of the scariest books but unmatched for historical fiction...the real history of pre-war Germany and the parallels in the USA of the very recent times (21st century), make one shudder. This should be required reading for all who have…
Oct 16, 2016ArapahoeChristineS rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book drops you into the middle of Berlin during the rise of the Nazi party. An intriguing story of outsiders living in the changing and ultimately, terrifying time before the outbreak of a world war. At times the many "characters"…
Dec 28, 2015cknightkc rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Erik Larson’s IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS does not quite approach the brilliance of his other works I have read (THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY and DEAD WAKE), yet it is worthy of study given its relevance to today’s world. Evil still exists and…
Dec 28, 2015Eil_1 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
An excellent recounting of the beginnings of Germany's lust to rule the world. If one lived at that time the future would certainly not be known. However we see the evolving horror of Hitler's vision - murder, torture and betrayal. Not…
Itsinthemusic
Aug 29, 2015Itsinthemusic rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Gives a good sense of the times and a more intimate sense of the Dodds than other published works. For more detailed information about the times through the eyes of journalists, attaches, etc., read “Hitlerland” by Andrew Nagorski.
Jul 13, 2015odettewright rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book tells the story of the American Ambassador to Germany and his family living in Berlin in the time leading up to WWII. Although it is non-fiction and you know what will happen, the story reads like a novel, very suspenseful,…
Aug 12, 2014
A fascinating literary Non Fiction thriller about the shadowy and dark days that preceded World War 2! Very well research! Soon to be a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks and Natalie Portman.
Jun 19, 2014lbarkema rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I am not sure that I enjoyed the way in which Larson wrote the book. Too much detail at times, (like way too much), and at others not enough about the people that I found most interesting. I also expected more suspense at the end of each…
Jun 06, 2014Eosos rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The story of Ambassador Dodd and his daughter Martha in 1933 Berlin is fascinating to say the least. The politics of Berlin at the time was very volatile and no country was particularity interested in the reports coming from the…