Erik Larson has been widely acclaimed as a master of narrative non-fiction, and in his new book, the bestselling author of The Devil in the White City turns his hand to a remarkable story set during Hitler's rise to power.

Berlin, 1933. William E. Dodd, a mild-mannered academic from Chicago, becomes America's first ambassador to Hitler's Germany, where he is about to witness a turning point in history. Dodd and his family observe firsthand the many changes - some subtle, some disturbing, and some horrifically violent - that signal Hitler's consolidation of power. The ambassador has little choice but to associate with key figures in the Nazi party, and his increasingly concerned cables make little impact on an indifferent US State Department. Meanwhile, his daughter, Martha, is drawn to the young men of the Third Reich and their vision of a 'New Germany', and has a succession of affairs with senior party players, including the first chief of the Gestapo, Rudolf Diels. As the year darkens, the Dodds find their lives transformed, and any last illusions they might have about Hitler are shattered. Suffused with the tense atmosphere of the times, and with brilliant portraits of Hitler, Goebbels, G ring, Himmler, and others, Erik Larson's extraordinary book sheds unique light on events as they unfold, resulting in an unforgettable, addictively readable work of narrative history. 'By far his best and most enthralling work of novelistic history ... Mr. Larson's powerful, poignant historical narrative is a transportingly true story.' -The New York Times 'Tells a fascinating story brilliantly well.' -Financial Times 'Terrific.' -Los Angeles Times

Details

ISBN13: 9781921844799
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 466
Edition:
Publication Date: 26 Apr 2012
Publisher: Scribe Publications
Publication City, Country: Carlton North, Australia
Dimensions (cm): 19.6(H)x12.8(L)x2.8(W)341
Weight (gm): 341

Author Biography

Erik Larson is the author of The Devil in the White City, Thunderstruck, Isaac's Storm, and other works of nonfiction. He has written for a variety of national magazines and is a former staff writer for The Wall Street Journal and Time. He lives in Seattle with his wife, three daughters, and an old British sports car named Mrs Peel.

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