An Honorable German

I've read so many books that take place during WWII, usually from the point of view of the French, English, Americans, etc. I've even read a few about life in Germany during the war. This one tells you about life for a German naval officer. It was so well researched and the reader can feel like they are actually aboard one of the 3 types of ships he was on. On his leaves he finds out how horrible the Gestapo is and what a poor job Hitler is doing to protect Germany. So many German's were deployed to Russia that there weren't enough soldiers left to fight off the British and American air raids.

An author who can write a story incorporating accurate and detailed military history along with a compelling fictional plot line is to be treasured - and the newest treasure of this genre is Charles McCain. McCain's "An Honorable German" puts you - believably - on the bridge of the Graf Spee as it is pursued across the South Atlantic and to an ignominious end, scuttled by its proud captain and crew. McCain's attention to naval detail is nothing short of astounding. Tiny details about the ship's fixtures and operations abound, yet never get in the way of the story, but reinforce its credibility. Maximillian "Max" Brekendorf is a young lieutenant in the German navy. His father was a sergeant-major in the old Imperial German Army of WWI. Max is not a Nazi, which is important: it would be impossible to write of "an honorable German", if said German was a Nazi. The Graf Spee is assigned to raid commerce in the South Atlantic, attacking defenseless freighters bringing supplies to n embattled England. Hans Langsdorf, Captain of the Graf Spee was an old school sailor, insistent upon crew discipline and the principles of honorable combat. You did not murder your prisoners, a view considered cowardly by the new Germans. McCain is simply brilliant in placing Brekendorf first on the Graf Spee, than on the Auxiliary Merchant Raider Meteor. The latter was a passenger carrying freighter that had been fitted with hidden cannon. It would approach Allied shipping in its disguise and then seize and sink the enemy shipping. McCain uses the transition to tell the story of Germany's fortunes in the ongoing war. During the time of the Graf Spee, Germany is triumphant in Europe, its armies having overwhelmed Poland, its brute force diplomacy having already proven the spinelessness of the Western democracies. Two years later, the Germans are approaching their zenith. The Soviet Union appears to be on the verge of defeat. France and the Low Countries have long before succumbed to German arms. But the British navy remains. Interwoven with Brekendorf's military life is his real world: the father are home, Mareth, his lover, the daughter of the town's nobility. McCain skillfully weaves Brekendorf's thoughts and his rare visits home with the realities of the German war at home. The true storm has yet to break over occupied Europe. McCain's skill at evoking the feeling of occupied Europe is akin to that of Allan Furst. Brekendorf's adventure on the Meteor leads him to volunteer for the U-boat service. Until now, McCain has been telling the story of Brekendorf, a young officer whose beliefs have been formed by the old order. He is, despite being a citizen of Hitler's Germany, an inherently decent man. McCain has to give short shrift to what millions of Brekendorf's peers were already doing in Poland and then the Soviet Union: enslaving and murdering innocent people by the hundreds of thousands and later by the millions. Instead, we have what the title implies

In "An Honorable German," Charles McCain has written a smashing debut novel. The author has accomplished what few authors of historical fiction can. He has written a historically accurate book, but he never allows the book's plot and characters to get lost in a tangle of historical details. The plot crackles along from the high seas to an embattled Berlin, from a cramped U-boat to the wide open American desert. McCain peoples his book with fully formed, believable characters, many of whom you come to care for quite deeply. This riveting book (I read it in a weekend) reminds me of C.S. Forester, Douglas Reeman, and Brian Callison at their best.

I have to admit that I read very few novels about WWII, and do not ever remember reading anything about the German Navy, so it was a happy occasion that I came to read this book. From the first chapter, I was hooked. McCain's "The Honorable German" was a fantastic read. His descriptions of conditions on a U-Boat, the emotional and ethical struggles of Max as the commander in charge, and the battles and rescues at sea were fantastic. I loved the fact that McCain weaved in a romantic life for our hero and delivered an indepth account of what it must have been like for a young German naval officer in WWII who was truly "Honorable" in thought, word and deed. A page turner I enjoyed immensely. Annie M.

A German hero of gigantic proportions is depicted by Charles McCain in his debut novel An Honorable German. Throughout World War II images of the Nazi war machine were used to denigrate truly patriotic and honorable men who made up traditional military forces who fought alongside those who pledged their allegiance to the Third Reich. Those who do not understand the call to duty and honor to country will not comprehend the viewpoint expressed by this book. Following orders is a necessity in wartime. Those who take it upon themselves to disobey put themselves at risk with those in power to be dealt with severely. Here, it is the Nazi war machine which runs the country. It has spies placed in the military to tattle on those who do not follow the orders strictly given by the cruel and thoughtless SS. One of the most famous of all warships, Graf Spree, is described playing an important part in the main character's career. Max Brekendorf, a proud young German naval officer, serves his country with honor and courage. Max emerges to show he is different than the Third Reich which is bent on conquering the world. Max cares for his men, ship, and country. He is recognized for his bravery by being awarded several medals of the highest order including the Iron Cross 1st Class. His personal life is interspersed within his career. This book does it justice by bringing two facets together for an intriguing tale of courage, defiance, and romance. As the war progresses and the failure of the Nazi war machine becomes evident, hardship in the homeland takes its toll. The Gestapo is taking out its frustrations on the citizenry and even our hero runs into situations which put him at risk. Only through his friends and future in-laws does he find a way to evade the clutches of punishment. Infractions which he committed unknowingly are overlooked, because all he knew was the life of the sea. A well-devised and orchestrated story by McCain which will at times keep you so absorbed you will not realize you have been reading many Germanic phrases with translations subtly inserted. This is a very good book historically and depicts another side of German military life.

As a former Naval person (to borrow from Winston Churchill) I was impressed by the authenticity of the seagoing narrative and the actions described. Historical fiction is a favorite genre of mine, and I thought the blending of fictionalized characters into the real events of those times was flawless. But the story line itself was compelling all on it's own. One can't help but be carried along with the principal character as he confronts challenges to his ideals of duty/loyalty and his troubles grow from service-related dilemmas into existential conflict. The author tackled a challenging subject from a rare point of view and created a fascinating, exiting and fast moving saga. It holds your interest right to the end, when a major issue is finally resolved in the last two pages. This is a magnificent effort, obviously well researched, filled with accurate detail, and best of all, a gripping tale.