While Mortals Sleep

As a reader, I was pleased by how well the story in "While Mortals Sleep" flowed--making it seem like I was there during this troubling time in history. The book also made me question, "What would I do in that situation?" It's easy to look back and think, "Oh, I would have stood up for the Jews" or "I would have fought against Hitler," but when you think of the lives of your own family being at stake--well, then it becomes harder to know just what we would do. This novel also made me think about our country in our own time period. What evils are we allowing to happen in our society because it's easier to sit back and do nothing? What are we sacrificing in order to live a comfortable life and go with the flow? While the questions are hard, this is the sign of a good book. It is not only enjoyable to read, but it also makes one turn the pages back on themselves and ask, "What about me?"

Jack Cavanaugh has given us a character in a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany who learns the meaning of courage as he stands for righteousness, and I am reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the real-life hero of Nazi Germany who risked his all.In this book, which won the International Historical prize for "Christie Award," the pastor is Josef Schumaker, and he is torn between the opinions of his congregation and his father-in-law, also a pasator, and his own knowledge of what's right. Eventually, he is forced off the fence and has to risk his life to save the "defective" children who are destined for destruction. Not exactly Bonhoeffer, but I'm sure it may have been an inspiration.Highly recommended!!!

How could Christians in Germany have let the atrocities happen? In his usual, compelling manner, Jack Cavanaugh gives a glimpse not only into history but into the mind itself. I kept asking myself, "Would I have taken a stand?" I found myself thinking about this book long after I finished it.

This book is an exciting and engaging read for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it looks at Hitler's Germany from another perspective. Few authors have the courage to look at history from the side of the loser--fewer still have the compasion to write about the players on the losing side as real people. I found that I could hardly put it down during my off hours.However, this book is an interesting read for another reason; it considers the human condition in realistic terms. It looks at how people react in a situation where freedom is denied to enforce the will of the state. The lessons it teaches are invaluable in a time when there is so much turmoil in the world. Jack Cavanaugh has provided a look of a place where few dare to tread--the human soul. If you're looking for a good mix of entertaining and thought provoking reading, this is a good book to try.

Jack Cavanaugh has outdone himself. "While Mortals Sleep" is a gripping story about spiritual survival during the Hitler years; of a young minister who struggles to guide a group of Hitler Youth to the Truth, and of his young wife, who's father is the former minister of the church her husband is pastoring, torn between loyalty to her husband and devotion to her father. Jack Cavanaugh has so skillfully interwoven his characters and plot that the reader cannot possibly anticipate what will happen when he turns the next page. One will experience joy, sorrow, rage and fear. You will be carried from tension to relief to surprise to shock. And I can't wait for the next one!