In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin

by Erik Larson
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin cover
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  • ID: 5813
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
jewishbookcouncil.org · Unknown · 2025-11-15
thought-provoking 4.50

The book provides a vivid and immersive account of the early days of Hitler's regime through the experiences of the Dodd family, highlighting the initial lack of recognition of the threat posed by Hitler. Larson's masterful storytelling juxtaposes the knowledge of the time with the hindsight of the reader, creating a tense and thought-provoking narrative.

Erik Larson's 'In the Garden of Beasts' offers a compelling exploration of the early days of Hitler's rule, focusing on the Dodd family's experiences in Berlin. The family, initially enamored by the new Germany, gradually becomes aware of the growing threat posed by Hitler's regime. Larson's vivid descriptions and tight focus on a single year of Hitler's early rule immerse the reader in the world of that time, helping us understand how the threat went unrecognized. The book masterfully juxtaposes what was known then with what we know now, creating a tense and thought-provoking narrative that leaves a lasting impact.

Quick quotes

    Larson's tight focus on a single year of Hitler's early rule, with his depictions of characters endearing, yet fallible, and with his vivid descriptions of Berlin, he leaves his reader fully immersed in the world he captures.

    It is this immersion that best helps us understand how the threat of Hitler went unrecognized.

    What Larson achieves so masterfully in this book is a tense juxtaposition between what was known then, and what we know now.

myreadinglife.com · Unknown · 2025-11-15
fascinating 4.50

In the Garden of Beasts explores the early years of Hitler's rise to power through the experiences of the American ambassador to Berlin, William Dodd, and his family. The book highlights the family's initial fascination with Nazi Germany, particularly through the eyes of Dodd's daughter Martha, who becomes entangled with various figures from the Third Reich. As the Dodds witness the escalating atrocities, they become increasingly disillusioned, with William Dodd realizing the true nature of the Nazi regime.

Erik Larson's In the Garden of Beasts provides a gripping account of the early years of Hitler's regime, as seen through the lens of the American ambassador to Berlin, William Dodd, and his family. Initially, the Dodds are captivated by the energy and allure of Nazi Germany. Martha Dodd, in particular, becomes deeply involved with various figures from the Third Reich, including the first chief of the Gestapo and a Soviet intelligence officer. Her initial fascination with the Nazi regime gradually turns to disillusionment as she witnesses the growing atrocities. Meanwhile, William Dodd, who initially believed Hitler could be controlled, becomes increasingly outraged by the Nazi policies targeting Jews and the press. The book vividly portrays the family's journey from initial curiosity to profound disillusionment, highlighting the escalating brutality and the indifference of the international community.

Quick quotes

    Erik Larson, the bestselling author of The Devil in the White City, focuses his meticulously researched new book on the first few years of Hitler’s ascendancy to power as experienced by the newly appointed American ambassador to Berlin and his family.

    Martha Dodd was ultimately entranced by the Nazi revolution — the pomp and energy of the new Germany, the handsome young men of the Third Reich, the lush parties and the intrigue of Berlin.

    Larson, a master of historical nonfiction, has written a fascinating book that fleshes out many of the key players in Hitler’s ascendancy to power through the lenses of these “innocents abroad” as they come to realize the true nature of the Nazi regime.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-11-15
remarkable 4.50

In the Garden of Beasts offers a compelling look at the rise of Nazi power through the experiences of an American family in Berlin. The book highlights the willingness of many to ignore the growing violence and the political myopia of the time, drawing parallels to contemporary political situations.

In the Garden of Beasts provides a fascinating and chilling account of the early days of Nazi Germany, as seen through the eyes of an American ambassador and his family. The book delves into the personal and political challenges they faced, including the rising violence against Jews and the international community's reluctance to act. The narrative is particularly engaging as it balances the ambassador's diplomatic efforts with his daughter's personal life, offering a unique perspective on the social and political climate of the time. The reviewer found the book to be a remarkable and timely read, drawing parallels between the 1930s and today's political landscape. They appreciated the historical insights and the way the book sheds light on the human tendency to look away from uncomfortable truths. The reviewer also noted the book's relevance to current events, making it a thought-provoking and important read.

Quick quotes

    The book is as much about the private life of his daughter Martha as it is about his experience as ambassador.

    It is a very interesting look inside the social as well as the political world within Nazi Germany.

    The US government was myopically interested in getting bond payments on WWI debt.

    Europe was intent on avoiding another devastating war.

    With today’s political world rhyming so closely with the 1930s, there is a lot to learn from the history in this book.

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