I don't know how this book could have been better. A great, great piece of historical fiction.I don't know how this book could have been better. A great, great piece of historical fiction....more
I really enjoyed this book. I've seen other reviews that say this book is about a family living through World War II and to say that really short chanI really enjoyed this book. I've seen other reviews that say this book is about a family living through World War II and to say that really short changes this magnificent novel. It's the story of a family from 1899 to 1945, as the title says. It focuses on the lives of two brothers, the youngest is born on New Year's Day of 1900. Through this family we witness the rise of Germany as a world power, it's defeat in WWI, the recovery of the country and the rise to power of the Nazis afterward to the eventual downfall of the regime and the ultimate ruin of the country.
It's one of those novels that leaves you a little down when you finish because you don't want it to end....more