An Honorable German [Mass Market Paperback]

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.

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: an honorable German. A honorable man doing honorable duty in an honorable organization, the Kriegsmarine. Men can be trying to kill each other one moment and then, after the combat, treating their now captured opponents with courtesy and even compassion.

This changes with Brekendorf's transfer to the U-boats in 1943. McCain is very clever in his timing. By choosing 1943, he is into the period where Germany's defeat seemed possible, if not probable. The decline in the nation's fortunes is apparent in the crew Brekendorf has. Missing is the discipline, the spit and polish of the old German navy. Instead, the pickings are very young men, some of whom have been imbued with the Nazi belief in their own vulnerability.

Suffice it to say, friction is inevitasble between Brekendorf and one of the dedicated Nazis in his crew.

An incident involving honorable behavior is the spark.

Throughout the novel to this point, McCain has brilliantly fused military history and fiction. He tells a riveting tale of naval warfare, of life in Germany as the Allies ramp up their bombing campaign, of young love and its eternal optimism. His attention to military detail is obsessive, yet it lends to the story, never distracting from the focus.

But McCain has to end the story somewhere, somehow . . . and I am a little unsatisfied as to how he chose to do this. No, I'm not going to breathe a word about it. Read it yourself. While the ending may not be totally satisfying, McCain still succeeds in writing one of the best pieces of military history fiction to be seem in a long, long time.

For any military history buff, this is a great book. It is unique in a number of ways. First, it is told from the perspective of the loser: Germany. Second, it is naval fiction, not all that uncommon, but a naval tale this good about a modern war is unique. Finally, McCain is an excellent storyteller. It took me two nights to finish this book because of McCain's smooth prose and the fact that I couldn't put it down, no matter how late it got.

A great piece of military fiction and not to be missed.

Jerry

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.

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