In The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

Erik Larson is one of those authors who can take a historic happening and create an interesting story. His other titles include Devil in the White City and Isaacs Storm, both of which are wonderfully written. This latest entry is no different.

We are taken back to the year 1933 when Hitler was rising to power in Germany. The story takes place primarily in Berlin. William Dodd has been appointed as United States Ambassador and moves with his family to the city. Many of us are well-read on the subject but Mr. Larson takes us there from a different perspective. Readers will become immersed in the day to day activities of an ambassador, his family, and the rise of the Third Reich.

I believe all of Mr. Larson's work should be required reading for high school students. His work would go a long way toward inspiring students to read more about the historic subjects he has chosen.

Whether or not you are a history buff--you will learn something from In the Garden of Beasts

Ladybookbug!