Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Blitzed by Ohler remains my favourite piece of non fiction so I was incredibly excited to get this. Super interesting, well written as always. It doesnt beat Blitzed but it was still an excellent read

Having been totally fascinated by, “Blitzed,” by Norman Ohler, I was thrilled to get his latest title to read and review. In this book, Ohler is again in Nazi Germany, but this time looking at the relationship between Harro Schulze-Boysen and Libertas Haas-Heye, and the group of bohemian resistors to the Third Reich, who became known as The Red Orchestra.

I was drawn into this story from the very beginning, when Norman Ohler meets up with Hans Coppi, who we learn was born after his mother was arrested. Indeed, she gave birth to him, while imprisoned and, as his parents, along with Harro and Libertas, were not only killed – but the Nazi’s wished to obliterate even the memory of them – his knowledge of his past is incomplete.

This book builds up the characters of those who resisted and fought against the Nazi’s. Harro was involved in journalism from his early days and, as early as 1933, was under surveillance when writing for a left wing magazine. Meanwhile, Libertas is from a wealthier background, whose family supported the regime and, indeed, she was even a Party member. However, Harro was changed by his early arrest, which saw him determined to fight against the system and Libertas was changed by her meeting with Harro, which saw them together, to the end.

Although we know, from the outset, that Harro and Libertas were caught, this is their story, which takes us from 1932 to 1942. It is not only a personal story, but a historical one. Much of this story is set in Berlin, where Libertas initially worked in the publicity department of MGM, while Harro had an office at the Air Ministry. This makes you ask what you would do if you were in a similar position and is a poignant story of love in a time when any resistance to the system meant the risk of losing your life. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

Brilliantly researched and written, this book tells of the heartrending story of two brave lovers who create and lead a group of underground anti-fascists who resist the Nazis and end up passing valuable military secrets to the allies.

The authorities make frenzied efforts to infiltrate and break up this resistance group and eventually through double cross and subterfuge they are arrested and savagely dealt with.

The book get to the heart of the subject through previously unpublished letters and material and is a gripping and unforgettable read.

Highly recommended.