White Knights in the Black Orchestra by Tom Dunkel

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for White Knights in the Black Orchestra:

Yeah, the title is already awesome. I got nothing.

Quick synopsis:

The story of various Germans who tried to destroy the Nazis from within in World War II.

Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like:

Henry Ford was a huge anti-Semite. Hitler was a huge admirer of him. He is the only American mentioned in Mein Kampf.

Fun Fact for History Nerds:

In 1933, German courts issued 64 death sentences. By 1942, approximately 4,457 death sentences were issued.

My Take on White Knights in the Black Orchestra:

There were good Germans in World War II! This book proves it!

White Knights in the Black Orchestra (one of the best titles I’ve seen lately) by Tom Dunkel is an amazing book. It tells the story of numerous members of an anti-Nazi group in Germany from the rise of the Third Reich to the end of World War II. As you may expect, there is a lot of sad outcomes, but I will avoid spoiler territory even if this all happened decades ago. Needless to say, a “happy ending” is not something you would expect if you lived in Germany during World War II.

Dunkel’s style is one of the most important aspects of the book. He deftly handles dozens of characters without leaving your head spinning. He cuts up chapters to keep everything in perspective and the focus on specific people without expanding the scope too much. Most importantly, he has an eye for the details which leaves a reader wanting more and desperately hoping the conspirators make it out alive. Even someone who doesn’t normally read history will love this book.

Verdict:

Great book. Read it. Buy it here!