Praise for PLAYING WITH MATCHES: “Illuminating.”“Gripping, entirely credible and a page-turner. Recommended.”Heinz Schultz’s word could send a man to prison. Though only a youth of fifteen, he was strong, tall, and blond. The boys in his Deutsches Jungvolk unit esteemed him and feared him.And they wanted to be just like him.Emil Radle wanted to be just like him.A dedicated member of Hitler Youth, … they wanted to be just like him.
Emil Radle wanted to be just like him.
A dedicated member of Hitler Youth, Emil was loyal to the Fuehrer before family, a champion for the cause and a fan of the famous Luftwaffe Airforce.
Emil’s friends Moritz and Johann discover a shortwave radio and everything changes. Now they listen to the forbidden BBC broadcast of news reports that tell both sides. Now they know the truth.
The boys along with Johann’s sister Katharina, band together to write out the reports and covertly distribute flyers through their city. It’s an act of high treason that could have them arrested—or worse.
As the war progresses, so does Emil’s affection for Katharina. He’d do anything to have a normal life and to stay in Passau by her side. But when Germany’s losses become immense, even their greatest resistance can’t prevent the boys from being sent to the Eastern Front.
****Available in German as Gefährliche Zettel****
What readers are saying:
“Using actual real-life stories from those who lived through it, Lee Strauss paints a bleak picture of fear and survival. Her characters seem real and jump right off the page.”
“A real page-turner. If you like a good story and great history, read this book.”
“An interesting perspective from the “other” side of the Holocaust.”
“This is novel is an outstanding novel depicting the viciousness if the Nazi regime….Lee Strauss presents an unbelievable report on child abuse of the children “drafted” to serve the crazy sicko from Bavaria. This is a great read and I highly recommend your reading it.”
“So moving, heartbreaking. A startling reminder of what happens when evil is allowed to bloom.”
***
Enjoy reading this well-researched, dramatic story of what it was like to be a teenager in Hitler’s Germany. A slightly different perspective than many world war two novels.
Author Interview
Why did you feel compelled to write Playing with Matches?
It started a few years ago when a friend of ours sat on our couch and started telling us his story from when he was a young teenager in Hitler Youth and what happened to him directly after the war. It was very compelling and told from a different angle than any world war 2 novels that I had seen. Most books and movies tell stories of world war two heroes who were fighter pilots or soldiers in the field. Not many focus on the young people who bravely resisted from inside the ranks of Hitler’s Youth.
more
A telling, powerful insight into the minds and hearts of the young people of Germany during WWll. An intriguing recounting of several of “Hitler’s Youth” as they evolved from slavish dedication to the Reich to an informed view of the truth of the progress of the war. Portrays incredible courage shown by non-combatants , as they distributed news …
Really good book and well written!
Help to understand what innocent German children went through
Having grown up in WWII I found this book interesting. A good story about growing up in Nazi Germany and the wondering what is right and what is wrong in the world.
We are going through some of these same questions here in the US now.
Considering what is going on in our country today this book is a reminder to speak up before it’s too late. All millennials should read this book, then actually study the Third Reich. “Know history or you’re doomed to repeat it.”
Based on interviews with people lived in Nazi Germany. Written for a teenage audience, but reading about the hardships of life in WWII Germany is interesting for adults as well.
Another book about the beginnings of WWII. Training starts in the nursery!
I enjoyed the writing style a lotl
Shows graphically how life is lived in a country where the government has become totalitarian and how it can convince citizens to spy on each other even creating wrong where there is none.
I have read various books regarding WWII but never one that shows the propaganda directed at the German youth building loyalty to Hitler.
Good story.
This was a wonderful book! I couldn’t put it down! It was so realistic and exciting! I thought I was living right along with the characters! It made me realize what these German children and all Jewish people went through under Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich from their perspective and not the Allies! A beautiful book! Very well written and …
This book gave a different view of involvement in WWII. i found it interesting.
Easy read.
A glimpse into the minds of children born under NAZI education and propaganda of the 1930’s and 1940’s and the maturing realization of the lies their lives were built upon. It exposes some of reasons many went along with the Reich while dividing friends and families.
Reminds one of the horror of war and its dire consequences.
A good historical fiction of what it was like to be a German during WWII.
Engaging WWII drama from the perspective of a young, impressionable German boy.
Interesting look at the German citizens during WWII
A cautionary tale.