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.”
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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.
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Historically informative about a very horrible time in our history. Without being graphic, no punches are pulled on confirming how evil the Nazis were (are).
WWII from the perspective of young teenagers, wanting to make a difference. Gives you a whole different outlook on the war and the subtle ways of resistance. Engaging characters.
The war in the eyes of one young person and how it conflicted him. Too young to be in this situation. He feels like he wants to belong but on the other hand feels its wrong to be a part of it. No one at this young age should be put under this pressure. He does his duty to survive, but at what costs!
Very interesting to see the holocaust from the view of Nazi youth. It could happen here and now.
This was an eye opening glimpse of the effects of war on the civilians. Seems like a very real story of the way propaganda can incite the general public.
It was an eye opener to hear about the hardships endured by the common German people who were unwillingly forced into playing a part in Hitler’s demented scheme and ultimately the Second World War.
Fear. Terror. Intimidation. Loss of self and all things, including humanity, is deemed objective. Lee Strauss unwraps Third Reich indoctrination in fine form. The regime trained and twisted the minds of the very young to suit their objective.
The words resonate with many a familial background….Children born in these United States to an …
Really more like a 3.5 but unable to give it fractional ratings.
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical value. The look at Nazi Germany through the eyes of its people—some that feared it from the start, some that bought into it all the way through, and some who first bought into the ‘nationalism’ and then found themselves totally caught in a life …
Very good book and highly recommend
While being a work of fiction, parts of the book are based on actual events and I feel it gives a good look at the horrors the Nazis committed on their nation and other countries they invaded.
This was a wonderful read! A well written page turner!
Compare to The Book Thief
Witty read!
From the mind of a child comes great wisdom—but almost at the cost of his soul. What would we have done if we had come of age as a German in the Nazi era? You’ll be swept up in this story just as I was.
LIKED THIS BOOK VERY MUCH.
A young man trying to do the right thing, but not sure what right is.
Unforgettable tragedy of Hitlers’ legacy of sorrow and destruction from the viewpoint of his own people. May they never forget.
Great book. Read it in one day. Could not put it down.
very realistic of time period great characters
Very different take on WWII. Following the characters of young boys and girls who were convinced to serve their country but disagree with Hitler. Wonderful character development and written in a way you feel the story. A great read.