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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very juvenile written
Bad read
An easy read about growing up in Hitler’s Germany under the Nazi’s.
Mediocre Was not in the upper categories
Fairly first-hand account of events leading up to and during the German/Brittain war.
I refuse to answer these — way too much trouble. I am willing to rate but this is too much.
It wasn’t edited! Or if so, very poorly. The story was informative being from the perspective of young Germans in Hitler Youth. Very realistic… just needed a second proofreading.
This book was filled with the tragedy that was Germany during WWII. You experience the joy of youth turn to the horrors of suffering and loss through the eyes of Emil, a young lad from Passau that starts with his enthusiasm for the Nazi movement to the terrible physical and emotional loss as he is pulled deeper and deeper into the war. If you are …
Informative..like to read about PEOPLE..historical facts and well writte. Story
German teens tell their story of quietly resisting Hitler at the beginning of the Second World War. Their courage helped, but at a cost.
Very interesting perspective.
An interesting perspective of WWII from the innocent non-Nazi German family caught in the action.
tells what it was like for a kid growing up in Nazi Germany…had to follow all the rules, no choices, could easily get rid of your parents (tell on them if they were following the rules), loss of childhood, etc
Should be required reading at every high school !! Loved it.
So interesting and informative. Wow . What these people went through in
Germany during Hitler’s reign of terror makes you rethink what you know about World War II.
Gave me a different view of the people who lived in Germany during WWII
This was a new perspective of WWII for me that I Found interesting and memorable. Worthwhile read.
This well written book is a fast easy read. The book is a grim reminder of the atrocities of the Nazi regime to not only their declared enemies but also to the people of Germany. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction
Based on the childhood experiences of the author’s German in-laws, this gives a totally different perspective of wartime Germany.
intereesting angle on a horrific situation. really enjoyed the read
I’m giving this book 5 stars even though I found a number of typos. I am wondering if the typos are in the original or if they are just in the kindle version.
It is a book to remember instead of just read and forget.