This was delightful - one of those historical narratives where a single thread can be unravelled back to the source to become a triumph of the archive. The papers Lee finds in an old chair allow him to focus on a single life, that of an SS officer whose war crimes are only a grain of sand among many, but following this life to its beginning and its end throws up many interesting otherwise occluded facets of history. The very beginning of Griesinger's life - his American ancestry - was something I found most surprising. Even knowing that there was large German immigration to the US in the nineteenth century, one doesn't think about how often these immigrants returned. Also, the end: the Nazis shot in Prague. Incidents that get lost in the grand narrative of WWII, but which can be recovered by studying a single life = something this book is good at.

This is an incredibly well researched and well written book about a pretty mediocre office worker who was a Nazi and a member of the SS.. It is fascinating - not just the story of Robert Gliesinger but also of Daniel Lee's determination and enthusiasm for his quest to discover as much as he could from a bundle of papers hidden in a cushion for seventy years.

I did find the inclusion of the detailed history of the Nazi Party and Hitler's rise to power unnecessary as I have studied the Second World War in depth. But other readers could benefit from this. The actual book is only about 75% of the total as the remainder is Notes (which I admit to not having read yet although I shall go back to them at some point) and sources. Highly recommended to people who enjoy biographies and well reserached history. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was very well researched and an interesting story. However the story was padded out too much with the general history of the rise of the Nazi party and the SS. Anyone reading this book would have an interest in Nazi history and would be aware of how they came to power. The author describes events that the the main character might have attended which was not necessary. The main tenet of the story is how the information is gathered so supposing the character attended such an event or other is counter productive. The family story was interesting and the depictions of Prague during the war years was good. While some editing is requiredthis is a worthwhile read. Thanks to Net galley for the free copy in return for an honest review.

What a fascinating book! I have had a great interest in WWll history and have read many historical books and seen many films on the more popular viewpoints of the German/Nazi organizations and their involvement during the time of the Third Reich. This recounting of the life and times of Dr. Robert Griesinger, is absolutely the best book I have read that shines a light on the very personal life that led to educated Germans into the arms of the SS and the Gestapo. The popular picture of those organisations portray them during the years of 1939-45 however, they existed and were formed during 1932/33 and were well established when Hitler began his expansion across Europe in 1937.
Another interesting aspect is the attitude of the Dr’s family, their antisemitic and racial views that stemmed, to some degree, from the time of the family residing in Louisiana USA in the first part of the 19th Century. On the return to Europe of some of the family in the very early part of the next Century and in the aftermath of WWl strengthen their views that formed the basis of the hatred generated within Germany and Europe by the Nazi and other fascist parties that supported them. The individuals that were traced through surviving written evidence – initiated by the documents found by chance in the armchair and interviews with descendants of the central characters - would never have been brought to our attention without the dedication of the author.
This insight at the personal level of the participants during the NAZI era and the subsequent atrocities certainly opened my eyes to previously unknown details even though we have travelled extensively throughout Europe including Czechoslovakia and thought we had a good knowledge of the what had happened. To have an understanding that this Lawyer ended up in the Nazi Party, the SS, SD and the Wehrmacht to fight on the Eastern Front is surprising but shows how complex living and surviving within the regime could be.
A most enlightening account of a previously hidden aspect of Germany during the Third Reich and a most enthralling read.

This was an exceptionally well researched and fascinating book about an ordinary German lawyer's part in the Second World War. Ordinary apart from the fact that he was a member of the SS.

Through pure serendipity historian Daniel Lee fonds a treasure trove of material stuffed and sewn into the cushion of an old armchair.

Lee determines to follow the scent and uncover the life of this previously unknown lawyer and through sheer dogged persistence he finally unravels the clues - and what a story he discovers.

The mystery and enigma of the life of a certain Dr Robert Griesinger from Stuttgart is gradually revealed.

His life, his family background, a bizarre connection to America from his ancestors and the life he led and what he actually did in the war and the mystery of his actual death in 1945.

The stories of ordinary men reveal so much about the inner workings of the SS and Third Reich and the monsters who ran it and Lee has done a masterly job of crossing the t's and dotting the i's.

This is an original, readable and important book that merits reading by all serious students of the war.