Customer Reviews

Brandenburg: A Novel

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

A really great book! However, a small point-I first read the UK edition of this book, and then came across a US edition while in the US on hols--and noticed there are noted differences. For some reason the US editors must have decided on changes for the US market, or maybe vice versa, but for my money the UK edition is definitly superior, in pace and style. Read for yourself and see what I mean--they're almost like two different books. (I'd especially recommend the above advice to those American readers who absolutely rhapsodised about Snow Wolf--thinking it without question the best book they'd ever read--but thought Brandenbrug was perhaps not quite as good--my advice is, read the UK edition and then pass judgement! It's a terrific read, one that kept me hooked to the very end.

Brandenburg is a novel with WWII background set in the present day. The novel opens with Paraguayan journalist Rudi Hernendez working on a story. With some equimpment he records a secret conversation between several Germans living in his country. What is on that tape is enough to get him in deep trouble, and he is abruptly killed about 1/6 into the novel. So far, the novel is interesting and captivating.

The rest of Brandenburg destroys all of that goodwill it built up in the first 80 pages by detouring into a convoluted mess of characters and clues and ultimate boredom. Joe Volkmann is part of a European "FBI" and joins up with Rudi's cousin, Erica Krantz, to find out what happened to Rudi. They traverse Paraguay looking for clues and find a picture at an abandoned mansion from 1931 of German girl on the arms of a soldier.

Who owned the mansion and who is the girl and what do German extremists have to do with it. At this point, the novel degenerates into uselessness. The best way to describe it is Volkmann going on a massive investigation. Each step turns up new characters, each interview reveals little. Any new information is usually info to aid Volkmann in his next interview, and has nothing to do with the ultimate plot.

Soon, all of the characters run together and overwhelm what little evidence the plot has given me. This novel is way to long. The search for the truth is tedious and boring. I don't recommend you read this novel.

I enjoyed Brandenburg very much. However, I recently finished his latest book, Resurrection Day, published only in Europe, and not in the USA (banned, I hear, because of the controversial and sensitive subject matter!) Resurrection Day is an incredible book, prescient and right up to the minute, about an Al-Qaeda terrorist attack on Washington DC--and one of the best books I've ever read, a must for Meade fans, up there with Snow Wolf, and maybe even better. You have to read Resurrection Day--it's scary, fast paced, and stunning. US readers can order it through Amazon.co.uk. Don't miss it.

I was stuck on the tarmac at the airport in Providence, RI for 4 hours waiting for O'Hare to reopen: and was I ever glad I had this book to keep me company! Not great literature by any stretch, but a truly compelling page-turner. Interesting characters, and an almost believable plot (I don't want to give it away, but before entering Meade's compelling story, you would NEVER imagine that you'd find his premise believable...but he somehow makes it work!).

Before anything else is to be said about Meade's Brandednburg, it must be noted that the book is far, far too long, particularly for its genre. My Australian edition is almost 700 pages in length!

Having said that, I must admit I am perplexed at the widespread criticisms of the book. I found the exotic settings particularly tantalising. The strong contrast between the lush tropical setting of Latin America and the bleek and very wintry Europe bring out the very nature of both. I for one enjoyed the attention to detail that Meade pursued.

It also has to be said that the author knows his stuff - the places, down to the very street names are legit. Having travelled to many of the destinations myself made Volkmann's journey even more real. Meade clearly knows his WWII history too - and his story - historically - checks out.

Some say it was all too cleche-riden but I liked it anyway - the backbone of the novel - its plot - was historically and geopgraphically plausible and actually quite original. So some of the one-liners leaned on the corny side, but in the end, do such idiosyncratic details really matter???

A fine read to all those with ample time on their hands to read it.

I really do not understand why this book has gotten such bad reviews. I loved this book. I did not want to put it down. The idea of Hitler having a child was quite interesting, and Meade was able to paint a picture of how it could have happened. The book really made you think about the rise of neo-nazis and the possibility of the 4th Reich. I thought it was an outstanding book and I highly recommend it.

I had previously read the other Glenn Meade books "Snowwolf" and the "Sands of Sakkara" and found them to be excellent writings. Brandenburg is not in the same class as the other two writings. The book is is essence about the creation of the Fourth Reich. I had hoped foe something on the caliber of the "Holcroft Covenant". This book does not come close. The book was drawn out trying to get to the point.The action rating in this book was also nearly missing. The heros and villains in the book were also as weak as water.All in all the book was dissapointing. Every author is due one bad book. This is Glenn Meade's. I hope that his next one is better.

Just by imagening the possibility of a Fouth Reich and how Germany would achieve it made me get this book. The idea of a 4th Reich is very powerful and fearing and the way it is presented in the book is quite entertaining. It's a nice, smooth book and not boring. It is sometimes surprising and the events are very film-like.

this is a classic thriller that pits a international policeman,a lovely reporter against evil conspiracy to start the fourth reich.Meade's sinister premise is backed with exotic atmosphere, violent action, plot twists and some really nasty villians that leads to chilling conclusion that will make you pause and think!

Although I was a fan of the James Bond movies for many years, I never picked up an Ian Flemming Bond novel until a few years ago. The novels were so good I didn't like the movies nearly as much after reading all of the books. The most disappointing thing with reading all of Flemming's Bond novels is that Flemming is long dead and no other author can seem to capture his style or ability to create a spectacular plot. Or so I thought.

Then I saw Brandenburg and picked it up. If I were one to believe in reincarnation, I would swear Flemming's spirit lives on in Meade. Rather than give anything up about the book itself--the synopsis on the book is all you'll ever need--I should just say that if you like Ian Flemming or spy and mystery-suspense novels, this is about the best one I've ever read.