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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nazi Germany from the inside., April 9, 2002
This review is from: While Mortals Sleep (Songs in the Night Series, Book 1) (Paperback)
"While Mortals Sleep" begins a new series for Jack Cavanaugh, a Christian author well known to readers of the popular "American Family Portrait" series. But the "Songs in the Night" series has a rather different focus: The Nazi Germany of the Second World War. Much of the background is familiar: the horrible treatment of the Jews, the ruthless oppression of the Nazi Gestapo, the underground efforts of the resistance movement, and the clever charisma of Hitler in drawing a whole nation together against the rest of Europe. But Cavanaugh offers a fresh approach by presenting an inside look into Nazi Germany. Unlike most war novels, the heroes of his story are not from Allied countries, but Germans: A German pastor and his young pregnant wife. Rev Josef Schumacher pastors the church of his father-in-law and mentor, a man who is convinced that Christians can stand fully behind the Nazi movement. But Josef comes to realize that German Nazism is antithetical to Christianity, and personally is engaged in a fight against its T-4 project (which practiced euthanasia and experimentation on handicapped children). I have often wondered how the German nation as a whole could follow Hitler, and how Christians in Germany had to deal with this. Few authors give insights into this question, but Cavanaugh more than makes up for it. Cavanaugh accurately portrays the vital role of the Hitler Youth in preparing a nation for war, and Hitler's brilliance in conscripting German youth for his cause. He shows that many Christians were brainwashed by Hitler's patriotic fervour, and Hitler's careful choice of words in presenting the German cause as blessed by God. At the same time, Cavanaugh shows that while outwardly religious, Nazism presented itself as an alternative to Christianity with Hitler replacing God. For Christians there were only two alternatives: synthesis, or resistance. Many Christians, blinded by Hitler's charisma, chose the easy way of synthesis. Cavanaugh's hero Reverend Josef Schumacher has his eyes opened to the truth the hard way, as he slowly sees through the Nazi rhetoric and misguided patriotism and comprehends the spiritual threat that Nazism really is for the youth of the church. When he realizes that Nazism and Christianity are incompatible, he is forced to stand up for the truth and make very difficult choices even though they imperil his relationships in his family and congregation, and even his own life. For German Christians, the threat of Nazism was more than just a political one, but a religious test of faith, and the ensuing struggle was ultimately a struggle for their faith, a microcosm of the age-old struggle between Christ's church and the devil. But while Cavanaugh offers a remarkable insight into Nazi Germany and living the Christian faith in testing times, he at the same time offers a most entertaining novel. The action rarely lets up, with constant surprises, twists and turns of tension. Even though the suspenseful plot rarely slows down, the characterization does not suffer. The main characters are pictured with very real emotions of joy and sorrow, and like real people have the ability and capacity to change and grow. But it is especially the spiritual qualities and insights of this novel that make it so appealing. I do not know how accurate Cavanaugh's portrait of Christianity in Nazi Germany really is, but his real picture of the struggles of Christians in the epic battle against evil is certainly one encouraging for believers today in their battle against evil. Recommended!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book that will make you think . . ., February 7, 2003
This review is from: While Mortals Sleep (Songs in the Night Series, Book 1) (Paperback)
As a reader, I was pleased by how well the story in "While Mortals Sleep" flowed--making it seem like I was there during this troubling time in history. The book also made me question, "What would I do in that situation?" It's easy to look back and think, "Oh, I would have stood up for the Jews" or "I would have fought against Hitler," but when you think of the lives of your own family being at stake--well, then it becomes harder to know just what we would do. This novel also made me think about our country in our own time period. What evils are we allowing to happen in our society because it's easier to sit back and do nothing? What are we sacrificing in order to live a comfortable life and go with the flow? While the questions are hard, this is the sign of a good book. It is not only enjoyable to read, but it also makes one turn the pages back on themselves and ask, "What about me?"
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceptionally engaging!!, October 21, 2002
This review is from: While Mortals Sleep (Songs in the Night Series, Book 1) (Paperback)
Jack Cavanaugh has given us a character in a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany who learns the meaning of courage as he stands for righteousness, and I am reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the real-life hero of Nazi Germany who risked his all. In this book, which won the International Historical prize for "Christie Award," the pastor is Josef Schumaker, and he is torn between the opinions of his congregation and his father-in-law, also a pasator, and his own knowledge of what's right. Eventually, he is forced off the fence and has to risk his life to save the "defective" children who are destined for destruction. Not exactly Bonhoeffer, but I'm sure it may have been an inspiration. Highly recommended!!!
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