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  • Playing with Matches

  • Coming of Age in Hitler's Germany
  • By: Lee Strauss
  • Narrated by: Bruce Wiebe
  • Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)
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Playing with Matches cover art

Playing with Matches

By: Lee Strauss
Narrated by: Bruce Wiebe
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Summary

Heinz Schultz's word could send a man to prison. Though only a youth of 15, 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, Emil was loyal to the Fuehrer before family, a champion for the cause and a fan of the famous Luftwaffe air force.

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.

©2012 Lee Strauss (P)2015 Lee Strauss
Historical Fiction War & Military
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Profile Image for stevehsnr

Wonderful insight.

A great listen and a wonderful insight of the ordinary German family of the lead up to the war and the war itself. This should be compulsory reading for all older schoolchildren as a warning against populism and nationalism.

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