This is a very well-researched WWII book set in Germany from. 1938 to 1948 and it revolves around three women—two sisters from Bonn and an American from New York. Annalise is a young woman who is living out in the coutryside with friends. She sees what’s happening in Germany and is incredibly concerned. Her friends are called the Edelweiss Pirates and they do all kinds of things to warn their town of the dangers. Christine is her younger sister who has signed up,with the young Nazi youth group. Both girls get caught up in the maelstrom of Germany at this time. Emmy is an American Librarian from the Library of Congress in New York City who has been sent over after the war to search and catalogue the German literature from the war years. Emmy finds an old book of poetry in the boxes and is determined to reunite the book with its owner. During her search she uncovers the story of these two sisters and she is given a chance to recreate what life in Germany was like during the war. I did find that the story got bogged down in LGBTQ rhetoric which took away a lot of urgency and tension in the book. 4 stars for the research and 3 stars for the rather jerky plot as we jerk along among three timelines. Not my favourite WWII novel, but the German perspective was interesting. ( )

The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes is Historical Fiction World War II and its aftermath. Set in a world of unspeakable evil that affects, influences, and destroys the characters' lives. A librarian works with the Monuments Men to return books to their owner and finds a heart wrenching love story.
A well researched and well written book with realistic characters. This book includes historical information with interesting details of Jewish thoughts and culture. I thought some threads of the story were not quite complete. I think this book is appropriate for adults due to certain subjects.
I thought it unnecessary to accept, agree with, or praise the era of debauchery prior to Nazi regime. Recently, I have noticed some authors feel the need to write approvingly of homosexual behavior. That said,the Nazi response to the immorality of that time was extremely depraved. It’s the old story of a country's downfall. Appropriately this book describes some of the consequences and punishment for the evil crimes committed. The authors' research and notes were informative.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars ( )

Dark times in Germany!

Gripping story about sisters who lived in Bonn just before WWII
Annalise the older loved to hike and party with her friends in a group called the Edelweiss Pirates. Later they took more and more subversive action against the ruling Nazi party
Christina, the younger sister liked to follow rules. She became a member of the Bund Deutscher Mädel, promoting young Aryan women who followed rules, who fit in, who presented the ideal woman who embraced her place in the social fabric.
Widowed Emmy Clarke is a librarian who’s sent to Berlin in 1946 to look through the acres of books seized by the Nazis. Many are valuable. The scope of looting by the Nazis is phenomenal. Here she meets Major Wesley Arnold, part of the Monuments Men team.
Emma chances upon a book on her first day that has an inscription, beginning “to Annelise” ending with Eitan.” Emmy senses a deeper story behind the inscription. Emmy is inspired to see if she can find out more about these people.
The story moves from one character’s viewpoint to another’s —Annelise and Christina, Both interspersed with Emmy’s search in 19476.
What it tells us is that not all people are the enemy and that when they stood together they might prevail. The story of the Aryan women married to Jews who protest against their husbands being detained and held in the Jewish community center on Rose Street, awaiting transportation, is harrowing and admirable.
Such a sensitive novel about evil times that aren’t as cut and dried as we would wish.
A superb read!

A William Morrow ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )