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NKJV: Airship Genesis Kids Study Bible
Book
"With a new generation rising up, we have the chance to leave a legacy of great inheritance. Airship...
Minecraft Construction Handbook - Updated Edition: An Official Minecraft Book from Mojang
Book
Minecraft is a multi-platform block-based gaming sensation available on Xbox, PlayStation, PC and...
The Theater of Experiment: Staging Natural Philosophy in Eighteenth-Century Britain
Book
The first book-length study of the relationship between science and theater during the long...
ClareR (5950 KP) rated The Women at Hitler’s Table in Books
Dec 3, 2019
Even though The Women at Hitler’s Table doesn’t feature an appearance by Hitler himself, it is very much about Hitler’s Germany and how his paranoia directly affected the women who were forced into becoming his food tasters. 1943 saw a shift in the Second World War, the Allies and Russia began to take the upper hand, and Hitler saw assassination plots around every corner (he wasn’t far wrong, but it was generally instigated by his own side).
Rosa Sauer moves from Berlin to live with her husbands parents in the countryside, to escape the bombs that killed her parents. However, in doing so she draws attention to herself and ends up being ‘enlisted’ by the SS as one of the female food tasters at the Wolfschanze (Wolfs Lair). In some ways this is a privileged position - food is scarce and people are starving. Rosa and her fellow food tasters are guaranteed regular food, but each meal could be their last. They have no choice but to eat: SS guards watch their every mouthful. Some of the women are Hitler loyalists and see it as an honour to do this, whilst others (Rosa included) aren’t as keen. Rosa is beginning to see the cracks in the regime, and in fact has disagreed with the party’s politics for a long time. But she has chosen not to do or say anything - as many people did.
This book looks at what life was like for the ordinary Germans. Their loves, loyalties, secrets and the fear for both their present circumstances and their futures. This isn’t a comfortable read. It looks at some very unsettling subjects, and the fear of the women is palpable. I think the story would have stood up well without the romance element, but I’m sure some would disagree with me and would enjoy that aspect more.
I really liked the links with real historical figures: Claus Von Stauffenberg, some local nobility and a real food taster that the story was based on (Margot Wölk). I also liked the style in which this was written. It was dark, subdued, much like how I imagine the country felt as a whole at this point. I really did enjoy this book - it was an interesting and new angle to look at a period in history which we all feel that we know a lot about. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Hitler’s female food tasters make their appearance....
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my copy of this book to read and review.
Rosa Sauer moves from Berlin to live with her husbands parents in the countryside, to escape the bombs that killed her parents. However, in doing so she draws attention to herself and ends up being ‘enlisted’ by the SS as one of the female food tasters at the Wolfschanze (Wolfs Lair). In some ways this is a privileged position - food is scarce and people are starving. Rosa and her fellow food tasters are guaranteed regular food, but each meal could be their last. They have no choice but to eat: SS guards watch their every mouthful. Some of the women are Hitler loyalists and see it as an honour to do this, whilst others (Rosa included) aren’t as keen. Rosa is beginning to see the cracks in the regime, and in fact has disagreed with the party’s politics for a long time. But she has chosen not to do or say anything - as many people did.
This book looks at what life was like for the ordinary Germans. Their loves, loyalties, secrets and the fear for both their present circumstances and their futures. This isn’t a comfortable read. It looks at some very unsettling subjects, and the fear of the women is palpable. I think the story would have stood up well without the romance element, but I’m sure some would disagree with me and would enjoy that aspect more.
I really liked the links with real historical figures: Claus Von Stauffenberg, some local nobility and a real food taster that the story was based on (Margot Wölk). I also liked the style in which this was written. It was dark, subdued, much like how I imagine the country felt as a whole at this point. I really did enjoy this book - it was an interesting and new angle to look at a period in history which we all feel that we know a lot about. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Hitler’s female food tasters make their appearance....
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my copy of this book to read and review.
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Daffodils and Dreams (Brodyr Alarch #4) in Books
Jun 16, 2025
wonderful instalment!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, but I also purchased my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Brodyr Alarch series, and while not necessary, I do recomend that you read the other three boosk before this, or at LEAST, Sealed with A Curse, which is the prequel to this series. That will give you why these men were cursed, and what they did to be free of it. Harri mentions it a time or two in his musings. I loved them all.
Harri is preparing to be crowned the king of Melthkior, a middle brother in the Brodyr Alarch. His older brothers have no wish to be king, and Harri was always going to be crowned. Adding the Druids to the ceremony, and wanting to build a healing centre with their knowledge, was all Harri's idea. Ffion is the daughter of the head of the Druids. The two meeting start a cascade of events that leads to some dark times for them both. Will their choices, when the time comes, prove them worthy?
I've said this before and I will say it again, I am LOVING that these books are clean. Harri and Ffion take time to get to know each other, it's well over halfway through the book that they kiss, and I loved being made to wait. They both have a powerful reaction to the other, but it's kept low key. They know about it, but they don't voice it, not until things begin to go wrong.
I loved that Harri and Ffion both have to face their demons. I love that the tests are intriguing. I wasn't sure how they would go down. I loved that, while confident on the outside, both Harri and Ffion had doubts. Not about their love, that is clear, but about who they are inside and if they are good enough for each other and the roles they have been dealt.
This one is based around the Sleeping Beauty type tale. Harri and Ffion work hard to remove all chance of the curse being activated, but it takes a tiny slip of the foot to set it in motion and there is nothing harri can do then, but battle himself, almost.
I really REALLY enjoyed this instalment and I can't wait for the next one. I'm left feeling 4 stars, though, rather than 5 and I can only assume that it's a "me, not you" thing.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 4 in the Brodyr Alarch series, and while not necessary, I do recomend that you read the other three boosk before this, or at LEAST, Sealed with A Curse, which is the prequel to this series. That will give you why these men were cursed, and what they did to be free of it. Harri mentions it a time or two in his musings. I loved them all.
Harri is preparing to be crowned the king of Melthkior, a middle brother in the Brodyr Alarch. His older brothers have no wish to be king, and Harri was always going to be crowned. Adding the Druids to the ceremony, and wanting to build a healing centre with their knowledge, was all Harri's idea. Ffion is the daughter of the head of the Druids. The two meeting start a cascade of events that leads to some dark times for them both. Will their choices, when the time comes, prove them worthy?
I've said this before and I will say it again, I am LOVING that these books are clean. Harri and Ffion take time to get to know each other, it's well over halfway through the book that they kiss, and I loved being made to wait. They both have a powerful reaction to the other, but it's kept low key. They know about it, but they don't voice it, not until things begin to go wrong.
I loved that Harri and Ffion both have to face their demons. I love that the tests are intriguing. I wasn't sure how they would go down. I loved that, while confident on the outside, both Harri and Ffion had doubts. Not about their love, that is clear, but about who they are inside and if they are good enough for each other and the roles they have been dealt.
This one is based around the Sleeping Beauty type tale. Harri and Ffion work hard to remove all chance of the curse being activated, but it takes a tiny slip of the foot to set it in motion and there is nothing harri can do then, but battle himself, almost.
I really REALLY enjoyed this instalment and I can't wait for the next one. I'm left feeling 4 stars, though, rather than 5 and I can only assume that it's a "me, not you" thing.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
A Tolkien Tapestry: Pictures to Accompany The Lord of the Rings
Book
This brand new full-colour art book reveals in sumptuous detail more than 100 paintings based on The...
Children's Bible Games for Kids, Family and School
Book and Education
App
Engage your kids and family with the Bible with funny and faithful Games & Activities. • 300 Games...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Dilemma in Books
Jul 2, 2020
Livia became pregnant when she was seventeen and her wealthy but distant parents basically disowned her. As such, she's always dreamed of having a giant party of her own. Now she's turning forty and finally having the lavish party she's always longed for. Her husband Adam and eldest child, Josh, will be there, but her younger daughter Marnie, who is studying in Hong Kong, will miss the celebration. And, secretly, Livia is relieved--something she hasn't even told Adam. Adam, meanwhile, just wants it all to go well for Livia. He has his own surprise planned, until he learns something terrible that will change everything.
"What I hate most is that my need for this party came from my parents. If I'd been able to have the wedding they promised me, I wouldn't have become obsessed with having my own special day."
Well, I can say one thing about this book: it's really readable. I flew through it in one day. Now, did I enjoy it? That's something entirely different. The plot is based on a preposterous web of lies and secrets that I don't think any couple would actually keep from one another. Not to mention that Livia is just ridiculous in her desire for this elaborate party, which we learn she has truly been dreaming about and planning for twenty freaking years. Seriously, lady?
Both Livia and Adam make insane decisions in the name of their secrets, but Livia's "secret"--which is actually just her being crazy yet again and overreacting to life--pales in comparison to Adam's, so it's impossible to take her seriously about anything. Meanwhile, you just want to shake Adam, tell him it's a stupid party, and get it together. Man up, tell your wife, and let's go. None--none of this--is necessary!
Honestly, while I kept turning the pages because a) I hoped someone would grow up and make a smart decision and b) I was wishing things would turn out differently, this book was stressful. It was hard to read, emotional, and tense (and not in a good, thrilling way). The whole story has an "ick" factor to it. While it was a quick read, it's not one I really recommend. 2 stars.
"What I hate most is that my need for this party came from my parents. If I'd been able to have the wedding they promised me, I wouldn't have become obsessed with having my own special day."
Well, I can say one thing about this book: it's really readable. I flew through it in one day. Now, did I enjoy it? That's something entirely different. The plot is based on a preposterous web of lies and secrets that I don't think any couple would actually keep from one another. Not to mention that Livia is just ridiculous in her desire for this elaborate party, which we learn she has truly been dreaming about and planning for twenty freaking years. Seriously, lady?
Both Livia and Adam make insane decisions in the name of their secrets, but Livia's "secret"--which is actually just her being crazy yet again and overreacting to life--pales in comparison to Adam's, so it's impossible to take her seriously about anything. Meanwhile, you just want to shake Adam, tell him it's a stupid party, and get it together. Man up, tell your wife, and let's go. None--none of this--is necessary!
Honestly, while I kept turning the pages because a) I hoped someone would grow up and make a smart decision and b) I was wishing things would turn out differently, this book was stressful. It was hard to read, emotional, and tense (and not in a good, thrilling way). The whole story has an "ick" factor to it. While it was a quick read, it's not one I really recommend. 2 stars.
Tripoto: Itineraries & Trips
Travel and Social Networking
App
Tripoto is the Global Community of Travellers. A single destination for all your travel needs....
Programming Guide for Wearable Computing: End-To-End Algorithms and Infrastructure Design from Wearable-Devices to Data Centers: 2017
Omesh Tickoo, Ravishankar K. Iyer and Yueheng Xu
Book
Make the most of the common architectures used for deriving meaningful data from sensors. This book...