Die Tagesordnung

Focusing in on a few days in the spring of 1938, this retelling looks at a few crucial meetings and events that led to Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria. With elegant sentences and sarcastic tone it fills the blanks between the lines of history. It questions the degree of blame that might fall to the German Industry giants, who bankrolled Hitler's party. It portrays the psychology and nerves at play, when Hitler and Austrian Bundeskanzler Schuschnigg meet to discuss the ultimatum that leads to the Blitzkrieg. And it questions the authenticity of the media footage that shows a jubilant Austria welcoming the takeover.

Elegant and brilliant in parts, but not bold or substantial enough to stick for long. 3.5