Max's War: The Story of a Ritchie Boy

What a gem of a novel. This sweeping saga of one man's journey from WWII Germany to America, from his family roots as a Jewish citizen in a war-torn country to his training as a Ritchie Boy, a group of young men in the United States tasked with interrogating prisoners on the front line and later serving as military intelligence officers. We see Max and his family struggle as they realize the precariousness of their situation – being Jews in a Nazi state puts them at grave risk and indeed, eventually Max's parents are killed. Everything he was raised to believe is called into question as countrymen betray friends and neighbors and he's forced to make hard choices that challenge his loyalty and his honor.

It's refreshing to read about a hero acting on moral principles, staying true to his code. The meticulous research that went into this novel shows in every line, as we the reader are right there with Max as he experiences challenge after challenge. This may have been written, as the author shares, as a tribute to her beloved father-in-law, but it's a story for the ages.

Highly recommended for its attention to detail but also for the broader picture it paints on a man who faced almost insurmountable odds yet emerged as a true patriot. If you're a fan of historical fiction, a lover of WWII tales, or just someone who enjoys terrific fiction, you won't be disappointed in Max's War.