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Traitors for the Sake of Humanity: A Novel of the German Resistance to Hitler

By: Helena P. Schrader
Published by: Cross Seas Press
Publication Date: June 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7353-1393-1
Reviewed By: Amy Lignor
Review Date: June 8, 2021

Every time I’m lucky enough to be given the opportunity to review a Helena Schrader book, I’m excited. I also tell myself that I have plenty of time to read the book before the review is due. Yet...it happened again. Even though I know this information ahead of time, I still have a problem putting this author’s books down once I begin. They are actually so interesting I want to keep going no matter what.

This incredible read introduces us to some of the famous and infamous people from WWII that, yes, we have heard about in the past. Some others are fictional, of course, and we have not heard of them before, but they are up against the diabolical slime that was Hitler’s circle of friends, and each member of the Resistance is beyond fascinating. They had strength, determination, morals, values, and were willing to risk their own lives in order to stand against the biggest evil this world has ever seen. They wanted to see Hitler and his regime fall; they wanted with all their hearts to defend humans, restore the laws that were put in place for a reason, and find a way to stop innocents from being beaten, tortured, gassed, and the rest of the hideous laundry list of things that the scum of the Third Reich did to the defenseless.

Readers are brought into that time where a minuscule man by the name of Adolf Hitler has somehow completely enchanted Germany. He has brought them under his spell (no one has yet to figure out how he did that), and his Nazi party has put tons of notches into their belts with the number of victories they keep getting. There are those individuals who have found a way to evade this awful man’s magic; Philip, Alexandra, and Marianne are three of them. Although they do not start out together, these people who feel like they are on the other side of an “invisible” wall because they hate this man everyone else seems to love, find each other. They soon learn that they are not alone in their hatred. In fact, their feelings are felt at the very top of the ladder by those who are imbedded in the German High Command.

There are so many amazing characters in this book, that it feels like there’s a new backstory to learn about on every page. I personally felt like this was a map of sorts; the history was so real and so well-researched (which is something Schrader does with all her books), that I was riveted by each character’s story. Your heart and soul hurt for the people who worked so hard to save their brethren, while they wished for their country to become great once again by pulling it out from under the heathenistic brutality that defined Hitler and the Nazis. And even if you are not a WWII aficionado, this gifted historian makes the history coincide with pure excitement as she ties fiction in with nonfiction perfectly.

It will be no surprise to readers, because of the immense amount of information this book gives, to learn that Helena P. Schrader has a deep-rooted past in WWII history and happenings, including the fact that she has interviewed over one hundred people who survived the horror of Nazi Germany. This, however, is not the only “must-read” from this author. Where Eagles Never Flew: A Battle of Britain was outstanding, and the Jerusalem Trilogy, that begins with the inventive, engaging and unforgettable Balian d’Ibelin: Knight of Jerusalem, is among the best-of-the-best trilogies every written. My advice is to go on her author page or look on Amazon and begin your adventure with Ms. Schrader as soon as possible.

Quill says: If you wish to grasp onto a hero, read this book. Truly inspiring, these awesome ‘traitors’ keep you on the edge of your seat. Schrader has done it yet again: 5-Stars!

For more information on Traitors for the Sake of Humanity: A Novel of the German Resistance to Hitler, please visit the publisher's website at: crosseaspress.com/traitors