Page 8 of Library of Forbidden Books

“I’m finishing up high school, and then I want to follow my mother’s footsteps and become a social worker,” she said. The dim light of the restaurant reflected off her deep red lips and slightly upturned nose. Her flaming mane of red hair flickered when she tossed her head.

Blaz and Gustav ordered venison for themselves and pheasant for the women before turning the conversation to politics. The whole city was on pins and needles about what might be coming.

“It seems that after so many years of upheaval, Germany is finally returning to the path of propriety and sound judgment,” Blaz pronounced rather than spoke.

Gustav was loath to contradict him. But from the other side of the table came Helene’s retort.

“If you’re talking about National Socialism,” she began, “I don’t think those bullies have sound judgment or know how to act properly. They’re a bunch of pub thugs and small-time swindlers who will push Germany to disaster. Thomas Mann warned us that fascism would sneak into Germany under the guise of freedom.”

An uncomfortable silence took hold. Derek leaned forward to speak, but his father cut him off with a wave.

“Perhaps the young lady would prefer for the Bolsheviks to take the streets of Berlin? You’re aware of what happened in Moscow when they did?”

Helen frowned. People always pitted communism and fascism against one another, as if one were the only solution to the other. She did not agree. “My library is in the crossfire of this fratricidal battle between Germans. Did we learn nothing from the Great War? Ideologies are the new religions. They have their own dogmas, high priests, idols, and punishments.”

“Are you calling me a pagan?” Blaz retorted. “My family has been Lutheran since the days of Martin Luther. We cannot allow foreign ideas to destroy Germany. They almost did in ’19, and we are not going to allow that now. The country has suffered enough.”

Maria coughed and, with a conciliatory tone, said, “I think the food is getting cold. It would be a shame not to enjoy it when there are so many who don’t even have daily bread.”

Gisela picked up her fork and, for the first time in her life, crossed her husband in public. “Discussing politics at the table with our future family is discourteous. Wouldn’t you agree, Blaz?”

He glared at her but said nothing.

The younger siblings talked about music, the couple discussed the wedding with the mothers, and the fathers held their tongues.

The price for the two Germanies to coexist at the same table was silence. It was a calm that could not last long.

Chapter 6

Things Get Ugly

Berlin

January 29, 1933

Night wrapped around the city, and fog settled over the rivers and parks. Christmas was a distant memory. Discreetly, two by two, a dozen or so men entered Franz von Papen’s luxurious home. Oskar von Hindenburg, son of the president, left his bodyguards at the door and entered alone.

Derek accompanied General von Blomberg but waited one room over. The voices came through the closed door clearly enough, especially those of von Papen and Adolf Hitler. The others were somewhat muffled, like the background chorus to a Greek tragedy.

“We accept that you’ll have the three ministries, and we’re being very generous. You will be chancellor. Wilhelm Frick, the Reichsminister of the Interior. And Hermann Göring will be Reichsminister without portfolio, but he will preside over the police in Prussia.”

The Nazi leader spoke a few words Derek did not catch until he heard, “Kurt von Schleicher is planning a coup, after which he will declare a state of emergency so he can avail himself of a military government. My good friend General von Blomberg has made us aware of this. That won’t do.”

Oskar von Hindenburg piped up. “My father won’t support a coup.”

Derek heard a match light and then a verbal tsk—he presumed that someone had lit a cigarette and Hitler, known to dislike tobacco, had disapproved.

“Very well,” Hitler continued. “I accept the conditions. But I hope, gentlemen, that this is not another delay tactic. If we can’t reach an agreement tonight, tomorrow I’ll call for new elections. We’ll win with an overwhelming majority and will no longer need your support.” Hitler’s parsimony belied his confidence of having things completely under control.

Derek heard the group rise to their feet and bid their farewells. The Nazis filed out, but Derek remained where he was.

“At my father’s specific request, you’ll be the new minister of defense. Don’t let us down,” Oskar said. He was not convinced about Hitler being appointed chancellor.

Von Papen tried to diffuse the situation with his customary humor. “Hitler will be contained like a cork in a bottle. He won’t be able to do anything without our consent, and with one finger the president can sack him and send him flying back to Austria, where he never should have left.”

Everyone but von Blomberg laughed. He knew Hitler too well.

Von Blomberg left the meeting room, and Derek handed him his cap and coat.