Based on real events of the author's father's time in Europe in 1933, this book is amazing. Imagine being a young man at a Boy Scout Jamboree and the adventures you must have had back then. Granted, it wasn't all great since the characters were living in Nazi-occupied Germany during the beginning of their attempts to get rid of the Jewish population.

It covers about four days in 1933 and is told from multiple points of view. We see flashbacks to 1925 that give us a deeper understanding of some of the characters eight years later. My favorite character or perspective is hard to pick because each gives us a look into their lives and the trials and tribulations they endured under a fanatic leader. Also, it reminds us of what a terrible time in history this was and all those that were harmed by their religious upbringing.

There's a little bit of mystery in this story, who killed one of the characters? I won't tell you too much, you'll have to read the book to find out.

I'm fascinated by how all the lives intersected and came together. It was fun to uncover details that brought this story full circle after piecing together a few pieces but not everything. It's a reminder to be thankful for what we have.

It is reassuring to see important personal histories captured so eloquently. This will ensure that we continue to keep lessons from the past alive and in the minds of generations to come. The author does a great job of bringing her father’s story to light and balances well, I think, fictionalising his experiences in an appropriately balanced way. Full of love and respect throughout, this book will terrify, enlighten and educate all readers.

PUB DAY REVIEW
The Road We Took: 4 Days in Germany 1933
by Cathy A. Lewis

This debut histfic novel is based on the author's finding of her father's battered suitcase. It contained his journal from a trip to Europe for a Boy Scout World Jamboree in 1933.

The story will break your heart as it describes the desperate attempt by persecuted Jews to escape Nazi Germany, yet give you hope and appreciation for life's many gifts as the story unspools.

I got so wrapped up in the tale that I felt I was on the trip too, horrified by what I witnessed and so moved by the story.

The author, a professional and personal chef who has cooked for such luminaries as Wynonna and Ashley Judd, fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a writer with this assured and gripping debut.

Highly recommended for historical fiction lovers, readers interested in Europe before WWII, and those who want to learn more the Nazi plan to exterminate all Jews.

Thanks to @cathyalewis for the review copy; opinions are mine.

Set in 1933 with flashbacks to 1925, this heartbreaking novel is based on vivid stories from the author's father's diary and stories he told her as a child. In 1933 her father was part of an American Boy Scouts group which spent six weeks in Europe en route to Hungary to an annual jamboree. Talk about an interesting perspective! The bulk of the novel takes place in Munich and Dachau. Despair, heartbreak, hatred, love, faith, courage and hope are themes. The beauty of music is one of the threads running through the story.

The Boy Scouts group traveled through Europe and one day witnessed pure evil. Few knew what was going on (and those who did were too terrified to say anything) so the group leader was determined to find out. At that time Nazism was still fairly newish and Hitler fervour was emerging. The story follows the group's journey as well as other storylines including a Jewish woman who boards with a staunch Nazi supporter and experiences at Dachau which all wrap up seamlessly at the end with several surprises along the way. The extreme horrendous treatment of Jews is impossible to fathom. Their only "crime" was being Jewish. But they protected each other and prayed together. Such courage in the presence of evil! My favourite characters are Maddie and especially her music professor, Stanislaw.

So much to love about this book., including photographs. Though not an enjoyable read, it is important and engrossing. I read it on Holocaust Remembrance Day. It brought tears to my eyes a few times and moved me a great deal. It was interesting to read about the propaganda in particular and learn more about symbols, wrist bands, Lebensraum and how people viewed Hitler, many with unbelievable devotion bordering on swooning. There is something incredibly special about this book...utterly haunting and captivating.

My sincere thank you to Books Forward and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this unmissable book. How on earth is it a debut?!

This is such an amazing story that is based on actual events of the author's father's time in Europe in 1933. Imagine being a young man on his way to a Boy Scout Jamboree and the adventures they must have had at that time. Granted, not everything was wonderful as the characters are thrown into Nazi-occupied Germany and the beginnings of their attempts to rid their country of the Jewish population.

This story is told from multiple points of view and the time in 1933 covers about four days. There are flashbacks to 1925 that give us a deeper understanding of some of the characters and how they became who they were eight years later. I don't know if I have a favorite character or perspective because each gives us a look at their life and the trials and tribulations they endured from a fanatical rule. It also reminds us what a terrible time in history this was and all those that were harmed because of their religious upbringing.

There is a little bit of a mystery tied into this story, who killed one of the characters and why? The answer is not surprising but I won't reveal too much, you'll have to read the book to find out.

It is interesting how all of the lives intersected and came together in the end. I started putting a few of the pieces together but not everything, so it was a treat to uncover details that brought this story full circle. If anything, this reminds us to be thankful for what we have in this world.

We give this book 5 paws up.