This was a fascinating and well-researched story about The Lebensborn Society maternity house whose role was to produce good mothers and housewives for the Nazis and to breed racially fit babies. I was aware of other dark parts of Nazi medical experiments led by Josef Mengele and but this particular topic was new to me.

Told from three different
points of view we get a good glimpse into the different types of women who lived and worked in the houses. Hilde-the proud mistress, Gundie- the ‘racially superior’ but reluctant attendee and Irma who looks after the girls and becomes aware that things may not be what they seem. All three were interesting and engaging characters.

The storyline was engaging and I was keen to learn more about the characters and see the plot unfold. The writing was fabulous and definitely evolved emotions as the sexual exploitation became more apparent. Historical fiction at its best.

I used to love WWII novels way back before they became totally overdone. In the past 3-5 years I felt like new releases just became the same story, change the names, change the cities, throw a romance in, etc etc. to the point that I actually stopped reading them.

Cradles of the Reich caught my eye with the unique synopsis of exploring Germany's Lebensborn Program, or in plain English, a program to selectively breed the perfect German child for the strongest future German empire possible.

Once I cracked this one open I just couldn't put it down; it seemed like I was reading some bizarre dystopian novel. I knew about the horrific experiments that were done to prisoners during the war, as well as the Reich wanting a pure Aryan race, but I had NO idea about the extent of the Lebensborn program.

The characters were each well defined and the pace moved along quickly enough without getting the reader lost amongst the different people and locations.

I've already recommended this novel to multiple friends. It's an important read and not one that's widely known. If you're looking for a different World War II story, pick this one up.

Cradles of the Reich
Author, Jennifer Coburn
Pub date: 10.11.22

Thank you @sourcebooks and @netgalley for the e- arc of this unbelievable historical fiction novel!

Cradles of the Reich is a World War II story told from the perspectives of three very different women who are fighting, living, and breathing for very different causes. Gundi, an Aryan beauty and pregnant university student, is hand- picked, literally, by the doctor in charge of the German breeding program himself, and sent to live at Heim Hochland as the perfect maternal model to contribute to the master race. However, she secretly belongs to a resistance group and carries a forbidden secret about her unborn child. Irma, a forty- four- year- old nurse, longs for a second chance after a devastating personal tragedy and a recent break up with her fiance, and finds herself caring for the pregnant women and girls living at Heim Hochland alongside her friend and supervisor, Marianne. She is maternal and oh, so brave, and the residents at Heim Hochland are lucky to have her on their side. And Hilde, only eighteen, is a fierce supporter of the cause and ecstatic to be carrying the child of a high- ranking Nazi official, despite his marital status and lack of attention. She's deceitful and will do anything to secure her residence and reputation among the maternity home.

I was completely blown away by this fascinating and well- researched, yet very unsettling story of what transpired behind the closed doors of Heim Hochland and many other Lebensborn Society maternity homes. Thousands of babies were bred and born in these maternity homes and then taken from their birth mothers and adopted by German families who believed they were creating a stronger race of Germans. I knew absolutely nothing of this dark and disturbing event during an already horrifying time in history and was amazed at the sacrifices that these women made and what they survived.

4.5 stars!

The things that happened around WWII shock me even today. This is the story of a German breeding program meant to make pure and perfect Germans. For the most part the girls happily participated feeling it was their duty.

What I enjoyed about the book was that it was told by three different women, each with their own POV. My favorite character was Gundi because of her spirit. She was sent to the home when she was already pregnant and has a secret to hide. She is a brave and strong woman and I enjoyed reading about her.

Wow. Cradles of the Reich highlighted yet another atrocity that the Nazis did exploiting young women, girls really, in their world of eugenics. I had no idea that this happened though not surprised.

Ms. Coburn's book follows three females from diverse backgrounds and beliefs as they come together at a maternity home in Bavaria. It is much more than a home for those of the "pure" race to be taken care of during their pregnancy to give birth to healthy children of the Reich.

Irma's, Hilde's, and Gundi's stories are very different and kept my interest as their lives intertwined. They had different hopes and dreams.

I think the writing could have been a little tighter but all in all the book kept my interest. I recommend this for anyone who wants to learn about a different aspect of the Nazi's desire for a "perfect" race.

Thank you Net Galley, the prublisher, and author for an advanced copy.

I’m not normally an historical fiction reader, which is a little bizarre because I was actually a history major in college. I am fascinated by the Nazi party. So when I was offered the opportunity to read Cradles of the Reich, I jumped.

I knew, of course, about Henrich Himmler and his eugenics crusade for racial purity. Cradles of the Reich is a startling and overwhelming (fictional) account of three women who are part of the Lebensborn program. Literally translated as "Fount of Life," Lebensborn was an actual initiative in Nazi Germany to create and cultivate the ideal Germanic race. This was accomplished by encouraging "perfect" Aryan women, often unmarried women in "relationships" with SS officers, to bear children in Nazi maternity homes. Other children, deemed to be racially worthy, were literally kidnapped to be adopted to SS families. In conclusion: majorly messed up stuff.

Cradles of the Reich follows three women who experience the Lebensborn in different ways. Set in Heim Hochland in Bavaria, there is Gundi, an unmarried and pregnant university student, who is pressured to enter a Lebensborn house because she is considered the "perfect" Aryan woman - and, spoiler alert, she is secretly part of the resistance. Hilde, only 18, wants nothing more than to be a “Hitler girl” and will do whatever it takes to bear the child of a N@zi officer. And Irma, a 44-year old nurse suffering from a personal devastation, is just trying to move on with her life and ignore the atrocities around her.

I was completely absorbed by this book, the topic, and the writing - it completely sucked me in. The storyline is so intimate and powerful, and the subject matter is so dense - but Jennifer Coburn makes it accessible through Gundi, Hilde, and Irma. You will root, cry, hate, and love these women.

A unique historical fiction that had a very interesting premise, but sadly fell short of my expectations.  

Synopsis -
 
We follow three young women - Gundi a student in Berlin and currently pregnant, Hilde, a firm believer of the Nazi principles, enthusiastic to do anything for the Fatherland & Irma, a middle aged nurse who is looking for a fresh start. It is in Heim Hochland, at the Lebensborn society of maternity - the Nazi breeding home that these women will meet to change the course of their lives.  

Review -

Initially the three different POVs worked very well providing insights into these women's backgrounds and the circumstances that lead them to Lebensborn.  
 
I really appreciate the author's efforts to spotlight a lesser known part of the Nazi regime. The very idea that this kind of a highly organized breeding program existed and managed to produce thousands of children that they considered "racially fit" makes us shudder with repulsive shock. Some of the information was just so unfathomable and gave me goosebumps.  
 
The author deserves credit for all the research surrounding this and has managed to create a great storyline around it.  
 
However, it is the writing that didn't work for me. It felt dull at times with unnecessary details and even some cringe-worthy wordings.  
 
While there was a lot of focus of Gundi, I felt the other two women weren't getting enough attention. Also, Hilde's thread seem to go nowhere and Irma's concluded a little too conveniently. I was also unable to really connect with any of them and that's very important for me with historical fiction. 
 
The ending was underwhelming and so many questions remained unanswered. As I mentioned, it could've been so much better, but unfortunately lost it's direction and momentum.  
 
Thanks Netgalley and Source books Landmark for the ARC in exchange of an honest review!

"I love reading historical fiction because it allows me to learn about history through the more intimate lens of personal relationships."

This quote by Coburn in her author's note at the end of the novel sums up my feelings perfectly. And this story was an excellent example of that experience. The people in her story were real, and flawed and varied, and while I couldn't like them all, they all helped me to understand the period and the program so much deeper. Her research was excellent as was her writing. Learning about the Lebensborn program and the extent to which the Nazis were willing to go to create their "master race" was chilling, and something that more people need to know more about so that it never happens again. Well done.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Cradles of the Reich

Author: Jennifer Coburn

Release Date: October 11th, 2022

Page Count: 351

Start Date: September 25th, 2022

Finish Date: October 9th, 2022

Review:

Story: This book really threw me through all kinds of emotions. There are three points of view. Each from a different side in the events taking place. It takes place in a place where unwed women who were expecting were sent. One of whom was carrying a baby who was half Jewish. It’s raw and open about everything. There’s no glamorizing about this book at all. I think that’s what made me want to keep reading. I also really loved the cover.

Characters: The three points of view are Gundi, Irma, and Hilde. I believe those were the names and how you spell them. I really related to Gundi. I wanted to like Irma and Hilde, but there were just certain things they said and felt that made me so frustrated with them. I get that they were just basically accepting the information that they were wrongly given, but still.

Critiques: None that I can think of

Final Thoughts: I fully recommend everybody that reads this book take the time to read the Author’s Note in the back. It explains the full inspiration behind the book and some facts about the real events that took place during the time period this book was written about. It is very obvious that this author did her research before fully writing out this book. It actually made the book mean more to me because of it.

I was provided a free advanced copy of this book by @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I have read and enjoyed a lot of historical fiction stories and many of them are set in WWI or WWII. However, this one covers a topic I'm not sure I had ever heard about, the Nazi's Lebensborn Society and their maternity homes.
The Reich took qualified Aryan women (girls) during the war and if they were pregnant would take care of them and possibly adopt their babies out, but also held parties with SS Officers for those who were not pregnant yet. However, they also kidnapped children from occupied countries who looked Aryan and "Germanized" them.
This story steps into one of these houses with three women. Gundi has been working for the resistance, but when she becomes pregnant she is forced into one of these houses as a "perfect" Aryan specimen. But she wonders what will happen if her baby is born looking like the Jewish father! Hilde takes an encounter with an older SS Officer as an opportunity to get ahead in her life, and is excited when she finds out she is pregnant with his child. She views the move into the house as the next step to do her part for the country! Irma was a nurse during the Great War, and when she finds herself at a crossroads, is appreciative of the opportunity to use her skills to take care of the girls in the house. But will she be able to keep her feelings out of things and simply do her duty?
Following these three women and their different opinions we get a glimpse of what went on in and around the maternity house! The story is an informative one, horrifying to realize it really happened, but also one of hope as we see evidence of those who tried to oppose as they were able to.
I struggled a bit with the ending, thinking it ended a bit abruptly without a lot of closure, although if it has been tied up in a neat bow that would have been unrealistic as well, so not sure what could have been done to make me fully happy with it.
Overall, it was an interesting story of a very little known part of WWII history. It was published on Tuesday, so go check it out.

"That's part of the problem...
I don't want to be in a world where helping one another survive is remarkable."

"The resistance has gold?"
"We have bricks that bear a striking resemblance to gold. Our real cargo is people."

There is so much deep emotional gut wrenching yet uplifting moments in the WWll historical fiction Cradles Of The Reich by brilliant author Jennifer Coburn that I had to read it with a box of tissues next to me.

This incredibly well researched story is about the very real Nazi Lebensborn program to produce a master race of pure Aryan children. Taking place in the real Herm Hochland, a home were pure German woman are inseminated (not always by choice) by Nazi officers, and their babies are taken from them to be raised by elite Nazi families to be future leaders of the Third Reich.

We follow the lives of three very different women. Hilde is 18 and proud to be carrying an Aryan officer's child. Irma, 44, is a nurse at the home and naively, for awhile, unaware of the true horrors she is helping to facilitate . Then there is Gundi. A pregnant university student and the breeder home is unaware she is carrying a Jewish baby, which if found out would be death for her and the baby. Oh, and she bravely is part of the resistance.

The brilliance of this book is how despite their differences these women find a common ground not just in motherhood but their treatment by men in power. Sadly, in almost a hundred years not much has changed for women in society being told what they can and can't do with their bodies, minds and life.

This writer's immensely engrossing important work deserves and needs to be read by everyone. It is a testament to the resilience of women past and present.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was an incredibly well written and thoroughly researched story. It was difficult to read a times, but I think that's a testament to the quality of the writing. Coburn is a fantastic author and while this wasn't exactly an enjoyable story per se, it is an incredibly important one that I definitely recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books Landmark for allowing me to be an early reader.

As a fan of historical fiction, I was intrigued to read Cradles of the Reich by Jennifer Coburn, which is based on true facts and people of the Reich society. This novel explores the lives of three German women during the Nazi regime. Do you sympathize with Gundi, a college student, who falls in love with a Jewish boy; Irma who is rejected by her love and chooses to join a society that breeds children for patriotism for the Reich or Hilde who is a young girl who thinks that the love of a high decorated Nazi will provide her with the life she desires. Read this novel to find out their life stories. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book prior to its publication.

I thought I had read just about everything there was on WWII and BOY, was I surprised when I read of the "breeding" programs of the Nazi. I'd like to think that there is nothing like this in this day and age but where madness rules, anything can happen.

The fictional account of 3 women involved in the program, one by accident, one by design and one as an escape from her past. The story is told by all 3 of them and each POV brings out the horror involved. An all absorbing tale, Jennifer Coburn builds the story in layers, showing us the character development in each chapter. I'm definitely recommending this to me reading circle and then I'm going to look for more information on the Lebensen Society.

Book Review: Cradles of the Reich

I read this about a month or so ago, and as usual I’m late posting my review. This book published yesterday! Thank you to @netgalley and @sourcebooks for the free arc. If you are a fan of WWII fiction, then you’ll be interested in this story.

It’s about the Nazi breeding program called the Lebensborn Society, where thousands of babies were born to women who qualified as the perfect Aryan beauty. These babies were then taken and adopted by Nazi officers and their families to help build the new Germany.

The story follows three different women who all end up at the same Lebensborn home, under very different circumstances. Gundi is a member of a resistance group, Irma is a nurse, and Hilde is a true believer in the Nazi regime and cause.

I enjoyed the story for the most part, although I found Hilde to be very immature and annoying. The ending was a nail biter, and then ended rather abruptly. I would have liked a little more closure to the story.

If you haven’t read anything about the Lebensborn Society, then I’d definitely recommend picking this book up.

CRADLES OF THE REICH by Jennifer Coburn accomplishes incredible feats. Weaving together the stories of three very different women playing different roles within Germany during the early years of World War II, Coburn brings the reader to a little known reality of a nursery for the master race. Unlike any other story I've read about that time, CRADLES OF THE REICH brought me to the heart and soul of individuals caught up in the fervor, passions, and requirements of Hitler's Germany. From heart shattering descriptions of Kristallnacht through strong-armed handling and summary disposal of those who do not comply, I felt as if I had seen it for myself. Wonderful writing, terrific pacing. I received a copy of this novel and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

The topic of this book, the German/Nazi Lebensborn Program, is one that I knew had existed but had never really read much about. The author's approach to describing the horrors of that program by focusing on the fictional lives of three young women affected by it made for a very good read. The horrors perpetrated in Nazi Germany never fail to amaze me - that human beings can treat other human beings in such a despicable manner and feel that it is for the good of their nation. The three different story lines show how there were those who did not want any part of the program but were forced into it, those that wanted to be in the program, and those that learned it was not what was expected and were horrified by what they discovered. The author treated the subject delicately and yet was able to make the reader visualize the corrupt minds behind making the program work for them as they tore newborn Aryan babies from mothers to give to "better" German-faithful families. I felt the ending was too abrupt however, and wanted to read more about Gundy, Hilde and Irma. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Cradles of the Reich #NetGalley.

This was a hard book to read because of the content, but important to read. History can be hard, but hopefully we learn from the past. This novel is based on the Lebensborn Society maternity homes during WWII. Mothers giving birth to “racially fit” babies were being bred to be raised in Germany.

Coburn tackles the hard subject of the Nazi breeding program to create the “so-called master race.” Coburn research is meticulous and the subject matter is hard to fathom.

We follow three different women from different backgrounds. Their lives become intertwined at the program. Gundi is hiding a secret, but is considered the perfect German specimen. Irma is the nurse involved in these birth mothers lives. Hilda is a teenager seeing a high ranking Nazi but gets in trouble and the man is married.

How do these girls survive such horrific crimes and brainwashing?

he beginning of this book sucked me in. The topic was really interesting and heartbreaking to learn about. I actually really fell for Gundi and Irma’s characters, but could have done without Hilde. The middle of this book dragged for me and I felt like the ending was very abrupt - it left me with a lot of questions!! Overall, I really wanted more from this book.

I'm so grateful that Jennifer Coburn has told the painful, unbelievable (and yet true) story of the Lebensborn Society maternity homes of WW2. I can tell that a ton of research went into this novel, and fans of historical fiction are in for a treat with this one. Of course, it's a painful read. But it also focuses on the strength that women have in the darkest times of history. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.