SUBJECT
"The Good German" 
By Joseph Kanon
A news correspondent in Berlin before the war, Jake
Geismar, now returns to cover the Potsdam Conference and write articles for
Colliers Magazine. Jake's highest priority is finding his former lover Lena, the
wife of a pre-war university mathematics professor and later Nazi scientist
working in the German rocket program. When a lieutenant that flew into Berlin
with Jake is found dead by Russian guards at a reception near Potsdam with
thousands of occupation marks in his pockets, Jake can't resist becoming
involved in the investigation. Jake's search for answers leads to involvement
with the Army CID (Criminal Investigation), Army Intelligence, and Russian
Intelligence. Jake enlists the aid of a former savvy former German policeman and
people in the black market to find the reasons behind the murder. As his
investigation proceeds, the situation becomes increasingly dangerous and he
finds himself not knowing who to trust. This is an interesting read with more
than a murder investigation at its core. The author paints a vivid picture of
Berlin immediately after the end of World War II. The destruction was massive
and disease, hunger, and displaced persons were everywhere. The Berliners had to
degrade themselves to eat and survive. The birth of a huge black market and the
chance for riches infected the Allies as well as the Germans. Destroying
information and creating false documents to protect those guilty of war crimes
was a thriving business. The tension between the Western Allies and the Russians
was at a dangerous level and the competition between these former Allies for the
services of German scientists was intense.
Reviewed by Kenneth S. Smith
11/14/2001
Available from:
Henry Holt & Co.
115 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
