a different view on WWII
594788
This is written from the common persons view of what happened in the war, how Jews were persecuted, etc.  There is no glory in war. It's not a warm fuzzy type of story.  It's hard to follow in places. It's very realistic.
4890256
As an avid WWII reader, found this book of some interest.  The perspective is unusual, but felt I never really could empathize with the German protagonist.  Relatively easy reading despite somewhat difficult translation.  This book makes a nice weekend read.  One won't learn significant history from this, but is a nice insight to front line mentality.  Can recommend it with the above limitations.  The fear of being captured by the Russians is very clearly conveyed, especially in the final chapters.
807382
This book gives a slightly different view of the family experiences during WWII, since the writer was a little boy at the time.  I advise people to read the first book about one of the older children in the family before this one.
3796626
It's unusual to read a war story from the "other side".  This is a sympathetic look at a headstrong German girl and her family during WW II, giving insight into the challenges faced by civilians.  It steers clear of politics and significant moral conflicts--the war is just background, not THE issue.
3174157
Well written and provides a different perspective of WWII than most books on the topic. The writer does a great job and developing relatable characters.
2410653
"When the Nightingale Sings" is a unique take on World War II. I have to admit upfront my review is influenced by the fact that am not a fan of war and find war movies and novels difficult to read, John Ashton Williams' novel, however, is written from the point of view of a teenager forced to work in Hitler's bunker. That interested me as I always wondered what the bunker was like and what happened during those final days. Williams did a good job of showing the horror ordinary Germans went through and how clueless they were about the monstrous activities in which their leaders were engaged. Although at times I found it difficult to keep track of the different military leaders, it was clear Williams researched his topic thoroughly. He did an excellent job of showing the human side of this awful event.
3754719
Really interesting view from the "enemy's" viewpoint. Gives you the realization that war affects all soldiers the same way, no matter how their governments differ. This guy is just a regular German soldier, not really into the Nazi stuff.
4075363
It is interesting to read from the point of view of the author.  The various assignments and of course the the OST front.  He has the point of view of a Canadian living in a WWII European country.  There are some lighter moments as well and a view from the authors side  of the dark side.
2632839
Enjoyable story - I really enjoy the literature relating to what was going on during WW II in Europe.  This was a view of the Nazis from the vantage point of individuals who were Jewish and trying to fit in - both in Germany and other Nazi conquered lands.  Different perspective than what I have read before.  And interesting to see how conquered people just tried to survive until the war was over.
153660
I found this book very interesting. It was a bit eye opening to read of the German and their allied fighters (Frenchmen, Poles, even some Russian defectors who joined the German army) talking about defending a United Europe from the non-Europeans. I've always thought of the fight as being against Nazi Germany, but the front line German troops and their allied troops viewed it more as a defense of Europe. It's almost as though Hitler was the founding father of the European Union, only he did so militarily while in more recent years it's been done politically. With the talk now of a new single European Army forming, this book was pretty timely and interesting to read. The book doesn't sugarcoat the atrocities/horrors of war on either side and isn't for the squeamish, but it's an interesting perspective on the war that I hadn't read before. I recommend it.
3770089
It was really interesting to read about WWII from a German citizen's perspective. It was a new and interesting way to read about it. However the ending was a little disappointing and I felt like it was left open. I wish there had been a little bit more closure. Overall though I really enjoyed it.
2760394
I find the personal accounts of the German soldiers fascinating. Following on Book One, this takes a different perspective less on the combat, more toward attitudes and beliefs and relationships with the French and Russian workers / conscripts. The story about the Typhoon weapon adds to the advanced arsenal stories which could have turned the outcome of the war given a bit more time and a lot more resources. One last thought what would the world look like if the Soviets had rolled through Germany and controlled all of Western Europe?

I have this book a 3 rating because it is simply a collection of real accounts told by those who experienced them. The book is not great writing, but it is worth reading to better understand the events around D-Day. The losing side rarely gets to tell their story.
2531637
Interesting insight regarding World War II as seen from the view of the people who were completely involved on both sides of the conflict.  I completely got caught up in the characters and their lives. This took place at a time I was growing up and was seeing the war only in newsreels in the United States.  What a contrast in lives.
2091831
This was an extremely moving story and a different view to WWII. It is definitely a story that makes you reconsider the Italian perspective of the war and what happened there.
847927
You get a different view of some of the Germans during WW2, I'm glad I read this book.
4889832
This is very different from Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe stories. It's about France in WW II, and what life was like for the French during the Nazi occupation. It's about the conflict between collaborating with the Nazis to survive, and resisting them to be loyal to France. With the current interest in the two world wars, I recommend this book highly to get a better understanding of the war on a human scale, and what it was like to live in a country that's occupied by your enemies.
3179957
A great novel. It gave me a different look at WWII. The story is worth the read.