About:
The Blacksmith of Dachau by Elaine Hume-Peaks is a historical fiction novel which is both haunting and hopeful. Ms. Hume-Peake was born in Aberdeen Proving Ground where her father, Captain Edward Hume learned the art of bomb disposal and diffused many in Europe during World War II.
- 10 hours and 55 minutes
- Publisher : Recorded Books
- Language : English
- ASIN : B0GD8XQNSG
- Narrator: Jonathan Todd Ross
My rating for The Blacksmith of Dachau – 5
Buy from The Blacksmith of Dachau Amazon.com*
Books by Elaine Hume-Peaks*
Books narrated by Jonathan Todd Ross*
Books in the A Call to War series*
Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book, its strong in spirit and quiet strength while still managing to convey the horrors of war. I visited Dachau last year, and I was glad to learn more about the concentration camp and aspects which the tour didn’t cover,
I knew nothing of The Blacksmith of Dachau by Elaine Hume-Peaks before starting to read it, I expected some sort of run-of-the-mill World War II/Holocaust stories that are so prevalent these days. I was pleasantly surprised by a nuanced, interesting story that’s takes the label “historical fiction” seriously and is not simply a story that takes place in the past.
The author took inspiration from her father, Captain Edward Thomas Hume of the Army Bomb Disposal unit, as I found out after finishing the book. I also didn’t know this was a second in the A Call to War series, but I will make it a point to read the first book, The Kaboom Boys, and subsequent titles. As I mentioned before, I had no idea this was the second in the series until after I finished the book, so this one is certainly a stand-alone story.
Jonathan Todd Ross, the narrator of the book, did an excellent job. He has an excellent voice, and I enjoyed the variations as the story progressed.
Both story lines, that of the blacksmith and the Kaboom Boys, are filled with emotions, resilience, and moral fortitude and courage. I cannot imagine the choices they had to make during one of the darkest times in human history.
This was a fast-paced book, with a great plot and fascinating characters. The story does mainly revolve around Captain Hume and his Kaboom Boys, not around Dachau which plays an integral, but small part of the story.
Synopsis:
Hans, a master blacksmith, is sent to Dachau concentration camp. He is first tasked with making detonators and eventually forced to disarm allied bombs at gunpoint.
Captain Edward Hume, commander of the Kaboom Boys, an American bomb disposal unit, leads his men through shattered Europe defusing bombs. As the Allies gain victory, the unit is called upon to practice their occupation, making their way across Europe.
Buy from The Blacksmith of Dachau Amazon.com*
Books by Elaine Hume-Peaks*
Books narrated by Jonathan Todd Ross*
Books in the A Call to War series*
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this audiobook for free.
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
