Berchtesgaden

Germany at Zero Hour

Berchtesgaden in the spring of 1945. The Führer's favorite town surrenders and the American Forces assume authority. Although her English is modest, 19-year-old Sophie takes a position with the military government where she is confronted for the first time with the whole truth about Germany’s crimes. She meets people who even change the way she views her own family. For example, her boss, the Jewish emigrant Frank Rosenzweig, who is hoping for news of surviving relatives; his girlfriend, Meg, a glamorous war reporter; mayor Rudolf Kriss, who was once facing a death sentence. And Sam, a black GI with whom Sophie falls in love. In Berchtesgaden, their paths cross in a fateful way.

An opulent novel to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II

Lifelike characters; vividly narrated with great empathy and knowledge of the times

The debut novel of a successful screenwriter

For readers of DEUTSCHES HAUS (THE GERMAN HOUSE) by Annette Hess