Brothers-In-Arms {Jack Lewis Baillot}

I recently had the honor to review read a copy of Jack's book Brothers-in-Arms.



Amazon

Goodreads

My review on Goodreads



Back Cover:
Franz Kappel and Japhet Buchanan never expected their friendship to be tested by the Third Reich. 

Friends from early childhood, the boys form an inseparable, brotherly bond. Growing up in a little German village, they escape most of the struggles of war until the day Japhet is banished from school for being a Jew, and later has a rib broken when other village boys beat him up. Franz learns he is putting himself in danger for spending so much time with Japhet but continues to stand up for his Jewish friend even at the risk to himself. Then one day their lives are shattered when they see first-hand that the price of being a Jew is dangerously high. 

With the war now on their doorsteps, Franz and Japhet come up with a desperate plan to save their families and get them out of Germany alive. Leaving behind the lives they've always known, they move into Berlin with nothing to protect them but forged papers and each other. Convinced their friendship can keep them going, the boys try and make a new life for themselves while trying to keep their true identities and Japhet's heritage a secret. Taking his best friend's safety upon himself, Franz joins the Nazis in an attempt to get valuable information. At the same time, Japhet joins the Jewish Resistance, neither friend telling the other of their new occupations.

With everyone in their world telling them a Nazi and a Jew can't be friends, it is only a matter of time before they believe all the lies themselves, until neither is certain if they are fighting against a race of people or fighting for their homeland. Somehow they have to survive the horrors of World War II, even when all of Germany seems to be against them.

My Thoughts:

I recommend reading my review on Goodreads to get a full idea of what I thought of the story line.

But I will say here I loved it.

First, I love history. Second, I love WWII history (don't we all?). And, third, I loved the friendship portrayed in this book.

This alone made it a worthy read - a pure, affectionate friendship between two best friends. A friendship we should all aspire to have (be like). It took a lot of work - I won't give away the ending. But how their friendship started out was ideal.

The perfect example of love and loyalty. Real - not selfish or clannish sorts.

I highly recommend this book to any of you readers that love WWII and a challenging read - if this book doesn't show one how to be a better friend (aside from the Bible), then all hope may be lost for you. ;)