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nckathyb55's review against another edition
4.0
Great history of the Nazi occupation of Denmark and the country's support and protection of their Jewish citizens.
beth1960's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
drubyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tschonfeld's review
2.0
Poorly written, both as a legal “thriller” and as a Holocaust book. I only finished it because of book club. Do not recommend.
jpbooks13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of my favorite books I’ve recently read. It was super interesting and readable, but still incredibly informative and thought provoking. I can’t recommend it more, especially for anyone interesting Holocaust issues, or the practice of law in Chicago
spaceforcewife21's review against another edition
3.0
There were things I really liked about this book and things that really annoyed me about this book. I was fascinated by how Denmark really came together for the Jewish population. I've read many WWII books, but none really discussed Denmark in much detail. While this is fiction the author notes that Denmark coming together to save a large number of their Jewish population is true.
After the first couple of chapters set this up as a courtroom drama I was very excited to continue reading. I love a good courtroom drama. However, in reality there isn't much courtroom drama in the book-except the beginning and end. The entire middle is a good story told excruciatingly slow. It was so slow that I found myself frustrated while reading. It made the book less entertaining for me. In addition to that frustration, there were other procedural and legal issues that would never have occurred in real life that took from my enjoyment. While the WWII timeline was interesting, the modern timeline was weak and frustrating.
I'm left feeling frustrated because I had such high hopes for this book and in the end it didn't live up to my expectations. I can see where people love this book, but it just wasn't for me.
After the first couple of chapters set this up as a courtroom drama I was very excited to continue reading. I love a good courtroom drama. However, in reality there isn't much courtroom drama in the book-except the beginning and end. The entire middle is a good story told excruciatingly slow. It was so slow that I found myself frustrated while reading. It made the book less entertaining for me. In addition to that frustration, there were other procedural and legal issues that would never have occurred in real life that took from my enjoyment. While the WWII timeline was interesting, the modern timeline was weak and frustrating.
I'm left feeling frustrated because I had such high hopes for this book and in the end it didn't live up to my expectations. I can see where people love this book, but it just wasn't for me.
sheney's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hollyg35's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kbranfield's review
4.0
Defending Britta Stein by Ronald H. Balson is an engrossing novel with a dual storyline.
In 2018, Danish immigrant Ole Henryks owns a popular restaurant in Chicago. He is well liked and he is honored to be a recipient of an award from the local Danish community. Ole is well-known for his feats of heroism in Denmark during World War II which is why everyone is shocked when spray painted words on the outside of his business cast aspersions on his wartime actions.
Britta Stein is also an immigrant from Denmark and she does not deny she defaced Ole’s restaurant. But why would she spray paint what appear to be carefully selected words on Ole’s business? Britta is not at all concerned when Ole hires an attorney to sue her for defamation. Catherine Lockhart agrees to represent Britta and becomes very captivated by her client's storytelling. Cat’s strategy to win the case rests on her husband Liam Taggart’s ability to find records and other information that prove Britta’s innocence. With just a short time to prepare the case, Cat and Liam are soon in a race against time to find evidence to back up Britta’s wartime recollections.
Britta weaves an enthralling story about the Nazi occupation of Denmark during World War II. Not much changes in Denmark initally due to an agreement between the two countries. But the Danish resistance fighters immediately begin efforts to sabotage the German’s war efforts. Britta’s family is Jewish but they are left in peace until Germany changes the terms of the agreement. The Danish people’s reaction is truly remarkable as they work hard to protect their fellow countrymen from Nazi atrocities. Britta’s memories paint a damning picture but will Liam find the proof they need to reveal the truth about Ole’s actions?
Defending Britta Stein is an inspirational novel with a meticulously researched storyline. Britta never wavers as she tells her lawyer granddaughter Emma Fisher and Catherine about her life during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. She details the harrowing days leading up their escape from the Denmark. Liam utilizes every resource available to him as he hunts for evidence to prove Britta’s accusations about Ole are true. Catherine absolutely shines in the courtroom as she vigorously fights on behalf of her client. With this newest release, Ronald H. Balson once again brings a little known aspect of World War II vividly to life.
In 2018, Danish immigrant Ole Henryks owns a popular restaurant in Chicago. He is well liked and he is honored to be a recipient of an award from the local Danish community. Ole is well-known for his feats of heroism in Denmark during World War II which is why everyone is shocked when spray painted words on the outside of his business cast aspersions on his wartime actions.
Britta Stein is also an immigrant from Denmark and she does not deny she defaced Ole’s restaurant. But why would she spray paint what appear to be carefully selected words on Ole’s business? Britta is not at all concerned when Ole hires an attorney to sue her for defamation. Catherine Lockhart agrees to represent Britta and becomes very captivated by her client's storytelling. Cat’s strategy to win the case rests on her husband Liam Taggart’s ability to find records and other information that prove Britta’s innocence. With just a short time to prepare the case, Cat and Liam are soon in a race against time to find evidence to back up Britta’s wartime recollections.
Britta weaves an enthralling story about the Nazi occupation of Denmark during World War II. Not much changes in Denmark initally due to an agreement between the two countries. But the Danish resistance fighters immediately begin efforts to sabotage the German’s war efforts. Britta’s family is Jewish but they are left in peace until Germany changes the terms of the agreement. The Danish people’s reaction is truly remarkable as they work hard to protect their fellow countrymen from Nazi atrocities. Britta’s memories paint a damning picture but will Liam find the proof they need to reveal the truth about Ole’s actions?
Defending Britta Stein is an inspirational novel with a meticulously researched storyline. Britta never wavers as she tells her lawyer granddaughter Emma Fisher and Catherine about her life during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. She details the harrowing days leading up their escape from the Denmark. Liam utilizes every resource available to him as he hunts for evidence to prove Britta’s accusations about Ole are true. Catherine absolutely shines in the courtroom as she vigorously fights on behalf of her client. With this newest release, Ronald H. Balson once again brings a little known aspect of World War II vividly to life.