“In this historical novel, two extended German families are torn apart by conflicting loyalties during the rise of Nazism. … Readers will find it chilling … Although the historical details of book burnings and Kristallnacht, portrayed here, are well known, the author’s strength is in his portrayal of ordinary Germans swept into the increasing horror – some actively, some passively – while others are stilled by fear. Well-developed characters bring new life to a familiar and frightening story.”
“Engaging novel about a German family divided by the rise of the Reich … narrated in crisp, no-nonsense prose, the novel captures the dilemmas of ordinary people caught in the sweeping changes happening in Germany .. [and] the heart-rending tensions faced by the family.”
“A historically rich, fictionalized family saga … a compelling and valuable story.” – Colin Mustful, editor, History Through Fiction 
” A compelling coming-of-age novel set against the tumultuous backdrop of pre-World War II America and the early 1930’s rise of Nazi Germany … [It] takes a domestic approach to explore the devastating impact of the Nazi era on a single family. … provides a vital perspective on how the war affected ordinary German citizens, offering a nuanced view that differentiates between the ideologies of Hitler and the realities faced by everyday people.” – Literary Titan Gold Book Award 
“So well written, it was a pleasure to read this and experience … the conflicted decisions this family and so many others made.” – Konrad Jarausch, Professor of History, University of North Carolina; author of Broken Lives: How Ordinary Germans Experienced the 20th Century
“The prose sparkles, the descriptions so authentic I can picture myself in the locales.” – Lloyd C. Gardner, Professor Emeritus of History, Rutgers University
“A new voice brings a fresh perspective to the old, oft-told story of a family rent by war. Across three decades … we follow the author’s extended family on both sides of the Atlantic. We learn of their hopes and dreams and motivations, we experience them through the rise and fall of the Nazis, and we see yet again how the great movements of history change so many private lives. – William Martin, New York Times best selling author of December ’41.
“A fascinating and authentic story highlighting the terrible conflict facing a young man torn between his American and German roots. I highly recommend.” – Helen Parusel, author of A Mother’s War, The Austrian Bride, and The Last Bookshop in Prague
“A moving and compelling story of the challenges faced by his people during this period. The ones who moved to the U.S. faced the perennial problems of immigrants everywhere. … The ones who remained in Germany eventually faced the terrible problems of Hitler. … All suffered as Hitler led his people to disaster. A marvelous, fascinating book.” – Mark Ellis, author of the acclaimed DCI Frank Merlin WW2 detective stories.
“A must read for anyone who wants an insider’s view of how war threatens a family’s cohesiveness. Interspersed with letters and historic photographs, as well as fascinating family memorabilia, this novel offers a portrait of everyday people facing the horrors of war and an era that must never be forgotten.” – Elaine Stock, author of The Resilient Women of World War II Trilogy
amazon Customer Reviews
Compelling and Important – While certainly an engaging story for adults, I was also struck by how relatable and accessible it is for a younger audience, probably late middle school and older. I think it’s so important to help the upcoming generation understand what can happen in a dictatorship – and how even ordinary people can become bullies and monsters.
An Engrossing Family Epic – Written clearly and economically, David K. Wessel’s Choosing Sides has the richness of an epic. Told in part through letters which ring true to the events they recount – the trenches of the Great War, the turbulent interwar years, and the rise of National Socialism and its terrible aftermath – it is the story of one family’s travails as the nation of Goethe and Beethoven turns to barbarity.
A Powerful Read – David Wessel’s skillfully told story reminds us how alarmingly easy it is to subscribe to dangerous ideologies when they are presented as forces for good. This excellent book is both a heart-warming family story and a chilling warning to future generations. I thoroughly enjoyed it and unreservedly recommend it.
Two Perspectives Of An Important Time in History – This is a very interesting perspective of the challenges young men and women encountered in choosing their paths during the advent of World War Two. While historical fiction provides the context, the same forces are emerging today, and the choices that young adults must make ring true.
A Good Read For the Here and Now – I really liked how this follows the paths that lead to very disparate choices within one family during difficult and divisive political times. It does this as an easy read and without being judgmental.
Excellent Historical Fiction – As a retired literacy specialist who used historical fiction to teach about the Holocaust, I feel this book would be wonderful for middle school students as well as those in high school. Because the book begins with a young boy as one of the main characters and follows him through the difficult choices he and his family make, it would, like all good historical fiction, help young people walk in his shoes, at a time when there are difficult decisions to make in their lives and indeed in the lives of all of us in the United States.
Thoughtful and Engaging – A really interesting read that I highly recommend, especially to young adult readers as an engaging and relatable story that might help them understand some of the day-to-day conflict that regular Germans experienced during the Nazi rise to power.
Valuable Teaching Tool – A valuable piece of historical fiction, filled with easy to understand explanations of complex historical events such as the causes of WWI and the rise of Hitler. As a former teacher, I would highly recommend it for use in the classroom, specifically for middle school and high school students. In addition to its historical content, it touches on many hot button social issues that are relevant to today’s youth.