A story of the Holocaust and the Greatest Generation. 1933. America is in economic depression and moving toward isolationism. Germany descends beneath the clouds of Nazism, militarism and prejudicial hate. Enter the early years of the four main protagonists. Mo and Max Gordon, absolute bookend twins from a hardscrabble, blue-collar neighborhood in Springfield Illinois. TR Royce, only son of America's most influential Senator, and close friend and ally of President Roosevelt. Aaron Gittlesohn, Jewish boy of humble origins in Munich Germany. Fast forward, 1940. The boys have become young men. Aaron and his parents are rounded up and transported to the concentration camp at Dachau. In America, war is on the horizon and Mo enlists in the army. Before going off to training he meets a young girl playing piano in a Springfield nightclub and falls instantly in love. America is attacked at Pearl Harbor, thrusting the United States into the war. Max and TR, both now law school graduates, enlist in the army as officers. As they move through the war together, they both yearn for action on the front lines, but become stuck in a succession of desk jobs, until one fateful assignment sends them with the troops that liberate the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, where they witness what is left of the horrifically brutalized prisoners. On the other side of the globe, Mo has been marching through the jungles of Burma with a force of 5000 men. Mo displays uncommon courage in battle, becoming a legitimate war hero. The stories of three American soldiers unfolds, as does the tale of life and death in the despicable Nazi concentration camp. From the unforgiving jungles of Burma to the War College in London, from the Oval Office of President Roosevelt to the Fuhrerbunker of Adolph Hitler, and the terror and cruelty of Dachau, "Circumstances of War" is an epic narrative of friendship, courage, loyalty, hope, healing and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.
Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, and author of over fourteen books, including his latest novel about the Pacific naval battles of the Second World War "The Restless Wave" says this about "Circumstances of War".
"'Circumstances of War' is a realistic look at the horrors of a great power conflict brought down to the most personal level. It is a riveting story of resilience in the face of enormous challenges."
OnlineBookClub.org, with over five million members, says this about "Circumstances of War".
"'Circumstances of War' by Robert John Gardner is a gripping narrative that intricately combines the lives of diverse characters amidst the backdrop of war. A truly compelling read."
