1940 by: Jay Neugeboren

This book is not what I was expecting -- and it was an absolutely enjoyable surprise! I read this book non-stop, I just could not put it down. It has been a long time since I have come across a book that I would consider worthy of being added to my favorite book lists -- and this one certainly made it!

It is a story that is focused on one, unique physician, and his impact on the lives of two mothers, and their sons. One of his patients was the "great" Adolf Hitler, and the other was a young American boy with significant problems. At first read this book is a simple story, created by two stories, woven seamlessly together. However, upon further reflection, the reader begins to see the beauty of these two stories, and how their being told together adds a great deal of depth, and meaning to the overall story, as a whole.

Dr. Eduard Bloch served as the personal physician of Mrs. Hitler -- from the time their family moved to Linz, Austria, until the day of her death. Through this treatment, he earned the respect, and even -- some suggest -- the admiration of the future Nazi dictator. Many feel that this point of view is born out by the special treatment this Jewish doctor, and his family received on the eve of World War II -- as the Jewish race turned into a hunted people. Provided with special arrangements to immigrate to America -- arranged for directly from Berlin -- this doctor started a journey that would ultimately bring him into contact with another single mother, and son.

The story is beautifully told, and the characters have a great deal of depth. I was particularly impressed at the similarities that were created between Daniel, and young Adolf -- as well as the beautiful similarities between two incredible mothers that were willing to give everything for the benefit of their sons. This book does not seek to explore the frequent rumors of the perverse childhood of Hitler -- but rather it explores the theory frequently stated in the book that "the son is not always the father of the man." It also explores the theme that in the best of people there exists some of the most appalling evil -- and in the most evil of people, there is some of the greatest capacity for love -- and for good.

I could not recommend this book enough. It is a wonderful, and insightful read. One that I would consider worth the time. It is clean, and enjoyable -- and one of the few modern stories I have read that truly makes a reader think, and reflect on the significance of a life -- and the influence it can have.