This is a story to be read more for religious education than for entertainment. It tells the story of Herbe Englehardt, who grew up in a broken home in Germany between the World Wars. At first he finds acceptance in his Catholic boarding school, but becomes disillusioned with religion when he observes inequality of treatment among the school boys. He finds meaning in Hitler and the Nazi party, and is shattered by Germany's losses in World War II. He is befriended by a Christian family, and although he initially refuses to attend church with them and rejects the claims of Christianity, a crisis leads him to accept Christ as his savior. From that point on, he lives his life for God, spending time reading the Bible, praying, seeking the company of other Christians, and sharing his personal testimony with family and acquaintances.

The author wrote stories for Sunday School magazines, and the style of this book is very similar to those type of stories written primarily to illustrate Christian principles. The author is from an Anabaptist tradition (Mennonite, I think), and this book promotes pacifist ideals in addition to more evangelical beliefs. Readers used to Sunday School type stories may be encouraged and inspired by Herbe's story. Readers unfamiliar with this type of literature will probably find it an odd tale. ( )