Ingrid Von Oelhafen

Before WW II, Heinrich Himmler realized that when war came, casualties would be high and the best would be killed off. To replace the cream of his SS and other German forces, he came up with the plan to kidnap children who would show the best of the Germanic appearances of blond hair, blue eyes and fair skin and have then raised by committed Nazis couples. These children would be Germany's future Nordic strong men and women.

Author Ingrid was one of those children stolen as a baby from her Yugoslavian parents. As she grew up in Nazi and post war Germany, she had questions her foster parents always promised to but never did tell her where she came from. Who were her parents? As an adult she started to search meeting many road blocks including post war Germany's desire to not face the Nazi past. Eventually several people did help her find her roots which did not always prove a positive moment.

This volume is also a history lesson about some of the secret activities of some of Hitler's strongest henchmen and damaged they did to children and their parents in the effort to create a super race.… (altro)

Is anyone safe in Germany…especially the perfect female examples of the German race.

Gundi is one of the perfect, gorgeous German women chosen by the Reich to bear perfect children to create the master race. She does have a secret, though. Actually she has two secrets.

We meet Hilde who is a staunch follower of the Reich and one of the women who is willing to help fill Germany with perfect children.

And we meet Irma a former nurse and 44 years old. She will be the one encouraging the unwed mothers to stay healthy so they deliver these perfect children.

We meet these women during this dark time in history and at Lebensborn Society maternity home where women arrive already pregnant or will become pregnant by an approved German officer.

Ms. Coburn did amazing, thorough research on a topic I never knew about.

Historical fiction fans will enjoy CRADLES OF THE REICH.

There are many sensitive and heartbreaking topics addressed, and this idea of using German women in this way is something I couldn’t believe. 4/5

This book was given to me by the author via NetGalley for an honest review.… (altro)

I have read many books in this time period. However, I am not familiar with Nazi-run breeding homes or The Lebensborn Society. Jennifer really did bring to life the story of these three women, Gundi, Irma, and Hilde. I truly felt for them and what they were going through.

Because Gundi was the first one introduced in this book, I felt an instant connection with her. It did not change, so you could say I had the strongest connection out of the three women with her. Although, this is not to say that Hilde and Irman did not play big parts in this book as well.

Once I started reading, I did find myself getting lost in a good way. This book was a fast read for me. Readers who enjoy reading historical fiction will want to pick up a copy of this book. Cradles of the Reich by Jennifer Coburn is not to be missed!… (altro)