The One Man by Andrew Gross
Reviewed by: Diane Soffietti, Adult and Reference Services
Genre: Suspense
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: This novel of realistic fiction is set during World War II in the concentration camp of Auschwitz and strategic Allied offices in Washington, DC. It is a story of courageous feats to help end the war and free “one man” in the concentration camps. Alfred Mendl was a Jewish scientist, whose theories and formulas could help develop the atomic bomb. But he was locked in the camp at Auschwitz with little hope of escaping or even living for long. He sees an opportunity to pass his knowledge on to a sixteen year old chess prodigy with a remarkable mind. On the other side of the world, FDR and his OSS officers are trying desperately to devise a plan of extraction that seems like a suicide mission for a young Jewish officer. This officer, Nathan Blum, is willing to do more for the war effort than the translations he does on a daily basis. He regrets leaving the Warsaw ghetto and his family, although his father requested that he escape with a prized Jewish book from the local synagogue. Nathan must navigate many obstacles to complete his mission. Will he succeed?
My Review: The treatment of those of Jewish faith in the concentration camps is vivid and realistic. The suspense of the main story line with the daring plot to enter the camp and extract Mendl is thrilling to read. Even more so when the author’s Epilogue is read about his family’s connection and the truth of the characters, although the escape plot is fiction. Andrew Gross has written many bestselling books, some with James Patterson; and this novel is both thrilling and suspenseful with the right amount of realistic history. It is truly a story of good versus evil.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!