Mission at Nuremberg: An American Army Chaplain and the Trial of the Nazis

by Tim Townsend

Mission at Nuremberg is Tim Townsend’s gripping story of the American Army chaplain sent to save the souls of the Nazis incarcerated at Nuremberg, a compelling and thought-provoking tale that raises questions of faith, guilt, morality, vengeance, forgiveness, salvation, and the essence of humanity.

Lutheran minister Henry Gerecke was fifty years old when he enlisted as am Army chaplain during World War II. As two of his three sons faced danger and death on the battlefield, Gerecke tended to the battered bodies and souls of wounded and dying GIs outside London. At the war’s end, when other soldiers were coming home, Gerecke was recruited for the most difficult engagement of his ministering to the twenty-one Nazis leaders awaiting trial at Nuremburg.

Based on scrupulous research and first-hand accounts, including interviews with still-living participants and featuring sixteen pages of black-and-white photos, Mission at Nuremberg takes us inside the Nuremburg Palace of Justice, into the cells of the accused and the courtroom where they faced their crimes. As the drama leading to the court’s final judgments unfolds, Tim Townsend brings to life the developing relationship between Gerecke and Hermann Georing, Albert Speer, Wilhelm Keitel, Joachim von Ribbentrop, and other imprisoned Nazis as they awaited trial.

Powerful and harrowing, Mission at Nuremberg offers a fresh look at one most horrifying times in human history, probing difficult spiritual and ethical issues that continue to hold meaning, forcing us to confront the ultimate moral Are some men so evil they are beyond redemption?

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Holocaust, World War II, War, Religion

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

Tim Townsend, formerly the religion reporter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, holds master’s degrees from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Yale Divinity School. He has written for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Rolling Stone, among other publications. In 2005, 2011 and 2013, he was named Religion Reporter of the Year by the Religion Newswriters Association, the highest honor on the “God beat” at American newspapers. He currently works as an editor in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

If you want a shorthand for the ultimate embodiment of evil, you usually mention the Nazis. Their crimes against humanity were so great that the world held an international tribunal to sentence and condemn the leaders. Imagine being charged with their spiritual needs.

Yet that's exactly what happened to Henry Gereck--a middle aged, Midwest Lutheran pastor.

This is the fascinating biography of the man who served as chaplain to the Nazi war criminals during the Nuremberg trials. It runs rather dry, especially initially, but tells a truly inspiring story. The best parts are the occasional glimpses of family life that clearly come from the direct interviews done with Gereck's sons. Or maybe even better, the glimpses we get of Gereck's inner turmoil as he tries to show the love of God to men who oversaw atrocious acts of genocide.

Besides quotes from Gereck and some of the unique pressures he faced, this book delves into the backstory of the leaders of the Third Reich, the arguments for and against the Nuremberg trials, and even the Christian's response to evil and suffering. I am not entirely sure I understood or agreed with this author's portrayal of Christian doctrine, but it certainly adds an interesting dimension.

Definitely recommend.

[Katherine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book! Almost gave it less than 5 stars due to the first 100 pages being a little dry with Chaplain Gerecke's early biography info, but realized his early life was necessary to understanding the compassion and drive behind the man.

The book is pretty tough (as are all books dealing with the Holocaust) in parts; in fact I changed my reading time from before bed to mid-day so I could sleep better at night during those places in the books dealing with the Nazi crimes. No lie.

Highly highly recommend to readers interested in WWII history or those who wonder about the limits of God's forgiveness. Just an extremely insightful look at the power of forgiveness, God's grace, the nature of sin, the horrors of war, and specifically ... the patience, dedication and determination of military chaplains.

Major kudos to the author for his painstaking research in putting together a biography and historical narrative of this magnitude. Enlightening and insightful! I felt I was there in each prison cell, nervously watching, as pastor Gerecke ministered to absolute and complete monsters: the 21 major war criminals in the German Nazi party.

Definitely a book that will stay with me for a long, long time! Absolutely could not put it down after the first few chapters and was in tears by the last page -- this wonderful U.S. Army Chaplain was somebody I've grown to know and love in the pages of this fascinating book.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still digesting this book, the topic is interesting & intriguing yet was very, very dry. I wanted to hear more about this man's wrestling with this calling of being a chaplain to the highest ranking Nazis war criminals. What jumped out were these theological tangents that were distracting not to mention misplaced, most of the theological works cited would have not been accessible to a Midwestern Lutheran pastor, mostly because they weren't published yet! so to cite as justification for Gerecke's deep beliefs just don't work, not to mention as most times don't fit with his own quoted words. One example, I doubt very much he would have had access to or agreed with was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a contemporary but not universally recognized theologian till after Bonhoeffer's death (1945) and even then it wasn't translated to English till 1949. I am torn but glad I read it.

[Lane Willson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reverend Henry Gerecke embodied every stereotype and cliche of a mild mannered, midwestern pastor, but has Tim Townsend demonstrated in Mission At Nuremberg, his outward appearance aside, he was an extraordinary man.

Age 51 when a shortage of chaplains caused the Army to greatly increase the age of those allowed to serve, Rev. Gerecke was soon found himself in the midst of one of the most pivotal points of World War II, the Battle of the Bulge. Because of the care he showed for his men during these days, and his fluent German, he was chosen to be among those to minister to the Nazi’s awaiting trial for crimes against humanity in Nuremberg.

Hermann Goering, Albert Speer, Martin Bormann, Alfred Jodl, and many other of those responsible for the death of millions became Gerecke’s parish. Rather than focusing on these men and their actions,, this Lutheran minister focused on the message he had been called to give. His relationship with all these men, whether they were believers or not, was such that when Gerecke had to opportunity to end his service to his country and return home, every single prisoner signed a letter sent to Mrs. Gerecke begging her to allow Gerecke to remain as their pastor. She had not seen her husband in nearly three years, but did not stand in the way of his remaining in Nuremberg. Only after the trials and executions were complete did Rev. Gerecke return home.

Townsend not only told Pastor Gerecke’s story, but took the time to explain the theology of the message Gerecke was so passionate to deliver. This allowed to reader to these men not based on the crimes they committed, but rather the value placed in them by their creator. It allowed you to understand how Gerecke saw them.

Returning home after Nuremberg he continued his ministry, and sought to continue to work with prisoners. Rev. Gerecke was the Chaplain at Menard State Penitentiary until his death. Of course those Gerecke ministered to at the time of his death could not join the thousand gathered at the pastors funeral to celebrate his life. With the permission of their warden, the prisoners asked the Gerecke family to bring his coffin to the prison prior to internment so they could pay their respects. “Inmates at Menard State Prison marched through the prison chapel yesterday,” the Associated Press reported, “for a last look at the man many considered their only friend.”

Shortly before his death Gerecke wrote, “When men crucify their God they can expect to hear something different. His first word is His last prayer. It sweeps up to Heaven burdened as no other prayer in the history of men. Burdened with sin—all the loneliness and hate and terror of the centuries before or after. . . . The sum of man’s years and man’s shame and the greater sum of God’s forgiveness and God’s love. This is our faith. A religion without forgiveness is only the ghost of religion which haunts the grave of dead faith and lost hope.”

[Maryellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read that lends any amount of human decency to the orchestrators of Hitlers most evil plan to establish the Pure Aryan race. I guess I always just thought of them as purely evil. However, to read that this Lutheran minister actually touched a little corner of the souls, seriously tarnished as they were, of some of these men helped me to reconsider the concept of forgiveness. I cannot understand the blind allegiance to such a monster, nor can I ever condone the actions of any of these people, but I guess I'm relieved to hear that some did indeed feel remorse for participating in such horror. This is a gripping account of the experiences of this American who was called to minister to men who had worked so hard to erase every trace of what he, himself, had spent his life preaching. Very much worth reading.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I depart from the common sentiment that this was a great book. Gerecke was certainly an inspiring man and the situation of ministering to Nazi war criminals a tough one that he carried out with aplomb. I felt that this book went off on tangents that interfered with the flow and sometimes introduced theological debates for pages that I didn't see the point of including. Several chapters I found just plain boring.

[Tatum _Tot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was eye opening and humbling.

I'd never thought that much of what happened to the high ranking Nazi leaders who survived the end of the war. And I'd definitely never thought if anyone was around to care for their souls.

Henry Gerecke is one of my new heroes. He looked past the atrocities committed by these men and saw souls in need of Jesus. He did this in spite of his own weakness, a lot of criticism, and allowed God use him in powerful ways to both the men he worked with, as well as their families. Would I have been in the same place I don't know that I would have done the same. Makes me wonder who I write off in my own life.

"Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me."

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the religious rights clause of the Geneva Convention, Henry Gerecke, a Lutheran pastor from St. Louis, was called to minister to Nazi leaders on death row. Some wondered how he could comfort these Nazis who had caused the world so much heartache? How could he minister to the leaders of a movement that had taken millions of lives? He was even criticized for shaking their hands on their first encounter. But he was determined to help them find peace with God before their executions. Thirteen of them attended Gerecke's daily services. Four attended Catholic mass and five refused all spiritual counsel. Some repented and some went to their deaths declaring themselves innocent of all wrong-doing.

Although the facts behind this book were gripping, the prose was often lacking. (I have found this to be true with most WWII non-fiction.) Because the recorded spiritual conversations between Gerecke and the prisoners fill only about 6 percent of the book's 300 pages, Townsend had to put in A LOT of filler. He gives 150 pages of background (including the grades the chaplains got in college) before Gerecke actually meets his prison congregants. In Chapter 9 he meanders through his odd understanding of the Old Testament. In another chapter he writes extensively about the Lord's Supper.

Still, I'm glad I gave this book a chance. I was impressed that these men were given a fair trial in spite of the overwhelming proof of their guilt. I was touched by Gerecke's life and that he took the eternal destiny of these men seriously enough to dedicate himself to their care. Most of all I was amazed at the miracle that God did in the hearts of some of the men.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of ideas and hard topics to tackle can be found to mull over in here. A slow start as you get the biographical side of the story before the war, but the latter half dealing with the trials and struggles of how one is supposed to try to save those who did horrific things is worth pushing through that.

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about a challenging time in history and challenging people. The author was formerly the religion editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and comes at the book from that perspective, of exploring the life and work of the Lutheran pastor, Henry Gereke from the US, who was asked to be the chaplain for the Nazis being tried at the Nuremburg trials, and particularly his work within that context. He does contemplate what evil may be and where does God fit into that discussion. Townsend discovered Henry Gereke's name while writing a story for his paper, and decided to find out more about him and then write this book. It is well researched and documented, and presented more from the perspective and stories of the people involved, although certainly includes considerable history, both of the Nazis and of Henry Gereke.

At times difficult to read, it's a combination history about WW2, the Nazis and the development and horrors of their world, as well as some of the leaders, and the first trials of 'war criminals' and the use of the word 'genocide'. Chapter 8 does provide some interesting statistics about large genocidal campaigns around the world within the last century, with the Nazis in the middle. "There have been an estimated 60 million men, women and children murdered in the 20th century in mass killings and genocides". These ranged from the genocide of the Native Americans, to the Hereros in SW Africa by Germans in 1904, the Armenian genocide by Turks beginning in 1915, the manufactured starvation of the Ukranians by the Soviets in 1932, the Soviet gulags and work camps (and who knows exactly what happened from the early 20's through to the current day), the holocaust in the late 1930s and 1940s when the Germans killed 12 million with half of them Jews, the reign of the Khmer Rouge in the 19670's and the genocides of Yugoslavia and Rwanda in the 1990s. For most of these there have been no 'war criminal' trials.

[Beth Nieman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that made me stay up past my bedtime reading--Tim Townsend did a super job of writing and research. Highly recommend for people who are interested in the Nuremberg trials, WWII history, or pastoral ministry.

There really isn't another story like this. Lots of personal details about Rev. Gerecke, his family, and how he was tapped to be a chaplain to the Nazis (to fulfill the requirements of the Geneva Convention). There is a lot about the inner workings of the prison where the highest-ranking Nazi officers were housed, as well their executions. Goering in particular was a hard case for Rev. Gerecke. Quite a lot about how Rev. Gerecke served in an American army hospital stationed in Britain also, which was interesting. After his work in the Army finished, he went on to be a chaplain at a large prison in the U.S., as well as serving as a parish pastor.

Particularly moving was the deep personal commitment Rev. Gerecke had to serve those in his spiritual care, even accompanying them to gallows to have a final moment of prayer. Some repented and asked forgiveness for their crimes; others remained defiant.

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a very interesting story, but the author goes on unnecessary, rambling theological tangents. It's almost as if he had a book and a bunch of essays and decided to combine them. The actual story could have been much shorter without losing anything. In summary, a good story damaged by poor story telling.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating, heartwarming and inspiring true story of Rev. Henry Gerecke, an 'average' midwestern pastor, called to be a chaplain in WWII and ended up ministering to the Nazis. These were those who were captured (Hitler end up committing suicide) and were to be tried and hung for their role in the war and the Holocaust. Who would've ever thought that some of these war criminals would end up hearing, let alone, accepting God's gospel of grace in Jesus through Pastor Gerecke's love, compassion, relentless ministry in the prison! Gerecke says, “I was there as the representative of an all-loving Father. I recalled too, that God loves sinners like me. These men must be told about the Saviour bleeding, suffering and dying on the Cross for them.” After the war, Gerecke returns home and ends up the rest of his days ministering at a prison in Illinois....completely sold out to the Lord to the end! Townsend's work is well-researched, well-told with clearly explained theology, lifting up of the Gospel throughout. Sometimes I felt it was a little too researched and it dragged at some points, but nevertheless, an amazing book!

[Seth Georgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well-researched and really interesting. It's about the LC-MS pastor who served as army chaplain to the Nazis at the Nuremberg Trials.

The reason I give it four stars instead of five is that the author shows a great knowledge of the history of these events, but less knowledge of theology, particularly confessional Lutheran theology. Rather than giving his own take on certain theological topics, it would have been nice if he consulted some confessional Lutherans to get their insight into how Pastor Gerecke thought and taught.

The historical account, though, is fantastic. What would you do if you were called on to share Jesus to those responsible for the Holocaust and World War II?

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my most-read topics are pastoral ministry and WW2, so I've been looking forward to reading this for a while. It didn't disappoint. Fascinating insight into some of the men who committed unfathomable evil, including their upbringings and their backgrounds, and how one man managed to minister to them in their hour of judgement. I honestly don't know if I could have done what Henry Gerecke did; I really was inspired by his example. I also enjoyed the theological reflection interspersed throughout, without necessarily agreeing with the author's conclusions. Loved it.

[Stephanie Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting, but absolutely wonderful. A side of WWII most people never think about

[Matthew Deans · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical account of the Army Chaplain and Pastor, itsel, is great. The author's theological commentary betrayed that story. Still recommend, but be wary when the author tries to assert what "all Christians believe."

[Greg Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique and untold perspective on a widely known historical event from a humble otherwise unknown dedicated servant.

[Katie Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read! This man’s story was so powerful & his dedication to faith was inspiring.

[Heidi'sbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mission at Nuremberg by Tim Townsend is in part a biography of Chaplain Henry Gerecke and in part a history of World War II and Nuremberg; it even includes a mini-history of the chaplaincy.

Be prepared for conflicting emotions throughout the story. The story begins with the life of Henry Gerecke, a little known minister in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. At the height of WWII and two months shy of his 50th birthday, Henry Gerecke volunteered to go into the Army as a Chaplain. He had heard of the need for ministers and priests for the wounded and dying Allied soldiers. His two sons were already fighting in the war.

Gerecke worked tirelessly as a chaplain with the Ninety-Eighth in a Hospital in England on behalf of wounded soldiers coming off the battlefield in France, then wounded POWs liberated from Germany. Eventually the whole company was moved to Munich, Germany to work in a bombed out hospital complex.

At the end of the war, as the soldiers were getting ready to go home, Gerecke was asked to go to Nuremberg to minister to the Nazis on trial. He was given a choice to go home to his wife and family or go to Nuremberg. He chose to go to Nuremberg.

He must have been very conflicted in emotions because he had visited Dachau and helped pray for the deceased at a burial. He had ministered to thousands of dying Allied soldiers and POWs. It's just unbelievable how he was able to do what he did.

The officials actually had to write the charges against the Nazis as they had no precedence to try them. They didn't want them to get off because of a lack of laws. This was also an interesting section of the book. What crimes would they charge them with? What procedures would they use? How did some of them get off in the end???

I won't spoil it for you because it's known history--but the executions were gruesome. Horrifying.

My only complaint is that some of the author's comments seemed to confuse communion with salvation, or goodness with the grace of God.

Like this quote, "Those chaplains believed that God loves all human beings, including perpetrators, and so their decision was more about how to minister to the Nazis, not whether they should. The process of ministering to those who have committed evil involves returning the wrongdoer to goodness, a difficult challenge when faced with a leader of the Third Reich."

Other times he seemed to emphasize God's grace.

Recommended with that caveat.

[Relstuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a biography of the American Lutheran pastor who ended up being assigned to minister to the Germans (who would let him) as they endured the Nuremberg trials. Along with an American Catholic priest they held services and provided opportunities for the German prisoners to discuss matters of faith as they were being tried. Several were clear they did not and would not believe in the Jewish Christ that Lutheran's preach. Several advised the pastor that they wanted to return to the faith they had been familiar with as children but had turned from as they joined the Nazi party and followed Hitler.

The is a biography of the chaplain but also gives a brief history of chaplains in the military and explains the trial so that the reader understands the context of what is happening.

Of interest is the chaplain service before the trials as Pastor Gerecke served at a large hospital in England where the wounded were brought over from Europe, triaged, and then many times sent other hospitals for special care. I was already fairly familiar with the Nuremberg trials but had not read much about the hospital system before this book. The amount of work Pastor Gerecke did was incredible. Often having over 50 meetings with individuals each day offering comfort and support. This is not a job that just anyone could handle. Many times the pastor found himself writing letters to family members on behalf of patients who passed away or having frank discussions with patients near death. The pastor mentions that of the many hundreds of Americans he visited with only two ever turned him away saying they did not believe in God.

Pastor Gerecke also worked closely with other chaplains and sometimes reached out to members of the local community to make sure both Catholics and people of the Jewish faith were able to receive spiritual counsel from religious ministers of their faith.

There is some analysis about forgiveness and what that means to Lutherans and within the Jewish faith. Some good insight into a side of the trial that I have not read about before. It appears the pastor was able to do some good, that perhaps in conjunction with being forced to face the terrible deeds their country was responsible for during the trial several Nazis had to seriously consider whether they were wrong and how it was possible that could effect their afterlife.

[Mark Loughridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across the story of Henry Gerecke several years ago in the excellent War and Grace by Don Stephens. There it is only a mini biography in a compendium of biographies from WW2, so I was delighted to see a full length biography of the man.

Gerecke was an American Lutheran minister who served as chaplain in WW2 and and subsequently at the Nuremberg war crimes trials. The biography also covers his early life and in particular his practical ministry of mercy in the depression era, as well as his service during the war itself. It was not just the gripping tale of his ministry to the Nazi leaders that was challenging--the sheer amount of work the man got through in a day is incredible--this was one of the great challenges of the book, along with the ability to see even the worst of people as fellow sinners in need of a saviour.

Townsend writes the historical aspects of the book well--often taking a step back in the story to give the necessary background so the reader can enter in some way into the mind and feelings of Gerecke and his fellow chaplain.

However when it comes to the theological aspects of the book--here the author is on less sure ground. There are numerous mistakes as he seeks to define Christianity, grace and forgiveness; for example at one point he states that "Christians believe everyone is saved". He misunderstands understands Bonhoeffer's concept of free grace--seeing in Bonhoeffer a criticism of grace itself when Bonhoeffer criticism was aimed at those who think they can be forgiven and live as they like. When he writes about Gerecke and lets Gerecke speak in his own words, there are great lessons to be learned about forgiveness and grace, but when Townsend ventures out on his own theologically he seems like a man out of his depth--surefooted and certain in the history, less so in the theology. The book falls between two stools - it is a biography with theology added, and nearly ends up being neither.

But only nearly. The biographical part is so well written and the material so riveting that if you skim over the theological musings and meanderings that occur later in the book, you'll find this a wonderful read. You'll be horrified at what man can do, amazed at the power of the Gospel, and challenged by the service and attitude of Henry Gerecke.

[Christopher Raffa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begs questions that no man can answer. It leaves you with the questions that the philosopher, the theologian, and the common cobbler have asked and wrestled with since the serpent strove in the garden so newly made. It is a book that will anger you, make you sob, and puzzle you with the riddles of man's hearts. It is a book that is offense to your sense of high-minded morality and grace upon grace in a place you never would expect it to be. This book evokes so many emotions and if only one grips you, you have missed the complexity that lay in its many pages.

The evil that lies in man's heart is wicked and fierce even as the heart of God is immense and forgiving. The chaplains that serve at the behest of this loving heart, bear it completely to hearts grown cold and hardened. Some are warmed by the love of God in the sending of His Son, some are brought back to the fold they strayed from, and some are lost completely in the darkness that has consumed them.

Any review of this book will fall short of the immensity of the subject it takes up. An open wound this book leaves you with only to be stitched back together in the reconciliation and consummation of all things of the One who comes to judge and to save, and to bring at last the peace that all men long for. This book evokes the fervent prayer of the advent Christian, 'Even So Lord Jesus quickly come."

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most difficult books I have ever read, but am very thankful I did so.

The first 50 or so pages are a bit dry, but topics covered in those pages are referred to repeatedly throughout the rest of the book, so it is worth it. Thereafter, the reader is plunged into WWII and it's pain, turmoil and suffering. Pastor Henry Gerecke is a U.S. Army Chaplain, first in an English Hospital. His schedule of patient visits and care for the thousands coming through the hospital within a 24-hour cycle is astounding. Yet this is only the beginning.

Pastor Gerecke and a Franciscan priest, Father O'Connor, are tapped to be the Chaplains for the Nazi War criminals at Nuremberg. They speak with, pray with, and minister to--on a daily basis-- those that had committed some of the worst crimes in human history. Both Chaplains stay with their "flock" from before the trial begins, through verdict, sentencings, and executions (some were sentenced to life or other terms).

This book covers in-depth such topics as guilt, forgiveness, repentance, Christianity, Jewish faith and more. There were some passages I had to pass by, as it described with too much detail the horrors of the Concentration an Labor Camps.

I cannot recommend this book too highly.

[Dennis Henn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was Pastor Gereke's great vision and passion to reach out to everyone with the message of God's love for us in Jesus Christ."
In a period when Evangelical Christians have become stereotypes of narrow minded bigotry, along comes this account of Henry Gereke, Lutheran pastor and chaplain. I was completely unaware of this story. During the Nuremberg war trial after WWII, the U.S. Army provided a Catholic and a Protestant pastor for the twenty-one Nazi criminals. Gereke was the Lutheran pastor who brought the word of God's love to guys like Goering. He was with them for a year, helping to carry their burdens, leading some back to communion. Upon his return to the States, he took up ministry in jails and churches. The man had heart.
Tim Townsend, the author, understands the Christian faith and tells this story with Scripture and empathy.

[Susan Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have thought there was nothing left to be told of the Nuremberg Trials, but Townsend has done a great job recounting a largely unsung story, the experiences of Lutheran pastor Henry Gerecke as chaplain to the imprisoned Nazis during the trial of the major war criminals. The book is detailed, thoughtful, and often moving. Townsend does as best he can to include some of the experiences of Gerecke's Catholic counterpart, Father Sixtus O'Connor OFM, but unlike Gerecke, who spoke and wrote of his time at the trial, O'Connor never did. The question remains, can the grace of God enter the hearts of men so evil? If it did this time, it was largely thanks to the selfless work of Gerecke and O'Connor. Very interesting reading indeed.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This outstanding work chronicles the ministry of Army Chaplain Henry Gerecke - a Lutheran - as he ministers to the twenty-one Nazi was criminals at Nuremberg. Gerecke was a 50 year old Chaplain who had been ministering to soldiers fighting the Nazis, had seen the atrocities at Dachau, and now was tasked with ministering to the spiritual needs of men labeled as war criminals. Should he stay or go home? How do you preach the gospel to these men? How do you offer comfort? How do you talk of salvation given what they has done?
Tim Townsend offers new insights into a pastor's heart, as well as shedding light on the Nuremberg Trials.
This is well worth your time

[Winnie Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

How comforting the thought that the men who permitted, encouraged, and personally executed Hitler's Holocaust were a different breed, that they were somehow separate from us in their ability to do evil. But if there's one thing this book shows, it is that we are no different. Every human, apart from God's grace, is capable of the Nazis' crimes and more. By the same token, these monsters were no further from the reach of God's saving grace than any one of us. Now that is a thought both terrifying and very, very comforting.

[Tim Fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A piece of history I'd not explored. A fascinating story.

It starts a bit slowly as it gives the Chaplain's biography. But once into his WWII service, the deep questions and human stories, veering between horrific and uplifting, are hard to stop reading.

Author Townsend does a good job with touchy subjects and religious ideas, laying out these dimensions of the story for the reader to consider.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Potentially compelling topic - the story of the American Lutheran pastor who was the chaplain to the Nazi prisoners at the Nuremberg Trials - but unfortunately a rather sketchy and unsatisfying book. The author skims the surface of the story but doesn't address the deeper questions of what Henry Gerecke's ministry to those monstrous men really meant, or of the nature of good and evil and whether Christian forgiveness can really apply to people who have committed atrocities against innocents.