The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler

The Faithful Spy is an important book to read at any time, but especially now, when it seems people are forgetting the lessons of World War II.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was both a pastor and a spy in Germany during the rise of Adolph Hitler. The author does a remarkable job of describing the historic events, Bonhoeffer’s responses to those historic events, and his personal life experiences.

Bonhoeffer was a theologian. To him, Hitler’s targeting of Jewish people seemed in direct conflict with Christian teachings, but the Fuhrer was at the top of the church hierarchy. Bonhoeffer tried to reconcile this conflict and came to the conclusion that God’s work is above that of political leaders and sometimes extreme measures must be taken. Bonhoeffer became part of a group of conspirators who attempted to assassinate Hitler.

The Faithful Spy has graphics, diagrams, and short passages of text, so it is accessible for tweens as well as adults. I learned a lot! I was struck by how Hitler’s first steps were so small, but these incremental steps eventually led to the Holocaust. Many of the German people didn’t take Hitler seriously. Bonhoeffer was one of the first to recognize the slowly growing evil and stand up to it. I’m glad his story has been written. It gives readers a lot to think about and discuss.