Published: March 19, 2010
Words: 70,106 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452400037

Short description

In the last winter of World War II a failed German actor, Max Kaspar, is forced to join a desperate secret mission in which he must impersonate an enemy American officer. So Max cooks up his own fanatical plan -- he'll use his false identity to escape tyranny and war and flee to the America he'd once abandoned.

Extended description

In the last winter of WWII a failed German actor, Max Kaspar, is forced to join an absurdly desperate secret mission in which he must impersonate an enemy American officer. So Max cooks up his own fanatical plan — he'll use his false identity to escape tyranny and war and flee to the America he'd once abandoned.

The Losing Role is based on an actual false flag operation during 1944's Battle of the Bulge that's been made infamous in legend but in reality was a doomed farce. In all the tragic details and with some dark humor, this is the story of an aspiring talent who got in over his head and tried to break free.

2013 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree (Read more) In the last winter of WWII a failed German actor, Max Kaspar, is forced to join an absurdly desperate secret mission in which he must impersonate an enemy American officer. So Max cooks up his own fanatical plan — he'll use his false identity to escape tyranny and war and flee to the America he'd once abandoned.

The Losing Role is based on an actual false flag operation during 1944's Battle of the Bulge that's been made infamous in legend but in reality was a doomed farce. In all the tragic details and with some dark humor, this is the story of an aspiring talent who got in over his head and tried to break free.

2013 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree

"A terrific book that deserves a wide audience. It is exciting and funny and keeps you thinking long after the action is over." — Rose City Reader

"Excellent dialogue, well-crafted characters, and enough dramatic tension to saw a Panzer in half." — Independent Novel Award, Best of 2010 (The New Podler Review of Books)

"A perfect combination of plot-driven action and character study." — Red Adept Reviews, five stars

"The book does a marvelous job of showing the ‘fog of war’ wherein no one truly understands what is going on once the attack has begun." — Historical Novel Review

"An excellent WWII espionage thriller that transcends the genre." — The New Podler Review of Books
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Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages. For more information, see the Support FAQ.

Tags

1940s, espionage, historical, noir, ww2, america, germany, battle of the bulge, ardennes

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Reviews

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Review by: Alcuin Communications, LLC on Feb. 03, 2011 :
I tried The Losing Role without knowing anything about it or its author. I was looking for a historical novel, and the premise sounded interesting. After reading the sample, I was hooked. I found that I really cared what happened to Max, the main character.

Max is German, spent some time in the U.S., returned to Germany just before WWII. He's an actor, not terribly political. He just wants to act. When the war starts, his roles dry up. He's drafted and sent to the Russian front. His only way out of miserable (and futile) duty in the infantry is a dangerous mission that involves disguising himself as an American soldier and sneaking behind enemy lines to do intelligence work. He decides to use the opportunity to try try to find his way back to the U.S. Max is a likable "every man." He uses the one skill he's confident of, his acting ability, to try to regain control of a life that's gone way out of control.

Is "The Losing Role" great literature? No. Is it solid storytelling and a really good read? It definitely is.

Susan Lynn Peterson
author of "Clare: A Novel"
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Russell Phillips on Nov. 01, 2010 :
An interesting story, well written, with some surprises. The author has very obviously done his research, not just about the operation that Kasper (the main character) is involved in, but about everything the book touches on.

Highly recommended.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: John Bartlett on Oct. 18, 2010 :
I started reading the 50% teaser, got sucked in by the idea of a 2nd War action as seen from the German side, fascinated by the main character, Kaspar, and HAD to buy the book so I could finish it! Good marketing ploy! The writing, story line flow and characterisation are very good. I then had to buy another book by the same author but as I have no ereader yet have not finished it because I find my desktop monitor eye straining.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Rob McMonigal on July 10, 2010 :
Very good character study, with just enough use of setting to make me understand the world without getting bogged down in the details.

There's a nice mix of dark humor and sadness, and the ways things play out is very realistic, I think. Definitely glad I read it!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Timothy Nix on June 02, 2010 :
I forgot to do the stars.

Bambi
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Timothy Nix on June 02, 2010 : (no rating)
I read this book during a 16 hour car ride. It is not my usual genre, but the author's description and free offer made me give it a try. I am glad to have gotten it.

I couldn't put it down. This story has twists and turns with every other page. Just when you think you have it figured out, the game changes and the old rules no longer apply.

Finally, in the author's notes, it was surprising to find out about the research and realize it is historical fiction based on fact.

I thorougly enjoyed this book and give it my highest recommendation.

DixieGal (Bambi Nix)
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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