Danzig

A Novel of Political Intrigue

By: William N. Walker

Narrated by: Richard Travis

Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Danzig is a gripping historical novel in the grand tradition. It has generated rave reviews for its authenticity and its realistic portrayal of high pressure diplomatic clashes between Hitler and Western nations in the 1930s.

The story encompasses fast-paced events in Geneva, Berlin, Warsaw, and London, as well as Danzig itself, capturing the drama of unfolding crisis that engulfed Europe on what we now know was the path to war. Inspired by actual events, Danzig is a story of diplomatic conflict and political intrigue in Central Europe during the 1930s. Richly atmospheric, it is a gripping historical novel in the grand tradition.

The Free City of Danzig was established by the Treaty of Versailles as a mandate to be protected by the League of Nations and its high commissioner. In 1933, the Nazi party took control of Danzig and pursued a hostile and violent agenda aimed at overthrowing the League’s high commissioner and subverting its constitutional protections. Sean Lester, an Irish diplomat, was the League’s high commissioner in Danzig and Paul Muller, a young man fresh from university, was his secretary during this tense period.

The story portrays the roles played by Lester and Muller as repeated crises engulfed Danzig and high stakes confrontations led to diplomatic clashes and, finally, political betrayal. Their story vividly captures the struggle between rampant Nazi ascendency and the league’s mandate to preserve Danzig’s fragile democracy.

Through the eyes of Lester and Muller, from their perch at the epicenter of the Danzig conflict, we watch Hitler consolidating power and flexing growing German strength; we see Britain embracing a policy of feckless appeasement, unwilling to confront the looming German menace; and we are caught up in the hothouse atmosphere of a hesitant League of Nations, brimming with intrigue and infighting and ultimately failing to deliver on its promise of peace through diplomacy and collective security.

©2016 William N. Walker (P)2020 William N. Walker

Very Well Done!

This book really sparked my interest in the history and the city. I enjoyed it very much. I also thought the narrator did an excellent job with pacing, accents, variation of tone and energy, and keeping you interested in the content. I am looking forward to googling and researching more information. Thank you to the author and narrator!

Narrator very clumsy with pronunciation

I'm writing this when about half way through the book. That's because the narrator is driving me nuts. He does well at providing different voices for the characters and he speaks clearly. His pronunciation of names, place names and words in Polish and German is maddeningly poor. The only accent he gets right is Commissioner Lester's Irish accent. He makes the Polish Ambassador, Papee sound like he's French. He makes a stab at German accents with limited success. He needs to talk with a native Pole and German and get a handle on how they actually speak.

Most frustrating is Polish pronunciation. As one who has a command of Polish, it sets my teeth on edge. When a Polish name comes up, the narrator sounds like an Ellis Island official murdering an immigrant's name. Should another edition of this audiobook be done, PLEASE find a reader who knows enough Polish - and German - to get it right. It will add richness to the narration.

Interesting history, forgettable fiction

I had never seen any writing about Danzig nor the League of Nations that was more than cursory. I enjoyed this book for educating me about these two subjects.
But the fiction had not a single character that seemed to be more than a cardboard construction. The protagonist, Paul Muller, did not seem consistent in his actions - or reflections. The opening prologue which presents the Nazis firing on Danzig left me wondering why it was included. Not until at least two thirds through the book did the characters in the prologue show up again. But those characters had, well, no character. The Nazis shelling the town was bad, but the characters seemed created only to get fired at.
And the people in chapter 1 seemed to exist only to spout the appropriate opinion. I have read Ambler, Furst, Kerr, and others and the characters that they create seem much more uniquely human to me.
Part of the problem is the narration. The epilogue and chapter 1 are delivered in an over the top theatrical manner which almost made me quit the book. The narration improved from there, but it was not enjoyable.
So, fascinating subjects, but poor characters.