The book begins on death row, in a prison in Germany, October 27, 1942. The prisoner is 17-year-old Helmuth Hubener. And it is Tuesday. The executioner works on Tuesdays. You never know if or when they are coming to your cell. This is part of his punishment. Helmuth rejoices when a guard brings him stale bread and malt coffee. He knows he will live another day. But at 1pm, Helmuth has another visitor, the Executory Leader. He will be executed after 8pm October 27, 1942.
Over the course of Prison Day 264, as Helmuth shares the monotony of death row and the uncertainty of life tomorrow, he also gives us flashbacks that explain how he ended up on death row, a traiter to Hitler's Germany. He was found guilty of listening to a foreign radio station and distributing the news heard in connection with conspiracy to commit high treason and treasonable support of the enemy.
You're a boy of 15 ... maybe 16. You are patriotic to a fault. You love your country and your culture and your God. But everyday, one more thing becomes forbidden. You can no longer buy your favorite pastries at your favorite bakery. You can no longer listen to radio stations other than those approved by the government. You can no longer associate with an old friend from your church. Are you willing to fight for your human rights, your political freedom and truth at the cost of your life? Are you willing to protect your friends so that they can keep their lives even if it means losing yours?
"There are many reasons for a person to lie, but to have a reason to tell the truth, you must have a deep belief. And great courage." from Author's Note. The author's note presents the facts and the real people in this fictional work. Following, are pictures of Helmuth and his family and a timeline of the Third Reich. I urge you to look at the pictures first. I had a hard time believing any "kid" could be this strong and loyal and noble. When I found the pictures, there were many tears left to be shed. So young.
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