Powerful!! I have read so many WW2 novels and yet I will never grow numb to the atrocities I read about. This book opened my eyes to the the Nazi breeding program and is an intimate look into the Lebensborn Society maternity homes. Where babies were vetted and women were analyzed to determine who was “racially fit.” Women were kept in these homes and encouraged to have sexual relations with German soldiers in an effort to be “good citizens.” And they kidnapped Aryan infants from Nazi occupied territory and German families adopted them.

This story follows three very different women — a woman the Reich deems “pure Aryan” but she is also secretly a member of the resistance, a nurse uneasy with what is transpiring, and a German woman willing to do anything to move up in rank. Their lives intersect in Lebensborn.

I did not want to put this book down! if there were more free hours in my day I probably would have finished in one day. So much of this story was disturbing but also illuminating.

It felt like were so many unknowns at the end so I am really hoping there is a sequel!

**Excerpt from part of a review written for The Collinwood Chronicle and published online (some of it, in print) September 2022

I turned to Cradles of the Reich by Jennifer Coburn, to bring to this review a serious historical book (still fictional), something engaging worth the trouble to seek and find (but not destroy).
This author takes us to Nazi Germany. Here we find out information we may never have been privy to, in our former education, specifically a part of Henrich Heimmlers plan for the master race, if it had survived. And, while the story is fiction, there are realities shared in the book that are true, that played out in real life with real people from the past.

Hitler’s plan for eugenics and that, there were places for pregnant women to go and have their children which were not as “perfect” as the Nazi’s portrayal of what was (going on there). If you are not familiar with the word eugenics it is defined by the Oxford language dictionary as the study of how to arrange the reproduction within a human population to arrange the occurrence of heritable characteristics regarded as desirable. It was a discredited study after the Nazis but here, in America, we woman (if poor or thought “loose”/easy) also suffered through this in the early 1900’s.

This was very informative and shocking to read as much as I've read about the breeding program during the nazi era, this was more detail than could ever imagine and I was in shock to find most of the things that I've learned in this story.

Three different stories that ended in the same place or the same destination, everything for a pure race that's the scariest part of this story, the woman, the mother didn't mother all they want was a pure-blooded son for an ignorant agenda that still happening in some way or another.

Hilde's story was the spoiled one who thought was better than anyone around her because she was married to the enemy to the cold-blooded Nazi officer and that gave her certain power but still naive for her 18 years old age.

Gaudy has been working on a secret mission undercover for the resistance, she is the main model or the topical model, Aryan people or the nazis are looking for to create this so-called poured blooded race

Finally the story of Irma, she was in charge of the maternity area, she wasn't really keen on what they were doing in this place, and she was constantly conflicted to see how these women didn't feel anything or do anything to stop them from taking their babies.

Cradles of the Reich wasn't an easy read I really felt sad and anguished at all times, to read how many women were doing this and also were taking with lies and other methods to make them give their babies away like if they were a piece of meat in the supermarket.

A very captivating story about three women in Himmler’s Lebensborn program, that slowly intertwines and connects with each other as they participate and see the horror that was happening in there only for the full conviction or ideology of giving birth to pure-blooded Aryan children.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy of Cradles of the Reich in exchange for an honest review

Compelling story of women in a home for expectant and "training mothers" in Nazi Germany. It was interesting to learn about this time period in Germany history, and the horrifying attempt to produce "perfect" children.

This is biographical fiction dealing with Heim Hochland, a breeding facility for the Nazis. Their goal, to produce Aryan babies. This is the story of three women and the intertwining of their lives at the facility. While this is well written, it is still a dark read due to the subject matter. This is an aspect of the Holocaust and World War II that isn't seen as often, so if the title grabs you, odds are you will like the book

Set against the backdrop of Germany at the start of WWII Cradles Of The Reich is the story of Gundi, Hilde and Irma and their dealings within the luxurious Nazi breeding home at Heim Hochland.
Gundi is a pregnant student who happens to be the perfect Aryan specimen. Thinking that the father of the child is of equally good Aryan breeding stock she is sent to Heim Hochland to receive the best of care. She will become the face of perfect German motherhood and must be nurtured. However, unknown to the authorities, Gundi is in the resistance and her child might not be the perfect Aryan baby that everyone expects it to be.
Hilde is a true believer and when a high ranking German officer takes an interest in her, she is determined to become pregnant by him and bear a child of the Reich. The Officer arranges for her to go to Heim Hochland and Hilde wastes no time in setting herself up as Queen Bee.
Irma is a nurse who arrives at Heim Hochland after she has suffered personal heartache and is looking to start over.
The author does an amazing job at weaving the three separate stories together, using both present and past tense we get to know all of the characters intimately.
Although a work of fiction, the Lebensborn project was real which makes the book quite harrowing in places. That said it is ultimately a book of courage, hope and heroism and I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes the genre.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who reads a lot of WWII fiction, many of the books start to seem the same to me. But I hadn’t heard about the Lebensborn Society, where expectant, unmarried mothers who demonstrated the ideal racial characteristics were taken to be pampered until they had their babies, so they could be adopted by Nazi officers. That is the story of this book:

(link to book)

Told in the now typical three viewpoints, a picture emerges of these homes for women where the Nazi’s attempted to create their ideal race in several ways. Although its layout was familiar the information provided was new to me, so I do recommend this read for people who read in this genre.

(quote from author's notes)

You can tell that this book was well researched and that she really poured her passion into this story. The emotions and journey you go on in this story is truly deep.

This is a great book for the historical fiction fans and one that will definitely keep you turning the pages. If you want something that will also get you to research more history after than this is for you!

"Biology made them Aryan, but family makes Germany".
.Helm Hochland, a Nazi breeding farm where women were sent to create the perfect child and this baby was not permitted to be raised by the birth mother, instead the child was adopted and raised in order to populate a Germany that had a loss of men during the Great War. " Bred through Lebensborn society, where SS officers impregnated 'racially valuable' young women, and according to Holocaust museum, the theories of Nazi racial ideology and eugenics. To be included, the persons and their ancestors must not have any sort of physical and mental disability.
It just seems so unnatural for a women to hand over their newborn child. I have a hard time believing that the women allowed themselves to be a human incubator, I assume TBE women had Nazi propaganda pumped into them, which helped must have convinced them that the children were "The face of the new Germany".
The perspective parents remained me of browsing for a puppy, " Do you have any boy-girl twins?" Bred through Lebensborn society, were SS officers impregnated "racially valuable" young women.
The novel followed the journey three women, Hindu was a University student that was already pregnant and considered an Aryan beauty. Holds could not find her place in her society and was a young eighteen year-old Irma Binz lived in Frau Haarmacher's house since her mother passed away, she was the oldest of the trio at 44 year-old and works as a nurse.
Several years ago, I read a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood called, The Handmaid's Tale and this novel was similar to this novel. Moreover. Hitler created this same dystopia written in many of this type on novel, perhaps he was a poster child for the genre,
I engaged with the character Gundi, she was an incredibly brave woman and she did not buy into the propaganda and. I could not look up from the novel l until I could come to her conclusion. At times this book got heavy and I needed to take a break. I suggested reading another book to have a palate cleanser. I enjoy reading historical fiction that blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction., at times the novel was more non-fiction and I leaned much from the book.
Thank you Jennifer Coburn, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this novel in return of writing an honest review.

As a part of the Nazi plan during WWII, this maternity home scheme was new to me. The goal to create a perfect German race by choosing the ideal Arian girls to bear the babies of high ranking Nazi officers and give them up for adoption—multiple times—seems insane. This historical novel follows 3 women as they deal with the expectations of the German government, the reality of what’s happening in their country, and their evolving beliefs. The descriptions feel true to the times as do the characters. This is another important part of that time period that needs to be remembered and not repeated.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC to read and review.

A haunting and original story about the Lebensborn Society maternity homes that were operated by the Nazis during WWII. The author takes the historical fact that homes were operated by the top echelon of the Nazi party to help create a superior race and makes it feel real. While the characters are fictional, their situations are not. However, the homes that that found themselves in were very much real but a still well-hidden secret historically.

The writing is superb. The characters multi-layered and intricate. At times the reader could empathize while feeling distaste for a character’s strength or flaw. The main characters come from different backgrounds with different experiences and attitudes. And yet, Jennifer Coburn can enrich them into being equally as important and interesting as the next. This is a perfect example of creative non-fiction masking as a fiction novel.


I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

Berlin, April 1939, unmarried Gundi Schiller discovers she is pregnant. Munich 1939, Hilde Kramer's family has an important dinner guest, Sr. Group Leader, Werner Ziegler. Frankfurt, 1939, Irma Binz breaks up with her fiance and is offered a new job. The three will ultimately meet at Ebersberg, the home of the Heim Hochland estate, Hitler's most prestigious maternity home for mothers to be. The estate is part of the Lebensborn Society where children and infants are adopted by high-level Nazi officer families and raised as a part of their families. The mothers-to- be are fed and nutured with the best of everything until their babies are born. Only the purest of children are set out for adoption. All three women, along with their nurses, eventually learn what happens in these homes and make plans for the future. If you are a fan of the WWII fiction genre, you will love this one. Heavily researched, it is full of authentic and interesting details. Though fascinating in most aspects, I found the ending unexpected , weak and disappointing. The Author's Note at the end makes up for any limitations as she details her research and basis for the story. I was intrugued with the story. I received this ARC in exchange for my opinion. Publish date was 10/11/22. I recommend it.

Cradles of the Reich was a fascinating novel to read. Based on historical events I have never heard of before. I could not put it down. I will most definitely be reading more by Jennifer Coburn in the future. I loved it this one. Five stars.

What an great story! I really hope Jennifer Coburn writes a sequel to this book. If anyone needs a book club book next month please consider this! Thank you NetGalley for sending an arc in return for my honest opinion.

Cradles of the Reich is a historical novel set in Nazi Germany in early WWII. It primarily follows 3 women who wind up at the Lebensborn Society maternity homes - something straight out of the Handmaid's Tale where Aryan women give birth to Nazi babies. There are a lot of horrifying parts of this book. But the characters were likable and well written, or not likable and still good to read! This was definitely an aspect of Nazi Germany I knew nothing about, and the book included a really helpful author's note. I want to learn more about this and was glad this book brought it to light.

This was a great story with excellent storylines and storytelling. It was very eye opening and informative of some of the things experienced during Hitler’s Reich. I couldn’t put this book down! I was captured from the first line and I didn’t want it to end!

This was my first book by the author, but I’m looking forward to reading more.

This is the story of the breeding program of the Aryan Race, and what happened to the participants.

I found it difficult to read this book, not because it was not well written--it was! But because it gave names and faces through its characters to atrocities that I knew about, but not in such a personal way. That human beings could treat others in the way the Third Reich treated not only their enemies, but their own women devastated me. The description of the horror of Kristallnacht, which always sickened me, was almost of a celebration... a party! and I'm sure those who participated felt that they were doing the right thing.
It is too reminiscent of current events, and I found myself having to take breaks. Fiction helps us understand reality, and this one broke my heart.
Four stars only because there are so many WW2 books. I kept thinking...those poor girls. Those poor babies, Poor humanity. If you want yet another perspective of that awful time, read this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Publication October 11, 2022, by Sourcebooks Landmark.

3.5 Stars
* * * 1/2
This brings to life the horror of what the true desire of Nazi war room wanted, perfect cleansed Germans that could only be bred by the Correct People. This story shows all of this and what is very sad is it is based on real places that actually existed.

🎉🎉🎉Happy Pub Day to Cradles of the Reich by Jennifer Coburn 🎉🎉🎉

Historical fiction fans this book is for you. This book followed three woman who lived in a nazi breeding home in Bavaria and shows us how strong women friendships can be even in the midst of terrifying life events.

I enjoyed this book as it once again proved that even though there are so many books set during World War II, Coburn was able to shed light on something I hadn’t heard about before.

Thank you @jennifercoburnbooks and @netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to the publisher and the author for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. This if my first novel by this author and I have to say I really enjoyed it. The subject matter was fascinating to me. I know there are a lot of books set during WWII, but I have to say I really enjoy reading the stories about the German citizens living during this horrible time period. This was one of my favorite parts of the book, was getting to see the different perspectives from three different women in three different positions. Despite how cruel and awful it was, I actually really enjoyed reading from Hilde's perspective, I thougth Coburn did a good job of trying to get the reader to see what was going through the minds of someone who was pro-Nazi party. I actually wish we could have had one more chapter regarding Hilde's story and what she ended up doing in the end. I did also really enjoy reading about Gundi's and Irma's chapters, the last couple of chapters had me on the edge of my seat I actually stayed up way too late to finish the book.

I also enjoyed reading about the research that the author did and what inspired her to write about the Lebenborn program in the first place. Again it kept me away even until the wee hours of the night.