On September 10, 1943, a loosely connected group of influential friends gathered in a small apartment in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district. The host was Elisabeth von Thadden, and the official reason for the meeting was her younger sister’s 50th birthday. In reality, it was a cover for nine prominent individuals to discuss what should be done now that Hitler’s defeat seemed certain.
Otto Kiep, a former diplomat, spoke optimistically about Italy’s readiness to make peace with the Allies following Mussolini’s recent fall. Hanna Solf, a well-known political hostess, eagerly looked forward to Hitler’s downfall, declaring, “We’ll put him against a wall.” Meanwhile, von Thadden—a devout Protestant and former headmistress of an elite girls’ school—warned of the humanitarian crisis that would follow the war. Over tea, sandwiches, and an unappetizing “war cake,” those gathered that late summer day felt Germany’s rebirth as a democratic nation was within reach.
None of them were natural rebels. Jonathan Freedland skillfully explores their gradual and late-blooming disillusionment with the Nazis. Many came from respected military families still scarred by Germany’s defeat in World War I and the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles. To these patriots, the Nazis’ promise to restore national pride and economic stability had initially been appealing. They believed a return to the enduring values of Goethe and Beethoven would soon follow.
This naivety didn’t last. As the full horror of the Nazis’ racial policies became clear, standing by was no longer an option. In 1933, while serving as consul general to the U.S., Kiep risked everything by publicly honoring Albert Einstein, a prominent Jewish refugee. The act led to his immediate recall to Germany. For von Thadden, the breaking point came when she realized the Third Reich intended to replace Christianity with a “German church” where Hitler outranked Jesus. Countess Lagi von Ballestrem focused on helping hundreds of Jews in hiding—known as “submarines”—survive Berlin’s harsh winters and escape using tunnels and forged documents. She even carried heavy laundry bags to avoid giving the Nazi salute, a subtle act of defiance.
Unbeknownst to them, an informant had infiltrated their group. He arrived with excellent references but seemed overly curious, hanging on every word and pressing for more information. In reality, he was reporting everything to his Gestapo supervisor, the notoriously brutal Herbert Lange. Within 18 months, nearly everyone at the gathering was either dead or imprisoned.
In 74 concise and gripping chapters, each ending with suspense, Freedland traces how these reluctant heroes tried to evade and eventually confront their fate. After an unsettling silence came the inevitable knock at the door or tap on the shoulder. As high-profile prisoners from Germany’s prewar elite, they were used for propaganda. Show trials were held, complete with expensive lawyers, witnesses, and desperate pleas for mercy from their families. None of it helped. Kiep was hanged, von Thadden beheaded. Arthur Zarden, a senior finance official, broke free from his captors and jumped to his death. The rest received long prison sentences.
Freedland has produced…He has achieved that elusive thing: a meticulously researched history book that reads with the gripping pace of an airport thriller. Yet it is also a deeply serious work, raising a troubling question. How many of us, if given the chance to avoid an unpleasant political reality without too much personal cost, would find the courage to stand up, speak out, and face the inevitably terrible consequences?
The Traitors Circle: The Rebels Against the Nazis and the Spy Who Betrayed Them by Jonathan Freedland is published by John Murray (£25). To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about The Traitors Circle by Jonathan Freedland designed to be helpful for readers at all levels
General Beginner Questions
Q What is The Traitors Circle about
A Its a nonfiction book that tells the gripping true story of a secret group of German army officers and civilians who repeatedly tried to assassinate Adolf Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime from within
Q Is it a novel or a history book
A Its a work of narrative nonfiction All the events and people are real and meticulously researched but its written with the pace and tension of a thriller to make history accessible and exciting
Q Who is the main figure the book focuses on
A The book centers on Claus von Stauffenberg the aristocratic army officer who personally carried out the most famous assassination attempt on Hitler in July 1944 known as Operation Valkyrie
Q Do I need prior knowledge of World War II to understand it
A Not at all Freedland writes for a general audience providing all the necessary context about the war and the Nazi regime to make the story clear and impactful
Deeper Dive Advanced Questions
Q How does this book differ from other accounts of the July 20 plot
A Freedland focuses heavily on the human and moral dilemmas the conspirators faced He delves into their motivations their fears and the immense personal cost of their actions making it a deeply psychological account
Q What new perspective or information does Freedland bring to this story
A While the basic history is wellknown Freedlands skill is in synthesizing the research into a compelling narrative He emphasizes the broader network of resistance beyond the military including civilians from various walks of life and explores the complex ethics of treason in the face of tyranny
Q The title calls them Traitors How does the book handle that label
A The title is intentionally provocative The book thoroughly explores this central irony these people were legally traitors to their government but were morally heroic for betraying a monstrous regime It examines the heavy burden of that label
Q How accurate and wellresearched is the book
A It is very wellresearched Jonathan Freedland who also writes under the pseudonym Sam
