It’s not often that a nonfiction book grabs me the way Family of Spies did. I first saw it on a Goodreads “anticipated nonfiction” list and immediately added it to my Want to Read shelf. So when I had the chance to get an advance digital review copy from NetGalley, I jumped on it — and I’m so glad I did. This book completely absorbed me from beginning to end. Christine Kuehn clearly did extensive research, but what makes this story exceptional is how deeply personal it feels. Her discovery of her family’s connections to both Nazi Germany and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is shocking enough, but the way she processes that information — and invites us along as she does — is what makes it unforgettable.
Kuehn’s writing is narrative-driven and intimate. This could have been a dry, academic account of espionage during WWII, but instead she weaves her family’s story together with her own, creating a moving blend of history and memoir. The shifts between past and present are handled seamlessly. Where the timeline might otherwise get confusing, she gives just enough context to keep readers grounded.
The alternating timelines work beautifully, almost as if we’re uncovering family secrets in real time alongside her. Some of the revelations — especially the Kuehns’ connections to Joseph Goebbels — feel almost too incredible to believe, yet they carry the authenticity of truth. It’s one of those “you couldn’t make this up” stories that history occasionally delivers.
What resonated most with me was Kuehn’s moral struggle and perseverance. This project took her over 20 years to research and piece together. She admits there were moments she wanted to abandon it entirely — she even considered burning her notes — but she kept going because she believed it was a story that needed to be told. I really admire that determination. Personally, I can’t fathom what it would feel like to uncover a family history like this. Would I have the strength to keep digging? Would many of us? Kuehn’s courage to confront her family’s past, to face it honestly and respectfully, gives this book a weight that few nonfiction works manage to achieve.
Family of Spies is fast-paced, fascinating, and emotional — exactly the kind of nonfiction I love. It’s a story about history, identity, and the courage to face the ghosts of one’s past. I gave this one a solid 5 stars, and it has quickly become one of my favorite nonfiction books. In fact, after finishing my review copy, I pre-ordered the hardcover because I need this one on my shelves. Whether you’re WWII enthusiast or simply someone who loves discovering untold stories, this is one to pre-order and treasure.
