The nights of the long knives cover

The nights of the long knives

by Hans Hellmut Kirst

An intensely disturbing description of the selection and training of an early Einsatzgruppe (Hitler Death Squad). Although the later death squads had different missions, this fictional pilot one was used to destroy Hitler's personal enemies, and those of the group leader. The narrative is through a excerpts from private letters and diaries, so-called historical records and statements, as well as in-the-moment action.

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?