The Radio Operator

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Based on a true story, this gripping historical novel follows a German immigrant caught in a Nazi spy ring in New York City during the early days of World War II. As Europe plunges into war in the late 1930s, New York becomes a battleground of its own, with anti-Semitic and racist groups spreading hate while German nationalists celebrate Hitler's rise. Josef Klein, a German immigrant, initially remains oblivious to the chaos around him, finding solace in the vibrant multicultural neighborhood of Harlem, where families gather and friends play chess. His passion for radio leads to a job as a shortwave operator, but he soon realizes he is part of a Nazi espionage network. Detained by American authorities at Ellis Island, Josef is ultimately deported to Germany. There, he encounters his brother Carl's family, soap merchants in Neuss, and witnesses the seductive power of the Nazis and the devastating impact of war. His journey takes him to South America, where he hopes to reinvent himself as José. However, Josef learns that no matter how far he flees, he cannot escape the haunting truth of his past and the inevitable confrontation with it.