Jurgen Herbst's account of growing up in Nazi Germany from 1928 to 1948 is an understated tale of moral awakening. He illustrates how easy it was for a German boy without strong convictions or religious hatred to climb into a position of leadership in the Nazi Jungvolk - indeed, how difficult it would have been for him not to end up in such a place. He offers a unique perspective on everyday life in extreme circumstances.