Lanny Budd was a rich American living in Europe when the Nazis rose to power in 1930s Germany. He struggled to remain neutral, to navigate society, and to maintain his respect for human decency. But he could no longer look away when his Jewish friends began to disappear.
Upton Sinclair's 1942 novel "Dragon's Teeth" tells Lanny's story.
This is the third in a series of eleven novels about Lanny. Lanny's half-sister has married famous Jewish violinist Johannes Robin. When the Nazis sieze Robin and is family, Lanny works with his friends in the German government to secure their release, which costs the entire Robin fortune. Although most of the family escapes, Johannes's son Freddi remains hidden in a concentration camp at Dachau. Lanny spends the rest of the novel trying to find and rescue Freddi. Lanny has high connections in the Nazi government and even meets with Hitler, Goerring, and Goebels, but their hatred of Jews causes them to stonewall him.
Most disturbing about this story is the tactics used by the Nazis to solidify their power - demonizing outsiders, blaming others for the nation's problems, suppressing dissent, and drowning out unfavorable news with false propaganda. We see many of these strategies being used by government officials today.
The story examines the choices people make when facing evil within power. Lanny's wife Irma rationalizes Hitler's policies, in hopes of preserving her entitled way of life. Her husband recognizes the danger of the Third Reich and does his best to oppose it. But he finds that he must work within the corrupt system in order to free his friend. Lanny grew up in a privileged household. Even after the 1929 stock market crash, he remained rich enough to travel the world and enjoy frequent cruises. Yet he cares about others, working against the oppressive forces rising in power during the 1930s. Even Lanny's choices are full of moral ambiguity. The Budd family made its fortune by manufacturing munitions and was willing to sell them to anyone for a profit. And Lanny often works within the Nazi system he despises - gaining the trust of high-ranking Nazi officials.
"Dragon's Teeth" takes time to get going. But the action moves quickly when Lanny sets out to find and free his friend. It is a well-told story with lessons we should not forget.