The Swastika Tattoo

Lives are shattered and beliefs are shaken in Geraldine Birch's enthralling historical novel, "The Swastika" "Tattoo."

Rudolf Meier finds his childhood in Germany complicated when he joins the Hitler Youth, an organization begun by the Nazis to teach German youth the beliefs of their leader, Adolf Hitler.

While Rudolf quickly becomes an avid student of these teachings, he finds himself confused over his beloved grandmother's anti-Nazi stand, as well as his best friend's refusal to join the organization.

Upon reaching adulthood, Rudolf proudly joins the German Navy as a U-boat radio operator, only to find his Nazi beliefs clashing with those held by his fellow sailors.

When Rudolf's boat is captured, he is sent to a POW camp in Arizona. There, he reluctantly befriends Bob Feller, a Jewish cotton farmer who challenges the beliefs that Rudolf has proudly held since childhood.

As the war drags on, Rudolf finds himself learning more and more about the democracy and individualism that Bob holds so dear. Warned about his friendship by Nazi officers, Rudolf realizes his life is in grave danger after the brutal camp murder of his bunkmate.

Can Rudolf reconcile the beliefs of his boyhood with the changing world around him?