Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. In the Garden of Beasts provides a firsthand account of Hitler’s early rise to power through the experiences of the Dodd family. What were your overall impressions of the book’s approach to this historical period? Did anything surprise or stand out to you?

2. Erik Larson structures the book like a thriller rooted in historical fact. How did this storytelling approach affect your reading experience? Did it make the history feel more immediate or engaging?

3. Before reading the book, how much did you know about the early years of the Nazi regime? Did In the Garden of Beasts challenge or reinforce what you previously understood about this time period?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The book explores how national pride and economic hardship made many Germans initially embrace the Nazi regime. Have you ever seen or experienced a situation where economic or political instability led people to support extreme measures or leaders? How do you think fear and frustration shape public opinion?

2. Many Americans and Europeans dismissed Hitler early on, viewing him as a joke or an anomaly.