By The Book Reviews

Review by By The Books Reviewer

Christine Kuehn's "Family of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal, and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor" is a harrowing exploration of familial treachery and historical revisionism. The narrative is propelled by Kuehn's shocking discovery in 1994: a letter from a screenwriter suggesting her grandparents were Nazi spies instrumental in the Pearl Harbor attack. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/12/03/family-spies-christine-kuehn-review//?utm_source=openai))

Kuehn meticulously reconstructs her family's clandestine activities, revealing that her grandfather, Otto, was a Nazi intelligence agent dispatched to Honolulu in 1935. Tasked with gathering intelligence on Pearl Harbor, Otto, along with his wife and daughter, engaged in espionage under the guise of ordinary life. Their actions, including lavish parties funded by the Japanese and a faux hair salon serving as a front for information gathering, paint a disturbing picture of complicity and deceit. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/12/03/family-spies-christine-kuehn-review//?utm_source=openai))

The book's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of moral ambiguity. Kuehn confronts the unsettling reality that her family, while appearing ordinary, played a role in one of history's most devastating events. This personal reckoning is both courageous and unsettling, challenging the reader to consider the banality of evil. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/12/03/family-spies-christine-kuehn-review//?utm_source=openai))

However, the narrative occasionally falters under the weight of its own complexity. The interplay between past and present, while intended to provide depth, sometimes disrupts the narrative flow. Additionally, Kuehn's attempt to categorize levels of monstrosity among historical figures and her own family members can feel reductive, potentially oversimplifying the complexities of human behavior during wartime. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/12/03/family-spies-christine-kuehn-review//?utm_source=openai))

Despite these shortcomings, "Family of Spies" is a compelling read. Kuehn's journalistic rigor and personal investment imbue the story with authenticity and emotional resonance. The book serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of individual actions and the enduring impact of history on personal identity.

In conclusion, "Family of Spies" is a thought-provoking exploration of a family's dark past intertwined with global history. While it may challenge readers with its moral complexities and narrative structure, it is a valuable contribution to World War II literature.

Recommendation: Read with caution.

written on: 12/11/2025