Dragon's Teeth

The Lanny Budd Novels, Book 3

By: Upton Sinclair

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

An American in Germany fights against the rising tide of Nazi terror in this monumental saga of twentieth-century world history.

In the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, Lanny Budd’s financial acumen and his marriage into great wealth enable him to continue the lifestyle he has always enjoyed. But the devastation the collapse has wrought on ordinary citizens has only strengthened Lanny’s socialist ideals—much to the chagrin of his heiress wife, Irma, a confirmed capitalist.

In Germany to visit relatives, Lanny encounters a disturbing atmosphere of hatred and jingoism. His concern over the growing popularity of the Nazi Party escalates when he meets Adolf Hitler, the group’s fanatical leader, and the members of his inner circle. But Lanny’s gravest fear is the threat a national socialist government poses to the German Jewish family of Hansi, the musician husband of Lanny’s sister, Bess—a threat that will impel the international art dealer to risk his wealth, his future, even his life, in a courageous attempt to rescue his loved ones from a terrible fate.

Winner of the 1943 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Dragon’s Teeth brilliantly captures the nightmarish march toward the Second World War. An astonishing mix of history, adventure, and romance, the Lanny Budd Novels are a testament to the breathtaking scope of Upton Sinclair’s vision and his singular talents as a storyteller.

©1942, 1969 Upton Sinclair (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

History Repeating

Upton Sinclair describes a world list to totalitarian zealots which is frighteningly like the world 80 years later. The globalists are doing this again and the people refuse to see. How does humanity survive such repeated ignorance, such utterly unacceptable ignorance?!

A unique account without the benefit of hindsight

I think every book (and there have been many) that I have read about this time period were written after World War Two. I cannot begin to comprehend what it would have been like to read this book when it was published in 1942, with the war raging on and the defeat of the Nazis by no means a sure thing. Knowing the eventual outcome didn't lessen the horror I felt for these characters who were in the midst of the Nazi regime's ascent to power, witnessing what was happening in those years and months leading up to that greatest conflict of all time.

Best of the series so far …

I’ve been completely swept away with the characters and events of this saga for the last month or so - I believe I started this one less than a week ago and have found it to be far and away the most exciting and overall enjoyable book of the series.

Fair warning; as any reader following from the beginning could have predicted the stakes are being raised as the next war looms on the horizon. Certain characters who you’ve grown to care for experience peril and it is one of the more detailed accounts I’ve come across that delves into what the people of Europe, specifically Germany were dealing with as Hitler began to take power - this is fascinating but also often extremely frustrating even tragic. The final section had me thrilled and on the edge of my seat but is ultimately heartbreaking and was tough to get through. It’s far from the most brutal material you’ll find in a lot of ww2 books but still managed to hit me pretty hard.

Overall an excellent book and a must read for anyone interested in character driven drama framed with thought provoking historical context. It continues to remain eerily relevant to the present day and age and if nothing else will aid you in brushing up on your history.

On to the next book ….

Great writing and characters I cared about.

This is a great story and really brings to life the dreadful German decline into hell before, during and after WW2. Agonizing and maddening and much to close to current events playing out in our world today. No one believed that such horrors could and did occur, until they couldn't not believe it any more. It can happen again.

Is this like the woke and cancel culture we have today?

It takes a while to get going but a good book. The parallels to today are astounding like ‘only my way’ and ‘your opinion doesn’t matter’. The bullying, power hungry and lying by the Left haven’t changed. Sadly.

Love being in the middle of history

Many times I wanted to dislike Lanny Budd, but couldn’t. I think that the performance of the reading was exceptional. Hope he narrates the next book

Great series this is the third time I’m reading this work

Upton Sinclair is a great storyteller and that he put 11 books together seamlessly what a gift and what a treasure

You're telling me there's only 11 Books?!?!

At first, this series looks like an undertaking. Bronson Pinchot developed the same spirit Sinclair must have had when writing these books. He has a story to tell, and it's going to be real as can be, with as much detail as you can handle.
When I am impatient, and Sinclair's description of a scene or the state of mind of a character, I think about the old adage 'never hang a gun up on the wall if you don't intend to use it'. However in the style of an arms dealer, you might find what you don't buy used against you someday.

voice

I love the narrator’s voice while reading this… and the ongoing story as well. I’ve listened to the first 3 Lanny Budd novels now and look forward to the 4th. The time flies by while listening to them.

Gripping, well-paced story

Sinclair reveals his great talent for seeing the world for what it is and weaving it into a great story. Pinchot's narration brings the words to life. A thoroughly enjoyable listen!