Making Good Again

Making Good Again follows James Raison, a British lawyer who travels to Germany in the 1960s to handle cases related to World War II reparations. His work brings him into contact with both Holocaust survivors and former Nazis still living in postwar Germany. The story centers on a complex financial settlement case that draws Raison deeper into investigating events from the war years. His professional duties become entangled with personal discoveries as he navigates the tension-filled atmosphere of a divided nation. Through the perspective of an outsider, the novel examines how Germany and its people confronted their recent past in the decades following WWII. The themes of justice, reconciliation, and the possibility of atonement run through this suspenseful legal thriller.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this 1968 novel, making it difficult to gauge broad reception. The few available reviews mention appreciation for Davidson's research into post-WWII German reparations and his handling of complex legal procedures. Several readers note the book's unique perspective on Holocaust restitution claims. Readers praised: - Detailed historical accuracy - The legal thriller aspects - Character development of the protagonist Main criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some found the legal details excessive - Translation issues in non-English editions Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.67/5 (12 ratings, 2 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (2 ratings) Due to the book's age and limited availability, comprehensive review data is scarce online. Most discussion appears in vintage newspaper reviews rather than contemporary reader platforms.

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🔷 The book's publication in 1968 coincided with significant real-world developments in Holocaust reparations, as West Germany was expanding its compensation programs for survivors. 🔷 Lionel Davidson won three Gold Daggers from the Crime Writers' Association - one for this book - making him one of only a handful of authors to achieve this distinction. 🔷 The German compensation program (Wiedergutmachung) that forms the backdrop of the novel ultimately paid out over 70 billion Deutsche Marks to Holocaust survivors and their families. 🔷 Davidson spent several months in Germany researching the book, interviewing lawyers and survivors involved in actual reparation cases to ensure authenticity. 🔷 The novel's protagonist James Raison was partly inspired by Davidson's own brother-in-law, who worked as a solicitor handling Holocaust compensation claims in the 1960s.