Cross Sections
A novel by Thomas Knobel
PK Publishing, Princeton, NJ Copyright 2000
ISBN: 978-0615116907
Available at Amazon.com (link below) in paperback and for eBooks; Barnes & Noble; MandoBooks; or contact the author directly
...Express
"On a train headed south toward Frankfurt and Munich, Lise sat sobbing, tears running down her face. She knew it was stupid calling attention to herself like this, but she couldn't stop. Two elderly conductors came upon her and hesitated for a moment watching helplessly. They'd passed through ten cars already and Lise was one of a dozen women crying alone on the train, mothers, daughters, wives, perhaps girlfriends. They both remembered how it had been during the Great War and their hearts went out. They looked at one another, shrugged, and continued towards the rear of the train, knowing from sad experience how much crying was yet to come."
From "Cross Sections" by Thomas Knobel
Readers' Comments
Ed Read, Lake Jackson, TX -
“Tom Knobel captures the adventure, science and intrigue of the early days in Nazi Germany. An American student in Germany at the beginning of WWII discovers the German development of the atomic bomb. His attempt to warn the US and to sabotage the Nazi effort is exciting reading for anyone and especially for anyone who has studied physics or chemistry. Tom's descriptions of pre and early WWII Europe are detailed and graphic. A great science adventure.”
Wickham Allen, River Falls, WI -
"A great story...congratulations on a most creative work, well researched and most engagingly presented. As my father would have said: 'It's a rattling good tale...'"
Richard Kelley, Triton, NC -
"...you'll find you're rereading paragraphs and pages to capture and enjoy the literate style in which this absorbing, well researched story is written..."
Norman Aronson, Princeton, NJ -
"...absorbing reading, filled with fascination of the United States and Germany racing to harness nuclear fission; set in pre-war Europe...watching the key players on the 'atomic stage' like Professor Heisenberg and Dr. Niels Bohr..."
KB Reisinger, Carmel, IN -
“What a read! From the Author's Note to the end, Tom Knobel keeps the reader's interest and whet's the reader's appetite for more. Knobel's story makes you wish you were there to help Willy rescue his lover, contaminate the Nazi's supply of heavy water and escape the Nazi's SS. Willy was such an endearing character that even after finishing the novel you wanted to know more about how he recovered from radiation poisoning and how he got back to the United States. "Cross Sections" was a great blend of intrigue, science, history and love story.”
Milton Wing, Lake Jackson, TX -
"...did justice to the young scientists that were involved, showing their intellect, frustrations, loyalty and passions. I was impressed with the way you handled the personal and professional sides of Willy's life, obviously so intertwined as insinuated in the Author's notes. This book, I hope is the first of many. Your style is very engrossing: Science, suspense and sensous. Not a bad mix."
Gerald Szczech -
"Once started, this book cannot be put down. Mr Knobel's scientific background only makes this book better. If you like a war thriller, you cannot miss with this."
David Flitner, Shell, WY -
"So I started it and found it absolutely absorbing and wonderful. I lost sleep for two nights because I could not put it down. It is a great book Tom. I regret not having read it before. You are a real master, my friend and your book is an enjoyable master piece."
Manny Medeiros, Matthews, NC -
"I found it difficult to lay the book down. Cross Section is a wonderful blend of historical fiction, depicting the race to produce the first atomic bomb by the Germans and Alies during World War 2. It is a vivid story of tghe rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany. This novel would make a powerful movie or series."