Chapters 23, 24 and 25 Summary and Analysis

"From Confession to Conspiracy"

The author describes the moment when Bonhoeffer's closest friend, Eberherd Bethge, knew when Bonhoeffer had become a member of the conspiracy. The two were at a café when news of Hitler's overrunning of Paris became known. As the Germans around them celebrated, Bethge was surprised to see Bonhoeffer doing the same and hearing him whisper that they shouldn't attract attention. This, the author says, was clearly a turning point (see "Quotes," p. 362), one which was soon followed by Bonhoeffer, with the help of Donanyi, becoming a member of the Abwehr (see "Objects/Places"), an important rival to the SS (German Secret Service - see "Quotes," p. 370 - 1). In doing so, he was viewed by many on the resistance side, the author comments, as a traitor to his own values and those of the Confessing Church...