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The Iron Words
History becomes personal for one college freshman in Michael Fridgen’s new novel, The Iron Words.
Riley Hunter appears to live the dream, with plenty of friends, money and a coveted position on his university’s hockey team. But inwardly, Riley still struggles to come to terms with his guilt over a dark past that left his former best friend and teammate paralyzed.
When he learns he’s about to fail sociology, Riley agrees to his teacher’s special assignment in a desperate attempt to save his grade: assist a ninety-year-old Holocaust survivor at his home and see what he can learn.
As the true story about his elderly new charge unfolds, Riley learns that the man spent time in a World War II concentration camp because of his sexuality, not his religion.
Soon Riley evolves from a naïve young freshman into a compassionate young man who finally learns to take control of his own life through the inspiration of a man who lost control of his.
Riley Hunter appears to live the dream, with plenty of friends, money and a coveted position on his university’s hockey team. But inwardly, Riley still struggles to come to terms with his guilt over a dark past that left his former best friend and teammate paralyzed.
When he learns he’s about to fail sociology, Riley agrees to his teacher’s special assignment in a desperate attempt to save his grade: assist a ninety-year-old Holocaust survivor at his home and see what he can learn.
As the true story about his elderly new charge unfolds, Riley learns that the man spent time in a World War II concentration camp because of his sexuality, not his religion.
Soon Riley evolves from a naïve young freshman into a compassionate young man who finally learns to take control of his own life through the inspiration of a man who lost control of his.
396 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2014
6 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Michael Fridgen
22Ìýbooks4ÌýfollowersMichael Fridgen earned degrees from the University of Minnesota in Duluth and Hamline University in St. Paul before launching a teaching career. After working as a public school teacher for 12 years and a university instructor for five, Fridgen is now a full-time writer. His book, Ruth3 5, was one of four finalists for the Minnesota Book Award in 2013.
Michael currently lives with his husband in Minneapolis, and he enjoys playing the piano and attending live performances of music and theatre. Michael is also an avid traveler. In addition to visiting all 50 states, he has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia.
Michael currently lives with his husband in Minneapolis, and he enjoys playing the piano and attending live performances of music and theatre. Michael is also an avid traveler. In addition to visiting all 50 states, he has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 22, 2017
You would never have thought that what we’ve learned in history could turn out to be so inaccurate. Just by reading about how a particular character went through an experienced moment that would later become a part of our history. An elder man by the name of Jens Jaenisch shares details about his life while growing up and living in Germany, back in 1942. The life he had was short lived as he soon discovered how he felt towards another male wasn’t tolerated in his community. In “The Iron Words,� author Michael Fridgen, paired two very unique characters to spend time together learning about each other’s perspectives about the world, in different times. By reading this book, you would feel mixed emotions in comparison and contrast to how things were handled in the past to how they are handled currently.
As I read, I’m learning about how Riley Hunter, a star student athlete, lives the life many students on campus wish they could. He doesn’t understand that he’s not doing as well as a student and needs to earn some form of extra credit to continue playing sports. He never thought that the assignment he received from his sociology professor would be not only an eye opener but a life changing experience. Author Michael Fridgen made sure to put Jens, a “Holocaust Survivor� and Riley, a “student hockey player� to cross paths and grow from each other. By doing this each character was able to take something they gathered and apply it to their new way of thinking. Their bond developed into something that in a way saved them both from additional denial. They each understood that the cards they were dealt didn’t define them as the people their future self. Jens finally had the courage to share his past with someone he trusted and Riley finally had the strength to confess his mistakes and accept the consequences.
The author Michael Fridgen style of writing continues to pique the interest of his readers while they read. Reading about Jens� experience in the concentration camp provided further details as to how others were treated, that weren’t necessarily part of the actual Holocaust. I enjoyed reading this book; I learned that regardless of your story live the life you want in order to be happy and fulfilled. I recommend everyone to read this inspirational although sad story, you’ll learn about taking responsibility and control of your life.
As I read, I’m learning about how Riley Hunter, a star student athlete, lives the life many students on campus wish they could. He doesn’t understand that he’s not doing as well as a student and needs to earn some form of extra credit to continue playing sports. He never thought that the assignment he received from his sociology professor would be not only an eye opener but a life changing experience. Author Michael Fridgen made sure to put Jens, a “Holocaust Survivor� and Riley, a “student hockey player� to cross paths and grow from each other. By doing this each character was able to take something they gathered and apply it to their new way of thinking. Their bond developed into something that in a way saved them both from additional denial. They each understood that the cards they were dealt didn’t define them as the people their future self. Jens finally had the courage to share his past with someone he trusted and Riley finally had the strength to confess his mistakes and accept the consequences.
The author Michael Fridgen style of writing continues to pique the interest of his readers while they read. Reading about Jens� experience in the concentration camp provided further details as to how others were treated, that weren’t necessarily part of the actual Holocaust. I enjoyed reading this book; I learned that regardless of your story live the life you want in order to be happy and fulfilled. I recommend everyone to read this inspirational although sad story, you’ll learn about taking responsibility and control of your life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2017
A feel good book, maybe a little off on historical details (because we know Koch died before the Americans liberated Buchenwald), but it was good nonetheless. Had a great message to it. I just wish this book got more attention because we need more people to know that homosexuals were sent to concentration camps during the holocaust, and faced even bigger challenges once they were out. Life was difficult.
July 11, 2017
One of the best books I've read this year. It is well written and takes a few unexpected turns.
I highly recommend to avid readers who are looking for something different. It is a heart warming story.
I highly recommend to avid readers who are looking for something different. It is a heart warming story.
May 21, 2017
I think it would have been better if the story focused solely on Jens.
August 11, 2014
Michael Fridgen’s second novel, The Iron Words, is a powerful story about the unlikely bond formed between Riley, a young, lost, hockey star and Jens, a reserved, gay, Holocaust survivor. Thrown together by a determined sociology professor, the pair surprises everyone, including themselves, with how well they get along and how much they learn from each other. Both men are hiding painful secrets and soon realize that they need the other’s help to confront their pasts.
This hard to put down novel is full of touching stories, difficult truths, and complicated friendships. It is about living and dealing with guilt and learning how to be your true self.
This hard to put down novel is full of touching stories, difficult truths, and complicated friendships. It is about living and dealing with guilt and learning how to be your true self.
September 20, 2014
What an amazing book. I have also read Ruth3:5 by this author and found that book fantastic as well, although very different in style and content. Anyone interested in LGBT history or World War II will find this book an great read. It details the unlikely friendship between two people - a college student and a holocaust survivor. The book reads very quickly and I finished it in one day. There is so much history jam-packed into these pages that I feel like I learned so much more about World War II than I ever knew before. I look forward to Fridgen's next book!
September 29, 2014
Excellent story! I love the historical aspect of it mixed in with the present time. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between Riley and Jens to help build the connection.
My only real pet peeve is the cover art. If I judged it by that alone, I would not have read it. It's just not congruent with the story.
My only real pet peeve is the cover art. If I judged it by that alone, I would not have read it. It's just not congruent with the story.
October 7, 2014
this book is so great i could not put it down i had to keep reading till the end MR fridgen did a great job it felt so real i'm so happy i won this book i will keep this forever it was that good and Mr Friden needs the highest award you can get best book i have read in a long time!
August 24, 2014
Story plot combines two characters 20 year old Riley and Jens, 90+ something old man. Both characters are very plain and boring.
March 31, 2017
I learned quite a bit from this book even though I had studied the holocaust extensively. I thought that there were some pacing issues at time and that the stories between the two main characters could have been a bit more balanced, but those things are trivial considering the story that is really being told. Nice job.
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