Throughout War Games, Gratz places his fictional protagonists in conversation with historical figures like Jesse Owens, Leni Riefenstahl, and Helene Mayer. How do these real individuals exemplify the complex relationships between personal ambitions, political realities, and moral compromises?

How does the narrative illustrate Evie’s internal journey from self-interest to collective responsibility?

What personal, political, and financial reasons drive Evie, Karl, Ursula, and Solomon Monday to participate in the heist? What does this range of intentions suggest about the nature of defiance, or compliance, in an oppressive society?

How do the various secret tunnels, hidden rooms, and concealed spaces in the novel symbolize the psychological and political realities of Nazi Germany?

How does Evie’s background as a migrant from the Dust Bowl shape her perception of the events in Berlin?

How does the author use Evie’s initial political naivety to highlight the more nefarious effects of Nazi propaganda?

How does the city of Berlin itself function as an antagonist in the novel?

How do the female characters in War Games navigate the patriarchal and totalitarian systems of the 1930s? Consider the actions of characters like Evie, Mary, Ursula, and Leni Riefenstahl, each of whom confront distinct vulnerabilities shaped by their gender.