In Heinrich Mann's novel Man of Straw, the anti-hero manages to get out of military service with a bogus diagnosis of foot problems. He drew on Thomas Mann's ex

In Heinrich Mann's novel Man of Straw, the anti-hero manages to get out of military service with a bogus diagnosis of foot problems. He drew on Thomas Mann's experience: their mother knew a doctor, the doctor was willing to do a favor, Thomas Mann was discharged.