THE POPE'S JEWS : THE VATICAN'S SECRET PLAN TO SAVE JEWS FROM THE NAZIS
by Gordon Thomas
Eugenio Pacelli (better known as Pope Pius XII) has been castigated for years by critics for not standing up to Hitler during World War II. Why did he remain silent and not do anything for the Jews? Pius XII has been erroneously accused. On the contrary, he set up this tremendous network of priests, nuns, and the citizens of Rome using monasteries, convents, the Vatican, and private homes to hide both Jews and Allied soldiers.
For many years, Pius XII had been a great friend to the Jewish community in Rome. Hitler actually considered kidnapping him because he was such a threat to Nazism. (That idea was quashed.)
As the Nazis came ever closer to Rome, visas were forged so that the hunted could escape to the United States and Palestine (eventually called Israel).
The Vatican provided false documentation for the Jews proclaiming them to be baptized Catholics. They were given shelter in the Vatican and every effort was made to keep them fed (a kosher butcher was hired and food was brought by trucks), safe, and protected. Even a hospital (Fatebenefratelli) was able to keep German soldiers away by telling them that their patients had an illness (K-Syndrome) which was highly contagious (the patients were told to cough, intentionally). It was totally false but many Jews were saved by the courageous doctor and nuns who looked after them.
In reality, Pius XII was not "Hitler's pope," was not anti-Semitic (he made forty speeches attacking racial hatred of the Nazis and the Holocaust plus wrote many papers) and saved thousands of Jews. So, he was not silent after all.
The Pope's Jews is a tremendous story. Gordon Thomas is quite prolific having written forty books and he does justice with this one. He is an expert in secret intelligence (he has been writing about it for fifty years) and is a true master with bringing all of the characters together (there are six pages at the beginning of the book of the Key Principal Personae).
There were many heroes who risked their lives to help those less fortunate. Pope Pius XII is at the top.
Very highly recommended.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Saturday, December 8, 2012
HUMAN GAME : THE TRUE STORY OF THE "GREAT ESCAPE" MURDERS AND THE HUNT FOR THE GESTAPO GUNMEN
by Simon Read
Stammlager Luft III, in Sagan, Germany, (Permanent Camp for Airmen 3) and known as Stalag Luft III was supposed to be built in such a way as to be escape-proof. The ground was not solid so digging a tunnel was almost impossible. The barracks were on stilts because in other camps, the prisoners had removed the flooring and escaped. The place was pretty well covered by patrol units of dogs, men, and watchtowers.
On March 24, 1944, seventy-six Allied airmen broke out of the camp. Within a couple of days, all but three men were captured. On Hitler's orders, it was decided to execute the fugitives. Himmler proposed to kill fifty and it was approved. They were taken to isolated fields around Germany and shot.
Two years later, Winston Churchill upon hearing about these murders, wanted justice. He sent military police led by Francis P. McKenna to Germany to try and track down the perpetrators. It would take three years.
Human Game is a MUST read if you love books about WWII. The writing is terrific and extremely well researched. There's a list of all of the characters involved and small capsule pictures of the airmen. Simon Read certainly knows how to tell a good story and it keeps you riveted. The movie was exciting but the book goes far beyond and keeps you spellbound until the end.
Highly recommended.
by Simon Read
Stammlager Luft III, in Sagan, Germany, (Permanent Camp for Airmen 3) and known as Stalag Luft III was supposed to be built in such a way as to be escape-proof. The ground was not solid so digging a tunnel was almost impossible. The barracks were on stilts because in other camps, the prisoners had removed the flooring and escaped. The place was pretty well covered by patrol units of dogs, men, and watchtowers.
On March 24, 1944, seventy-six Allied airmen broke out of the camp. Within a couple of days, all but three men were captured. On Hitler's orders, it was decided to execute the fugitives. Himmler proposed to kill fifty and it was approved. They were taken to isolated fields around Germany and shot.
Two years later, Winston Churchill upon hearing about these murders, wanted justice. He sent military police led by Francis P. McKenna to Germany to try and track down the perpetrators. It would take three years.
Human Game is a MUST read if you love books about WWII. The writing is terrific and extremely well researched. There's a list of all of the characters involved and small capsule pictures of the airmen. Simon Read certainly knows how to tell a good story and it keeps you riveted. The movie was exciting but the book goes far beyond and keeps you spellbound until the end.
Highly recommended.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
CONSTANCE : THE TRAGIC AND SCANDALOUS LIFE OF MRS. OSCAR WILDE
by Franny Moyle
Constance Wilde (nee Lloyd) was not exactly someone that people knew and talked about. She came from the upper echelons of society and was quite beautiful. It was not until she married Oscar Wilde that she was brought forward into the limelight. Constance would balance the marriage: Oscar was flamboyant, extravagant, arrogant, and shocking and Constance was stylish (she followed Aestheticism), charming, honest, and innovative. She was quite prolific on her own becoming a writer of children's books, fluent in many languages, artistic, always taking up new challenges. Constance adored Oscar and constantly supported him. For the first couple of years, they were the "it" couple and society was entranced by the two of them. After the birth of their two sons Cyril and Vyvyan, Oscar was no longer attracted to Constance and turned his interest to young men instead. He became involved with Lord Alfred Douglas known as "Bosie" and their scandalous relationship ruined Oscar's reputation (he was thrown in prison) and destroyed Constance. She escaped to Switzerland with her children and changed their last name to Holland.
Many people are surprised to hear that Oscar Wilde was married since he was a well-known homosexual. Before he met his wife, he had many other relationships with women and men were never in the picture. That happened a few years after his marriage. Oscar was extremely vain and a very weak man who gave in to temptation much too often. Constance was loyal and loving in spite of his despicable acts and she hung on even though he treated her so miserably. She refused to see herself as a victim.
Constance is a great biography of a brave woman who accomplished quite a lot in her short life.
The book is well-written with tons of fascinating information.
Recommended.
by Franny Moyle
Constance Wilde (nee Lloyd) was not exactly someone that people knew and talked about. She came from the upper echelons of society and was quite beautiful. It was not until she married Oscar Wilde that she was brought forward into the limelight. Constance would balance the marriage: Oscar was flamboyant, extravagant, arrogant, and shocking and Constance was stylish (she followed Aestheticism), charming, honest, and innovative. She was quite prolific on her own becoming a writer of children's books, fluent in many languages, artistic, always taking up new challenges. Constance adored Oscar and constantly supported him. For the first couple of years, they were the "it" couple and society was entranced by the two of them. After the birth of their two sons Cyril and Vyvyan, Oscar was no longer attracted to Constance and turned his interest to young men instead. He became involved with Lord Alfred Douglas known as "Bosie" and their scandalous relationship ruined Oscar's reputation (he was thrown in prison) and destroyed Constance. She escaped to Switzerland with her children and changed their last name to Holland.
Many people are surprised to hear that Oscar Wilde was married since he was a well-known homosexual. Before he met his wife, he had many other relationships with women and men were never in the picture. That happened a few years after his marriage. Oscar was extremely vain and a very weak man who gave in to temptation much too often. Constance was loyal and loving in spite of his despicable acts and she hung on even though he treated her so miserably. She refused to see herself as a victim.
Constance is a great biography of a brave woman who accomplished quite a lot in her short life.
The book is well-written with tons of fascinating information.
Recommended.
Friday, November 9, 2012
THOMAS JEFFERSON'S CREME BRULEE : HOW A FOUNDING FATHER AND HIS SLAVE JAMES HEMINGS INTRODUCED FRENCH CUISINE TO AMERICA
by Thomas J. Craughwell
Thomas Jefferson was, in today's parlance, a true foodie. He loved fine cuisine and fresh produce. Jefferson collected tons of recipes and over 150 of them are still in existence. At Monticello, he had fruit,vegetable and herb gardens that fed his family. He was constantly experimenting with different kinds of plants from Europe and Mexico. Jefferson always dreamt of making wine but the European vines died in the Virginia soil.
In 1784, Jefferson was invited to become a commerce commissioner in France. How perfect! At this time, France was changing its methods of cooking to sauces and stocks which brings out the flavor of food and was heartily embraced by King Louis XIV. For Jefferson, it was an ideal assignment. He would be away for five years. Jefferson took one of his slaves, nineteen-year-old James Hemings (brother to Sally) to master the art of French cooking. James would apprentice under French chefs and when they returned from Paris, Jefferson would set him free.
This book is a real gem. Just reading about the crops grown on plantations, Jefferson's fastidiousness of what was planted, the history of food both in the United States and in France is fascinating. There's also plenty of other kinds of history: slavery, the French Revolution, George Washington's government, the relationship between Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton, how women managed the households, etc.
It's a rather slim tome at 166 pages but then there's an Appendix with sections on how Jefferson learned about wine and how to cultivate it; what his principal diet consisted of; African cuisine that was served at Monticello. Following this part are recipes written by Hemings and Jefferson. Of course, they are written in the original manuscripts (photocopied for this book) and you really cannot discern the text. No matter. It's enough to know what the two men brought back with them to America: Champagne, macaroni and cheese, french fries, and of course, creme brulee.
A fun and informative read.
Recommended.
by Thomas J. Craughwell
Thomas Jefferson was, in today's parlance, a true foodie. He loved fine cuisine and fresh produce. Jefferson collected tons of recipes and over 150 of them are still in existence. At Monticello, he had fruit,vegetable and herb gardens that fed his family. He was constantly experimenting with different kinds of plants from Europe and Mexico. Jefferson always dreamt of making wine but the European vines died in the Virginia soil.
In 1784, Jefferson was invited to become a commerce commissioner in France. How perfect! At this time, France was changing its methods of cooking to sauces and stocks which brings out the flavor of food and was heartily embraced by King Louis XIV. For Jefferson, it was an ideal assignment. He would be away for five years. Jefferson took one of his slaves, nineteen-year-old James Hemings (brother to Sally) to master the art of French cooking. James would apprentice under French chefs and when they returned from Paris, Jefferson would set him free.
This book is a real gem. Just reading about the crops grown on plantations, Jefferson's fastidiousness of what was planted, the history of food both in the United States and in France is fascinating. There's also plenty of other kinds of history: slavery, the French Revolution, George Washington's government, the relationship between Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton, how women managed the households, etc.
It's a rather slim tome at 166 pages but then there's an Appendix with sections on how Jefferson learned about wine and how to cultivate it; what his principal diet consisted of; African cuisine that was served at Monticello. Following this part are recipes written by Hemings and Jefferson. Of course, they are written in the original manuscripts (photocopied for this book) and you really cannot discern the text. No matter. It's enough to know what the two men brought back with them to America: Champagne, macaroni and cheese, french fries, and of course, creme brulee.
A fun and informative read.
Recommended.
LAST TRAIN TO PARADISE: HENRY FLAGLER AND THE SPECTACULAR RISE AND FALL OF THE RAILROAD THAT CROSSED AN OCEAN
by Les Standiford
If it hadn't been for Henry Morrison Flagler, Florida might never have been the glittering resort that millions of people flock to every year. All of the famous hotels: Ponce de Leon, Royal Palm, The Breakers were his ideas. Flagler, basically, built the state and Miami (the area was originally called Fort Dallas) was incorporated in 1896). The town council wanted to name the city after Flagler but
he convinced them to use the Native American one instead.
Flagler was quite an entrepreneur. He and John D. Rockefeller created Standard Oil though Flagler was the genius behind it. With the amount of money that he amassed, he could have retired early, but he was driven and continued onward. His next, biggest challenge was having a railroad crossing 153 miles of open ocean from Key West to the mainland of Florida. Engineers considered it to be impossible. But it was built and remained standing for twenty-two years.
Last Train to Paradise is a great story of a very enterprising man. Flagler was a visionary who made his dreams come true.
The writing is terrific and the details of what went into building this incredible railway is quite astonishing. (It took seven years.)
A great read.
Recommended.
by Les Standiford
If it hadn't been for Henry Morrison Flagler, Florida might never have been the glittering resort that millions of people flock to every year. All of the famous hotels: Ponce de Leon, Royal Palm, The Breakers were his ideas. Flagler, basically, built the state and Miami (the area was originally called Fort Dallas) was incorporated in 1896). The town council wanted to name the city after Flagler but
he convinced them to use the Native American one instead.
Flagler was quite an entrepreneur. He and John D. Rockefeller created Standard Oil though Flagler was the genius behind it. With the amount of money that he amassed, he could have retired early, but he was driven and continued onward. His next, biggest challenge was having a railroad crossing 153 miles of open ocean from Key West to the mainland of Florida. Engineers considered it to be impossible. But it was built and remained standing for twenty-two years.
Last Train to Paradise is a great story of a very enterprising man. Flagler was a visionary who made his dreams come true.
The writing is terrific and the details of what went into building this incredible railway is quite astonishing. (It took seven years.)
A great read.
Recommended.
THE LONE ASSASSIN : THE EPIC TRUE STORY OF THE MAN WHO ALMOST KILLED HITLER
by Helmut Ortner
It's really too bad that Georg Elser's target was foiled on November 8, 1939. The man that should have been killed that day was Adolf Hitler. Instead, eight innocent victims died from a bomb blast.
Elser was a master carpenter who prided himself in doing high quality work. He was not interested in politics yet he understood that conditions for the working class had deteriorated under the Nazi regime and were only becoming worse. The only way to change it would be to eliminate the leadership: Hitler, Goering, and Goebbels. So, using his skills Elser began to assemble his explosive device. For
thirty-three nights, he worked on building the bomb in the Munich Beer Hall where Hitler was going to appear and give a speech.
The Lone Assassin is a tremendous book that keeps you riveted. Author, Helmut Ortner, sets the scene by writing about Georg Elser's life, what kind of a man he was, what drove him, what he believed in. Though he was uneducated, he was smart enough to realize what was happening to his country under National Socialism and he knew that he had to take justice into his own hands.
Recommended.
by Helmut Ortner
It's really too bad that Georg Elser's target was foiled on November 8, 1939. The man that should have been killed that day was Adolf Hitler. Instead, eight innocent victims died from a bomb blast.
Elser was a master carpenter who prided himself in doing high quality work. He was not interested in politics yet he understood that conditions for the working class had deteriorated under the Nazi regime and were only becoming worse. The only way to change it would be to eliminate the leadership: Hitler, Goering, and Goebbels. So, using his skills Elser began to assemble his explosive device. For
thirty-three nights, he worked on building the bomb in the Munich Beer Hall where Hitler was going to appear and give a speech.
The Lone Assassin is a tremendous book that keeps you riveted. Author, Helmut Ortner, sets the scene by writing about Georg Elser's life, what kind of a man he was, what drove him, what he believed in. Though he was uneducated, he was smart enough to realize what was happening to his country under National Socialism and he knew that he had to take justice into his own hands.
Recommended.
Friday, October 19, 2012
SOME GIRLS, SOME HATS AND HITLER
by Trudi Kanter
In 1938 Trudi Kanter was a hat designer in Vienna. She had a well-established business and women who had money and wanted to look their best flocked to her store. Her designs were a must-have. She learned the technique from a Paris showroom.
Trudi met her second husband on the street during lunchtime. Walter Ehrlich was a charming, suave businessman. She fell in love with him instantly. Theirs was a whirlwind romance. He may have been romantic but he didn't have much common sense. As the Nazis drew ever closer, he wanted more time to consider leaving. It's a very good thing that he had Trudi. It was because of her that she got the both of them out of Austria. Trudi was very resourceful and persistent. She knew that she could get a job in any country as a milliner. They got out and went to Prague. Their stay was short-lived and soon enough, they were off to London.
Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler was originally published in 1984. The book was uncovered in a secondhand shop in Britain by an editor only just recently and what a good thing that was.
Trudi Kanter was a remarkable woman who showed strength, tenacity, perseverance, and courage during a time of terror. She was extremely lucky to have a career and be working during World War II while most people had to leave their jobs or they were taken away from them. It is what saved her.
Towards the end of her life, Trudi took creative writing classes and it shows. Her prose is spare but gets right to the point. It's definitely a different kind of memoir than what is usually written of survivors of Nazism. I found it to be revealing, honest, and touching.
Recommended.
by Trudi Kanter
In 1938 Trudi Kanter was a hat designer in Vienna. She had a well-established business and women who had money and wanted to look their best flocked to her store. Her designs were a must-have. She learned the technique from a Paris showroom.
Trudi met her second husband on the street during lunchtime. Walter Ehrlich was a charming, suave businessman. She fell in love with him instantly. Theirs was a whirlwind romance. He may have been romantic but he didn't have much common sense. As the Nazis drew ever closer, he wanted more time to consider leaving. It's a very good thing that he had Trudi. It was because of her that she got the both of them out of Austria. Trudi was very resourceful and persistent. She knew that she could get a job in any country as a milliner. They got out and went to Prague. Their stay was short-lived and soon enough, they were off to London.
Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler was originally published in 1984. The book was uncovered in a secondhand shop in Britain by an editor only just recently and what a good thing that was.
Trudi Kanter was a remarkable woman who showed strength, tenacity, perseverance, and courage during a time of terror. She was extremely lucky to have a career and be working during World War II while most people had to leave their jobs or they were taken away from them. It is what saved her.
Towards the end of her life, Trudi took creative writing classes and it shows. Her prose is spare but gets right to the point. It's definitely a different kind of memoir than what is usually written of survivors of Nazism. I found it to be revealing, honest, and touching.
Recommended.
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