First of all, please let me express my thanks for all your comments.
Frankly, I am a bit overwhelmed. The last two weeks were filled with writing and re-writing the final chapters of the second book, which kind of prevented me from paying attention to my website. I know that this is not a very good excuse because I should answer your comments in a timely manner. I will do better.
In order to answer your comments and questions in the most productive way, I thought that it might be best to write this post. However, if I missed something, please let me know. It might take me a day or a week to get back to you, but, I will answer. Promise.
Now let’s start with Penny, who asked if some of the events were not true, since the book states that it is “Fiction based upon true events.” Penny, you are not alone with this question and I can assure you that all the events, places, and times are true. I took no literary license. I did however, change the names and family backgrounds, “father’s occupation” for example. The same is true of my second book “Trust To A Degree”. Again, no literary license has been taken. Due to the many questions I received regarding the time period between 1940 and 1945, I decided to write a prequel which will accurately describe how we were trained and schooled. It will also describe the vast differences between the Prussian doctrine and the Nazi agenda. I am living now for over 50 years here in the USA and it is still interesting to me that most of my American friends, as well as my readers, have no idea ( and how could they?) about the essential differences. Not to worry. The prequel will compel many readers to rethink, or at least understand, what was going on in the German school system as well as in the educational system under the Hitler regime. This book is not written by a “reporter” but by me. I entered the German school program in 1935. If you like to compare history, chances are you will find the prequel interesting. No fluff, just facts
Monika, I liked and I thank you for your comment in which you mentioned that your father was Russian. I understand why he traded his gold teeth towards his goal of freedom. I am sure that you are proud of him. Your fathers story is very interesting and if you have any notes from him describing his fight for freedom you might think of writing a book about him. I am sure that you will find a wide audience. If you wish I’ll be happy to introduce you to my editor and my promoter and cover art designer. Just let me know.
My upcoming book “Partners To A Degree” will in a certain, however limited, way touch on this subject. It will report about the many Russian soldiers, as well as officers, who committed suicides when the “Iron Curtain’ came down and some of the Russian occupation troops were ordered back to Russia. There was no place to go for them….so they took the easy way out! You had to know their alternatives to understand.
Janie, thank you for your very kind words. Believe me, they are very much appreciated. And you are right if you say that people don’t learn from history. But, on the other hand, Jamie, it would be beneficial for these people if they would keep one ear on the rails which lead from the past to the future. Believe it or not, you can hear a train coming, you always do!
Finally, Dorothy, thank you so much for your compliments. Coming from a retired school principal they mean not only a lot to me, but also show me that I am on the right track with my books. I am not trying to be a teacher or an educator. I am just writing about a time in history when we “kids” did not have a voice. Neither during the time things happened to us, like losing our parents, or later on when we went hungry. I am trying to give a voice to the children who died for an idea (not theirs) and the sad thing is, that they died believing that the SS and the “Fatherland” was on their side.
No, I don’t know at this time what the name of the prequel will be, but I know that it will be published before the end of the year and between “Trust To A Degree” and “Partners To A Degree”. I will keep you informed.
If I missed someone, or a question, please let me know.
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I’ve just read your first two books. I really enjoyed them. I never knew about the children’s camps. Did you ever find Peter? What happened to Alex and the other Mongols? I became quite attached to them. Did the Russian Kommissar go back to Russia? Do you have any plans to write a book about after you found your father? Did you help other children find their parents? As you can see you left me wanting to know more. I have always been curious and your books have made me curious about life after WWII in Russia and Europe. Thank you for writing your story. I am looking forward to reading your next book.
Hi Wanda,
Thank you for your comments and compliments.
No, I am sorry to say that I never found out about Peter. I have to assume that his train had been blown up by the Polish resistance. He was a very very good friend during trying times.
Your other questions regarding Alex and Godunov and the Mongols will be answered in my coming books which will feature Harold as the main character. My next book ‘Partners to a degree” will more or less end Karl’s role as the main character and Harold will take over. Don’t worry, about Karl as I am still healthy and writing. But, Harold lead an extra ordinary life which I feel it worth reading about it.
Most certainly I feel it is worth writing about. (For your info: He even fell in love in Russia) I don’t know if I am able to write about it in a romantic way, but honestly, he was deeply affected by this wonderful woman who also influenced his life in a very positive way.
Take good care, Wanda, and if you have any other question, just fire away.
Thank you,
Horst