Testimonials
As a profuse reader and strong critic, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It immediately grabbed my attention and held it until the very end. The detailed research about the Allied bombardments in World War II, the “Massacre of Malmedy” during the Battle of the Bulge and the fortifications along the Siegfried and Maginot lines were fascinating. And I found the personal stories of how the author and his family survived during and after the war utterly compelling. Being the same age as the author, it was very interesting to place myself in his position at age 13 to 14. While he experienced the horrors of war, I was safe in the U.S. and had no idea what it was like to be under fire during World War II. I was stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1948, however, and I still remember the destruction of that city, which the pictures in the book of the author’s hometown during and after the war brought home to me.
Matt Matthes, Sarasota, Florida
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your book, “Between the Lines.” I could hardly put it down and have told everyone about it. I learned so much about the lead-up to Hitler’s rule. Certainly, my generation has heard only the horrid things Hitler did. And in our naivety, we could not understand how he came into power. Your book explained how good people could think of Hitler as a wonderful man and ardently follow him. I also loved how you weaved your family experiences into the historical events. Watching the building of the Siegfried line when you were such a young boy must have been amazing.
Ellen Sours, Clinton, Ohio
While flying to and from Chicago this week, I read the first half of “Between the Lines.” I hope to finish it on my trip next week. It is most interesting – you have answered a question I have long wondered about: How could the German people follow Hitler? You give a perspective and insight that is never covered in U.S. history books. Thank you for the tremendous amount of research you obviously had to do for the book. I’m sure you are a better person for having written “Between the lines.” I know I am a better person for having read it.
Joe Funk, Tallahassee, Florida
I want to thank you for putting together such a thorough treatment of an obviously momentous time in your life. I found it to be a riveting reveal of a perspective that is not common here in America… It is a book that all Americans should read, especially those who have been insulated from the realities of war… I believe I have a more fully-orbed comprehension of that period of world history, and a higher esteem for our forebears who enlisted and served to protect our freedoms, and those who serve us today. Bless you for your marvelous addition to my library.
Chuck Dowell
I have just finished reading your book, Between the Lines. It was fantastic. Your presentation was phenomenal. Thank you so very much.
The City of Zweibrucken will forever hold a special place in my heart, obviously not as special as it is to you, but special nonetheless. As a young 20 year old in the US Air Force I received orders to Zweibrucken Air Base. Up until September of 1981 I had never heard of Zweibrucken Germany, as a matter of fact my commanding officer had not heard of it. So I was left wondering just where and what I was getting into. Little did I know at the time that this little town would become the best assignment I had ever had. For those of us that had the opportunity to live and work there it was the best kept secret in all of the USAF. The people of Zweibrucken are a very special and made me more than welcome during my time there.
I spent 2 years there but my heart has never left. I return almost every year as I do still have some very dear friends living in Rimschweiler. I cannot say that I spent a lot of time in Ixheim, but you can be certain I plan on passing through there on my next visit at the end of April. I was wondering if your house is still there today? Is your fathers factory still there? If so what is it used as? History has always fascinated me, but being able to visit the places I read about and walk in the footsteps of those I have read about is truly inspiring to me. Your book has given me more information on the history of Zweibrucken then any other source, but it has left me thirsting for more. Do you know if there are any other sources for photographs of Zweibrucken available that I may be able to view. I realize almost everything must have gotten destroyed during the war and that is so sad.
I just want to thank you once again for sharing your story, you have offered a perspective that I have never seen before and have opened my eyes to some of the inaccuracy's I have been taught over the years. I know that the war was such a long time ago, and to pass through Zweibrucken today there really are no traces left of it, but I do want to say that the people of Zweibrucken are what make the city. It's not the buildings, it's the heart and soul of those men and women that make it such a special place. I know I am a much better person today for having lived there. It is a part of whom I have become.
Frank Oley, New Castle, Delaware
First, let me remind you of who I am. I got you ready for your PET scan at Imaging for Life in Sarasota and you told me about some of your experiences during WWII. I told you that I was interested in reading your book, but I was a mother of 3 and worked full time so I thought it would take a while for me to get through it. It actually didn't take me all that long-relatively speaking.
I was very impressed with the detail of your experiences. I didn't have to leave much to imagination. Of course, as a woman, I was much more interested in your personal experiences than the exact times of flights over the city and types of planes that dropped the bombs. I did appreciate the history lesson, though. And you obviously did a lot of research to get the details that were in your book. It must have taken many years to compile all of that data.
I was also very interested in hearing the "other side" of the story. I have never spoken to a German about WWII. (I do know a French woman who currently lives in Bradenton. She has spoken of the war from a child's point of view as well.) It was interesting to see it through a German boy's eyes at the actual time of the war. I am an American and have only learned of WWII after the fact from the perspective of American writers who knew the details of the war by the time they wrote about it. You experienced the war not even knowing what Hitler was secretly doing to the Jewish people. So, to read your version is quite different and incredible.
My grandfather on my mother's side was a German Jew (or is it a Jewish German)? He was in America at the time of the war, thankfully. I had never spoken with my grandfather about the war. I don't know what effect the war had on his extended family in particular. Now that I am older, I would like to know, but I can no longer ask him.
I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like to be in the situations you were in. I sometimes felt as if I was there with you when I was reading your book. But, you have scars from it that I will never understand. You must be reminded daily of your experiences in one way, shape, or form. I know you said hearing sirens still gives you chills. They say that "time heals all wounds." I doubt you agree with that statement.
Thank you for sharing your experiences in book form. I am glad that I read it and am more thankful than ever for my own unexciting experiences.
Laurie Davis Sarasota, Florida