Books, Writing, History, and Me
In “Books, Writing, History, and Me” I share my thoughts on travel, cooking, van-life, books, the process of writing, the experiences of an indie-publisher, WWII, the Holocaust, and anything else I feel might be of interest to readers of my books. Please send me comments and let me know what you like and what you want to know more about. Everything in this blog reflects my personal ideas and feelings–a memoir of sorts, it is my perspective and any errors or omissions are mine.
World War II Veterans Are In Their 90s
Last week, I read an article in the Smithsonian Magazine , titled, “Lone Star,” a tribute to a 91 year old WWII veteran. Written by Al Reinert, the story touched my heart with its description of the wartime experiences and current struggles with aging experienced by Ray Halliburton of Luling, Texas. Illustrated with poignant photos of Ray, the…
December 7, 1941- The News of Pearl Harbor Hits Los Angeles
Dear Readers, I am taking a break from writing in order to spend time with family and friends over the Holidays. However, the first week of December always reminds me of the disastrous day that resulted in the United States entering World War II. In Immigrant Soldier, Herman is in Los Angeles on leave when he…
On The Road With Herman
Herman and I have been on the road for two weeks. First in Florida, now in Arkansas, I have been visiting dear friends and making presentations at several community venues. It has been at the same time, pleasant, enlightening, and occasionally frustrating. Never entirely comfortable with public speaking, I have surprised myself by how much…
The Best Job in the World – Working at the Zebra Room in Los Angeles
“Herman was sure he had landed a job in one of the most exciting nightclubs in Los Angeles. The Zebra Room Cocktail Lounge, its tall chairs upholstered in zebra skin, hummed with action from afternoon until long after midnight.” – Immigrant Soldier, p. 141 Herman’s life was studded with serendipity. One of those moments, meeting the bartender…
We Are Readers – An Author’s Favorite Childhood Books
Most writers are also devoted readers. In fact, a love of reading, books, indeed for stories of all kinds, is almost always at the heart of why we begin writing. Most of us read voraciously from an early age. I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorite books from all…
A Jewish Question – Herman’s Friendship with Richard Schulze-Kossens
Recently I have received comments from Jewish readers of Immigrant Soldier regarding Herman’s friendship with the SS Officer Richard Schulze. One of these, an acquaintance and fellow author, wrote, “I understand that your uncle needed the help of Schulze to organize the POW camp, but I’m wondering how he could let their relationship become a close friendship considering…
Finding My Radio Voice
I have been on the radio twice and it still makes me nervous. We in Laguna Beach (California) are lucky to have our own radio station, KX 93.5 FM. It is a commercial-free, community station that plays music from the 1960s forward, interviews local personalities, and announces area events. Though it has only been in operation…
The Blitz
1940: “The news from Britain was ominous. Herman began to have trouble getting to sleep at night. He would lie in bed for hours, his mind a jumble of worries, watching the dawn light creep through his apartment window. He could not banish thoughts of his mother and sister trapped in London while German planes…
A Stranger in Paradise
Herman arrived in California in mid-December 1939, after a long cross-country trip on a Trailways bus. As a new immigrant, all he wanted was a place to put down roots, a job that could sustain him, and a better life than he had lived in Germany under Hitler. What he found was paradise. The letters…
A Community of Immigrants, Chicago 1939
Herman arrived in Chicago to visit with his relatives on a cold and blustery day in November 1939. The city had a large and growing Jewish community, many of whom were actively involved in aiding refugees from Nazi Germany. In fact, without the affidavit of financial support from Herbert Oberfelder, Herman would probably not have…