some of the war descriptions are tough to hear, this is an amazing story of a failed coup against Hitler and how it affected those involved as well assome of the war descriptions are tough to hear, this is an amazing story of a failed coup against Hitler and how it affected those involved as well as anyone related to them.
Merged review:
some of the war descriptions are tough to hear, this is an amazing story of a failed coup against Hitler and how it affected those involved as well as anyone related to them....more
While this book was well written and easy to 'read' (listen to), I did not like Emmy. Almost any choice she made I thought 'No! don't do that!' and thWhile this book was well written and easy to 'read' (listen to), I did not like Emmy. Almost any choice she made I thought 'No! don't do that!' and then (SPOILER ALERT) she gets away with it and everything turns out well....for her. No life lessons here. I didn't know it was first in a series, I won't be looking for anymore, although I might give the author another try sans Emmy Lake. ...more
Fascinating history of the French resistance to the Nazi invasion of France and the brave women and men who risked and sometimes gave their lives to fFascinating history of the French resistance to the Nazi invasion of France and the brave women and men who risked and sometimes gave their lives to free France. My advice would be to read rather than listen, I had trouble with the names....more
I LOVE this book. Two sisters sent away from their London home to avoid the Blitz. It's not a novel story, after all we have Lewis' Wardrobe, but therI LOVE this book. Two sisters sent away from their London home to avoid the Blitz. It's not a novel story, after all we have Lewis' Wardrobe, but there is a twist here. I'm sure that there are readers out there that would disagree with me, but (a bit of a spoiler here)
a happy ending is really nice to have. The story of Hazel and Flora and their Secret Land of Whisper Wood book was so inviting, I was very comfortable there. The book brought many tears and I didn't want it to end, except it did end so well. The narration is excellent, this was very satisfying book for me. ...more
I've often commented on the frequent connections I find in my randomly chosen books. The Imperfects by Amy Meyerson, is a novel about the near un-doinI've often commented on the frequent connections I find in my randomly chosen books. The Imperfects by Amy Meyerson, is a novel about the near un-doing of a dysfunctional family with the passing of Grandmother. A valuable diamond left to one granddaughter leads the family on a mysterious quest to find a link with the end of the reign of the Habsburg dynasty of Austria. A video interview of Zita, wife of Charles, provides the needed proof of the family's legitimate link to the precious gem. Last Call is nonfiction and early on addresses the fal of the Habsburgs and recounts the historical incident referenced in the novel. Synchronicity aside, this accounting of foreign correspondents opened my view of the role of the Media in public and private opinion. I didn't really need or care to learn of the myriad of moral indiscretions of the reporters mentioned, but their experiences in bringing news of pre - and post World War Europe were very educational and sometimes enlightening. The shame of the world and specifically of the USA for taking a blind eye to the truth of Hitler's plan of Ayran dominance continues and seems to be a lesson unlearned as current events repeat past history. As stated so well and often by Russell M Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is NO place for racism and prejudice. We must all learn to judge less and love more....more
I was in High school during the war in Viet Nam and it seemed so far away. As an adult I have known a couple of vets who saw action there one good friI was in High school during the war in Viet Nam and it seemed so far away. As an adult I have known a couple of vets who saw action there one good friend who suffers the results of exposure to agent orange. This fictionalized version of one woman's experience serving as a US Army nurse is eye opening, not only the fact that she and others like her were there, but also how many returning soldiers were treated when they came home. It is hard to learn of another dark time in the history of our government. ...more
Women have been fighting for such a long time. 3 1/2 to 4 stars. Didn't love the narrationWomen have been fighting for such a long time. 3 1/2 to 4 stars. Didn't love the narration...more
I had trouble keeping some of the families straight, I think reading it would have made that easier rather than listening.
Matilda: "Day to day a slip I had trouble keeping some of the families straight, I think reading it would have made that easier rather than listening.
Matilda: "Day to day a slip of the memory doesn't matter much but when you add them up over time they become a landslide called old age. Remember me in the rubble"
"It's here, the day I've dreaded has arrived-I'm old (so am I...) I'm breaking down like a used car. As long as it still runs and gets you where you want to go, who cares? Even when we're broken, we're beautiful."...more
The story of the raising of the American flag on Iwo jima told by the son of John Bradley who was in the famous photograph. "No matter the beauty of thThe story of the raising of the American flag on Iwo jima told by the son of John Bradley who was in the famous photograph. "No matter the beauty of the photograph, war is hell." Amen...more
I don't understand why this is shelved as fiction when it clearly is not. Perhaps fictionally filled in, but real people and real incidents. How interI don't understand why this is shelved as fiction when it clearly is not. Perhaps fictionally filled in, but real people and real incidents. How interesting it is that the sisters actually knew the Tattooist of Auschwitz. Well written and the afterwards are imperative to read/listen to. Let's not ever forget the Holocaust or allow such a horror to happen again, but let us learn from the resilience of the survivors....more
It was odd to realize the time table of this story, I always feel that WWII and the Holocaust were so long ago but in this novel it is linked to the bIt was odd to realize the time table of this story, I always feel that WWII and the Holocaust were so long ago but in this novel it is linked to the books present which, granted, is actually over 30 years ago. Somehow though, at this point 30 years does not feel like such a long time ago. The plot has a very clever twist that is well done. The book has my 'stamp' of approval. ; -)...more
Didn't feel like The Lilac Girls. More like it was written by a Jane Austen want to be. Didn't feel like The Lilac Girls. More like it was written by a Jane Austen want to be. ...more
a fascinating, fictional historical novel about the real American library in Paris. i listened to the audio version, which is very well done but at fia fascinating, fictional historical novel about the real American library in Paris. i listened to the audio version, which is very well done but at first i had a little trouble keeping characters and locations straight. after a few 'rewinds' i was on the right page ; - ). i love books and ever since i first visited the niagara falls public library as a young child (what?!! i can choose any books i want and take them home?!! how cool is that!), libraries have been a source of great pleasure for me. i especially enjoyed listening to the author's note about the real librarians....more
A totally different Holocaust experience, the depravations, perseverance, steadfastness, of Jews who were not interred in the death camps, but were puA totally different Holocaust experience, the depravations, perseverance, steadfastness, of Jews who were not interred in the death camps, but were put onto Ghettos and then subjected to life or death (lotteries). The Rabinowitz family survived by hiding in a hand dug cellar beneath a garage, sneaking out and beneath the Ghetto fence and into the forest where they lived until the war ended. That did not end the prejudice against them, and they found that they could no longer call Poland home. Frankel has done an excellent job researching the lives of the family and the history of the time. The audio version includes parts of her interviews with Ruth and Tanya. This true story is full of courage and hope, compassion and coincidence. The Ravinowitz maintain their integrity and family bonds throughout and after the trauma they faced during the Holocaust. May we never forget ...more
I loved this book! How wonderful to meet a protagonist with such high moral standards and integrity. I will look for the movie but am not thrilled thaI loved this book! How wonderful to meet a protagonist with such high moral standards and integrity. I will look for the movie but am not thrilled that Tom Hanks cast himself as the Capt. He obviously has a higher opinion of himself than I do...One of the Bridges would do, maybe they are too old? ...more
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