The Lights and the Beautiful Lady

Registered by ResQgeek of Alexandria, Virginia USA on 10/24/2006
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11 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by ResQgeek from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Tuesday, October 24, 2006
During WWII, my father's uncle served as a flight engineer and top turret gunner on a B-17 based in England. On his sixth mission, his plane was shot down over Germany, and he spent the final fifteen months of the war as a POW. Forty years later, he and his second wife wrote and self-published this short memoir of his experiences during the Second World War. Only a very limited number of copies were printed, and the technology of the time limited the quality of the reproductions included in the book.

In the last year, I volunteered to produce a new edition of this book, using modern digital equipment to provide better reproductions of the photos and documents in the book. After several months of work, this is the final product. The story is a bit rough around the edges, but this is my great-uncle's story, the way he wanted to tell it, now available for a wider audience.


This book is available from Lulu.com in both a hardcover and a paperback edition.


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Journal Entry 2 by ResQgeek from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Tuesday, October 24, 2006
I've been reading other books about the experiences of Allied prisoners in Germany during the Second World War, and I've come to the conclusion that my great-uncle was selective in what he wanted to share about his experiences. My guess is that some memories were simply too painful to commit to paper. Even so, this story sheds some light on the experiences of soldiers in war, and helps to provide a more personal glimpse into the horrors of war. It serves as a small piece of the larger jigsaw puzzle that makes up a complete view of the war and its impacts.

My great-uncle and his wife wanted to share his story, and to help accomplish that goal, I'm offering this copy as an international BookRay. I will attempt to honor requests for shipping preferences, but this slim trade paperback (88 pages) should not be terribly expensive to ship internationally (ground shipping is perfectly acceptable). Please make a journal entry when you receive the book, so we know it arrived safely, and post your thoughts after reading the book. Be sure you send a private message to the next person in the ray for their mailing information.


BookRay

  1. TexasWren and johnnyzero, Texas (Int'l ok)
  2. stacypete2002, Oklahoma (??)
  3. acountkel, North Carolina (Int'l ok)
  4. omly, Massachusetts (Int'l ok)
  5. Fifna, Netherlands (Int'l ok)
  6. aleonblue, Queensland, Australia (Int'l ok)
  7. Skyring, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (Int'l ok)
  8. KnightsLady, Washington (??)
  9. Antof9, Colorado (Int'l ok)


Journal Entry 3 by ResQgeek from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Friday, November 3, 2006
I just mailed this off to Texas today, to get this bookray started. Note to U.S. Participants: I packaged it in a padded envelope and was still able to mail it First Class for the same price as Media Mail. If you use a plain paper envelope, First Class should be cheaper (as well as faster) than Media Mail.

If you think of someone you think might enjoy participating in this bookray, please have them contact me. Meanwhile, I hope you all enjoy the book.

Journal Entry 4 by TexasWren from Hillsboro, Texas USA on Tuesday, November 7, 2006
It arrived safely. I had to wait until Johnnie got in the shower to get the BCID so I could register it. He wasn't willing to give it up before. ;-)

I'll read it when he's done and get it moving along. Thanks for sending it.

Edited because I don't want to make another entry and mess up the books stats. I should have let Johnniezero catch the book first, I guess.

Anyway, what can I say? I can echo Johnnie's comment that there should be more books like this out there. I was reading it on the way to Fort Worth today, and I know they wondered why I had been crying. The newspaper clipping on page 44, encouraging the town to support the soldiers by doing all the sacrifices at home got to me. I've heard my mom talk about the changes in their lives during the war, and I actually have several books of ration coupons from family members.

And the suffering---this isn't the first story I've read that told of unimaginable suffering, but no matter how many I read, it's still beyond comprehension. How does a man go on with an eyeball hanging out, no food, dysentery, blistered feet, horrible thirst, fear, discouragement? And over and over, there are stories of people helping others and sharing, as your uncle did.

Throughout the story, I had wondered if the family name was of German origin. When Connie arrived home, and his dad said, "Gott in Himmel!", it opened a whole new avenue of wonder. What sort of thoughts must have gone through his mind all of those months, knowing that the country of his birth was doing unspeakable things to his son. Can you imagine what that must have felt like? I can't. It's too horrible.

When Johnnie was reading it, he came into my office and had me read the letter from Lt. Guynn. So good of him to write and care about his friend's parents. I'm glad they saved that letter.

ResQgeek, you did an excellent job! Thank you for introducing us to your uncle.

Journal Entry 5 by johnnyzero from Hillsboro, Texas USA on Thursday, November 9, 2006
Outstanding, just outstanding. I wish there were hundreds of book out there like this, ordinary guys sharing their memories.

Appreciate the chance to read it.
Wren will read it next and send it along.

Journal Entry 6 by johnnyzero from Hillsboro, Texas USA on Tuesday, November 14, 2006
We've both read it, and Wren edited her earlier entry to write her comments.

Headed out to the next person tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing.

Journal Entry 7 by stacypete2002 from Olustee, Oklahoma USA on Sunday, November 19, 2006
thanks for the book.

Journal Entry 8 by stacypete2002 from Olustee, Oklahoma USA on Saturday, December 9, 2006
THIS WAS A GREAT READ. I WOULD LOVE TO KEEP IT AND READ IT LATER, BUT I WILL PASS IT ON AND SPREAD THE NEWS.

Journal Entry 9 by acountkel from Charlotte, North Carolina USA on Saturday, December 16, 2006
I can't wait to read this book!
Thank you so much ResQgeek for sharing this.
Thank you stacy for sending.
I will read as soon as I finish a couple rings.

Journal Entry 10 by acountkel from Charlotte, North Carolina USA on Monday, December 25, 2006
- I feel very honored to have had the opportunity to possess this book for the short time I have it. Reading it was humbling. It truly is a reminder of the spirit and the human sacrifice of the men who fought for the allied force in WWII. This book is very special. I thank Connie’s family for sharing such a personal account of such a tumultuous time. And of course ResQGeek for sending this out as a ray. Every bookcrosser should have the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Will mail to the next person sometime this week.

Journal Entry 11 by omly from Arlington, Massachusetts USA on Monday, January 8, 2007
This arrived today, and I should get to it shortly.

Journal Entry 12 by omly from Arlington, Massachusetts USA on Saturday, February 24, 2007
Reading this book has sparked a fair bit of discussion with my grandmother about her experiences in WWII. My grandfather had been on a ship in the Pacific, while she was in CA. She remembers very well the rationing (and subsequent black market in ration stamps), the burst of employment even for women, and the worry.

Thank you so much for the chance to read this. In particular I enjoyed the news clippings and other supplemental material. As the war was not something my grandfather would talk about when he was alive, it means a lot to get this glimpse into the experience of another soldier, even in a very different arena.

Journal Entry 13 by wingFifnawing from Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Thursday, March 22, 2007
Arrived today, thanks for sending, omly!

Journal Entry 14 by wingFifnawing from Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Thursday, March 29, 2007
Reading people's personal experiences gives you so much more insight into this dark period in our history. And this was no exception, yet we today can never truly know what it was like to go through such suffering, in Connie's case in, and at the hands of, the country where his family orginally came from.
Thank you ResQgeek for sharing your great-uncle's story with us. I'll PM aleonblue for an address.

Journal Entry 15 by wingFifnawing from Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Friday, April 13, 2007
Sent on its way to aleonblue today!

Journal Entry 16 by aleonblue from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, April 24, 2007
This little book landed in my mailbox last night. Looks like a quick read - thanks to all for sharing the book, and to Fifna for the great postcard!

Journal Entry 17 by aleonblue from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, April 24, 2007
What a wonderful personal journal of experiences in such terrible times in our history. I read it on a very apt day - ANZAC day when the Australian nation stops to remember the fallen Australian and New Zealand service personnel. Thanks to ResQgeek - you did a great job with this book.

Released 16 yrs ago (4/25/2007 UTC) at Fellow BookCrosser in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia

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Posting this book off to fello-Aussie Skyring, who has spent the last few days with ResQgeek (at the Charleston BC Convention) and heard all about the "putting together" of the book for this edition. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 19 by Skyring from Reid, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Tuesday, May 1, 2007
I had a tiny hand in the making of this book, as it was me who introduced ResQgeek to Lulu.com, the print-on-demand publisher.

And I'm honoured to have spent a few days in ResQgeek's company in Charleston, where he described the production of this book. My grandfather spent much of the war in POW camps in Germany and it was only in his last few years that he would talk about his experiences at all.

Looking forward to reading this.

In the meantime, here's a picture of ResQgeek with a small snack.

Journal Entry 20 by Skyring from Reid, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, May 7, 2007
When I first saw you, ResQgeek, you were wearing a Machias Emergency Services jacket. So when I read about your uncle and the reaction of his hometown, I felt I already knew a little about him.

A member of "The Greatest Generation", he did his bit and it seems he had a lot of hardship, especially towards the end of the war. But not one word of complaint.

I'm very glad that you repackaged and republished this little book. Not a great tale of heroism and sacrifice, even though he won the Silver Star, but just an ordinary American doing his duty to set the world to rights. I read it in a sitting, following along with Connie to see what would come next. Sometimes joy, sometimes heartbreak. But always optimism.

And I was wondering about the title, until I read the last chapter. I caught a glimpse of the Beautiful Lady last month, and I'd seen her even closer last year. Long may the torch of liberty shine out!

Journal Entry 21 by Skyring from Reid, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, June 18, 2007
I've been very tardy with this book, but by now it is on its way back over the Pacific, along with some Tim Tams to sweeten the delay.

Journal Entry 22 by KnightsLady from Ellensburg, Washington USA on Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Fantic book. I read it in 5 hours. Very good detail and interesting facts. Ready to go off to next person. Thank you to the last person for the treat...it was great...off to let the next person know it is there turn.

Released 16 yrs ago (7/22/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

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On its way to Antof9, Colorado. Enjoy!!!!!!

Journal Entry 24 by Antof9 from Lakewood, Colorado USA on Friday, July 27, 2007
It''s here in Colorado! It actually got here really quickly -- it was in last night''s mail :)

I can''t wait to read this -- I knew I''d like it, and there''s even a note on the back of the envelope: Enjoy! I really like this book and hope you do too! from KnightsLady as an affirmation of my assumption :)

I have one other ring book in front of it, and I''m on a business trip next week so can''t take it with me (I only take books on trips that get left behind). I''ll jump right in after I get back.

How fun to see so many familiar names in previous journal entries on this too!

I'll find a pic of ResQgeek from the Charleston Convention for this journal entry. Looks like Skyring already got the pic of the Piece of Cake that Ate Charleston!

Update: nope, you get a cake shot from me too! I love this one because of how hard he's laughing in it :) As I recall, we were talking about when big snakes (boa constrictors?) eat something smallish, like a puppy or something, and you can see the outline of the animal in the snake ... the idea was that when the Geek ate that MONSTROUS piece of cake, there'd be a triangular wedge sticking out of his stomach!

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