Behind the Scenes: Hans Waldemar Remembers Normandy

This post originally appeared on Snark and Sensibility with Linda Wood Rondeau. This year, Thursday June 6th marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings at Normandy. Has it really been eighty years since the turning point of the Second World War? Earlier this spring, I could not shake the feeling that there was somethingContinue reading “Behind the Scenes: Hans Waldemar Remembers Normandy”

Book Reviews and Reflections: Bonhoeffer

I gave this book 5 stars before I even finished it. I honestly don’t know how I can possibly write a review that will give it justice, without the review being so long that you might as well just read the book itself. Here is the succinct review I left on Goodreads: “An incredibly richContinue reading “Book Reviews and Reflections: Bonhoeffer”

Film Reviews and Reflections: The Captain

I know I don’t take enough time to watch movies, not even the movies I need to watch. Case in point: this film was on my list for almost three years! As the poster above states, this film is “darkly evocative.” It is even filmed in black and white, giving it the feel of filmContinue reading “Film Reviews and Reflections: The Captain”

Book Review and Reflections: The Last Hours in Paris

I have a confession: I have a very, very hard time reading a lot of the World War II fiction out there. I know, the experts say you have to read in your genre, and of course I do, but the majority of my WW2-related reading consists of soldier memoirs and non-fiction. When it comesContinue reading “Book Review and Reflections: The Last Hours in Paris”

Wandering Around Germany: Munich

Has it really taken me this long to post about one of the most popular cities in Germany? Granted, we were there about a month before its famed Oktoberfest, but this city boasts history and culture year ’round. In the four days we spent there in August, 2022, we barely scratched the surface! München, asContinue reading “Wandering Around Germany: Munich”

Book Reviews and Reflections: The Outlaws

Ernst von Salomon’s book The Outlaws sat on my TBR for almost two years. It caught my attention as I was still contemplating what to do after I published my debut novel, Sani: The German Medic, and whether or not I was even going to continue writing. I thought it would be great for myContinue reading “Book Reviews and Reflections: The Outlaws”

Wandering Around Germany: Hamburg

Recently, a post on X asked whether or not Hamburg lives up to its reputation. It raised quite a debate! Whether or not Germany’s “Gateway to the world” lives up to the hype, we had a LOT of fun! Our time there was filled with spontaneity, and we ended up staying longer than we planned.Continue reading “Wandering Around Germany: Hamburg”

Book and Film Review: The Sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff

Today’s post will be a combined review of a book, Death on the Baltic by Cathryn J. Prince, and a German Film, Die Gustloff. Before I dive into these, however, I want to give some background on the little-known WW2 sinking of the German cruise liner, MV Wilhelm Gustloff. By January 1945, the Russian armyContinue reading “Book and Film Review: The Sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff”

Book Reviews and Reflections: The Hangman and His Wife

The full title of this book is The Hangman and His Wife: The Life and Death of Reinhard Heydrich. If you read my post on Jakob Schmidt, you probably remember me referring to this book months ago. Well, because I have multiple books going at once, I just finished it. It was lengthy but wellContinue reading “Book Reviews and Reflections: The Hangman and His Wife”

Film Reviews and Reflections: Downfall

Today’s post will be the first in a new series that includes: Film Reviews and ReflectionsBook Reviews and Reflections I have watched so many great movies and read so many fascinating books in the last few years. I decided that I need a place to share reviews and thoughts, especially with those who share myContinue reading “Film Reviews and Reflections: Downfall”