Small town kid goes to Europe WWII
587978
The author is the from the small Southern cotton mill town of Cordova, AL set hard by the Warrior River in northwest Alabama in the foothills of Appalachia. He comes of age there during the Great Depression, pulls himself up by his boot straps, has adventures as a young man feeling his oats and acting on his testosterone, goes to Europe, has more adventures, fights for his country and does his part to help it win, comes home wounded, has even more adventures, gets well, marries a good hearted and good looking long tall smart woman, and lives a sweet and solid life as ace gent and stand-up guy devoted to his family and community. Prominent in the early part of this autobiography is a fair amount of history about Cordova, AL. Local history seldom gets recorded, so this is a rare glimpse at early twentieth century Cordova, rough as a cob and populated by mostly Celtic folks escaping a hard scrabble life subsistence farming only to trade it for a hard scrabble life working in a cotton mill. Known by the nickname "Speedy" the author was a key player in his hometown for as long as he lived. This autobiography is a must read for folks from Walker County, Alabama, especially those from historic Cordova. Alabama to Anzio should be required reading for the schools there.....PS: Cordova was laid to waste by two tornados on 27 April 2011.
3126379
This book made me appreciate being able to grow up in the war free zone of America. I had "imaginary" air raid drills in elementary school in the 1950's, but Denis had real ones. Real bombs and real soldiers in a small lovely Belgium village forever changing the world as seen through the eyes of a child. Worthwhile reading and worth sending copies to friends! Arlene Worl
1000585
I grew up during the second world war. I also lived in Vietnam with my husband and children during the war there. We vacationed in the Philippines.
1812801
Bob Green tells an amazing story. The citizens of North Platte were there to meet every military troop- train that passed through the town during the Second World War. The whole area of that part of Nebraska donated time, money and food to make sure the serviceman had a meal and a greeting by a friendly face.  Thousands of trains and millions of men came through and the people were always at the ready, from the beginning to the end of the war.
4148198
What a great feel good movie with a small glimpse into life in a small town during WWII.  Well done!
2913250
We follow Pimo a gawky 17 girl crazy Italian boy in Milan at the start of the end of World War II. Being a son of privaledge with a close knit extended family, devoted equally to their Catholic Church, children's education and safety, their top shelf leather purse shop in the fashion district and their love of good food, wine and classical music. Enter Nazis, nightly bombing, abductions of their Jewish musician friends, and a teenager's  will to be treated as an adult verses a child; add a touch of speeding car races and mountain climbing at the apex of the alps Father Re school the city "children "  are shipped to get out of the wart on city.
This is an amazing Italian story that has never been told before.
2116381
It was interesting to see the war's effect on this German Jewish girl who was sent to England to keep her safe when the Nazis were pulling the Jewish families out of their homes and sending them to concentration camps. She was so alone and had a difficult time, having to learn English, being bullied because she had a German accent. Then she was in danger again when the Nazis began bombing London. She had no knowledge of what was happening to her family in Germany - no communication with them.
This story follows the German girl with the friends she makes, the families she is part of and loses, the things she learns along the way. I would recommend this book.
26848
Wonderful memoir written from the memories of a child/adolescent during WWII. What was especially touching was the dogged resourcefulness of the father, the protectionism of the mother, and the viewpoint of a child. Most sad was  that after somehow surviving the war, the Jews were threatened violently when trying to return to theIr homes in Poland. Many were murdered.  How terribly tragic.
178895
Taking a look at the European part of WWII through the eyes of an American fighter pilot was interesting and suspenceful. From the time he bails out over France it is one adventure after another. He's rescued and hidden, then is forced to join the French resistance, being captured by the Germans, his escapes and his journey back to England. He kept the story moving and helped me appreciate our boys sacrifice to make sure America and other countries could be free. It is a book well worth reading if you like history, especially about WWII.
2675230
Wave Me Goodbye is a sweet novel for middle grade readers. Set in Brooklyn during WWII, it tells the story of 13 year old Miriam Liebler, who lives in the only Jewish family in her neighborhood. She suffers some of the usual problems of early teens: boorish boys, angst over what she wants to become, whinny little sisters; but Miriam has other problems, too, like a cousin who dies in the war, a brother shipped off to the Pacific arena, a house guest whose Jewish husband and son were left behind in Germany, and a friendship with a British boy sent overseas during the bombing of London. Teresa R. Funke tells the terrifying aspects of WWII with delicacy and sensitivity for her young readers, but she doesn't sugar-coat the facts, either. This book is a good addition to literature on the American home front during WWII.
1198834
Night is an easy-to-read personal account of the author's experience of living in a small town with very limited outside communication (no phones, newspaper, etc.) and being transported to a German concentration camp during WW II.  It's a day-by-day account which the reader lives along with the author, and you are there . . . vicariously, of course . . . and you live life along with the author.

It would be an excellent choice for high school curriculum and libraries.  Adolescents today have never had to experience the hardships of being imprisoned as the result of war, and our technological lifestyles lead us to forget the atrocities of war.
508269
It was very close to home because of the story of my uncle who on a bomber in WWII.  Yes his died on a training flight.
3037015
I grew up in this small town.

Riding bikes and listening to heavy metal.

I knew some of the author's family.

It's really interesting to look back on the town through his eye and experiences.
4004531
Shirley's book captures the spirit and life of second generation
immigrant children growing up in a small mining town during World
War II.  It brings back so many memories.  The food that was very much the food eaten in the old country and well as the food which
was part of the the local creation.  The method children communicated in two languages to their elders.  The social and religious life that was still much of the old country way, but fast becoming modern American's way.  And above all the old country philosophy which was instilled into all children and which would remain with them forever.
2477094
Well-written book depicting a small town family faced with the impending World War II. Recommend if you enjoy a light read with touches of romance and war set in the middle of the 20th century.
3016433
This is a great WWII book for Junior High and older readers. I ordered it as a gift for a seventh grader and read it first to make sure it was "a good read".
I enjoyed the book and learned some about POW camps,for German soldiers,within the USA during WWII. The book contains a few mild curse words but they are used for their proper meaning, not as slang. It has a good plot that keeps you interested to the end. It starts just a little slow but then begins to pique your interest. I would recommend this book for any young reader interested in history and particularly WWII.
4745885
This was a most interesting depiction of effects of World War II on the lives of the people in this area of Italy.  The bravery of this young 17 year old  boy was extraordinary.