In a compelling approach to storytelling; When Europe Was a Prison Camp weaves together two accounts of a family’s eventual escape from Occupied Europe. One; a memoir written by the father in 1941; the other; begun by the son in the 1980s; fills in the story of himself and his mother; supplemented by historical research. The result is both personal and provocative; involving as it does issues of history and memory; fiction and "truth;" courage and resignation. This is not a "Holocaust memoir." The Schrags were Jews; and Otto was interned; under execrable conditions; in southern France. But Otto; with the help of a heroic wife; escaped the camp before the start of massive transfers of prisoners "to the East;" and Peter and his mother escaped from Belgium before the Jews were rounded up and sent to Auschwitz. Yet; the danger and suffering; the comradeship and betrayal; the naïve hopes and cynical despair of those in prison and those in peril are everywhere in evidence.
#303647 in Books Alan Harper 2016-01-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .70 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 0252081579232 pagesWaiting for Buddy Guy Chicago Blues at the Crossroads Music in American Life Paperback
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Great Non-Stop Read for any fan of Chicago BluesBy HershonJonesI have been waiting for this book for decades: An actual book offering a snapshot of the Chicago Blues Scene from 1979 to 1982 approximately with some background of the years before in straight English not academia! This is non-stop reading. It offers a great candid portrait of the musicians; record labels; blues bars of Chicago ass experienced and written by an English fan during that period of time. Why he chose to sit on this book for 35 years of so; who knows. This is non-stop reading for any fan of classic Chicago Blues.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. So it was good to relive those daysBy DeanI have been a drummer in Chicago blues bands since 1976. So it was good to relive those days. It brought back lots of memories. People here in Chicago take this music for granted; but visitors from other countries seem to appreciate it more. Alan's book is very informative on the many blues bands of the time and many who are sadly no longer with us.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Remembering Jimmy Dawkins; Luther Allison; Son SealsBy Blue OxFrom the cover image of a Guild Starfire IV guitar and throughout this 110-page book; this is a good read about interesting times in the history of Chicago blues. A book of this kind does not come out very often; since the number of fans in the blues audience does not always justify all that's involved in getting a book in print; from a publisher's standpoint. This book has the unique perspective of someone from another country who came to Chicago in the late 1970s and early 1980s to hear the music and the stories from a great variety of blues artists and others involved with the music; such as bar owners and record company owners. I am very familiar with the music of this period; since I also was seeing the artists play live and listening to their records during the times mentioned. In fact; I still listen to those records; and also the CDs which came later; that contain some of the greatest recorded blues; to my ears. Sadly; many of the artists have passed on; but their recorded works are close at hand; and some are still with us and recording. One of my major reasons for buying this book was for any glimpse into the life and music of Jimmy Dawkins whose music had great effect on me. Others that impressed me included: Son Seals; Eddy Clearwater; Luther Allison; Otis Rush; Jimmy Johnson; Maurice John Vaughn; Lonnie Brooks; and Buddy Guy; for examples. While I recommend this book for any blues fan; I did not give it five stars due to the author's critiques of a few of my personal favorite blues artists where I have different points-of-view. The blues is still very much with us and is not going away. There are many day-to-day subjects in this old world that lend themselves to this musical form. As we live; experiencing life's ups and downs; thankfully there is a soulful outlet that will help us get through. Do you feel it?
