"The Flame Keepers" by Ned Handy (2004)

One of my favorite Christmas movies has always been “Stalag 17” with William Holden. Though not considered to be a holiday film by most, the film does take place the week before Christmas. I always felt it offered somewhat of a real life peek inside of a POW camp. And in some respects it did just that. But, overall no movie can ever really capture the horror of being a Prisoner of War. When that film was made into a TV comedy called “Hogan’s Hero’s”, the bar between reality and what these prisoners actually went through was further blurred.

Imagine my surprise at finding this book in the stacks at the Mooresville Public Library in North Carolina the other day. Written by Mr. Handy in 2004 this book sets the record straight once and for all about Stalag 17. It wasn’t just a Broadway play, or a Hollywood movie, or even a TV show. It was years of hell for the men who lived through it; a hell they would never forget; though some would push it back further in their subconscious, only to have it come back to the forefront and haunt them years after the fact. Such was the case with Mr. Handy.

The film, written for the screen by director Billy Wilder and Edwin Blum; was originally a play by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski. It is uncannily similar to this book. Where the film has a character named Animal, this book has one named Beast. There is also a fellow from Brooklyn and a few other recognizable characters who will remind you of the movie. This actually makes the whole thing immensely readable. It does not diminish, in any way, from the intensity of what Mr. Handy experienced. Rather, it heightens the experience as you have an immediate connection with the characters from having “seen” them before.

The men in Mr. Handy’s barracks decide to escape; and after obtaining permission from the barracks coordinator; actually dig a tunnel which connects to an abandoned storm drain. The book is an invaluable insight into what life was like for the thousands of Army Air Corp prisoners held by the Nazis all throughout the war.

The book is also an invaluable insight into the mind on one man; and those around him; and how they coped, or did not, with their long imprisonment. New ways to think and dream, as well as remember, become crucial to survival. The author makes this discovery early on in his ordeal, reinforcing the notion that the key to one’s freedom really does lie within.

Note: Mr. Handy, and his story, are featured in the Bonus Materials on the re-released version of the film "Stalag 17". I watched that part of the DVD for the first time last night after finishing this book.

At Ease- Stories I Tell to Friends by Dwight D. Eisenhower

The first President I remember is Dwight Eishenhower. The Commanding General of Allied Forces in Europe during World war II, he is mostly remembered as a taciturn and reserved fellow. This book will dispel that notion.

Written in 1965-6 and published in 1967, this book is an unusual insight to a most unusual man. While the years of his Presidency are known for their “Father Knows Best” type atmosphere- bland, black and white - everything perfect- this book displays a side of Eisenhower we don’t really see or hear of too often.

This book delves only slightly into his family history- the story really begins with his appointment to West Point in 1911. One big surprise to most readers will be that Ike never saw combat in the First World War. He was assigned to the Quartermasters Corp. And the Ambulance Corps. And the fledgling Tank Corps. These assignments would take him on a cross country trip at the end of the war- testing tanks and rewriting battle tactics. This was also the period in which Eisenhower became interested in road building in America- envisioning a 2 lane cross country highway along the lines of the nascent Lincoln Highway- at the time the best road in America. As we all know now- that idea was bolstered by his service in Europe in World War II and his admiration for the German Autobahn. This led to his efforts, as President, in establishing the present day Highway system that we have all come to depend upon and bears his name.

It is during these first post war years that he forms a lifetime friendship with a returning Veteran of the Combat in Europe- George S. Patton. Having had experience in battle with French Renault tanks made him a very desireable friend for Ike and the two lost no time in concentrating their efforts on “rewriting the book” so to speak on tactics.

The book covers the Panama troubles in the 1920’s and 30’s- the Bonus Army in Washington in 1932 and some of the World War II years. The book is written plainly and captures the style of Eisenhowers demeanor- in a word- measured.

Loaded with anecdotes and stories of his many travels, this book is a very enjoyable and interesting read- sort of like having your Grandfather telling you about the old days.