My dad, Bert Martin, was taken prisoner at Tobruk with 30,000 other men.
He kept his diary, recently published, thoughout captivity in N Africa, Italy and Germany, before finally finding his way home to his wife, May, in his native Suffolk.
Perhaps hard to judge a book by its cover. A recent review by 'Matthew' on Amazon gives an account of the content:
".... I think it is important to know up-front that this is essentially a diary of a prisoner and not the tale of a big war hero. So much of the text is a detailed list of what was (or wasn't) eaten...It really paints a picture of what life was like for this very young man... His story does not take place in a cell, but rather in several different camps and ships and planes and buses...even a factory and a bakery....
"You can read between the lines what was happening in the war as times actually got tough for the prisoners when supplies were cut off by the Allies. There is a fair amount of action: a major bombing and the aftermath. The last few sections were so interesting to me: the chaos of the end of the war.
"I would highly recommend this book to any History buffs and think that it should be required reading for History teachers. There are so many WWII films and books...that are fiction or at least dramatized. This is real. This is precious history. I know I have thought quite a lot about Bert in the last few days after reading it."
Like many men, my dad did not speak much about his experiences but he started his diary 'through sheer want of something to do' which has enabled his story - an ordinary soldier's story - to be told.
Thank you to all my 35 friends who have read the book and who have written reviews, much appreciated.
Amazon (paperback/kindle) and Apple Books
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/48098930413
Lisa, it is on Amazon in paperback or kindle and on Apple Books.
Babs, he was! Thanks for your appreciation.
I did have a few 'moments' on first reading this, Pat, as it sums up what I hoped folk would take from the book. I have also posted this on a few WW2 groups on Facebook and have had a great response, some of that quite emotional too hearing other people's stories about their loved ones.
That's quite a profound comment about your feelings towards the war changing, Joanne. Thank you for sharing.