Out of hundreds of books submitted, my memoir Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here? was selected as one of the top 100 “Notable” books of 2021 by the Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition!
You can view the issue free online: https://shelfmediagroup.com/portfolio/december-january-2022/
Get your own signed copy of my memoir at right here or order a copy from Amazon.
Below are the two most recent five-star reviews. Short but sweet!
Fully 98% of the reviews are five-star, the remaining 2% are four-stars.The only way to find out who is correct, the 98% or the 2% people, is to purchase your own!
I just finished reading “Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here?” and enjoyed it from the beginning to end. Very well written, easy to read, and wouldn’t be surprised to see it made into a movie. It an eye-opener for first-generation Americans. Amazing true story.
–Betsy Sidorenko, verified purchase
All Americans need to read this and be more grateful for what we have. This book is well written and draws you in and keeps you there.
–Haley, verified purchase
Read more reviews – and get your own copy – on Amazon.com or get a signed copy here on this website!
A high school student created these for me as thanks for speaking to her class. When high school students hear my story, they react positively. They are eager to learn living history. Several years ago, I was entertained by one student’s comment, “I thought this was going to be another boring speech. I was dreading it. It was very interesting. Thank you.”
You can purchase a copy of my memoir from Amazon.com, and signed copies are available here.
The latest person to post a review on Amazon captures the essence of my story in very few words:
5 out of 5 stars — October 18, 2019
“The power of this book is in the unspoken meanings of each vignette. This is an extremely personal and intimate account told simply in short chapters. Gerhard Maroscher tells his family story honestly and openly, hiding nothing. The power of this book is not in his words, but in the deeper meaning and emotions that accompany each chapter. Simple events had potentially dire outcomes. We can learn so much individually, as a community, and as a country, from this little family of four.”
-Linda
Two or three months ago I entered my memoir in the IAN (Independent Author Network) Book of the Year Awards. I’m pleased with the good news I just received from IAN:
We are pleased to announce that your book, Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here?, is a winner in the 2019 IAN Book of the Year Awards!
When judging completed, Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here?, was selected as a finalist in one category: Memoir/Biography/Autobiography.
Independent Author Network
It’s not every day you get a review written by a Lt. Col, USAF! Here’s what Herr Joseph (Joseph P. Contino, of Lithopolis’s Das Kaffeehaus von Frau Burkhart) had to say about the book:
Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here? is a must read for anyone who is engaged in professional military education (PME) at the Squadron Officer School level and above or just the casual reader who is merely curious to educate themselves on what true hardship AND success looks like for real people.
From a military history angle, it puts into relevant context WWII Germany from a war torn victim’s perspective. The reader experiences everything from the enemy’s movement and tactics and their political motivations at the end of the war, to US policy and how both had a direct and lasting impact on a family. Gerhard Maroscher touches on everything from the enemy’s military structure and modus operandi during their time of desperation and how that intertwined with the American advance and eventual victory in the region. Most importantly, those two factors are again told from a civilian perspective which presents a very unique and real learning experience, for not only military professionals engaged in PME , but for frankly any breathing human being that has never had the “pleasure” of suffering such atrocities and LEARNING form them!
This memoir is a masterpiece in how it also bridges the gap of personal and family wartime strife to the American story. This leaves readers with an authentic appreciation for our great country that they may otherwise never have an opportunity to experience considering today’s soft environment. It is a treasure to read a book that a rare life lesson and learning experience can be garnered from – the kind that most people (thank God) will never have to endure.
Maroscher also allows other family members to give their “take” on stories told by him in the first person – a welcoming multi perspective that pulls you into the book.
Maroscher’s story should be required reading for any service officer PME let alone any high school history class and beyond – a true eye-opening experience that is relevant on so many social and political levels today. On the most trivial of levels, this book at the very least should stand as a reminder to all of us what really is important in life and what is truly nonsensical fluff….
Joseph P. Contino, Lt. Col, USAF
In yesterday’s mail I received a large envelope from my state representative, Ron Hood. Upon opening it I discovered I have received a certificate of recognition by The General Assembly of Ohio for winning the 2016 Independent Author Network Book of the Year in non-fiction/history. Obviously the assembly does not have enough to do, but I appreciate the award anyway!
Here is the full text of the document:
On behalf of the House of Representatives of the 131st General Assembly of Ohio, we are pleased to pay tribute to Gerhard Maroscher on winning the non-fiction/history category of the 2016 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards.
A creative and talented individual, you have demonstrated exemplary initiative, enthusiasm, and perseverance in developing and sharing your skills, and as a result, your book, entitled “Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here?” won first place in the non-fiction/history category of this year’s IAN Book of the Year Awards. Your unwavering commitment to literary excellence has earned you a reputation as a truly gifted author, and you are deserving of high praise.
You have worked tirelessly to develop your special talents of expression, and through your writing, you have touched, inspired, a gained the respect of many. Your success is a justifiable source of pride for you and your community, and we are certain that as you further pursue your interests, you will continue to make invaluable contributions to your community and to the world around you.
Thus, with sincere pleasure, we commend you for tremendous achievement and salute you as a fine Ohioan.
[The Seal of Ohio]
Signatures by Representative Ron Hood of House District 78, Representative Gary K. Scherer of House District 92, and Clifford A. Rosenberger, speaker Ohio House of Representatives.
Update: this recognition has been mentioned in the Circleville Herald, Gerhard’s hometown newspaper!
Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here? has won the “Outstanding Non-Fiction: History” category in the Independent Author Network (IAN) 2016 Book of the Year awards!
The book is still in consideration for the overall 2016 Book of the Year award as well, which will be announced on September 1, 2016.
From the IAN website:
The Independent Author Network (IAN) is a community of authors who are self-published or published by a small indie press. IAN promotes authors to more than 540,000 Twitter followers and 100,000 Facebook fans.
The Book of the Year contest draws entries from around the world.
Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here? has been selected as a History category finalist in the Independent Author Network’s 2016 Book of the Year awards.
The category winners will be announced on August 15th. Update: The book won the Non-Fiction History category for 2016!