Thank you, thank you, thank you. The book…it is a shame that we have so abused great adjectives i.e. awesome, outstanding, and terrific so (so is “so”)…in the United States Army lingo I will say “a job well done”.
Gerhard, your ability to tell your family’s story was and is a true gift; I understand “labors of love.” You made me laugh and cry and thank God for his mercy to you and your family especially where their lives were at great risk. It is a wonderful story of survival, heartbreak, determination, and love. Your research and capture of such historically valuable documentation was stunning.
Your family’s life story would make a great movie!!!!
-Dick Smith, US Army Colonel (Ret), former faculty member of both the Command & General Staff College and the US Army War College
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Thank you! Thank you! I just finished your book in tears. I couldn’t put it down. I am overcome with joy and sorrow, love and appreciation, all at the same time. You have been given a gift–a gift to put in words what you feel, to give life lessons to those of us who have never experienced what you have endured. I feel honored and blessed to be your friend.
I should have called you, but there is no way I could have said what I am feeling. I will tell everyone I know that they must get this book. Thank you! Thank you!
-Dannie Fouts, Circleville
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Amazing story! Could not put the book down. Everyone should read this!
-Becky Stevens
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Excellently written with passion, humor and forgiveness.
-Stephen Hills, review on Amazon.com
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I can’t say enough wonderful things about this book, it was fantastic! The stories are amazing and when I’m reading, I feel as if I can hear Mr. Maroscher telling the stories to me. I’ve taken the book on vacation with me and was approached by someone who questioned me about the title. It’s definitely one that piques interest!
-Emily Clark, review on Amazon.com
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Gerhard Maroscher’s book is a fantastic account of an Eastern European immigrant family’s actual life experiences over a period of 65 years from 1939 at the beginning of WWII. It is delineated in a manner that not many authors are able to achieve. This family story leaves no stone unturned and is brutally honest in its description of the numerous perils and personal conflicts brought on by war, escape from Communist Eastern Europe, and post-war near starvation in West Germany during a time in world history that no sane person wants to see repeated. The author goes on to acknowledge in a very personal way, how the effects of war and discrimination in Europe impacted everyday life as the entire family adjusted to American life by working extremely hard to make the American dream a reality. It defines why immigrants appreciate America more than any other place on earth and is highly recommended for history buffs and readers with a political science leaning.
-John Archer, review on Amazon.com
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I grew up on my dad’s stories of what he saw in Germany during WW2, stories that took hold in my brain and just never let go. This is a book that is a must-read for any age, should be mandatory in schools actually.
The title might throw you as it did me—but when you read where it stems from you’ll get it, AND agree.
Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here is a big book that is written in clear concise short sections. Easy to follow, horrifying to have to understand, you’ll smile shed a tear, become a cheerleader and root for this family that just never gave up. Two brothers lived due to the strength and ingenuity of their mother, and eventually the determination of both parents. This story is their personal struggle of survival in a horrible time. ~~WELL DONE GERHARD~~
-Linda Marsh, goodreads.com reader
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Fabulous book! Could not put it down!!
-Mary-Ann Baughman Abbott
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I completed reading a wonderful book earlier this week that I think needs to be read by every red-blooded American. This is such a fantastic read. I was running, hiding and starving my way through Chapter 12 with you. I had never heard of the Morgenthau Plan until reading this book. I noticed the parallel of political moves over the last few years with our country with that of Europe in the 1940’s. Then the wonders of immigrating to the United States of America, and realizing the American Dream. I’ve had a great deal of respect for Gerhard for the last 25 years, and this book explains a lot of what experiences turned him into the wonderful person he is. Thank you for finally writing this book Gerhard. It truly has been a blessing. Now to pass it on to my children to experience!
-Christopher Thacker
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Just finishing up your book. Thank you so much for writing it. This book should be required reading for all high school students. I learned so much. I hope more adults pick up your book. Well done, Mr Maroscher.
-Melanie Schleich
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This family’s journey across Europe and to the United States is filled with courage, heartache and the hope for a better life. The author illustrates the impact of WW2 on his family and sheds light on some of the political ramifications. But this book is so much more than just another discussion of political events. With his wonderful sense of humor, the author shares delightful stories about his childhood and gives a heartwarming insight into the simple life in rural Romania and Germany. Having worked as a German teacher myself, I very much enjoyed the numerous scans of original documents (many of which have been translated as well) and appreciate the educational value of the story. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the German language, German history, WW2, the fate of Transylvanian Saxons, the pursuit of the American dream… and to anyone who wants to read an inspiring book that will make you laugh and cry.
-Michael T. Lawson, via Amazon.com
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Wow! What a wonderful book! We must never forget the toll World War II took on all families, no matter what the nationality. The upheaval in Europe was felt everywhere. Yet there is something so beautiful here also – the resilience of the human spirit and the love that binds a family is hard to put into words. Thank you for this account, Mr. Maroscher. And thank you for putting your appreciation for America here also. The U.S. needs to take note.
-“Ciel”, via Amazon.com