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Rating: 
Summary: wonderful for a high school or college book report
Review: i ejoy reading ANNI ADAMS` for my senior high year book report meeting of anni adams` the buterfly of luxembourg. ANNI ADAMS` ADAMS` A SPEICAL WOMEN. JUST LOOK WHAT THE FAITH CAN DO . GOD BLESS LONNIE STORY FOR WRITING THIS HEART WARNING STORY,
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read for all Americans
Review: How fortunate we are today to have this actual account of ones life lived during the midst of World War II. Anni was ten years old when the Germans moved through Luxemburg and author Lonnie Story captures her memories of the hardships, and tragedies faced by her family living in the midst of this terrible war. Most of our memories about this era are from seeing newsreels when we were young, or from history text books. This account takes us to the everyday life of one trying to survive, and later to enjoy the freedom of living in our great country. This is a must read for all Americans, especially those interested in true stories, not fiction, and the events of World War II. I wonder how many other "butterflies" had memories like this, but they have been lost because no one took the time to record them.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for younger readers....
Review: I continue to read and enjoy biographies reflecting life as it was lived in Europe before, during, and immediately after WWII because I want to know more about the world that was so cruelly destroyed by fools. Most of the books I've read set in this period are about combat, but a few are about the civilians who survived the scene. Generally, I find the civilians have had a far worse time of it-at least the soldiers seem to eat fairly regularly. I read ANNI ADAMS: THE BUTTERFLY OF LUXUMBOURG expecting the biography of a woman who lived in these interesting times and survived them to be a good read, but having read such works as Embattled Selves and Woman in Amber I found the `butterfly' story a bit jejune.
In some ways, Anni reminds me of my mother-in-law Pola, who came to the backwater of Wilmington NC in 1919, as one of the many young women who married an American GI in the aftermath of WWI or WWII. In provincial parts of the US "foreigners" like Pola were considered exotic and elusive creatures who could enchant young girls like me with their tales of past times, not unlike the `butterfly' Mr Story uses as his motif. Those who have not lived before, during, and after a war cannot readily identify with those who have, but they can identify with and appreciate what is good and experience sorrow over its loss. I believe Mr. Story's retelling of Anni's story could prove instructive for the relatively unsophisticated reader who might come to understand and appreciate a life very different from his or her own sheltered existence.
First of all, brides like Anni on arriving in the US could speak a delectable language only a few others understood. Being from Luxumbourg, Anni spoke a French dialect, words of which Mr. Story uses to pepper his tale. For another, these women generally knew all about the existence of different foods, different ways of doing things, and different modes of clothing, travel, and comportment as well as different means of accommodation. Again, Mr. Story has done an admirable job of depicting Anni's lost world.
War brought an end to the fabled existence Anni lived, but years later she could still recall amazing anecdotes and wonderful tales about long-lost relatives or friends and the various ways she survived the nightmare that followed after her world came crashing down. Anni shared her stories with Mr. Story who has brought them to us using first person narrative, apt imagery and many Bible passages. The author describes the nightmare Anni survived only to arrive years later in the US and begin her new life as a war bride. He also includes the story of Annis courtship by a young soldier named Charlie as reflected in his letters. This book is suitable for a teenage audience of some naivete, but older readers exposed to the harsher realities may not find themselves as engaged in Anni's remembrances of things in the past.
Rating:
Summary: World wide opinion
Review: JM., a widow of a WWII Army Airman, March 30, 2004,
One of the best reads of my 60 plus years of reading
I just finished reading this book last night. It is a wonderful telling of a life of strength, courage, love and faith. I give it five stars!!! Mr. Story you have great talent and I hope you continue to write. You have done a masterful job. Congratulations.JJ., a woman that loves her husband, March 8, 2004,
Amazingly wonderful, witty, sad-like watching a movie
I read the book from the online sites in seperate parts and then contacted Mr. Story, the Author. He was kind enough to share his manuscript for an honest critique. The only words to describe it is: SURREAL!! It felt as though I were sitting there chatting with both Anni and Mr. Story. I could 'see' the baby girl, teenager, wife, mother, loss of loved ones, meeting tons of famous people and somehow so quietly unknown and worthy of praise and honor. A TRUE LADY. God bless Ms. Adams, this book and the author. I cannot wait for more!! Also recommended: Magnolia; The Lord had something better in Mind; The Purpose Driven Life S. Tyler, a believer in what our elders say, February 6, 2004,
A heartfelt touch to all generations and respect for seniors
Excerpts from this book were featured in Senior Citizens Magazine but it clearly demonstrates that the work of Mr. Story crosses all boundaries in the literary arts and brings an entire nation and generations together wrapped up in one word 'hope' Also recommended: Life is good and I do believe it's getting better professor Phillip Jacowitz, a profess of the humanities, January 30, 2004,
Interesting recount in the making
This book made for a very interesting personal account of the darker things in our history. I felt that I personally knew Anni. I recommend this book to ANYONE who enjoys reading and in the process will be educated. Lonnie really has the knack for putting things into feelings that we all can relate to in a 'humanistic' manner. Mary, a single mother of two with hope, January 26, 2004,
the good side of all us crying out for hope
This one amazing story. This woman goes from being a child dreaming of wonderful things and then lives through tragedy after tragedy. Yet her spirit and faith is never broken. Amazing! A real and honest to God true story. As the author wrote 'she is all of us' and yet, 'none of us'. I read it to mean that we all can be better than the sadness and sorrows, we can be the people other people like to meet. What a story!! Also recommended: bleachers Sheldon Hill, poet of tragedy, January 23, 2004,
OUTSTANDING!!!!
I was fortunate enough to read a large portion of this literature already. It is nothing less than a masterpiece. The life of Anni Adams is an unbelievable journey in one amazing woman's will to survive through her trials of tribulation. Also recommended: n/a A Veteran of D-day plus, son of Hary Diedreich, January 20, 2004,
82 year old veteran of WWII
I was one of the men from the 'break through' armored division, 4th armored. I met my wife of 53 years in Luxembourg while on R&R. She was the lady of my dreams and the mate to my life. God bless this book and what it represents. We are old but we are here, the few of us,and we are history Also recommended: bleachers Barbara M., A reviewer, January 19, 2004,
Great Read
Lonnie Story brings to print the true essence of Anni Adams. I very much enjoyed reading it. You will too. A reviewer, big fan of WWII books, January 19, 2004,
Great detail on life in Germany
Great story of life in Germany during WWII.Awesome detail.I could see myself going through everything that Anni did.I would highly recommend this book to any book lovers. A reviewer, a big fan or WW2 books, January 19, 2004,
Great detail on life in Germany
It's a very interesting book.I couldn't stop reading it.Awesome details.I could imagine myself there going through everything that Anni did.I can't wait to own my own copy.Such wonderful book.I can't wait for it to get on the market.I would recommend this to any book lover. A reviewer, an avid reader, who knows quality, January 17, 2004,
A good read, you're sure to enjoy!
This book is a must read for anyone that appreciates true stories of human strength, courage, perseverance, and love. Come, spread your wings and fly with Anni Adams. Chris Hill, an avid reader of sci-fi, January 17, 2004,
WOW! It covers it all, WWII Vets, War Brides, Stars; Real History
I read some excerpts from this book on pre-release and over the internet. This is one awesome book. Much better than the H.Clinton, Jessica Lynch stuff. This woman should be honored as a living legend.
Rating:
Summary: This literary work is an overlooked priceless gem for all
Review: Mr. Lonnie Story:
Thank you, so much, for your book on Anni Adams!!! It is one of the best, most meaningful books, other than our Lord's Word, that I have had the pleasure of reading/living! You have captured Anni's true spirit and expressed it in such a way
which convey that spirit deep into my soul. Once I started reading this treasure, I
was transported into another world, Anni's World, upon her beautiful and glorious
wings, as you so aptly stated it. What a great "metaphor" to use throughout the
story. Once I was in "Anni's World", I became "intertwined" with the characters
and the events of Anni's life, so much so, that I could not stop reading and it was
literally, hurtful, to put it down and exit that world for my "real world" existence and
all my inconsequential problems as compared to Anni's trials and tribulations!!!
Like you, I first met Anni, early 2003, when I was going to Six Sisters with my card
to pick up my monthly flowers for my wife, expecting to see Tricia. But a new person
was there, Anni Adams, who so graciously took my card and filled the order. At that
moment, I felt this was a special person, so friendly and I immediately felt at ease,
and with subsequent visits around 5:00 to 5:30 P.M. each month, even though she
was probably trying to get ready to leave for the day, she would drop whatever she
was doing to help me out. Over the next 2-3 months, around Mother's Day, I caught
her at the store, and was able to engage in some small conversation, to the point, I
thought almost like a family member, or long-time friend. When I saw the book, The
Meeting Of Anni Adams, on the counter, one day, I glanced at it, while Anni was filling
out my flower order, and it looked very interesting. When she came back, I asked her
about it and what it was about, of course, she said it was a biography about her life, and
she mentioned the war-time and her home in Luxembourg. It did not buy it then, but the
next month, I did, and she was so thrilled, itappeared, and she was so gracious to sign
it along with a few words, "to my favorite customer, God Bless", well, that made me feel
so good, and here again, it was as if I was a close acquaintance, rather than a retail
customer! It was really special!
Well, sorry for being so long-winded, but I wanted to convey my appreciation for this
"work of love", this "work for God", this "work for Anni", and I pray you have God's Blessing and much success with it. It is definitely a work Oprah Winfrey would find
beneficial to her audience on one of her book review programs! Or, even, maybe, Good
Morning America with their book reviews. Naturally, I think it would be a source for a
movie some day, or TV special feature!
Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next publication, or maybe a sequel
to this one.
Rating:
Summary: An Author in Awe
Review: THE MEETING OF ANNI ADAMS: THE BUTTERFLY OF LUXEMBOURG is a beautiful tribute to a lady who obviously has made a profound impression on one Lonnie D. Story, the author. This is the sort of biographical reportage that is penned by a long-term friend or relative of the subject of the story. Not so in this case: Lonnie Story met Anni Adams in 2003, just a year before the publication of this homage, and while that may seem insufficient time to reflect the power this woman's life story, it also gives evidence of the impact of lives crossing at the right moment.
Anni Adams survived the Nazi occupation of her native Luxembourg, maintaining her sanity and sanctity through that occupation chiefly through her religious faith, and became one of the numerous war brides that entered America seeking the American dream after Europe had been so profoundly scarred by World War II. The adjustment to her new homeland and the impact of her naturalization on the people with whom she has come into contact serves as the basis for this story of the indomitable human spirit. It is a story worth telling and a warm reading experience.
Lonnie Story writes well for a first outing. He seems to have an eye for the path a story must take and certainly pauses frequently enough for descriptions of mood and place and nature that indicate there is a poet within. Some readers may become fatigued by all of the biblical quotations and introduction of religious layering that weighs down the narrative. And at some point the use of the metaphor of Anni Adams as a butterfly unfolding from the 'cocoon' (when in fact MOTHS are housed in cocoons while butterflies would unfold from a chrysalis!) becomes so redundant as to be intrusive. Also, in subsequent books Lonnie Story may realize it is unnecessary to talk down to the reader by providing parenthetical pronunciation guides to names and words: such devices tend to move the book into the textbook arena.
But despite these 'writing flaws', this book is a well-paced, interesting, docudrama approach to the life a woman each of us would love to know. It is indeed a writer's tribute to a muse of heart and soul. Grady Harp, January 2005
Rating:
Summary: GS-reader
Review: What a wonderful and uplifting booK. Thanks to Anni for sharing her story and to Lonnie for doing such a masterful job of putting it into words. This should be requried reading for those individuals who always complain about their lives!
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