The Minefield Of Memories: A Memoir

Rating:
Summary: Food for the soul
Review: A Minefield of Memories:
There are times in life when an event affects us "wholly", leaving an indelible mark in our souls. Reading "A Minefield of Memories" was such an event for me. The narrative is moving, with a trail of hope and compassion victorious over the horrific events of war. It made me feel that my own tribulations are relatively insignificant when compared to those who suffered or suffer war. The descriptions of people and nature are beautiful, loving, even delicious at times. Karina Wetherbee loves to paint with her penmanship. Her appreciaiton for beauty and nature are evident in the detail and vividness of her descriptions. Her devotion and reverence towards her father's life is evident in the respect and honesty (without morbidness) with which she narrates the extraordinary life of this boy, Alfie. Once you start reading this book, it is hard to stop.
This is an excellent book for book clubs, group discussions of current world issues, young or older readers.

Rating:
Summary: Food for the soul
Review: A Minefield of Memories:
There are times in life when an event affects us "wholly", leaving an indelible mark in our souls. Reading "A Minefield of Memories" was such an event for me. The narrative is moving, with a trail of hope and compassion victorious over the horrific events of war. It made me feel that my own tribulations are relatively insignificant when compared to those who suffered or suffer war. The descriptions of people and nature are beautiful, loving, even delicious at times. Karina Wetherbee loves to paint with her penmanship. Her appreciaiton for beauty and nature are evident in the detail and vividness of her descriptions. Her devotion and reverence towards her father's life is evident in the respect and honesty (without morbidness) with which she narrates the extraordinary life of this boy, Alfie. Once you start reading this book, it is hard to stop.
This is an excellent book for book clubs, group discussions of current world issues, young or older readers.

Rating:
Summary: The Minefield of Memories
Review: A Must-Read

"The Minefield of Memories" is a book about the horrors of war, of the power of the human spirit and of ultimate renewal.

Karina Wetherbee tells the story of her father's World War II experiences using the genre of creative non-fiction so well that the reader can easily visualize landscapes and scenes and can acutely feel the depth of despair. The reader will live with Alfie (her father) through times, and in places, where human endurance is stretched to the limits and beyond, torn between tears, anger, shock and pity -- and finally, hope.

It is Alfie's journey from the serenity of a peaceful rural childhood near the Polish border in German Sudetenland to the abyss of war and the brutal reign of Soviet occupation. He is separated from his family at fourteen as the Russian front closes in on his home town. The first wave of the Red Army unleashes a fury which is deeply rooted in hate and revenge born from the unspeakable abuses the Russians had to endure during Hitler's invasion of their country.

As he is shuffled from one refugee camp to another, Alfie is briefly reunited with his loved ones, only to see his mother's body being carted off after she had been raped and beaten to death. His little sister, five years old, becomes listless from the stress of losing her mother and from starvation. His grand parents too suffer untold indignities. When our young hero is placed in a farming labor camp, he finds himself alone again. Wherever he is he sees the same: people being dehumanized by appalling hardships --- disease, hunger, cold, displacement, death and hard labor.

After many harrowing experiences, there is a break. Some luck, unbelievable bravery, endurance and ingenuity land him in an American orphanage. Food, a clean bed, warm clothes and humane treatment will thaw his frozen soul in due time. There is hope in the end. Not many were so fortunate.

Ms. Wetherbee's "Minefield" is an excellent read for the thoughtful booklover and a must-read for those who glorify war and support unjustified wars of aggression without giving the horrendous suffering of the multitude of innocents a second glance. It is a poignant coincidence that this book has been published at a time when our country is engaged in such a war.

Rating:
Summary: The Minefield of Memories
Review: A Must-Read

The "Minefield of Memories" is a book about the horrors of war, of the power of the human spirit and of ultimate renewal.

Karina Wetherbee tells the story of her father's World War II experiences using the genre of creative non-fiction so well that the reader can easily visualize landscapes and scenes and can acutely feel the depth of despair. The reader will live with Alfie (her father) through times, and in places, where human endurance is stretched to the limits and beyond, torn between tears, anger, shock and pity -- and finally, hope.

It is Alfie's journey from the serenity of a peaceful rural childhood near the Polish border in German Sudetenland to the abyss of war and the brutal reign of Soviet occupation. He is separated from his family at fourteen as the Russian front closes in on his home town. The first wave of the Red Army unleashes a fury which is deeply rooted in hate and revenge born from the unspeakable abuses the Russians had to endure during Hitler's invasion of their country. He is shuffled from one refugee camp to another. Wherever he is he encounters the same: innocent people being dehumanized by the most appalling hardships --- disease, hunger, cold, displacement, death, rape and hard labor. After many harrowing experiences, there is a break. Some luck, unbelievable bravery, ingenuity and endurance help him along the way. There is hope in the end. Not many were so fortunate.

Ms. Wetherbee's "Minefield" is an excellent read for the thoughtful booklover and a must-read for those who glorify war and support unjustified wars of aggression without giving the horrendous suffering of the multitude of innocents a second glance. .

Rating:
Summary: Minefield of Memories - A Good Read
Review: I found this an excellent read. The author is a new voice who writes sensitively and well about a topic of great interest to many. This book will please all readers, but especially those who have undergone the horrors of war first hand. Those who have not experienced war will gain understanding from this vividly portrayed account. Congratulations to the author!


Rating:
Summary: The Minefield of Memories
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book as it captivated my attention to see through the eyes of a child! Karina Wetherbee writes a fascinating true story sharing her fathers life, Alf Tieze, in a world where a boy becomes a man overnight and still possesses the heart and soul of a child. In separation from his family, Alf truly becomes his own mentor conquering the challenges in life.

It is an adventure during World War II, which most people do not have the courage or the desire to share. As I read this story, I could not even put it down eager to see what would happen next. Many of us try to let go of the past and just move on. However, "The Minefield of Memories" does encompass a fascinating life experience that you just do not want to miss.

Rating:
Summary: The Minefield of Memories
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book as it captivated my attention to see through the eyes of a child! Karina Wetherbee writes a fascinating true story sharing her fathers life, Alf Tieze, in a world where a boy becomes a man overnight and still possesses the heart and soul of a child. In separation from his family, Alf truly becomes his own mentor conquering the challenges in life.

It is an adventure during World War II, which most people do not have the courage or the desire to share. As I read this story, I could not even put it down eager to see what would happen next. Many of us try to let go of the past and just move on. However, "The Minefield of Memories" does encompass a fascinating life experience that you just do not want to miss.

Rating:
Summary: Required Reading!!!!!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. In fact after I read it, I ordered several to give as gifts to my kids and other family members. I wanted all of them to read it as soon as possible because it is so powerful. It is such an incredible story about tremendous pain, indescribable suffering, questionable faith and unquestionable compassion, but mostly it is about raw courage and a teenage boys' lonely quest for freedom. My teenage daughter could not put it down. My mother, wife, and brothers loved it. I would recommend this book to everyone and it should be required reading in the high school classroom.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Memoir
Review: Karina Wetherbee's skillful telling of her father's experiences during World War II provides the reader with a riveting read - adding new dimensions and perspectives to common knowledge of WWII.

I found the memoir hard to put down with each chapter pushing me on to the next. The writing is clear and vivid.

Enhances with maps and photos, this book is essential for a greater understanding of our times - as told by a man brave to face his past.

Rating:
Summary: a moving account
Review: Minefield of Memories is a moving account of perseverance over misfortune and triumph over adversity. It is written in a lovely lyrical style, with a poignancy that touches the heart. I would strongly reccommend this book for book groups as it combines great readability with a good learning experience. I would also reccommend this book for high school history supplemental reading lists.