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The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances
In the classic storytelling style of The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift, New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews now delivers an adventure set sharply against the warm waters and white sands of the Gulf of Mexico in WWII America.
Saddened and unable to abandon her resentment toward the Nazi war machine that took her husband's life, the young and attractive Helen Mason is living a bitter, lonely existence. Betrayed and left for dead, German U-Boot officer Lt. Josef Landermann washes ashore in a sleepy town along the northern gulf coast, looking to Helen for survival.
The Heart Mender is a story of life, loss, and reconciliation, reminding us of the power of forgiveness and the universal healing experience of letting go.
Saddened and unable to abandon her resentment toward the Nazi war machine that took her husband's life, the young and attractive Helen Mason is living a bitter, lonely existence. Betrayed and left for dead, German U-Boot officer Lt. Josef Landermann washes ashore in a sleepy town along the northern gulf coast, looking to Helen for survival.
The Heart Mender is a story of life, loss, and reconciliation, reminding us of the power of forgiveness and the universal healing experience of letting go.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
543 people are currently reading
4669 people want to read
About the author
Andy Andrews
117 books1,089 followers~ Hailed by a New York Times writer as a "modern-day Will Rogers who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America."
~ Spoken at the request of four different U.S. Presidents
~ Every single minute a book by Andy Andrews is sold somewhere in the world!
~ New York Times Bestselling Author of The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift
Source:
http://www.andyandrews.com/
~ Spoken at the request of four different U.S. Presidents
~ Every single minute a book by Andy Andrews is sold somewhere in the world!
~ New York Times Bestselling Author of The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift
Source:
http://www.andyandrews.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 943 reviews
April 14, 2022
3.0 stars—I decided to read “The Heart Mender” after my mom told me it was a true story about a German submarine off of the coast of Alabama during World War 2. I have never read any books by Andy Andrews, and I had no expectations on what to expect from this author. The author claims in the introduction that the story is true, but it is obvious from the dialogue that the author takes some liberties with the plot and dialogue to fit with the contrived theme of heart mending. It you are reading this story as a tale of forgiveness and how to heal a broken heart… don’t. It fails badly and seemed to be forced into the narrative to appeal to readers searching for that kind of book. However, the underlying plot is interesting especially if it is based on a true story. Since the author changes the names of the main characters, the reader will just have to take his word that the incredible story is real. The book is a quick read and worth reading if you have 3 hours to spare. Just don’t expect too much out of the heart mending department.
August 28, 2017
I really, really loved this story, it was incredible. A beautiful book of friendship, love, and forgiveness. And the author did an incredible job at narrating the book!!
August 26, 2024
I finished this yesterday but was unable to write anything as we had a lightning strike on our large oak tree which knocked out the power and destroyed a few appliances. It caused the plastic on our AT&T phones to fly across the room! Be sure to have your appliances on a power strip! Some of ours were but not all. About 100 people in this area lost their phone service per a guy who helped me to buy a new phone.
This is a good book but a little "preachy" and I have heard this sermon before so it bored me and I had to skip over those parts. It seems to be based on a true story!
If you haven't been getting 100 invitations to Listopia now you know why!
This is a good book but a little "preachy" and I have heard this sermon before so it bored me and I had to skip over those parts. It seems to be based on a true story!
If you haven't been getting 100 invitations to Listopia now you know why!
June 4, 2025
What a fabulous book, and based on true events.
When I searched for the question is this book based on true events, I found the following:
The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews is a work of historical fiction that incorporates real events and people. The book, originally published in 2005 as Island of Saints, is set in 1942 and 1943 during World War II and tells the story of a small town preparing for German submarines in the Gulf of Mexico. The book includes real numbers, dates, items, and photographs, and some of the main characters are based on real people, though with different names. Some say the book is well-researched and that the characters feel genuine.
And I agree!!
I also found this video on Facebook with Andy Andrews talking about his own book:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=867...
The book is about forgiveness. Helen Mason is a war widow. Her husband volunteered to train RAF pilots and was killed during German bombing. Helen is sad and also very angry. Imagine her finding a wounded German on the beach. Very reluctantly she takes him to her cottage, bandages his wounds, and he does get better. She finds out he is not a Nazi and hates Hitler. She is now beginning to learn how to forgive.
There are many beautiful messages in this book. Helen worked as a waitress at the Hungry Mullet, owned by Margaret and Billy Gilbert. The Gilberts have a son, Danny, who has Down's Syndrome. Here is a quote about Danny and his father's thoughts about him:
"For one thing, Danny had a persistence about him that tended to annoy others, but allowed the boy successes in many areas. He simply would not stop trying until he achieved whatever he had set out to do. He would not stop asking until he got an answer that satisfied his question. He was not bothered by failure or the passing of time or the seeming impossibility of a task. Billy had been surprised to discover that he admired his son and was grateful for his presence. There existed a wisdom in his child that was different . . . and that he had not expected to find"
Compare that to the Nazi belief that handicapped people are worthless and you will be touched.
There is much more to this story than I have described.
I strongly recommend you read this book and hope you get the same reaction as I did. My friend Sharon had glowing things to say about this book and I am glad that I did not wait to read it.
5 stars
When I searched for the question is this book based on true events, I found the following:
The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews is a work of historical fiction that incorporates real events and people. The book, originally published in 2005 as Island of Saints, is set in 1942 and 1943 during World War II and tells the story of a small town preparing for German submarines in the Gulf of Mexico. The book includes real numbers, dates, items, and photographs, and some of the main characters are based on real people, though with different names. Some say the book is well-researched and that the characters feel genuine.
And I agree!!
I also found this video on Facebook with Andy Andrews talking about his own book:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=867...
The book is about forgiveness. Helen Mason is a war widow. Her husband volunteered to train RAF pilots and was killed during German bombing. Helen is sad and also very angry. Imagine her finding a wounded German on the beach. Very reluctantly she takes him to her cottage, bandages his wounds, and he does get better. She finds out he is not a Nazi and hates Hitler. She is now beginning to learn how to forgive.
There are many beautiful messages in this book. Helen worked as a waitress at the Hungry Mullet, owned by Margaret and Billy Gilbert. The Gilberts have a son, Danny, who has Down's Syndrome. Here is a quote about Danny and his father's thoughts about him:
"For one thing, Danny had a persistence about him that tended to annoy others, but allowed the boy successes in many areas. He simply would not stop trying until he achieved whatever he had set out to do. He would not stop asking until he got an answer that satisfied his question. He was not bothered by failure or the passing of time or the seeming impossibility of a task. Billy had been surprised to discover that he admired his son and was grateful for his presence. There existed a wisdom in his child that was different . . . and that he had not expected to find"
Compare that to the Nazi belief that handicapped people are worthless and you will be touched.
There is much more to this story than I have described.
I strongly recommend you read this book and hope you get the same reaction as I did. My friend Sharon had glowing things to say about this book and I am glad that I did not wait to read it.
5 stars
March 11, 2024
Did you know that Nazi ships sailed in our waters during WWII? I had long forgotten about this fact until I read the Heart Menders. I encourage everyone who likes true stories and historical fiction to read this novel. Not sure how much is fiction, but the author gives us valuable insight at the end of the book.
Full of both tenderness and anger, love and hate, this easy to read and brief novel will move you. At this time, I am struggling with grief, and I could relate to the main character so very much. Because of that, writing a review is difficult.
Full of both tenderness and anger, love and hate, this easy to read and brief novel will move you. At this time, I am struggling with grief, and I could relate to the main character so very much. Because of that, writing a review is difficult.
September 28, 2012
I started this book by Andy Andrews on my 46th birthday. My friend took me to lunch and I asked her to swing by the library to pick it up. I read the subtitle to her: A Story of the One Principle That Frees the Human Spirit. Do tell! I responded with sarcasm.
While that statement is a tall glass of water, it delivers a thirst-quenching story of forgiveness.
Andrews writes, "Where is it written that for one person to forgive another, the offender has to approve it, accept it, or even know about it? Not to forgive means we yield ourselves to another person's control - another person's governing values and his attitudes and actions. We are forced by someone else into sequences of act and response, of outrage and revenge, and you know what? It always gets worse. Our present, when we refuse to forgive, is endlessly overwhelmed by the past."
Later, "Forgiveness frees the forgiver."
This beautifully-worded biblical principle is brought to life by a story. A story, Andrews says, came to him from the earth. This story that demanded a telling captured his life for weeks, even months. And you know what? It has captured mine.
I am stunned by the fact that I struggle to extend mercy when such colossal mercy has been extended to me. Yet, I do. I struggle at times. This story gives me one more dimension in the facets of forgiveness.
I want to be free. Do you?
While that statement is a tall glass of water, it delivers a thirst-quenching story of forgiveness.
Andrews writes, "Where is it written that for one person to forgive another, the offender has to approve it, accept it, or even know about it? Not to forgive means we yield ourselves to another person's control - another person's governing values and his attitudes and actions. We are forced by someone else into sequences of act and response, of outrage and revenge, and you know what? It always gets worse. Our present, when we refuse to forgive, is endlessly overwhelmed by the past."
Later, "Forgiveness frees the forgiver."
This beautifully-worded biblical principle is brought to life by a story. A story, Andrews says, came to him from the earth. This story that demanded a telling captured his life for weeks, even months. And you know what? It has captured mine.
I am stunned by the fact that I struggle to extend mercy when such colossal mercy has been extended to me. Yet, I do. I struggle at times. This story gives me one more dimension in the facets of forgiveness.
I want to be free. Do you?
November 3, 2014
Last night, I read the last page of The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews. I was astonished by this true story. I kept thinking to myself that it couldn’t’ be true but it was! If it was fiction, it would be too incredible.
The author lives on the coastline of where Alabama and Florida meet. He went outside one day to cut down a big bayberry tree. He was tried to dig up the roots and when he realized this was an impossible job, he hit his shovel on a restaurant sized can. He opened the can and found some buttons, an Iron Cross, and three pictures. One was of a man, his wife and their little baby in a wagon, another had Hitler in it. The author was wondering why some Nazi artifacts were buried in a can in his yard.
Andy Andrews did lots of research on the mystery. He was amazed to learn that German U boats were in the Gulf of Mexico during WWII for purpose of sinking U.S. ships loaded with supplies for the war. I never heard of this before! In the second part of the book, the author put together all of his research in an incredible story of love, forgiveness and hope.
The story is true but he changed the names of the people he was writing about at their request. The story starts on July 16, 1942 close to where the author lives. Josef Landerman, a school teacher who was called up for duty on a U boat. Alternating with that is the story of Helen Mason. She didn’t have a father that she knew and her mother abandoned her when she was only 15 years old. She married later and then being widowed very early left her very bitter. This is an amazing story. Why is this story so amazing? Read this book!
I recommend this book to all people who love to read history.
The author lives on the coastline of where Alabama and Florida meet. He went outside one day to cut down a big bayberry tree. He was tried to dig up the roots and when he realized this was an impossible job, he hit his shovel on a restaurant sized can. He opened the can and found some buttons, an Iron Cross, and three pictures. One was of a man, his wife and their little baby in a wagon, another had Hitler in it. The author was wondering why some Nazi artifacts were buried in a can in his yard.
Andy Andrews did lots of research on the mystery. He was amazed to learn that German U boats were in the Gulf of Mexico during WWII for purpose of sinking U.S. ships loaded with supplies for the war. I never heard of this before! In the second part of the book, the author put together all of his research in an incredible story of love, forgiveness and hope.
The story is true but he changed the names of the people he was writing about at their request. The story starts on July 16, 1942 close to where the author lives. Josef Landerman, a school teacher who was called up for duty on a U boat. Alternating with that is the story of Helen Mason. She didn’t have a father that she knew and her mother abandoned her when she was only 15 years old. She married later and then being widowed very early left her very bitter. This is an amazing story. Why is this story so amazing? Read this book!
I recommend this book to all people who love to read history.
September 1, 2017
Read this book!!! You will not regret it. I loved it from the very first word to the very end. It's beautiful and inspiring. Worth every minute of your time. I am for sure going to be reading more of Andy's books after this one.
October 1, 2014
C-H-E-E-S-E, that spells The Heart Mender. This story could have been so much better, one of those "based on a true story" novels. But instead it's a self help book with a theme that's crammed down your throat and with possibly the worst dialogue I've ever read.
July 11, 2015
I love the messages that Andy Andrews continues to send out to all who will read... Positive, accessible, life changing. This book not only carries the beautiful message that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves, that it is a choice we make and truly it is how we choose to live if we desire a life of love and growth... But he also weaves a beautiful story that is little known in America. The gulf of Mexico was a battle ground with German U-boats during WWII... America didn't want her citizens to panic - so consequently it was never really reported... but WOW! It invited me to do my own research on the events that happened... And I was surprised...
May 3, 2018
"Ако простиш нечия грешка, ти решаваш никога повече да не и позволяваш да определя чувствата ти. Така я обезоръжаваш и дори да я помниш, тя вече не може да ти влияе."
Предубеждения: притча, която едни истини за живота ще ги навира в лицето и за други ще се наложи да се дълбае надълбоко; претовареност с цитати; корицата навява идеята на бозава любовна история;
Последни впечатления: корицата излъга, за което не съм разочарована; хареса ми личната част от живота на Андрюс, с която подлага началото на романа и накрая отново с лично обръщение го завършва щастливо; все още не съм разгледала дали историята е вярна, но снимките едва ли ще са фалшификат- Втората световна война си е била напълно истинска и е съвсем възможно възникването на такава ситуация; имаше идеята за любовен романс, но беше лек, ненатрапчив или безумен- по-скоро наблегна на важността за прошката и последвалотото разбирателство и удовлетвореност между двама души; сюжетът си имаше своите военна част с подводници, командири, нацисти и "Енигма", градска част с кафене, шериф и възрастно загрижено семейство и последната част на тяхната свръзка; колкото до идеята за прошката, наблегната от автора, хареса ми, че хората, които "проповядваха" колко важна е тя за душевния мир на човек, до край устояха на думите си и доказаха, че разделението на добри и лоши не влияе, когато човешкото в човек трябва да вземе решение.
Предубеждения: притча, която едни истини за живота ще ги навира в лицето и за други ще се наложи да се дълбае надълбоко; претовареност с цитати; корицата навява идеята на бозава любовна история;
Последни впечатления: корицата излъга, за което не съм разочарована; хареса ми личната част от живота на Андрюс, с която подлага началото на романа и накрая отново с лично обръщение го завършва щастливо; все още не съм разгледала дали историята е вярна, но снимките едва ли ще са фалшификат- Втората световна война си е била напълно истинска и е съвсем възможно възникването на такава ситуация; имаше идеята за любовен романс, но беше лек, ненатрапчив или безумен- по-скоро наблегна на важността за прошката и последвалотото разбирателство и удовлетвореност между двама души; сюжетът си имаше своите военна част с подводници, командири, нацисти и "Енигма", градска част с кафене, шериф и възрастно загрижено семейство и последната част на тяхната свръзка; колкото до идеята за прошката, наблегната от автора, хареса ми, че хората, които "проповядваха" колко важна е тя за душевния мир на човек, до край устояха на думите си и доказаха, че разделението на добри и лоши не влияе, когато човешкото в човек трябва да вземе решение.
September 9, 2010
The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews presents two compelling and engaging stories. The first story, which consists of parts 1 and 3 of the book, tells the story of Andrews’ discovery of World War II German U-Boat artifacts in his Gulf Coast yard and his own personal journey to uncover the origins of how these items got into his yard. The second story details the ramification of a chance encounter between Josef a German submariner who becomes separated from his German U-Boat while patrolling the Gulf of Mexico during 1942 and Helen a woman deeply hurt by personal loss leading to anger with God and everyone she is in contact with. Their story is one of grace and ultimately forgiveness allowing each to gain a fresh start on life.
I started this book expecting it to read much like Andrew’s The Traveler’s Gift which used an interesting story to present a number of principles. Instead, this book uses both stories to underscore one valuable lesson, the power of forgiveness and the freedom it gives the forgiver. The book itself and both stories within it are engaging. This combined with the fact that the story is based on real people, made it difficult for me to keep from peeking to the end of the book and where they are now section or searching the internet for information about U-166, Josef’s boat. The story of Josef and Helen combine elements that both men and women will enjoy, giving the reader images of both U-571 and The Notebook as they race through the text. If Andrews’s goals were to entertain and provide a valuable lesson about forgiveness, he has achieved his desire. The Heart Mender is a release of Andrews’ Island of Saints, which he notes had a vocal but small audience. This rerelease will hopefully expose more readers to this engaging tale.
Review Copy provided by Thomas Nelson
I started this book expecting it to read much like Andrew’s The Traveler’s Gift which used an interesting story to present a number of principles. Instead, this book uses both stories to underscore one valuable lesson, the power of forgiveness and the freedom it gives the forgiver. The book itself and both stories within it are engaging. This combined with the fact that the story is based on real people, made it difficult for me to keep from peeking to the end of the book and where they are now section or searching the internet for information about U-166, Josef’s boat. The story of Josef and Helen combine elements that both men and women will enjoy, giving the reader images of both U-571 and The Notebook as they race through the text. If Andrews’s goals were to entertain and provide a valuable lesson about forgiveness, he has achieved his desire. The Heart Mender is a release of Andrews’ Island of Saints, which he notes had a vocal but small audience. This rerelease will hopefully expose more readers to this engaging tale.
Review Copy provided by Thomas Nelson
December 23, 2016
3.5 stars.
Historical Fiction is a genre I have always enjoyed and I've come to enjoy WWI & WWII HF a lot. This was a story that was different then the run of the mill type WWII fiction stories. I always appreciate that and the author's creativity. This was kind of a sweet story, but that isn't such a bad thing when dealing with the ugliness of war.
There were some things glossed over with this book, but I think the author stayed focused on the story he was unfolding without clouding the big picture. So 3 stars.
Historical Fiction is a genre I have always enjoyed and I've come to enjoy WWI & WWII HF a lot. This was a story that was different then the run of the mill type WWII fiction stories. I always appreciate that and the author's creativity. This was kind of a sweet story, but that isn't such a bad thing when dealing with the ugliness of war.
There were some things glossed over with this book, but I think the author stayed focused on the story he was unfolding without clouding the big picture. So 3 stars.
January 29, 2023
This book has an amazing plot! Easy reading, but very gripping. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that this story is actually true, and that some of the characters in the story are still alive (or were 10 years ago when the book was revised).
January 20, 2020
"Don't judge a book by it's cover." Why do I keep making assumptions about books that I know nothing about. It turned out to be a page turner though! Still don't know how it ended up on my bookshelf.
June 25, 2025
I enjoyed this audio book so much that when I finished, I invited my husband to listen with me, and listened to it again the second time. There are a few plot gaps, but overall, it was a fascinating slant on WW11 that I don’t remember hearing before.
June 1, 2010
I'm pretty sure this is going down as one of my favorite books. I absolutely loved it!
Andrews weaves a story of finding German WWII artifacts buried in a can on his ocean front property and Josef and Helen's journey to find peace and forgiveness. Andrews offers photos of buttons, a couple of photographs, a ring, and a medal he found digging up the roots to an old tree. He then seeks to find the story for these items being deposited on the beach.
What he discovers is really quite shocking. German U-boats were always present in the waters serving the American soldiers, including the Gulf of Mexico. During the war, much debris washed up on the shores from U-Boat carnage. They submarines shot all ships they could to smithereens. There were, however, a number of Germans rather than Nazis. They asked the crew to please exit the vehicle, blew it up, then approached the life boats to offer canteens of water and directions to the nearest landfall.
Apparently, this is documented to be true.
Also true is that some of the soldiers chose to be listed as "Missing In Action" or presumed dead rather than return to Germany where Adolf Hitler reigned his horrors and there was nothing to return. They integrated into society, although not without some help, I'm certain.
This is the story of Josef, a German, and Helen, a widow. The story is incredibly well told and draws the reader into a believable realm. Told with empathy, the journey of Josef's and Helen's hearts is hopeful. Both have suffered great loss. Both learned how to forgive and relinquish to God.
Loved it.
Andrews weaves a story of finding German WWII artifacts buried in a can on his ocean front property and Josef and Helen's journey to find peace and forgiveness. Andrews offers photos of buttons, a couple of photographs, a ring, and a medal he found digging up the roots to an old tree. He then seeks to find the story for these items being deposited on the beach.
What he discovers is really quite shocking. German U-boats were always present in the waters serving the American soldiers, including the Gulf of Mexico. During the war, much debris washed up on the shores from U-Boat carnage. They submarines shot all ships they could to smithereens. There were, however, a number of Germans rather than Nazis. They asked the crew to please exit the vehicle, blew it up, then approached the life boats to offer canteens of water and directions to the nearest landfall.
Apparently, this is documented to be true.
Also true is that some of the soldiers chose to be listed as "Missing In Action" or presumed dead rather than return to Germany where Adolf Hitler reigned his horrors and there was nothing to return. They integrated into society, although not without some help, I'm certain.
This is the story of Josef, a German, and Helen, a widow. The story is incredibly well told and draws the reader into a believable realm. Told with empathy, the journey of Josef's and Helen's hearts is hopeful. Both have suffered great loss. Both learned how to forgive and relinquish to God.
Loved it.
May 25, 2016
WOW! I loved this book so much!!! I seriously had no idea if I was going to like it. I saw it at our library used-book-sale shelf, and decided to give it a try. (You can't beat $0.50 for a hardback!)
It was so good! It took me a little while to get into it, and the writing seemed a little slow but the story was amazing! Also, there seemed to be more telling than showing, but it didn't really bother me at all. It was just hard to wade through some of it. ;)
But the ending was just .. ahh!! I can't say anymore or I will spoil the book!
If you enjoy WWII history, then you'll definitely want to check it out!
It was so good! It took me a little while to get into it, and the writing seemed a little slow but the story was amazing! Also, there seemed to be more telling than showing, but it didn't really bother me at all. It was just hard to wade through some of it. ;)
But the ending was just .. ahh!! I can't say anymore or I will spoil the book!
If you enjoy WWII history, then you'll definitely want to check it out!
March 22, 2019
This is the craziest, most unlikely true story you will ever read!!!😳. Entire book is fascinating and the audiobook is very well done. What other secrets are buried in the gulf?? A couple of words here and there, otherwise very clean. Many history facts I never knew, and to think these people are still living today! Just wow...😲 I also enjoyed the storyline of forgiveness and how the Down’s syndrome boy was so caring.❤️
January 24, 2021
THE HEART MENDER is a story of secrets that are much better kept secret and a life of ultimate forgiveness. Without these two elements, there would be no second chance as noted in the sub-title. There would be no mending of hearts.
Andrews writes, "Where is it written that for one person to forgive another, the offender has to approve it, accept it, or even know about it? Not to forgive means we yield ourselves to another person's control - another person's governing values and his attitudes and actions. We are forced by someone else into sequences of act and response, of outrage and revenge, and you know what? It always gets worse. Our present, when we refuse to forgive, is endlessly overwhelmed by the past."
I copied his quote from the book so I can come back and read it whenever I need a reminder about forgiveness. Honestly, I've never thought about forgiveness in this way before. I'm glad I came across this homily for living.
THE HEART MENDER is one of the best books I've read this year. Don't expect lofty prose, but instead be ready for a story that comes from the heart and will touch your heart and fill it with love for these amazing characters.
Andrews writes, "Where is it written that for one person to forgive another, the offender has to approve it, accept it, or even know about it? Not to forgive means we yield ourselves to another person's control - another person's governing values and his attitudes and actions. We are forced by someone else into sequences of act and response, of outrage and revenge, and you know what? It always gets worse. Our present, when we refuse to forgive, is endlessly overwhelmed by the past."
I copied his quote from the book so I can come back and read it whenever I need a reminder about forgiveness. Honestly, I've never thought about forgiveness in this way before. I'm glad I came across this homily for living.
THE HEART MENDER is one of the best books I've read this year. Don't expect lofty prose, but instead be ready for a story that comes from the heart and will touch your heart and fill it with love for these amazing characters.
August 3, 2018
4 🌟
Island of Saints follows the author, who discovers buried Nazi artifacts in the backyard of his Alabama home on the Gulf of Mexico. Through research and speaking with those who lived in the area during WWII, he uncovers the origin of these artifacts, a little known history of German U-boats in the Gulf Coast, and a deeper understanding of how to live a happy and fulfilled life. Skipping between 1942 and present time, the story unfolds in surprising ways. Wonderful, quick read!
Island of Saints follows the author, who discovers buried Nazi artifacts in the backyard of his Alabama home on the Gulf of Mexico. Through research and speaking with those who lived in the area during WWII, he uncovers the origin of these artifacts, a little known history of German U-boats in the Gulf Coast, and a deeper understanding of how to live a happy and fulfilled life. Skipping between 1942 and present time, the story unfolds in surprising ways. Wonderful, quick read!
May 26, 2018
What?!?! Is this story actually true?! If it is, and I want to believe it is, then truth really IS stranger than fiction. 😆 Thoroughly enjoyed this book, the message of forgiveness very powerful... forgiveness is not really forgetting as much as it is letting go... God’s name was used rather freely at times; I would have preferred the author use more carefulness. Fascinating read, and hard to put down once you get into it a little.
January 21, 2025
This is an enjoyable book. It took me a minute to get into it, but it really turned into a heartwarming story of love and forgiveness that highlights a part of our history that we don’t often hear about.
January 5, 2019
This book. Amazing.
January 1, 2025
A sweet fast read.
May 19, 2017
I listened to this book and really enjoyed the authors voice as he narrated. I loved the story about second chances and the love story of it all. However the romance was a bit lacking. I loved the forgiveness in this book and the two sides it came from. Very interesting story about subs in U.S. Waters. War is so crazy and unpredictable.
May 20, 2017
I actually listened to this book and really enjoyed it. I LOVED the author's reading voice. It made it all the more enjoyable hearing this story. A sad story but yet endearing.
June 1, 2018
It was mind blowing to me that this is a true story. I had never heard about German uboats in the Gulf of Mexico. Super interesting read!! The message of forgiveness was very good too. Highly recommend!
May 4, 2020
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: this book is absolutely beautiful!
January 20, 2021
My discussion group will have a good time discussing this true story. Very uplifting.
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