Jerry > Recent Status Updates

In early 1942, some 1600 Ravensbrück prisoners were transported elsewhere to be gassed. They were "selected" by doctors, tho some were infirm, some not, and some happened to decline collaboration. Prisoners facilitated the bureaucracy of this, filling in certs of death. The medical-not medical aspect of this is bizarre to me. Relatives got an official letter; they could pay to get an urn of ashes.

We are gaining a perspective from a number of anecdotal stories. It is interesting to note how different Ravensbrück was from concentration camps in general. Yet it is also difficult to comprehend the magnitude of the system as a whole. And to realize Ravensbrück was just as arbitrary and capricious. Another cog in the terror wheel.

Not the typical Ian Fleming style, I don't think (though I confess to not recalling reading any of the James Bond series.)

An Ian Fleming book that’s not a James Bond.

Up, up, and away!

Second try at midnight was also not successful.

First try to take off from Bathurst, British colony in Africa, unsuccessful. Too much weight and/or not enough wind.

On the way back to Africa.

They can't go forward because wind makes the waves too high to take off fully loaded. And they can't go back because of Yellow Fever. Stuck.

I'm sure it's because of when it was written, but it's a bit challenging to keep reading "Negro." While it doesn't feel negative or condescending in usage, it also seems used way too often. It would be one thing to set the scene for the island they're on, but that was done 3 chapters ago.

So far, it's only about this island and their stay tonight. No surveying taking place yet.

This book used to be my grandmother's. I didn't realize I had it until looking for a book to read from my non-fiction shelves.

So far, it's a nice read. Definitely of its time.

Every so often there are little inconsistencies. Like I-96 doesn't run along Lake Michigan. And how'd Charlie get a suitcase in Chicago in the morning if he was running through fog to get away from a killer?