The Nazi Executioner
Historical Fiction22 total reviews
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is an excellent story that shows a man of great faith and a man who learned his beliefs about his leaders where nothing but lies. The executioner was punished more harshly by the victim's laugh than the victim was as his punishment never ended. This is an extremely well-written story.
reply by the author on 24-May-2023
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This is an excellent story that shows a man of great faith and a man who learned his beliefs about his leaders where nothing but lies. The executioner was punished more harshly by the victim's laugh than the victim was as his punishment never ended. This is an extremely well-written story.
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 24-May-2023
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Thank you very much, Carol. I really appreciate your kind words and the 6-star review.
Comment from lancellot
You had me from the first paragraph. This could be fleshed out into a movie. Damn good work. Solid tone. I do wonder what time period or date this story is being told, given how long ago that was.
reply by the author on 24-May-2023
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You had me from the first paragraph. This could be fleshed out into a movie. Damn good work. Solid tone. I do wonder what time period or date this story is being told, given how long ago that was.
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 24-May-2023
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Thank you so much, Lance. I'm really honored by such a review from a great writer like yourself.
Comment from Kaiku
That is quite the story and very well written. You were able to bring a picture of truth and reality, which is rather unfortunate in the sense that these things really took place. Nice work.
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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That is quite the story and very well written. You were able to bring a picture of truth and reality, which is rather unfortunate in the sense that these things really took place. Nice work.
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Thanks so much, Kevin. Much appreciated.
Comment from Jay Squires
It's good that you are gaining more comfort in writing on material outside of your main love of golf. This was a fine read and exceptionally well-written. I did have a problem with the obvious illogic of the laughter that might even possibly have kept on after the blade severed his head. To me it seemed to beg for a better explanation by the executioner through the use of the words "and perhaps for some time after". Something more than (or other than) "but I'm not sure for I had averted my eyes, and my mind was terribly confused at the moment." I hope you can see what I'm getting at. I will leave it at that for now.
In spite of that, Jim, this is definitely 6 caliber writing!
Jay
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Well, I think you added, "perhaps that is only a macabre thought that has made its way into my mind." While his contention is softened some, he's still, oddly, admitting to the allowance that a head can continue laughing after being severed. Yet, I know what you are after. But I believe it can only be achieved by his saying outright, "I know the absurdity of what I'm about to say, but ..." etc. You see the difference? If it were me, I would put the emphasis on being awakened by the haunting laughter for weeks (or months) after. Overall, your docudrama is so riveting, I don't want to even dwell anymore on it.
Jay
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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It's good that you are gaining more comfort in writing on material outside of your main love of golf. This was a fine read and exceptionally well-written. I did have a problem with the obvious illogic of the laughter that might even possibly have kept on after the blade severed his head. To me it seemed to beg for a better explanation by the executioner through the use of the words "and perhaps for some time after". Something more than (or other than) "but I'm not sure for I had averted my eyes, and my mind was terribly confused at the moment." I hope you can see what I'm getting at. I will leave it at that for now.
In spite of that, Jim, this is definitely 6 caliber writing!
Jay
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I think you added, "perhaps that is only a macabre thought that has made its way into my mind." While his contention is softened some, he's still, oddly, admitting to the allowance that a head can continue laughing after being severed. Yet, I know what you are after. But I believe it can only be achieved by his saying outright, "I know the absurdity of what I'm about to say, but ..." etc. You see the difference? If it were me, I would put the emphasis on being awakened by the haunting laughter for weeks (or months) after. Overall, your docudrama is so riveting, I don't want to even dwell anymore on it.
Jay
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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I think you are absolutely right about that beginning paragraph, Jay. See if my improvement is any better.
Thanks for the terrific review and the 6 stars, my friend.
Comment from royowen
Oh yes Indeed, it would have been terrible to live in Germany during the war, when the propagandists tried to convince the people that things were going well with the war, when evidence was that it was not. If we project ourselves into the minds of these men, how would we handle it? Beautifully written Jim, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Oh yes Indeed, it would have been terrible to live in Germany during the war, when the propagandists tried to convince the people that things were going well with the war, when evidence was that it was not. If we project ourselves into the minds of these men, how would we handle it? Beautifully written Jim, blessings Roy
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Thank you, Roy. Propaganda was such an effective tool used not only by the Nazis, who were masters at it, but by virtually any despotic regime. Other than the simple threat of death, how better to make the populace bend to your will than to lie to them and convince them you are not what you really are.
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I think we both dwell in a country that deals in ?spin?. Perhaps a little less severe.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
What a brave young man to speak truth in the face of such an evil regime. How does someone so young fight so hard in the face of certain death to tell the truth? And what he did for his three friends is amazing!
And what an interesting story you have told us, Jim. You presented it well in this story form, and I thought you added a nice summary/ending.
I hope we never go back to anything like this, but I feel will surely might.
More writing like this, Jim!
Pam
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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What a brave young man to speak truth in the face of such an evil regime. How does someone so young fight so hard in the face of certain death to tell the truth? And what he did for his three friends is amazing!
And what an interesting story you have told us, Jim. You presented it well in this story form, and I thought you added a nice summary/ending.
I hope we never go back to anything like this, but I feel will surely might.
More writing like this, Jim!
Pam
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Thank you very much, Pam. I am honored by such a terrific writer as yourself.
I share your feelings about this young man and how truly courageous he was, first, to attempt to enlighten the German people to the true nature of the regime, and second, to unapologetically state his views to the court at his trial. I think it was more than just attempting to shoulder all the blame for his friends' sake, but I think he was incapable of backing down from his convictions.
It does seem like history keeps repeating itself, and I'm not sure if mankind will ever evolve beyond some of its baser tendencies, but maybe it's just a slow process.
I have a theory about that. I'm not a religious person, and I've never bought into the idea of no matter what evil you've done in life, if you acknowledge your belief in God and ask for his forgiveness, you will be accepted into heaven. On the other hand, you may be the most ethical, wonderful, kind person, but if you don't acknowledge God, you are destined for hell.
What I think is more reasonable is that if there is anything more to life than our one visit here on Earth, it is that we all have a soul that is destined to keep returning through successive lives, and the life you are born into and the conditions you will face are commensurate with the type of life you led in your previous life. Thus, heaven and hell exist here on Earth, for life can be a living hell for some, and heavenly for others. Then, it's up to you to try to improve your position not only in this life, but going forward.
If you've lived an exemplary life during your present lifetime, you will come back under good circumstances and have a better chance going forward. It becomes the reward for a life well-lived. Those born under horrible circumstances face the consequences of evil in their previous life.
I think man is slowly evolving into an improved species, but progress is slow, and there are many false steps and backsliding along the way, but I think the general tendency is improvement. Look at how far we've come in just a generation or two in terms of race relations. The tolerance we have for other races is far greater now than in my parents' generation and will continue to improve if those in power would stop interfering.
It's just a theory I've been mulling over for a while, and I admit it could be totally wrong, but at least it makes more sense to me than traditional Christian thought.
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Jim, thank you for trusting me enough to share your thoughts on a subject that many don't dare talk about. Especially on this site, where so many wish you a "blessed day." I'm with you regarding not believing everything in "the good book." I consider myself to be a spiritual person - and I have written about feeling a "presence" in times of real peril - but I'm not buying the stories in the Bible and I believe they are written as "lessons" on how to live well.
I did really like this story and hope you will write more historical fiction.
Have a great evening,
Pam
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
How very sad this story is Jim. The German people were hood winked by Hitler's Germany and the truth about all the lies eventually came out. Similar things are taking place in Russia today in an effort to control the truth about the Ukrainian war. Propaganda is alive and kicking to this very day. Any attempt to find the truth can result in persecution. I like that this story is told from a personal point of view and I have just one six star left this week and it is yours, a fine story told here, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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How very sad this story is Jim. The German people were hood winked by Hitler's Germany and the truth about all the lies eventually came out. Similar things are taking place in Russia today in an effort to control the truth about the Ukrainian war. Propaganda is alive and kicking to this very day. Any attempt to find the truth can result in persecution. I like that this story is told from a personal point of view and I have just one six star left this week and it is yours, a fine story told here, love Dolly x
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Thank you very much, Dolly, for your insightful review and for the six stars. It's such a shame that we don't learn from history, and it keeps repeating itself.
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You are most welcome to the stars. Evidently war is essential to our survival and it will continue to occur throughout the ages. The trouble is that it is getting a bit to dangerous now with Atomic energy, love Dolly x
Comment from Ben Colder
You deserve more for this write. I know some about the situation as once a soldier stationed in Germany. My assistant Pastor was once a German prisoner and endured much. After years of nightmares and remembering horrible events, in privacy, He gave to all to Christ and intern Christ gave him a peace that passes all understanding. Try it. You might like it.
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reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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You deserve more for this write. I know some about the situation as once a soldier stationed in Germany. My assistant Pastor was once a German prisoner and endured much. After years of nightmares and remembering horrible events, in privacy, He gave to all to Christ and intern Christ gave him a peace that passes all understanding. Try it. You might like it.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Thank you very much, Ben. I'm happy your assistant pastor found the way to relieve him of his nightmares of those horrible times.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Very well written. Good work.
It was a truly horrible time for the world. The Nazi atrocities were horrendous. (As were some of the Japanese with respect to prisoners of war.) That people couldn't see with their own eyes what was happening ... But then, look at Putin's Russia, or Myanmar, or Assad in Syria, or even right here in the U.S. the way some leaders behave with regard to minorities.
Best wishes.
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reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Very well written. Good work.
It was a truly horrible time for the world. The Nazi atrocities were horrendous. (As were some of the Japanese with respect to prisoners of war.) That people couldn't see with their own eyes what was happening ... But then, look at Putin's Russia, or Myanmar, or Assad in Syria, or even right here in the U.S. the way some leaders behave with regard to minorities.
Best wishes.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Thank you, Wayne. It's such a shame that history is doomed to repeat itself. It makes us wonder if we will ever be rid of the horrors foisted on us by madmen and a brainwashed populace.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
This is the best writing I have read in a very long time. You did a wonderful job telling this story. My husband was active Army and we lived in Germany for two tours, each four years long. While there we visited many war sights and went to Dachau. Even in the parking lot of Dachau, and all these years later my skin crawled at the horrific atrocities that happened there. Even our four-year-old could feel it. You described this very well.
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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This is the best writing I have read in a very long time. You did a wonderful job telling this story. My husband was active Army and we lived in Germany for two tours, each four years long. While there we visited many war sights and went to Dachau. Even in the parking lot of Dachau, and all these years later my skin crawled at the horrific atrocities that happened there. Even our four-year-old could feel it. You described this very well.
Comment Written 23-May-2023
reply by the author on 23-May-2023
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Thank you for your awesome review, Barbara. I watched the Italian movie, Life Is Beautiful recently and was reminded once again of the horrors of the Third Reich and their infamous impact on history. Let's hope something like this is never repeated.