The Nazi Executioner
Historical Fiction22 total reviews
Comment from Lisasview
Good morning Jim,
I have chills and I am blown away by your story....
It is so well written...
The only thing is that one can forgive but never forget...just a thought...
Also, did Wilhelm speak with all the prisoners? Or was this young man special for some reason.. Oh yes, and I do not completely understand how his testimony saved his friends from being beheaded... just curious...you might want to add a bit more about that, so it is more convincing...
I usually do not have time to read stories as I am busy with reading, reviewing and writing...but yours pulled me in.
As it turns out my husband and I just finished watching a documentary, Everything the Nazis Hate, really so interesting... I think you will like it.
Lisa, early in Spain
reply by the author on 01-Jul-2023
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Good morning Jim,
I have chills and I am blown away by your story....
It is so well written...
The only thing is that one can forgive but never forget...just a thought...
Also, did Wilhelm speak with all the prisoners? Or was this young man special for some reason.. Oh yes, and I do not completely understand how his testimony saved his friends from being beheaded... just curious...you might want to add a bit more about that, so it is more convincing...
I usually do not have time to read stories as I am busy with reading, reviewing and writing...but yours pulled me in.
As it turns out my husband and I just finished watching a documentary, Everything the Nazis Hate, really so interesting... I think you will like it.
Lisa, early in Spain
Comment Written 01-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 01-Jul-2023
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Thank you for this wonderful review, Lisa. I'm glad you found this story interesting. It is largely factual. The parts that make it historical fiction are the dialogs between Hubener and Rottger and the incidents on the day of execution.
For a long time, I've harbored a fantasy about what I would say to an executioner who was about to kill me for an unjust reason when I had no weapons except my words to defend myself. What could I say that would cut deeply and haunt him going forward. This was my answer to that urge.
Comment from CrystieCookie999
I liked this slant on Helmuth Hubener's story. I had that book "Three Against Hitler" by Rudi Wobbe and Jerry Borrowman for a while, but I think I loaned it to someone. We all need reminders that young people can stand up to truth in spite of dire consequences. Thank you for sharing, and congratulations on the prize.
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2023
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I liked this slant on Helmuth Hubener's story. I had that book "Three Against Hitler" by Rudi Wobbe and Jerry Borrowman for a while, but I think I loaned it to someone. We all need reminders that young people can stand up to truth in spite of dire consequences. Thank you for sharing, and congratulations on the prize.
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2023
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Sometimes the young are the most principled, before they've had a chance to become jaded and have learned to compromise and rationalize. Thanks for your congrats, Crystie.
Comment from Elizabeth Henderson
This is beautifully written and so sad. You have it listed it as historical fiction, but I imagine much of it is true, as you note in your comments. I think we need to be vigilant in our own country as the people in power are aggressively turning neighbor against neighbor! Wonder why?
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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This is beautifully written and so sad. You have it listed it as historical fiction, but I imagine much of it is true, as you note in your comments. I think we need to be vigilant in our own country as the people in power are aggressively turning neighbor against neighbor! Wonder why?
Comment Written 03-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for your very kind review and the 6 stars. I definitely agree that those in power are helping turn neighbor against neighbor--maybe not on purpose--but certainly through misguided actions and programs, and rather than helping race relations are actually impeding them.
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I think it's all on purpose! I think Satan is excited to see the downturn our nation has taken and feels he's in charge now. On that point, I disagree.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Ouch. I like the golf stories better, however, that being said this was well written. Guillotines in the forties? First time I heard of such. What a horrible plight. Still, if I had to be put to death, that surely, would be quickest and more certain than being shot, or electrocuted.
reply by the author on 27-May-2023
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Ouch. I like the golf stories better, however, that being said this was well written. Guillotines in the forties? First time I heard of such. What a horrible plight. Still, if I had to be put to death, that surely, would be quickest and more certain than being shot, or electrocuted.
Comment Written 26-May-2023
reply by the author on 27-May-2023
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Thanks, Tom. I read something about that. The head probably remains conscious for 10 or 15 seconds following decapitation, but it probably doesn't register pain because it usually takes longer than that to register pain. Still, that's gotta be weird.
Comment from JT traveller
Wowsers. Deep and dark, a change from your usual writing. Well written and most engaging. Take care of yourself. Tread kindly. Life is short. Jacqueline
reply by the author on 26-May-2023
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Wowsers. Deep and dark, a change from your usual writing. Well written and most engaging. Take care of yourself. Tread kindly. Life is short. Jacqueline
Comment Written 26-May-2023
reply by the author on 26-May-2023
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Thanks, Jacqueline. Yes, this was quite a change of pace for me, but I'll get back to my usual silly poetry soon.
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Au contraire. Please continue. This is great. Cleanse Jim. Soul soothing.
Comment from Zoe Webb
This was a great story. I like Rottger's humanity while being on the wrong side of history. Hubner is also a great character - forced to be a Nazi since his youth, and fighting to revolt. Wish I had six stars to give.
reply by the author on 25-May-2023
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This was a great story. I like Rottger's humanity while being on the wrong side of history. Hubner is also a great character - forced to be a Nazi since his youth, and fighting to revolt. Wish I had six stars to give.
Comment Written 25-May-2023
reply by the author on 25-May-2023
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Many thanks for your thoughtful review, Zoe.
Comment from Faith Williams
Wow, Jim, you draw me in with that first sentence and kept my attention throughout the piece.
One suggestion to consider:
The sentence, 'The laugh began before the blade fell and perhaps for some time after his severed head dropped into the waiting basket, but I'm not sure for I had averted my eyes, and perhaps that is only a macabre thought that has made its way into my mind,' is a little long. Maybe make it in two? Ending the first sentence after eyes? Also, maybe switch the second 'perhaps' to 'maybe'?
A well-written piece, Jim. What a courageous young man to stand against such a regime and to deliberately provoke the judges on behalf of his friends.
reply by the author on 25-May-2023
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Wow, Jim, you draw me in with that first sentence and kept my attention throughout the piece.
One suggestion to consider:
The sentence, 'The laugh began before the blade fell and perhaps for some time after his severed head dropped into the waiting basket, but I'm not sure for I had averted my eyes, and perhaps that is only a macabre thought that has made its way into my mind,' is a little long. Maybe make it in two? Ending the first sentence after eyes? Also, maybe switch the second 'perhaps' to 'maybe'?
A well-written piece, Jim. What a courageous young man to stand against such a regime and to deliberately provoke the judges on behalf of his friends.
Comment Written 25-May-2023
reply by the author on 25-May-2023
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Thank you very much, Faith, for your 6-star review and your wonderful suggestions for the opening paragraph. I will plan to make the changes.
Comment from Sally Law
Jim, I'm aching for a six here for this masterful write! You did a great job with this bit of history and the character resident in Hubener. I'm a war historian, self taught, and especially well studied on WWII. I'm amazed at power of propaganda in this war and how it literally poisoned the Nazi Regime and the people. If you spoke up or resisted, you were treated like a Jew and ultimately killed, just like Hubener, Sophie Scholl, Deitrick Bonhoeffer, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, and Corrie Ten Boom's family, countless others that said no and aligned themselves with truth.
Propaganda can only succeeded when the truth has been stifled or silenced. I pity the outcome of the ones that didn't turn away from the madness. I believe there is a higher court, and the Bible says every human being will stand before the Lord one day and give an account of their actions, both good and bad.
Even now, I fear for the United States, and the amount of propaganda in the news and divisive politics. These godless governments don't happen over night. They begin by suppressing truth and crushing the freedoms of the people.
Thank you again for sharing. I'm in awe.
Sending you my best today as always.
Sally Law :))
reply by the author on 25-May-2023
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Jim, I'm aching for a six here for this masterful write! You did a great job with this bit of history and the character resident in Hubener. I'm a war historian, self taught, and especially well studied on WWII. I'm amazed at power of propaganda in this war and how it literally poisoned the Nazi Regime and the people. If you spoke up or resisted, you were treated like a Jew and ultimately killed, just like Hubener, Sophie Scholl, Deitrick Bonhoeffer, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, and Corrie Ten Boom's family, countless others that said no and aligned themselves with truth.
Propaganda can only succeeded when the truth has been stifled or silenced. I pity the outcome of the ones that didn't turn away from the madness. I believe there is a higher court, and the Bible says every human being will stand before the Lord one day and give an account of their actions, both good and bad.
Even now, I fear for the United States, and the amount of propaganda in the news and divisive politics. These godless governments don't happen over night. They begin by suppressing truth and crushing the freedoms of the people.
Thank you again for sharing. I'm in awe.
Sending you my best today as always.
Sally Law :))
Comment Written 25-May-2023
reply by the author on 25-May-2023
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Thank you for your very nice review, Sally, and for relating your thoughts on the matter of propaganda. It is, indeed, such a powerful and terrible tool in the arsenal of despots and their willing accomplices in the media. I, too, fear that we may be heading down the wrong path when misinformation is our guide.
Comment from Spitfire
A strong piece of literation as told by the executioner in charge of severing the heads of Nazi criminals. I could feel the narrator's emotions and sense his guilty conscience. Using the laugh pulled together the beginning and end. For a haunting read about the fictional life of a Polish girl trying to survive when captured by the Nazi's, read Jodi Picoult's "The Storyteller".
reply by the author on 25-May-2023
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A strong piece of literation as told by the executioner in charge of severing the heads of Nazi criminals. I could feel the narrator's emotions and sense his guilty conscience. Using the laugh pulled together the beginning and end. For a haunting read about the fictional life of a Polish girl trying to survive when captured by the Nazi's, read Jodi Picoult's "The Storyteller".
Comment Written 24-May-2023
reply by the author on 25-May-2023
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Thanks so much, Shari, for your great review and the 6 stars. And thanks for your recommendation too. I'll check that out.
Comment from Ric Myworld
Wow! You've left me with a picture that I won't soon if ever forget. And then, at the end to find out the story is true makes it even stronger. Outstanding writing. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 24-May-2023
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Wow! You've left me with a picture that I won't soon if ever forget. And then, at the end to find out the story is true makes it even stronger. Outstanding writing. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 24-May-2023
reply by the author on 24-May-2023
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I am really honored by your wonderful review, Ric. Thank you very much for your kind words and for the 6 stars.