World War II in Antwerp, Belgium: Experiences of a Young Boy

A Very Different WWII BookMagnificent! This book is remarkable. It came when I was finishing The Unwomanly Face of War by Swetlana Alexievich the 2105 Nobel winner. Rather than Russian women, William LeMaire tells the story of occupied Belgium from the eyes of a grade school boy and adds to the remarkable individual stories about WWIIThe story was as well written and informative as Alexievich's interviews and stories!LeMaire has forged his own identity with this story. Stories about war are often written in terms of battles and troop movements. Hearing a boy’s account about food shortages, resistance, gunfire outside your house, back yard gardens to nourish the family, and how school and other functions still went on, even 10 year olds outwitting the Jesuits, was fascinating.If you start this book, you will have trouble putting it down. It is a powerful and deeply moving story.Robert Carlson

This is a stunning book written, telling stories of his youth, LeMaire shares the details of World War II. He shares his memories and thoughts of his youth, and how he as a child perceived the war. The writing is well done and you can feel the emotions jump off the page as he relives his youth. Horrors were happening around him, but his parents tried to shelter him as much as possible. He grew up mostly unaware of the terrors of the Nazis and their destruction. A very vibrant recall and a great read. LeMaire, thanks for sharing your stories, your memories.

The author grew up in wartime Antwerp and tells the stories of that time in this delightful book. I imagine sitting listening to the 80+ year old grandfather telling tales of the war. The reader is taken to a different time and the book brings a real and warm, fatherly feel to an element of World War II that is often overlooked. Great read.

Without trivializing war the anecdotes revealed a very different perspective of an important period in history from someone who lived through it. Like "the past is myself" by Christabel Bielenberg it puts you in the moment where you get the feel for the era.

Short and sweet.. I would have like a little more war experience but the author was evidently protected by his family

This book was first published as an ebook through Smashwords and available for free on Amazon. The book received three reviews which I am pasting here as the paperback version is essentially the same as the ebook.5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Different WWII BookAugust 30, 2017Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseA Very Different WWII BookMagnificent! This book is remarkable. It came when I was finishing The Unwomanly Face of War by Swetlana Alexievich the 2105 Nobel winner. Rather than Russian women, William LeMaire tells the story of occupied Belgium from the eyes of a grade school boy and adds to the remarkable individual stories about WWIIThe story was as well written and informative as Alexievich's interviews and stories!LeMaire has forged his own identity with this story. Stories about war are often written in terms of battles and troop movements. Hearing a boy’s account about food shortages, resistance, gunfire outside your house, back yard gardens to nourish the family, and how school and other functions still went on, even 10 year olds outwitting the Jesuits, was fascinating.If you start this book, you will have trouble putting it down. It is a powerful and deeply moving story.Robert Carlson3 people found this helpful5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provokingJanuary 31, 2018Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseThis is a stunning book written, telling stories of his youth, LeMaire shares the details of World War II. He shares his memories and thoughts of his youth, and how he as a child perceived the war. The writing is well done and you can feel the emotions jump off the page as he relives his youth. Horrors were happening around him, but his parents tried to shelter him as much as possible. He grew up mostly unaware of the terrors of the Nazis and their destruction. A very vibrant recall and a great read. LeMaire, thanks for sharing your stories, your memories.4.0 out of 5 starsInterestingApril 27, 2018Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseShort and sweet.. I would have like a little more war experience but the author was evidently protected by his family Read more