In spite of all the films; memoirs and novels about the Holocaust; it remains an absolutely specific and totally inaccessible Phenomenon.In this long-awaited memoir; Simone Veil describes in vivid detail how her idyllic childhood came to an abrupt end in 1944; when her family was deported to the concentration camps. Veil survived Auschwitz–Birkenau and Bergen–Belsen; but her mother; father; and brother all died in captivity.With undeterred resolve; Simone Veil went on to study law and political science. She later became the minister of health in France; where she fought to legalize abortion; prompting the head of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada to criticize Veil's presence at the sixtieth anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation; writing that she was to be held responsible for a mass murder of human life far exceeding that of the German National Socialists by legalizing and promoting abortion.Simone Veil was elected the first president of the European Parliament in 1979 and later returned to French politics as minister for social affairs. Admired across the world for her personal courage; she has written a sincere and candid account of an extraordinary life; reflecting her humanity and determination to improve political stability and social standards in France and across Europe.
#1030862 in Books Hikoki Publications 2009-12-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 12.00 x 1.13 x 8.75l; 3.92 #File Name: 1902109090360 pages
Review
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Worth the WaitBy History BuffDue to publishing delays my book arrived 6 months after the order was placed so I wondered if this book was worth the wait? I had previously read reviews on the "out of print" version of this book.This 2009 version of the book was updated and now has 360 pages.Here are some of the items included in the book:#1 Over 150 pages covering the various unit histories within the Italian Air Force.#2 Eleven pages of maps showing airfields used by the Regia Aeronautica including Italy; North Africa; East Africa; Russia; Europe and the Balkans.#3 Squadron allocations are covered in eight pages.#4 Thirteen pages showing Orders of Battle.#5 Aircraft specifications and camouflage/markings are discussed and there are many color side profiles of aircraft used by the Italian Air Force.#6 One page showing color unit badges.#7 Excerpts from Italian aircraft manuals.#8 Tables listing Italian Aces and Allied shipping casualties (damaged and sunk).#9 Interesting sections on "Why the Regia Aeronautica Lost" and "The Carrier Aquila".The book was worth the wait and provides much information on a very scarce subject.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding reference source for the Regia AeronauticaBy WryGuy2"Courage Alone: The Italian Air Force 1940-1943"; by Chris Dunning; covers the Regia Aeronautica (the Italian Air Force; or RA) from when Italy declared war in June 1940 to its surrender to the Allies in September 1943.Before describing what this book is; let me first say what it is not. It is not a description of the combat and operational history of the RA in its many campaigns during that time frame; except in an indirect way. Do not buy this if that's what you're looking for. What you get when you buy this book is a detailed individual history of all of the RA gruppi (aircraft formations of typically 18 to 24 aircraft) and independent Squadriglia (aircraft formations of typically 9 to 12 aircraft); analysis on the RA command structure; impressive maps of bases and locations in all the theatres the IAF was involved; and orders of battle. You also will find individual chapters on aircrew; individual figher aces; brief details of all of aircraft types used by the RA; equipment; markings; camoflage; rare pictures (many in color); and an analysis of why the RA lost; among others.Again; this book is not for the casual reader looking for an entertaining tale about IAF operations over Great Britian or the Soviet Union. Its for the modeler; author; serious historian; or World War II buff looking to learn about the nuts and bolts of the IAF. To that audience; this book is pure gold; as very little has been written about the IAF; particularly at this detailed of a level. The production quality of this book is quite high; and it's obviously a labor of love for the author.Highly recommended.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A Monumental WorkBy Raphael A. RiccioThis book represents a monumental effort by Dunning to chronicle the story of the Regia Aeronautica during the war. It is extremely well organized; overwhelming with information; and impressively documented with photographs and color plates. My only criticism is that I would have liked to have seen the subject covered in a chronological order by theater; rather than unit by unit in numerical order; but that's a personal preference and does not detract from the validity of the book. As other reviewers have stated; this book more than adequately fills a void in coverage of the Regia Aeronautica. I'm not sure that the book puts the achievements of Italian pilots in the context I had expected; or to the extent that I had thought it might. Be that as it may; this book is an indispensable English language reference on the Regia Aeronautica; and is more than reasonably priced for the size and quality of the book; and the treasure trove of information it presents.
