Lizzi & Fredl: A Perilous Journey of Love and Faith

by: Dr. William B. Stanford

Published by: iUniverse, Inc.

Reviewed By Michele E. Davis

There are movies and books, plus family oral history of what the Nazi SS did to the Jews, homosexuals, handicapped, mentally challenged, and Polish Roman Catholics. But the Nazi’s weren’t the only persecutors. Lizzi and Fredl were Austrian and Roman Catholic. Lizzi a well-respected dressmaker, and Fredl a master of fine jewelry.

In August of 1938, The Republic of Germany demanded that Fredl present himself in Munich within three days, and his new position required him to work at an aviation factory designing delicate timing devices for Hitler’s bombs. He was appalled to think he would have to work for the madman, and the couple decided to head to France. Along with them went Fredl’s two brothers, Ernstl and Fritz, plus their wives Elise and Betty. But France wasn’t as idyllic as one would think. The war was looming towards that small country and, unfortunately, the French began to treat foreigners with disdain and distrust. It wasn’t long before Fredl is separated from his wife and forced into a detention camp, which is the first in a series of ever deteriorating and humiliating places that he finds himself in.

In 1950 Lizzi, Fredl and their young son immigrated to the U.S. As Bill grew older he occasionally mentioned their war experiences but his parents weren’t talking about them. During the late 1990s Fredl, in his 80s, finally agreed to tell his story, and Lizzi also gradually flowed open with her tragic tales. This communion of stories brought Bill’s parents closer together, as they would often say after they told their son a story, “You didn’t tell me about that incident.” In their old age, they grew closer via the storytelling of their horrific experiences in WWII. Sadly, the author’s parents died in 2001 and 2004 respectively. But their memories will live on in this ode of love to them from their son.

Go out and buy this book. It is an excellent read, and just as the front cover says, “A perilous journey of love and faith.”

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Author’s Web site: http://www.DrWilliamBStanford.com