40 Recommended WWII Films (English)

  With just one week to go before the release of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, we thought we’d help you warm up by sharing here the Forty WWII Movies in English as recommended by the authors of the Facebook Second World War Club. Rather than ranking the films though, we decided to list them in

Anzio Beach 1944

When writing Rose of Anzio, I had read many first-hand accounts of the experience of American nurses and soldiers who were part of Operation Shingle during WWII. Their descriptions of what had happened on Anzio Beach were so vivid, I wished we can visualize what they had witnessed. I suggested the idea to graphic artist Jeff Brown. He eagerly took… Continue reading Anzio Beach 1944

1940 USA Isolationists vs. Interventionists Part 2 – America First

Leon pulled a pamphlet from his briefcase by the side of his seat and put it on the table in front of Anthony. “Defend America First!” was printed in bold letters across the top. At the bottom in smaller print, the phrase “America First Committee.” — Moonlight, Chapter 8   As written in Moonlight, the America… Continue reading 1940 USA Isolationists vs. Interventionists Part 2 – America First

1940 USA Isolationists vs. Interventionists: Part 1 – Chicago

“You know this isn’t simply a matter of your friends being taken out of school to join the Army.” Leon leaned forward in his chair. “You know what this war’s really about? Profiteering. And I’ll be the first to tell anyone all about the importance of profits. But this isn’t worth it. It’s not worth… Continue reading 1940 USA Isolationists vs. Interventionists: Part 1 – Chicago

Buicks! 1940s style…

“A light blue Buick convertible pulled up to the entrance of the driveway leading to a limestone mansion. The mansion itself was barely visible from the street, but from there, the passersby could catch glimpses of the magnificent rose garden in front of the house.”   – Moonlight, Chapter One I don’t like gender stereotypes, but the… Continue reading Buicks! 1940s style…

Michigan Avenue Bridge 1940

Last week, someone said this about the cover of Book One-Moonlight: “Your Your book blurbs says the story is in Chicago 1940. Why isn’t your cover a picture of Chicago? Looks like a picture of some exotic city.” Ahhh…but the book cover of Moonlight does show Chicago. It is a view of Michigan Avenue Bridge… Continue reading Michigan Avenue Bridge 1940

Chicago Weather, May 13, 1940

Cudahy Science Hall

Anthony Ardley got out of the car, said goodbye to his friend who had driven him, and walked toward his home. It was only the end of May, still early in the summer, but the Chicago heat had already started to swell. He didn’t mind though. With the heat, his summer vacation had begun. —… Continue reading Chicago Weather, May 13, 1940

Chicago 1940

Chicago 1940s

Rose of Anzio ~ Moonlight begins in the summer of 1940 in Chicago. Back then, the Chicago Board of Education produced a short film about this city, which gives a visual glimpse of the world at that time. When I wrote the story, I imagined Anthony and Tessa’s presence everywhere in these footage. [kad_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JzD9oYLVzY”… Continue reading Chicago 1940