Interesting Memorabilia

My grandpa is a veteran of World War II.  His experiences are among my favorite family stories.

While staying at his home last week, I noticed an interesting book on his shelf.


It’s an untranslated copy, in German, printed in Germany.


Hitler’s picture at the front of the book:


The swastika on the front cover.


I love books.  They represent so many positive things to me.  It was interesting to hold this book in my hands, finger the yellowing pages and consider the ugliness that permeates this book.  It seems like such a curious piece of memorabilia to keep from the war.    Until you see what’s just inside the cover:

A picture of my great-uncle, my grandpa’s brother-in-law, sharing his opinion of the book and its author.


Here is the inscription.


Uncle Harry was a  photographer.  When he joined the army, he was assigned to Germany and was a photographer there as well.  My grandpa was in the Navy, stationed in the Pacific.  Harry sent this book home for Grandpa.

Just what was the “best possible use” for such propaganda?


With an addition like that, how could you NOT keep the book?  As for me, I love the handwriting, Harry’s signature, the thought of these two men sharing this memory, the picture of my uncle looking so young.  It’s a little piece of family history as well as a token from the war.


After sitting with my Grandpa to ask him about it, it’s become a memory for me as well.  I don’t know where the book will end up someday, but I wanted to preserve it for myself.

Hopeful Homemaker