Refuge From The Reich: American Airmen And Switzerland During World War II tells the riveting story of how U.S. airman, shot out the skies by the Germans, parachuted, crash-landed, or otherwise escaped to Switzerland. There they encountered a country where food and heat were rationed, where every man was an armed solider subject to instant mobilization to counter the German threat. It was a small, mountainous country swarming with internees, refugees, and expatriates seeking protection from the certain death that awaited them from the Axis powers. By the end of the war there was a firm and pervasive sense of respect between the U.S. airmen and the Swiss who had given them secure protection from the Germans. Refuge From The Reich is a valued and informative contribution to the annals of World War II's European theater.

With a world war blazing around all your borders, it is not so easy to maintain your neutrality. Switzerland, a tiny republic encircled by fascist tyrannies, managed just that difficult feat during World War 2. Three circumstances worked in its favor in achieving this policy. Switzerland had:

(1) an armed and trained populace (2) an almost impenetrable terrain in its Alpine fortress (which covers most of the country) and (3) a strong and tested tradition of honest, and heavily armed, neutrality stretching back to the Middle Ages.

Switzerland's good fortune was also good luck for others, including 1700 American airmen, who, during the course of the war, found safe haven in Switzerland when their ships were crippled in combat and some 100,000 internees and escaped POWs from many armies, as well as about 200,000 civilian refugees.

Well-armed and neutral, Switzerland still had to defend its sovereignty and people not just from the Nazis, but on occasion, from stray American bombers, as well, as Stephen Tanner documents in "Refuge from the Reich," his exciting account of this chapter of the air war over Europe and American airmen's seeking sanctuary in tiny Switzerland.

Ground armies and air armadas swirled along the Swiss borders from June 1940 to May 1945. From time to time, soldiers crossed Switzerland's borders, by land and by air, to find themselves interned "for the duration." In all, over 100,000 soldiers and airmen were interned in Switzerland during the war, including approximately 1700 American aviators, mostly the crews of heavily damaged B-17 and B-24 bombers that could not make it back to their bases in England or Italy.

The first American airmen began arriving in Switzerland in August 1943, as 8th and 15th Air Force began their heavy daylight bombing campaigns over southern Germany. In 1944, as many as ten crippled aircraft might land there in a given day. Stephen Tanner tells the story of the fortunate airmen who made it safely down to Swiss soil -- and also tells the sadder tale of their crewmates who died in crashes or who fell short and ended up in German stalags.

Mr. Tanner has written a compelling narrative history, briefly tracking the evolution of the democratic Swiss Confederation from its origins in the heart of medieval, monarchist Europe, and also describing the development of strategic air power and its application in Europe during World War 2. He gives a running account that weaves the stories of the American aviators and the little democracy's tenacious defense of its independence and scrupulous adherence to the Geneva Conventions. Tanner combines a "top down" strategic overview with "bottom up" personal narratives of the surviving aviators very successfully.

"Refuge from the Reich" is also a very moving book . You will find the stories of the US airmen buried in the cemetery in the Swiss town of Munsingen. You will find accounts of airmen wanting back in the fight and mounting hundreds of successful (and sometimes unsuccessful) escapes, often with the help of US embassy personnel and ordinary Swiss citizens. You will find, too, tales of the infamous little camp at Wauwilermoos, under the command of the corrupt Nazi sympathizer, Captain Beguin, where discipline cases and unsuccessful escapees alike were sometimes sent for punishment. You will find accounts of the U.S. Army Air Force's bombing of Swiss towns and cities in error -- of the bombing of Schaffhausen with 50 dead, and even of Zurich and Basel with less tragic results. Mostly you will find the humanity of the Swiss people and the young American airmen on display, as they encounter each other in the midst of world war.

"Refuge from the Reich" does a very nice job of combining strategy and diplomacy with dangerous missions, hazardous landings, escapes and captures, a little espionage and intrigue, and a most illuminating portrait of a neutral people surviving in the shadow of world war.

The courage of the Swiss during World War II has never before been so completely or accurately portrayed as in Refuge from the Reich. Long viewed as a neutral, unimportant footnote in WWII history, Switzerland was actually a crucial lifesaver for many US airmen during the conflict. Tanner uses exciting first-hand accounts of planes falling from the sky and Swiss pilots coming to the rescue to point out that, though neutral, Switzerland took an active part in protecting its country and those who entered uninvited.

The crux of the book is the sequence of events leading to and from internment--a forced type of stay required of downed flyers who landed in neutral countries during the war. American flyers came down in the hundreds to survive burning wreckages, all because Switzerland was there to protect them.

Tanner manages to make the Swiss seem at once sympathetic and demanding of their interned soldiers, reminding the world that the Swiss were in a precarious situation that they somehow survived unscathed. For the honest depiction of Switzerland alone this book should be part of every WWII student's collection. Far too much of recent literature about the Swiss has focused (wrongly) on their banking policies to allow this other role to be ignored. To know what really happened--to know about the hardships they suffered, the simple life they espoused and survived by--Refuge from the Reich is a book worthy of buying. WWII buffs in general will love the airwar sequences too; Tanner managed to find some truly thrilling crash-landing stories.

I've been to Switzerland on 4 trips for a total of about 6
weeks, mainly in the Bernese Oberland. I have not yet found
a better book for the first time visitor to this area. Even
though I've been there several times I still find it
worthwhile. There are no specifics on hotels or restaurants,
just on sights. They choose 10 trips and 4 excursions, and I
can think of other choices but not better choices; most are my favorites. The trips are from a half day to one day, depending
on what variations you choose; the excursions require a full
day. There are also some other suggestions and information on
Swiss tourist offices and websites, which I would also recommend
that you email and/or visit when you are in the area. Basic information includes food & drink, transportation, etc.

We were in Switzerland this summer and I highly recommend this guide for anyone who will be in the Bernese Oberland area in Switzerland. It is very well written and the maps are very helpful. Wengen, a small swiss village 45 minutes from Interlaken is very beautiful and we could have easily missed that had it not been for this book.

I bought the Alspach's book on the Bernese Oberland when it was first published in 1992. This book has been invaluable to my family on our many trips to that area. Since we are there for at least two weeks, we have had the chance to follow almost all of the suggested hikes and excursions and have loved every one of them. I recently purchased their 2nd Edition and they have done a great job of updating their gem of a travel guide, adding many new maps, photographs and hikes.

The hike called the Eiger Trail is spectacular, a great addition. We did this hike last year and found it as rewarding as the Alspach's state. We are looking forward to the hike to Obersteinberg, as it suggests an overnight stay in a mountain hotel.

I highly recommend the 2nd Edition if you are lucky enough to be traveling to the Swiss Bernese Oberland.

Gregg Rickman's masterful work is a true "insider's guide" to the Swiss Banks/Nazi Gold issue. Rickman leads the reader through the past, Swiss wartime collaboration with the Nazi regime in profiting from the Holocaust, through the present -- the ongoing pursuit of justice 50 years later.

Far more than an observer, Rickman was a leading actor in this historically unprecedented research and discovery effort. He deftly guides the reader along his journey as the issue developed and exploded on the international scene beginning in 1996. To present the political, historical, ethical and legal aspects of this issue, Rickman incorporates interviews, testimonies, hearing trancripts,and his personal perspective as THE key policy maker involved in stategizing and coordinating the investigation into a supposedly "neutral" government's past.

This book is a MUST READ for anyone interested in World War II, the Holocaust, and the Swiss Banks/Nazi Gold issue. It is also an incredible case study and moral tale of the triumph of good over evil. Rickman shows how he and others tackled the mighty Swiss banking establishment -- and won. Rickman was instrumental in shattering Switzerland's neutrality myth and exposing the hidden secrets of the "Gnomes of Zurich." He has done a valuable public service in writing and sharing this fascinating story. I highly recommend it.

During the past four years I have read probably every book and government report regarding Jewish bank accounts in Swiss banks. Many of the books are quick, journalistic-types; often containing incorrect or misleading information. Most were written by "outsiders," people who have not been directly involved in the identification of Jewish assets in Swiss banks, nor involved in the efforts to bring about restitution of such assets. This book by Gregg Rickman is one of the exceptions. He was directly involved in the identification and restitution efforts. In fact, he put his heart and soul into the efforts to bring justice to victims of the Holocaust and to their heirs. Thus, it is not surprising that the book is written with a real passion. The "bad guys" are identified and taken to task. The "good guys" are also identified and their roles are clarified in the various political, diplomatic, and legal contextes. Rickmann weaves a story containing information about past misdeeds and present injustices and recent efforts to turn history into justice. His book should be mandatory reading for anybody interested in the subject and for anybody interested in how old archival records can be used to right the wrongs of the past.

THIS BOOK IS MUST READING FOR ANYONE WITH AN INTEREST IN THE HOLOCAUST; SWISS BANKS, OR THE ROLE THE SWISS PLAYED DURING WORLD WAR II. THE ENTIRE TRUTH ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION BY SENATOR ALFONSE D'AMATO. VERY WELL WRITTEN. A BOOK YOU CAN'T PUT DOWN UNTIL FINISHED.

Ms. Cranford has written a delightful travel book--warm, personal, informative, and fun. The pen and ink illustrations, of which there are many, are beautiful and add to the text descriptions. Anyone who travels or wants to travel or enjoys reading about traveling will enjoy this book. A great gift for the holidays or special occasions.

TRAVELS was a very enjoyable and easily readable story with interesting hand-drawn images and a clever use of historical quotes throughout. To me it was more than just a story of a couples travels through Europe, but rather it was neat to see how a couple traveled together. What I liked the most was that The Cranfords appear to have developed a balance between "winging it" and "sticking to an itinerary"; something that I think is difficult for many people(including me) to achieve. Again, this introduction to Euro-travel is quite nice and makes for an easy read on a quiet rainy day.

I loved this book because it so personalized. Instead of just describing the regular tourist stops of, say, Windsor Castle, Ms. Cranford recounts her personal experiences while traveling, including meals, hotels, shops, taxi drivers and more. She shows the wonders and the warts of her trip. She shares lots of tips to make your own trip easier. Even if you never plan to travel, reading Ms. Cranford's book will make you feel as though you were on the trip she took. I look forward to book two in this series of personal travels.

I have perused many guide books on the Alps, but this is the best one for planning a trip. Why? 1.Instead of unintelligible maps and chunks of incomprehensible prose, this guide has clear maps and concise descriptions (plus good pictures) that help you decide which trip is right for you. 2.The author includes a great range of hikes, from day trips to 2-3 days to longer treks. Also summit climbing routes on mountains from easy to moderate difficulty, plus snowshoe hikes for winter. 3. Unlike guide books that are only about getting from point A to B, this one has a lot of really interesting information about the history, flowers, wildlife, architecture, and culture of the alps. It's a complete package for planning a great trip.

An excellent book that will appeal equally to walkers and climbers.The selection is wide and varied and the format is easy to follow.A detailed and thorough first hand knowledge is much in evidence and the writer does a great job in promoting The Alps.One suspects that there will be more books to follow from this author.I am planning to do the Chamonix--Zermatt trek this summer and Hilary`s description makes it all the more enticing.I can`t wait to get there!!

nice price for a book detailing 22 different Alpine treks. Ms. Sharp includes practical "how to" information on each trek, as well as essentials on technical peaks that are accessible along the way. Her knowledge and love of the Alps is obvious from the text, and the photos are a real motivator to get over to Europe and do them all. Printed on high quality paper, this is a useful take-along resource for anyone who wants to include some adventure in a visit to Europe. Highly recommended.

Recently I had the opportunity to travel to the Eiger's North face. While in Grindelwald, I came across a copy of "The White Spider" and simply had to pick it up. Harrer's sensitivity toward the mountains that were his life and to his peers is unparalled. This sensitivity is intertwined throughout the book in not only his own first ascent of the face, but the subsequent successes and tragedies that occurred there. An incredible, heartfelt and wonderfully written book made even more fantastic when you can witness where it all took place.

I read this book 28 year ago. I have since been to the N. face of the Eiger to look at it and reflect on this book. It is a great book involving the will of man and his determination to overcome obstacles. Over my life time, when I have thought that things were going rough, I have thought of this book and the story of these men. I am now looking for a copy of this book and have an open order with Amazon. I highly recommend this book to all parents of teen age children. It will be well worth reading to all of you. The specific situation is less relevant than the more global significance of the lessons of commitment, loyalty and endurance.

I find it hard to believe this book is out of print considering Harrer's coming back into the vogue with "Seven Years in Tibet" on film. So many people are reading "Into Thin Air" and the latest mountain climbing spectaculars. I urge you to go back to the basics and read this book which is the best of them all. "Harrowing" best describes this history of the North Wall of the Eiger.

I found this to be a very insightful and sensitive look at modern asylum policies in Europe. It is written for a broad audience--from political scientists to students to individuals interested in this very topical and important issue area.

Recommended for a better understanding of the current crisis facing Europe and the United States. I grew interested in the topic because everyday there is news coverage, including much in the New York Times.

"I received your kind letter and thank you for it. It was very nice of you to send me your photo, so that I have a better impression of you as a person..."

So begins Otto Frank's first letter to a young American girl in 1957, a suburban California girl named Cara as much in the mainstream of American society as the pop songs she listens to on the radio. That girl had read Anne's diary, had been deeply moved by it, and had written to Anne's father.

He wrote back.

Cara wrote to him again. Otto wrote back. She wrote again. He wrote again. And so on and so forth...for decades. They grew close. Cara faced all the same questions we face, about school, love, marriage, child-rearing, politics, family. But she had a very, very special mentor.

This book is her story of that relationship. Yes, it's a remarkable pairing. But it's also a remarkable tour through the last half of the 20th century, through the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam, the Watergate days, too many wars in the Middle East; all reflected in a single woman's coming of age. The letters back and forth are always revealing and quite often gripping. They are about private troubles and public issues. And when Cara, as a woman, goes to visit an ailing Otto, by now an old man, it would take a reader with a hard heart indeed not to feel a lump in the throat, at least. Then, when Otto her a collection of something that takes us, the reader, completely over the edge, in the best possible way.

We recommend this book to anyone, of any age. It is just special.

Dear Cara is a book about a man and a woman, across the world from one another, both in miles and the lives they lead. Otto Frank, who survived the death camps of the Holocaust but lost his daughter there, shares his hope and inspiration with a young American woman whose life is unfolding. His shares his unfailing human spirit and his love with Cara, a young woman who first wrote to him at the age of 13. Throughout her life, from her teen-age years, to college to marriage to motherhood, Otto Frank is there with her, offering his support and his inspiration. He listens to Cara's dreams, her troubles, her worries and through their correspondence, she feels the joy that a young person feels when someone is listening. A young woman's voice is heard. When, as an older woman, Cara's world is turned upside down, the wisdom and hope that Otto Frank gave her for twenty years, sustains her through her pain and provides her the support she needs to endure and accept, and ultimately, to grow from her own experiences. This book is must-read for young people and for adults who believe, or want to remember, through pain and turmoil, how important and precious hope, and love, is.

I am named after my aunt, a Red Cross nurse who was an Army nurse in World War II. I am also a nurse (and also a Red Cross nursing volunteer, although I have never worked full time for the organization), and a former officer in the Navy Nurse Corps. My speciality is international health; my work has taken me to some of the poorest and least developed places in the world. I have seen first-hand the work of the Red Cross in war zones and after natural disasters. I currently work in a human rights organization. I recently visited the ICRC Headquarters in Geneva, along with its spectacular museum.

All this is to say that I bring more than an casual perspective to this book--and it dazzled me. Despite its incredible length, it felt too short. Ms. Moorehead writes lucidly, compassionately, and well. Her research is scholarly, her documentation is meticulous, her compassion and her critical abilities are always evident. She rightfully praises the individual courage of the Red Cross founders and leaders (not only Dunant, the Swiss banker, but the other significant figures in Red Cross history, including the American nurse, Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross and pioneered its role in natural disasters).

But the book is not just an encomium to the good deeds of idealists. Moorehead is frank in her appraisals of the weaknesses and foibles of both the people and the organization itself. She examines the evolving role of the Red Cross, which began as an adjunct to the gentlemanly wars of the 19th century, grew to a worldwide relief agency in the unimaginable horrors of the 20th century and, most recently, has had to become a competitor for the world's glory in humantarian activities.

Most importantly, she examines the historical record and the ethical dilemnas of an organization which was founded on the Swiss principles of neutrality and quiet diplomacy and was then faced with atrocities in its own back yard: she provides a very careful appraisal of the role of the Red Cross during the WWII Holocaust. It is clear that the Red Cross as an organization provided too little aid to the victims of Nazis, gave it too late and perhaps gave it for the wrong reasons--publicity rather than compassion. (A horrendous, but little known, fact is that the physician who was appointed head of the German Red Cross by Hitler was behind the savage medical experimentation done in the camps. He committed suicide before he could be tried as a war criminal).

Nonetheless, Moorehead is unstinting in her admiration for those individual Red Cross delegates whose independent actions were able to save thousands of Jews and others. There were Red Cross delegates who raced along lines of Jews being forcibly marched to their deportation and death, desperately throwing them food and attempting to rescue anyone they could by bribing, cajoling or fooling the guards.

Moorehead depicts the failures and the multitudinous successes of the Red Cross, and includes enough individual tales and humor to make her account extraordinarily readable. Despite its failings in some arenas, I remain an overall admirer of the Red Cross itself, and I am an unabashed admirer of this book. "Dunant's Dream" can be read for its comprehensive and engrossing history, but readers interested in the larger diplomatic and ethical issues of international aid will find it invaluable. Absolutely recommended.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It is a hefty seven hundred page epic. However, I found the book spellbinding and finished reading it in less than three weeks time. I would especially recommend DUNANT'S DREAM to those interested in human rights or history. Caroline Morehead is a gifted writer who balances objectivity with revealing glimpses at the men and women who have made the International Committee of the Red Cross the premier human rights and relief agency in the world. I came away from Morehead's book with a clearer understanding of the complex circumstances involving humanitarianism during times of conflict and turmoil. I am sorry that this very worthwhile book is now out of print. However, I am glad that is available in libraries and through "out of print" dealers.

What you might find as a tourist book, is really a beautiful history of the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln, in Switzerland. The photo illustrations are fantastic. I found it exceptional, and also the founding Abbey of the monastery to which I am a member in the US, Saint Meinrad Archabbey, in Indiana. We were founded from Maria Einsiedeln in 1854.

On the surface, this is a souvenir guide for tourists visiting the Benedictine abbey at Einsiedeln. The scope of the book goes quite beyond this to include not only the religious art and architecture contained, but also the history of the region and the effect this has had in forming the religious community over the last 1200 years (& vice verse). Fascinating.