Upheavals A Memory Robert Scholten 9781483669502 Books
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Robert Scholten is Emeritus Professor of Geology at The Pennsylvania State University. Born in the Netherlands, he studied at the University of Amsterdam during World War Ii and was arrested for Resistance activities. Arriving in America in 1946, he obtained his PhD at the University of Michigan. Since his retirement in l985, he divides his time between France and the U.S. Scholten's translations of Baudelaire's Les Fleurs du Mal and Rimbaud's The Drunken Boat, were published by Xlibris in 2011 and 2012.
Upheavals A Memory Robert Scholten 9781483669502 Books
This is a wonderful memoir of the life and loves of a young Dutch geology student during World War II. It begins in 1940 on the day the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, violating that country’s proclaimed neutrality. It ends in 1946 on the oil tanker that carried the author to America to begin a new life, one in which he earned his Ph.D. and fashioned for himself a distinguished career as a scientist and university professor. “Upheavals: A Memory” shows him to be also a gifted writer.His account of life at the University of Amsterdam under German occupation is interesting not only for the academic matters he relates, but also for the interplay between Dutch students and the Nazi occupiers. For example, all university students were expected to sign a “loyalty oath” pledging fidelity to the Nazi government and forswearing any and all acts against the occupying forces. Those who signed received and carried with them at all times several documents allowing them to continue their studies; those who refused to sign were to report for work in German factories to support the Nazi war effort. The author neither signed nor reported, thus he became, in effect, a fugitive with no papers to certify his legal presence in Holland.
With no papers, and while still a minor, the author joined the Dutch resistance. Much of the narrative is a riveting account of his activities, capture, trial, sentence (five years of hard labor), Nazi work camps and, ultimately, his survival and triumph in the face of unspeakable Nazi cruelty and inhumanity. His gritty determination and courage are palpable. But the story is also nicely punctuated by his memories of childhood, family, friends, schools, teachers, and touching episodes of love, lust, humor, and self-doubt. He packed more excitement into his first 23 years than most of us experience in a lifetime.
Readers of this book inevitably will ask themselves over and over again, “Facing similar circumstances, what would I have done? Would I have made the same decisions? Taken the same chances? Faced the same dangers? And would I have survived to write such a interesting and engaging book about my experiences?” Good questions!
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Tags : Upheavals: A Memory [Robert Scholten] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Robert Scholten is Emeritus Professor of Geology at The Pennsylvania State University. Born in the Netherlands,Robert Scholten,Upheavals: A Memory,Xlibris,1483669505,Biography & Autobiography,Biography & Autobiography General,Biography Autobiography,BiographyAutobiography,Biography: general,General
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Upheavals A Memory Robert Scholten 9781483669502 Books Reviews
A fascinating story of the life of a Dutch student at the University of Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. The story starts pre-war during the author's final days in high school and then at the university. Then, a major part of the book is devoted to the author's time spent in Nazi work camps after the author was convicted of activities with the Dutch resistance. The final chapters of the book describe the authors life and the activities during the initial few years after the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Excellent book. Keeps you turning the pages. Reading the Boys in the Boat at the same time makes it interesting how different people at the same time in the war handled life.
I found this autobiography to not only be incredibly interesting, but also emotionally moving. I read my uncle's story years ago before it was published, and aspects of it triggered emotions in me, and brought tears to my eyes for years afterward. The suffering, cruelty experienced, the adventure, the ordeal of Nazi occupation, and the courage to endure that all left its mark on his soul for sure, but one would be hard pressed to see that mark on his soul after meeting him. He was one of the warmest people, and most incredibly gifted and intelligent people one could have ever met...it was more than just an honor to have known him. However, this story will leave its mark on the reader's soul too, and create a lasting impression in anyone who has a conscience. This story would make an incredible movie, not unlike what Spielberg has created numerous times already. Indeed, how this story has not yet found its way into a screenplay could certainly be regarded as an opportunity lost.
A wonderful celebration of my brother's life. I am Robert's sister.
This is a wonderful memoir of the life and loves of a young Dutch geology student during World War II. It begins in 1940 on the day the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, violating that country’s proclaimed neutrality. It ends in 1946 on the oil tanker that carried the author to America to begin a new life, one in which he earned his Ph.D. and fashioned for himself a distinguished career as a scientist and university professor. “Upheavals A Memory” shows him to be also a gifted writer.
His account of life at the University of Amsterdam under German occupation is interesting not only for the academic matters he relates, but also for the interplay between Dutch students and the Nazi occupiers. For example, all university students were expected to sign a “loyalty oath” pledging fidelity to the Nazi government and forswearing any and all acts against the occupying forces. Those who signed received and carried with them at all times several documents allowing them to continue their studies; those who refused to sign were to report for work in German factories to support the Nazi war effort. The author neither signed nor reported, thus he became, in effect, a fugitive with no papers to certify his legal presence in Holland.
With no papers, and while still a minor, the author joined the Dutch resistance. Much of the narrative is a riveting account of his activities, capture, trial, sentence (five years of hard labor), Nazi work camps and, ultimately, his survival and triumph in the face of unspeakable Nazi cruelty and inhumanity. His gritty determination and courage are palpable. But the story is also nicely punctuated by his memories of childhood, family, friends, schools, teachers, and touching episodes of love, lust, humor, and self-doubt. He packed more excitement into his first 23 years than most of us experience in a lifetime.
Readers of this book inevitably will ask themselves over and over again, “Facing similar circumstances, what would I have done? Would I have made the same decisions? Taken the same chances? Faced the same dangers? And would I have survived to write such a interesting and engaging book about my experiences?” Good questions!
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