Reviews
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"The author's experience as a prisioner at the infamous Nazi concentration camp at Mauthausen, Germany, and his scientific work at NASA, lends itellectual credence and a stark sense of realism to a novel that takes the reader on a truly unforgettable adventure from Mauthausen to the moon."
- Wayne Winterton, PhD.
"From Mauthausen to the Moon is a very captivating and emotional story. The passion and intelligence of the novel's characters - like Alfred and Gertrud - along with the author's insightful knowledge of the storie's milieu, paints a poignant picture of European life before, during and after WWII. The book's realism cannot be challenged and its depth and sensitivity are commendable.
Throughout the book, the diologues fly fast and furious, engaging the reader's attention effectively and leaving them hanging on their wit's end."
- The Editor
"Written in a deeply personal, highly idiosyncratic fashion, Mauthausen to the Moon is the kind of book where the author grabs you by the lapels and pulls you very close to him; much closer than most Americans are comfortable with. But, as with the Ancient Mariner, Armand Lakner is telling a story which, while it makes the reader or listener uncomfortable, must be told. And, a wondrous tale it is that he tells us. One that is full of twists, turns and improbabilities, where fact and fiction become one.
Yet, how probable was it that a highly civilized people took it upon themselves to selectively slaughter six million people? How probable was it that one person selected for slaughter not only survived but was involved in one of the seminal events of the 20th century?
Much of this will never...can never be explained. So, you listen to the tale and, if you're lucky to paraphrase Melina Mercouri, 'we all go to the moon.'"
It is a MUST READ!
- Prof. Howard Kaplan
"The author's personal struggle and accomplishments clearly added to the authenticity of his story about science, the Holocaust, human nature's vagaries, life surprises, and the American Dream. I enjoyed this novel for the reasons above and because the author's Jewish perspective added greatly to my understanding of the Nazi era, and the social and political atmosphere in NASA during the 1960s. The author is a natural storyteller. It is a MUST READ!"
- Dale, Charlesvoix, MI
"Among the memorable characters, my favorite is Yury from Chapter 26. Obviously the planet needs compassionate people like him. Indeed Alfred was able to accomplish some great things with the help of Yuris of the world. This novel is pageturner... hard to put it down."
- Richard, N. Potomac, MD
"...the book kept me engrossed, and that was a very nice feeling. The fiction is most compelling, and followed the yard of the story with great fascination, eager to learn about Alfred's human nature and achievement. The characters are very well molded, alive and credible. The reader gets immersed in to it, unable to put it down..."
- Sandra Rodino, Milano, Italy
"From Mauthausen to the Moon is a fascinating and thrilling book presented by the author as historical fiction. But From Mauthausen to the Moon is also a fitting heading for the author's real biography. The story of the principal character in the book, Alfred Hammer, is not a biography of the author, Dr. Armand Lakner, but the latter, like his fictitious hero, was witness to the actual historical events described in the book. His acquaintence with the European scene before, during and after WWII; his survival from Mauthausen concentration camp, and his subsequent high position in NASA, contribute to the authenticity he managed to produce in this captivating fiction."
- Prof. Itzhak Michaeli, Fmr. Weizman Institute, Israel