Il Comandante [Paperback]

Lt. Col. James Solomon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 2000

An intriguing and gripping story of a retired U.S.Army Infantry Officer who is doggedly followed by Italian police as well as Israeli agents. "The Comandante," as the local citizenry and police characterize him, is touring Italy with his family. As familiar sights and areas are recognized, Lt. Col. Mitchell describes the actions that took place there during World War II. While he is somehow therapeutically relieving himself of some of the pain he experienced during those periods, he seems to become more and more embroiled in the cause of the Israeli agents who re on the trail of Nazi war criminals. Col.Mitchell is perceived to have the key to bring the criminals to justice.

With danger forever present, the officer manages to delve into his past and recover some memories with the help of memorabilia. He thus understands his untenable position. He holds the key but does not realize it. The threats he receives do not help matters. On his own, he fences with Nazi collaborators to elicit the truth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gripping and held my attention. Could not put the book down and finished reading it in bed." -- Katherine Seideck, Author of 30 plus books

About the Author

Born in 1916, I was brought up furing the eras of the "Roaring Twenties" and "The Great Depression." At the age of twenty five,I found myself embroiled in a war of far reaching dimensions. For five years I served my country in the capacity of an infantry soldier. First, as an enlisted man rising to the rank of corporal, and then after an intensive ninety days at Fort Benning, I was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

I was wounded in combat in Italy, received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and other awards and decorations. When the war in Italy ended, I was assigned to the Allied Military Government (AMG) and ordered to command and operate a refugee camp in Modena, Italy. I wa only 29 years of age at the time and with awesome responsibilities in processing thousands of European Jews, Polish, Austrian, and other Continental refugees, plus feeding and housing them. It was that part of my life that influenced me in writing this book. I retired from the Army Reserve in 1976 after 35 years of service.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: James Solomon Marketing (May 16, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615112447
• ISBN-13: 978-0615112442
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,881,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fact and fiction collide to make this mystery a page turner., June 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Il Comandante (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book tremendously. IL Comandante reads like a screen play with the scenes rapidly changing so that the reader actually finds himself visualizing the action while quickly turning page after page. Not only is the reader presented with a challenging and exciting mystery to solve, but he is also given factual insight into the everyday trials that faced trench-bound GI's stationed in battle-scarred Italy during World War II. This book combines fiction with a first-hand account of war and its aftermath. Especially interesting is Lt. Col. James Solomon's description of his time spent after the war as the Commandant of a refugee camp in Modena, Italy. It is not often that we hear what happens to the victims of war after the cease-fire. James Solomon is part of "The Greatest Generation" as Tom Brokaw labeled the veterans of World War II, and his story is another worthy chapter in their rich history. This is a good first book by this author.