Customer Reviews

Darkness Visible: Memoir of a World War II Combat Photographer

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Charles Sumners (with the help of Ann Sumners) wrote with his memory book "Darkness Visible" a book which was overdue for a long time: Who didn't wonder under which dangers and conditions the often single pictures have arisen when looking at the photos in the many publications to the World War II? For me, in the meantime, it has become an important means of work at my researches as a German historian, publicists and documentary movie director, who actively has a good look at this time! Charles Sumners manages important attempts to think with his memories and he activates to further intensive researches! This applies to me particularly with reference to the photo which can be found on the title page of the book - the photo which made Charles on April 4th, 1945 in the village of Oberdorla near the city of Mühlhausen, Germany! With this photo Charles Sumners has been placed in the elite of the combat photographers in the WWII! "Darkenss Visible" is also a very intimate and also gripping report of the insides of his 166th Photo Signal Company, and of friendships which arose in the face of the daily dangers and endangerings and lasted up to the death of the ones involved.

I have read hundreds of American and German books at my researches about the WWII - "Darkness Visible" is part of my "Top Ten" if I carry out a qualitative evaluation! I wish that this book will find a large and broad readership in the USA and in all the world; and I wish as well that a translated edition is published of "Darkness Visible" in Germany soon, too! What Charles Sumners writes makes thoughtful... The book has seemed very late - but still not too late!

Darkness Visible has personal interest for me, because my father served with Mr. Sumners. Mr. Meyers spent time at our home when I was young and came to my dad's memorial service in 1990, and left me with the promise of a wake attended by the "army buddies". I enjoyed reading about events from another perspective and the kind words of Mr. Sumners about my father, Ralph Butterfield.