Stark Decency: German Prisoners of War in a New England Village [Paperback]

Allen V. Koop (Author), Hartmut Lang (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1988

Stark Decency is a window into the events of two vastly different worlds: German combat veterans captured in North Africa and Normandy, and the small New Hampshire logging town which found itself hosting the prison camp. Each side was forced to confront its prejudices and fears, and examine the merits and flaws of its ideology. Then, an astonishing thing happened: in their rural isolation, sharing harsh weather conditions and the pinch of wartime rationing, friendships began to develop. Prisoners and their guards sometimes even worked together to meet the daily pulpwood quotas, and little handmade gifts to the local villagers cemented friendships that continue to this day.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

5 1/2 x 8 1/2 trim. 15 illus. LC 88-5550

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: UPNE; 1st edition (August 15, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874514681
• ISBN-13: 978-0874514681
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fear Gives Way to Friendship, January 20, 2001

By 

dylanissimus "dylanissimus" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stark Decency: German Prisoners of War in a New England Village (Paperback)

Koop's chronicle gives us a picture of an oasis of amity in a world torn by war, in the unlikely location of a prisoner-of-war camp in the tiny town of Stark, New Hampshire, several miles north of Lancaster and Berlin. We see German captives being pleasantly surprised by the humane treatment of the American guards, who observed the letter and the spirit of the Geneva Convention, and we see the Americans learning that not all Germans were enthusiasts of Hitler's fanatical National Socialism -- far from it! There are disputes about the 'pulpwood quota' (German prisoners in Stark assisted the locals in their efforts at paper production) which led to a five-day strike, but also led to deeper understanding about the dignity of the captive workers. There are amusing tales of attempted escapes -- the most successful being that of a colourful character named Franz Bacher, a youthful Austrian artist who made it to New York City. There is an illuminating glimpse into the generosity of the townspeople of Stark toward the prisoners of war, from an enemy nation but sharing a common humanity. There are tales of collaboration at arduous tasks, and there is a record of the small acts of charity and levity which transfigured a potentially painful experience into the basis of camaderie and a future peace.

One need not be a historian, or an ardent reader of history to appreciate Allen Koop's handsomely written book; one need only be a human being, possessed of sufficient imagination to place oneself in the shoes of a stranger in a strange land.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent description of life in a WW II POW camp in N.H., August 21, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stark Decency: German Prisoners of War in a New England Village (Paperback)

This book describes in great detail the lives of German POW's living in a New Hampshire POW camp in the 1940's. It is well-documented, with interviews with former guards and work-crew formen. The former prisoners, guards and foremen have met for reunions at the site of the camp.

I lived in the area and remember the POW camp.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Common folks, March 1, 2007

By 

Dan Schobert "Hamguy" (Plover, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Stark Decency: German Prisoners of War in a New England Village (Paperback)

I continue to enjoy finding additional information about the time WW-II POWs were kept in this country. Often I've spoken with friends about this historic moment and seldom have I found anyone aware that this occurred. This particular work by Koop is another example of the literature available.
I found his efforts to be worthwhile as yet another piece of the grander puzzle as to how this imprisonment took place. Without reviewing similar accounts from all the other some 400 U.S. camps, like the one at Stark, it is impossible to know if what took place in this camp was unique. I tend to think that while the details of each camp and its relationship with the surrounding community will be similar, I am sure there would also be differences. What I liked about Koop's book is the realization that people on each side of the fence that separated them, they were still people with similar desires and concerns, though the language may have been different. Each side learned from the other and came to realize that each may not have been getting the totally clear picture of their adversary. I assume this sort of thing happened elsewhere in this country-wide POW prison program. Like other works dealing with this POW experience, Koop's book should be included as a reading project in any modern history course.
I believe the book's overall impact would be enhanced by more photographs but, understandably, these may not be available.