Immigrant Soldier By K. Lang-Slattery

Publication Date: February 9, 2015
Pacific Bookworks
Formats: eBook & Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction



Immigrant Soldier, The Story of a Ritchie Boy, based on the true experiences of a refugee from Nazi Germany, combines a coming-of-age story with an immigrant tale and a World War II adventure. On a cold November morning in 1938, Herman watches in horror as his cousin is arrested. As a Jew, he realizes it is past time to flee Germany, a decision that catapults him from one adventure to another, his life changed forever by the gathering storm of world events. Gradually, Herman evolves from a frustrated teenager, looking for a place to belong, into a confident US Army intelligence officer who struggles with hate and forgiveness.

My Review

Four Stars

Copy received from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for an honest review

No matter how many books I read about WW II I always learn something new.  I had never heard of the Ritchie Boys so I was intrigued to learn about them.  I also really liked Herman.  I thought that he was a great hero, very personable and his emotions always palpable.  Since this was my first book by K. Lang- Slattery I was not sure what to expect but I was pleasantly introduced to her. I thought her writing was very engaging. I was instantly interested in the story. I wanted to know in what direction she would take our hero.  Like many stories during this time period, it is impossible not to ache for the hardships and injustices that were suffered. 

Overall, I can't recommend this book enough. I thought that the story was very interesting. I really enjoyed reading about the Ritchie Boys. I imagine many people have not heard of them before.  Also, I know that people will feel for the characters in this book and appreciate the time period.

Advance Praise

“In this debut historical novel, a young German Jew flees his homeland before World War II and is later drafted into the US Army, serving closely under the legendary Gen. George S. Patton. Lang-Slattery effectively mines family history to create a solid work of historical fiction from her uncle’s real-life derring-do. . . . In the sunny glamour of the book’s California passages, she effectively evokes the young immigrant’s overflowing hope. . . . Overall, her uncle’s fictionalized adventures never fail to interest, whether he’s slipping behind the lines for Patton or simply attempting to romance the local girls. An often engaging tale of one man’s involvement in the world’s most horrific war.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A captivating book, extremely well written. Thanks to the army’s Camp Ritchie Military Intelligence Training Center for molding soldiers like Herman Lang and to the author for sharing his story with us.” - Ralph M. Hockley, Colonel, US Army (Ret); Career Army Intelligence Officer, 1952-1980; and a Ritchie Boy

“K. Lang-Slattery has uncovered small but significant details that not only add to the fascination of her novel but also bring material before the public never hitherto disclosed. Beyond that, her brief character sketches bring us, in miniature, samples of the “Greatest Generation.” And her style keeps the reader glued to the page!” - Guy Stern, Distinguished Professor Emeritus; Director, International Institute of the Righteous, and Ritchie Boy

“Written by Herman's niece, Immigrant Soldier, The Story of a Ritchie Boy, has an appealing personal touch. Interwoven through the story is a wealth of well-researched and often little-known information about World War II. Time reading this book is time well-spent, and anyone—from teens to adults, history buffs or not—will enjoy it.” - Marion Coste – Editor and award-winning children’s book author of Kolea.

Buy the Book

Amazon

About the Author

Kathryn Lang-Slattery, a published author of fiction and nonfiction for youth, became fascinated with her uncle’s World War II stories and began taping his conversations in 1996. Soon she knew she had found a fascinating untold story of Jewish refugees who became silent heroes. More than a decade spent researching, interviewing Ritchie Boys, and turning the true story of her uncle into fiction became an odyssey of discovery that resulted in the novel, Immigrant Soldier, The Story of a Ritchie Boy.

For more information please visit at K. Lang-Slatter's website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Immigrant Soldier Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, April 6
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Spotlight at Unshelfish

Tuesday, April 7
Review at Book Nerd
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Thursday, April 9
Review at Dianne Ascroft
Guest Post at Just One More Chapter

Friday, April 10
Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews

Sunday, April 12
Review at Carole's Ramblings

Monday, April 13
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Tuesday, April 14
Guest Post at Books and Benches

Wednesday, April 15
Spotlight, Excerpt, & Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Thursday, April 16
Review at Bookramblings

Friday, April 17
Blog Tour Wrap-Up at Passages to the Past