Gerta

About the Book

It is the end of World War II, and the American soldiers still stationed in Germany are anxious to go home and move on with their lives. Two sensitive, young G.I.'s make the acquaintance of a little nine-year old girl named Gerta who gives them meaningful human interaction at a time when they are questioning the inherent goodness of human nature. Gerta provides a transition for the two soldiers from the hell of war to the kinder, gentler life to which they will soon be returning. She renews their faith in mankind and sparks their enthusiasm. Their story may make the reader ponder the wisdom of having men raise their sons in the aggressive, male-dominated world versus having their male children raised by women, who might emphasize a gentler outlook and a more humane solution to the world's conflicts and problems.

About the Author

Born May 27, 1921 and named after Jack London, he was raised during the Great Depression on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from John Marshall High School. His service during World War II from 1943 to 1945 included training in the Arizona desert and action in the European Theater of Operation. As the war ended, his unit was stationed on the bank of the Elbe River, which is the scene of Gerta.

After being discharged, Jack returned to the Cleveland area, married Marie, and raised three daughters, who have collaborated in having his novel published. He pursued a career in electronics and took early retirement partly due to failing eyesight, when he learned touch-typing and wrote Gerta. His manuscript languished for many years until his daughters, sparked by Jack?s brother?s and sister?s interest in the story, decided to look into its publication after he died on February 6, 2003.