Extra Stories from and Activities related to World War II
Second World War Trivia Quiz
Test your knowledge
Recently, I conducted a trivia game about the Second World War. The participants had such a good time, so I thought I would share the trivia quiz on-line.
Don’t cheat, though. Looking stuff up on Google and other search engines is unfair. I bet nobody can get them all right!
One Against War, the Story of Jeanette Rankin
As Gary Kidney, Author, I am deeply passionate about uncovering lesser-known WWII stories, particularly those that highlight the intricate web of espionage. My exploration into this world reveals not only historical facts but also the emotional and psychological complexities faced by individuals involved in espionage during the war.
I grew up studying American History from the atate-approved textbooks, like most U.S. citizens. But outside of class, the buzz of conspiracy theories told me there was more to the start of the war than school was willing to admit.
Watching the film Pearl Harbor (2001) made me wonder how to separate history from myth. Boys playing baseball at 7:55 AM on a Sunday morning? Highly unlikely. A Japanese-American getting a trans-Pacific phone call asking about the weaher? If that was possible, why did the U.S. have to send telegraph cables instead of picking up the phone? I knew about two pilots who managed to engage the fight that day-heroes Ken Taylor and George Welch, but they didn’t go on to fly in the Doolittle Raid.
Through my research, I unearthed the little-known story of Jeannette Rankin, the only dissenting vote against declaring war on Japan. Her courageous stance reflects the moral dilemmas faced in wartime and serves as a poignant backdrop to the espionage themes presented in my novel.
“One Against War” – You can read my non-fiction article about WWII and what I learned.
The Story of Jud Suss, the Movie that Fueled the Holocast
As Gary Kidney, Author, my journey began with a passion for storytelling, leading to the creation of The Eagle Scout Picture.
Writing my WWII Espionage Thriller, The Eagle Scout Picture, was a daunting task. I’m not talking about setting down the words or researching a ton of history. I’m referring to the deep psychological state of having to inhabit the character of an American who must be Nazi. Some scenes haunted my sleep, vividly replaying the moral conflicts and intense psychological battles faced by my characters. This deep immersion into their psyche was essential in portraying the harrowing realities of living a double life during wartime. I’m told I woke up from nightmares shouting in German, a language I do not know.
I was troubled by understanding how a typical German could fall for the Nazi propaganda. On a trip to Germany in 2011, I finally understood.
I had the opportunity to tour the “Topography of Terror” museum at a very famous Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse address – the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS. As I followed along the panels documenting the history of persecution against the Jews, I found a panel that mentioned Goebbel’s propaganda films and their role in catalyzing the holocaust. The section on Jud Suss and Veit Harlan mentioned that he was the only filmmaker charged with crimes against humanity following the war. I was familiar with Leni Riefenstahl and her films Olympia and Triumph of the Will. Both had been shown in my college history classes as examples of Nazi propaganda, but there was no tie to the Holocaust. I thought I knew quite a bit about pre-war Germany, but, obviously, not enough. I had never heard of Jud Suss or Veit Harlan. I felt compelled to watch and learn. Only then did I fully understand how the Holocaust could have happened,
Discover The Eagle Scout Picture: A WWII Epionage Thriller, Available Now!
This gripping narrative follows Fred Brown, an unlikely hero, as he navigates the treacherous waters of espionage in Nazi Germany. Don’t miss your chance to delve into this captivating story. Buy The Eagle Scout Picture today from these retailers:
