The Opening Scene: At the Wolf’s Lair in the Masurian woods, a few kilometers distant from Rastenburg, the nearest Luftwaffe airfield.
Heinrich Himmler is conferring with Adolph Hitler concerning the Vengeance Weapons HQ near Nijmegen, Holland when an SS Colonel rushes in and hands Hitler a message. Hitler explodes, “Was ist das?
Himmler takes the note and tells Hitler this is the Allied Invasion he has been telling Hitler about for the last month and calmly says, Keine Sorge, mein Führer! I have already made plans and have been waiting for the precise location of this offensive. If you excuse me, I must make preparations to go to Nijmegen as soon as it is dusk!
With that exchange the paths of 82nd Airborne, 508th pir, private, Gene Metcalfe and Heinrich Himmler are set for an encounter later that day. Time frame jumps back to November 12, 1942, a math class at DeKalb, Illinois High School.
Some comments on my book, from which A DINNER WITH HIMMLER comes to life:
“Some savvy screenplay writer will inevitably snag the rights to this one. The comic relief is already built into the suspense-driven plot. The story is just the right size for a movie in an industry struggling to break-away from comic book heroes into the genuine article.” LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN, Reviewed by Casey Quyn for MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW.
https://www.imdb.me/marcusnannini
“There are many stories about the American airborne in Market Garden; Gene’s story is unique and significant.” World War II History Magazine, April 2020, Pages 74 and 76.
Gene quit high school to join the paratroopers only to find himself wedged between machine-gun toting “SS” fanatics while being interrogated by the notorious Nazi Heinrich Himmler.
A first time buyers discount of 30% is available here. Click: https://www.casematepublishers.com/left-for-dead-at-nijmegen.html
The Highly Respected Midwest Book Review calls it “extraordinary and simply riveting”
2020 Montaigne Medal Finalist
“Told in the matter-of-fact tone of a college essay, the book is a page turner, full of coincidences, narrow escapes, and tension worthy of a Hollywood film. Left for Dead at Nijmegen is well worth the read.” Paul Garrett for Reedsy Discovery
“Gene Metcalfe’s detailed recollections are supplemented with photographs. This is an important biography worthy of inclusion in World War II themed collections. The book portrays military sacrifices and the reality of the struggle of POW as reported by a survivor.” AuthorsReading.com 5 star review.
I have written a lot of stories in my life, but after my first 5.5 hour interview with paratrooper Gene Metcalfe of Phoenix, AZ I knew there was something special there. Marcus A. Nannini, author of Left for Dead at Nijmegen a/k/a A DINNER WITH HIMMLER.
Overall Winner of the 2019 PenCraft Awards for Literary Achievement in a Nonfiction book. Left for Dead at Nijmegen is the PenCraft 2019 Nonfiction Book of the Year.
“MARCUS, I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE BOOK. IT’S PERHAPS ONE OF THE BEST MEMOIRS I’VE READ.” Angus Wallace, WW II PODCAST, United Kingdom
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LINK TO THE TELEVISION COVERAGE OF THE SPECIAL US ARMY AWARDS CEREMONY RESULTING FROM THIS “RIVETING” BOOK: https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/two-valley-veterans-honored-with-medals-75-years-later
AMAZON HAS LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN ON SALE TODAY: https://www.amazon.com/Left-Dead-Nijmegen-American-Paratrooper/dp/1612006965
Please Help Support the NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM in New Orleans. Considered to be, hands-down, the best and most realistic WW II Museum in the USA! https://store.nationalww2museum.org/left-for-dead-at-nijmegen-hb.html
LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN IS IN THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL ARCHIVES.
The AUDIOBOOK is now available: https://audiobookstore.com/audiobooks/left-for-dead-at-nijmegen.aspx
“Nannini dutifully constructs images and characteristics of the POW camps that his subject was forced into that were previously unknown. This work, therefore, is as important to historical study of the period as it is a riveting and fascinating tale…The writing is direct, simple, and honest, relaying the same feeling that you get from the main character. Left for Dead in Nijmegen, written by Marcus A Nannini and published by Casemate, a resounding recommendation to readers of historical novels.” Literary Titan, July 12, 2019. https://literarytitan.com/2019/07/12/left-for-dead-at-nijmegen/
“The author has researched and studied this subject in great depth, his knowledge and ability to engage and keep the interest of the reader is accomplished and proficient. Army Rumour Service, 20/06/2019
He was the last to jump from his fatally stricken C-47 and the lead man when he walked into a prepared German defense. He was left for dead, captured by the SS, interrogated by Heinrich Himmler and that was all on Day one of OPERATION MARKET GARDEN, 75 years ago. 1944-2019.
Left for Dead at Nijmegen is the gripping and sometimes terrifying World War II biography of Gene Metcalfe, a young American who quit high school to join the paratroopers. He was destined to serve as the “point man” on the first combat patrol attacking the Nijmegen road bridge in the early hours of Operation Market Garden 75 years ago this month.
Gene was knocked unconscious by a German “88,” captured by elements of the 10th “SS” and interrogated by the notorious Nazi, SS Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler. It was the beginning of eight harrowing months under the thumb of Himmler’s “SS.”
He would witness executions, mass carnage, risk his life to save a severely wounded fellow paratrooper, suffer extreme deprivation, be used as slave labor and eventually escape only to be recaptured within sight of the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland. Liberation by the Patton’s Third Army would trigger an entirely new sequence of memorable events, not the least of which was a confrontation with General Patton and a crazed tank sergeant.
WORLD WAR II AS NEVER BEFORE SEEN!
ISBN: 978-1-61200-6963
The movie/film rights to LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN, The True Story of an American Paratrooper in WW II, Yet another Five Star Book from Marcus A. Nannini, are currently available.
The Highly Respected Midwest Book Review calls it “extraordinary and simply riveting”
“Marcus, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It’s perhaps one of the best memoirs I’ve read.” Angus Wallace, WW II Podcast, United Kingdom
“Dear Mr. Nannini, I’ve just read your book “Left for dead at Nijmegen”. The story of Gene Metcalfe is really amazing and beautifully written. I salute you for keeping his brave history alive! Yours sincerely, Harry Hekman, Lieutenant Colonel , Royal Military Police (Koninklijke Marechaussee) The Netherlands”
“Very Riveting” Herbert Bauernebel, American Correspondent for the German periodicals BILD and amerikaREPORT.
“This is an important biography worthy of inclusion in World War II themed collections.” AuthorsReading
“Left for Dead at Nijmegen is a stunning and beautifully written recounting of Gene Metcalfe’s experiences beginning with his life-changing decision to quit school and enlist to become a paratrooper.” Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite.
LOGLINE
Gene quit high school and joined the paratroopers only to find himself wedged between machine-gun toting “SS” fanatics while being interrogated by the notorious Nazi, Heinrich Himmler.
A Treatment Outline is Available
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Contact Marcus A. Nannini at MarcusNannini at aol.com
The WORDERY has a few copies remaining from the first press run at only $22.83 WITH FREE SHIPPING and often-times no tax! HTTPS://WORDERY.COM/LEFT-FOR-DEAD-AT-NIJMEGEN-MARCUS-A-NANNINI-9781612006963?
IN BELGIUM AND HOLLAND YOU CAN PURCHASE MY BOOK HERE: https://www.deslegte.be/left-for-dead-at-nijmegen-2027072/
This UK bookseller offers free world-wide shipping (US). https://www.bookdepository.com/Left-for-Dead-at-Nijmegen-Marcus–Nannini/9781612006963
Amazon offers LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612006965
Walmart offers free in-store pickup. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Left-for-Dead-at-Nijmegen-The-True-Story-of-an-American-Paratrooper-in-World-War-II-9781612006963/657636622
You can reach out to me here: MarcusNannini@aol.com
Copyright Marcus A. Nannini 2018-2023
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