LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN
Marcus A. Nannini, 2022 Editor’s Choice Award Winner, The Readers House Magazine, London, England. June 2, 2022. Three times NonFiction Book of the Year winner.
You can watch the LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV-M0UHaCVk
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https://www.imdb.me/marcusnannini
Midwest Book Review calls it “EXTRAORDINARY AND SIMPLY RIVETING”
Left for Dead at Nijmegen is the true story of Gene Metcalfe, 82nd Airborne, 508th pir who was a member of the first combat patrol ever sent against the road bridge at Nijmegen, Holland on the opening day of Operation Market Garden.
“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, Page 74.
“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
A first time buyers discount of 30% is available here. Click: https://www.casematepublishers.com/left-for-dead-at-nijmegen.html
“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.” Reviewed By: Casey Quyn, Manhattan Book Review of LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN.
THE U.S. REVIEW OF BOOKS SAYS: https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/Left-for-Dead-at-Nijmegen-by-Marcus-A-Nannini.html#.X3Dh-GhKjIU
If you want a more in-depth account of the Battle of Nijmegen, the audiobook I would recommend is Left for Dead at Nijmegen The True Story of an American Paratrooper in World War II by Marcus Nannini.
The book tells the story of Gene Metcalf, who was a paratrooper who landed outside of Nijmegen. He details the failure of the planning of Operation Market Garden and how it led to his capture and tenure as a POW in Germany.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE PODCAST
An Interview with GENE METCALFE IN 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdvUKSVR8yM Listen to Gene and judge for yourself if Army Magazine has reached unfortunate conclusions about this decorated veteran.
The Highly Respected Midwest Book Review says: “Left for Dead at Nijmegen: The True Story of an American Paratrooper in World War II is an extraordinary and simply riveting memoir that will prove to be an immediate and enduringly valued addition to both community and academic library World War II Military History & Biography collections.“
A“BESTSEL” in Holland, buy it here when in the Netherlands: HTTPS://WWW.ATHENAEUM.NL/BOEK/?AUTHORTITLE=NANNINI-MARCUS-A-/LEFT-FOR-DEAD-AT-NIJMEGEN–9781612006963
AMAZON HAS LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN ON SALE TODAY https://www.amazon.com/Left-Dead-Nijmegen-American-Paratrooper/dp/1612006965
“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.
Who is the editor at Army Magazine who insinuates Gene Metcalfe is not accurately recalling his horrific World War II experiences, including, among other things, being unable to distinguish the difference between the skinny, sickly Heinrich Himmler and a typical SS member? Even when Himmler was pointed out to him as being Himmler? This same editor refers to other elements of Gene’s story as suspicious? Gene’s story has not changed in 75 years!
The Army Magazine editor absolutely refuses to print a review of Left for Dead at Nijmegen, a review, it is my understanding, Army Magazine advertised that it was seeking!
Gene received lifelong injuries in a late-night firefight with the 10th SS and was left for dead on 17 September, 1944.
Gene was not dead and was, instead, captured by the 10th SS and immediately swept off to nearby Belvedere Castle which served as the local wartime HQ of the notorious Reichsfuhrer SS, Heinrich Himmler, for an interrogation.
The chinless, slack-shouldered, bespectacled, physically short (shorter than the SS minimum height restrictions he originally established) black SS uniformed Reichsfuhrer SS Himmler had a map of Operation Market Garden spread on the table before him. The map telegraphed to Gene the probability Himmler knew more than Gene did concerning the Allied operation.
Gene was soon proven to be correct for Himmler did, in fact, know the Allied plans right down to the names of the officers involved in the execution of said plans. However, Army Magazine does not want YOU to read about Gene’s WW II experiences.
Follow me on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcusANannini/
Before I reveal his name first let me first quote from the Prologue of Left for Dead at Nijmegen:
“The presence of Heinrich Himmler on the night of September 17/18, 1944, has not proven capable of independent confirmation.”
This webpage sets forth a rationale, along with the logistical possibility for Himmler’s presence at Belvedere Castle along with an interpretation of Himmler’s motivations as he desperately sought to gain some semblance of personal, military glory before time ran out, and much more:
https://chameleonsthebook.com/where-was-heinrich-himmler/
This is the editor who apparently jumps to the conclusion readers of Army Magazine cannot form their own opinions regarding Gene Metcalfe and his experiences:
Roger Cirillo, LTC (ret.), Ph.D (Army Magazine)
He said: “We are going to pass on an ARMY review of Left for Dead at Nijmegen. The extraordinary claim that Gene Metcalfe was interrogated by Heinrich Himmler is unsupported by evidence and casts suspicion on other aspects of the story.”
Really, Roger. The readers are not capable of reaching their own conclusions?
Since when does a book review about a decorated, disabled World War II Paratrooper, in the United States no less, get blocked? And why do you ignore the fact Himmler was constantly on the move; be it to concentration camps, schools, SS units in the field, a mistress, and so on…always on the move. You even missed his speech, given a few days after the commencement of Market Garden where he said he’d just finished a tour of the entire western front from north to south. And what about his relationship with Dr. Kersten, who constantly pressed the case for the Dutch people. No connection? Really?
AMERICAN MILITARY NEWS LINK: https://americanmilitarynews.com/ai/u-s-veterans-presented-with-highest-dutch-military-award/
On Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Egbert van de Schootbrugge wrote: Dear Mr. Nannini,
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I just ordered your book “Left for Dead at Nijmegen”. I’m really looking forward to reading it.
In 2018, I myself wrote a book about 33 prominent Dutch resistance fighters. One of them was Pim Boellaard, who was captured and questioned by Heydrich first and three days later later by Himmler. This was on May 14th 1942. So it was not uncommon that ordinary people were questioned by high ranking SS officers. If people doubt if Himmler would question a “regular” soldier, you can also point to Pim Boellaard. Himmler was definitely interested in meeting low ranking individuals. In the case of Boellaard he requested to meet a prototype resistance fighter because he was interested in the type of person.
Apart from Boellaard another person met Himmler on the very same day. His name was Han Jordaan, unfortunately he died in concentration camp Mauthausen on May 3rd, 1945, just days before the Germans surrendered. In both cases, other high ranking nazi’s were present, among others Arthur Seyss-Inquart and Hanns Rauter. There even is a plaque to prove all of the above: http://h5mc.nl/monument-landgoed-clingendael/
Regards,
Egbert van de Schootbrugge
The Netherlands 25 December, 2019
BOOK DEPOSITORY in the UK sells LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN with FREE WORLD-WIDE SHIPPING and to destinations in the US there is usually NO sales tax. This is a good deal. Click here: https://www.bookdepository.com/Left-for-Dead-at-Nijmegen-Marcus–Nannini/9781612006963
(Casemate Publishers, 2019, Hardcover, E book and Audiobook available at Amazon and hundreds of booksellers world-wide.) https://americanmilitarynews.com/ai/u-s-veterans-presented-with-highest-dutch-military-award/
CONNECTING VETS RADIO LINK: https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/military/us-veterans-presented-highest-dutch-military-award
Sep 20, 2019Duke Schneider rated it it was amazing · GOODREADS. I had a friend on fb share a link about this book so I looked it up. Ordered from a site in the UK and it came about a week later. There were times I thought for sure the hero, Gene, would wind up dead. Even though the title tells me there is going to be something bad happening at Nijmegen…a name I was familiar with because i am a fan of the movie A BRIDGE TOO FAR…the Nijmegen event was just the start of a series of absolutely hair raising incidents.
Then there is the fact the story moves from brutal to funny to brutal, in a few blinks of an eye, makes me wonder how the heck Gene can still smile. He is a man I would love to meet.
The pacing was perfect and putting it down was hard. Suggestion to readers: When you reach the Market Garden chapter look at the clock and decide if you have the time to read another 150 pages because if you don’t have the time, you will find yourself wishing you had.
This is one of the best WW2 stories I ever read and cannot even imagine what the author did to place me, the reader, so firmly into Gene’s boots. Hats off!
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“Brilliant book, riveting read” Nick Parker, United Kingdom.
The following people are aware of Gene’s book and his assertions therein:
None of them ever raised so much as an eyebrow of doubt regarding any aspect of Gene’s story.
But first allow me to digress a moment. Gene’s story likely makes a great gift to the veteran or active duty military person in your life. Get them a copy of LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN and let them draw their own conclusions about Gene Metcalfe and his World War II experiences. HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/GP/PRODUCT/1612006965
The following is a partial listing of persons, some of whom have since passed away, who were made aware of gene’s story, usually through gene himself, and never blinked an eye in disbelief:
Cor Kluitenberg, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. On March 17, 2019, Cor messaged me that Heinrich Himmler had been in Nijmegen on the night of 17/18 September, 1944. Cor was born in 1950 and his firm assertion that Himmler was in Nijmegen is based upon Nijmegen oral history, passed down from his elders.
Siebe Postma, Dutch parachutist
Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands
Colonel Timo Beaufort, Commander, Regional Military Command West. Deputy Commander 11 Air Assault Brigade, Royal Netherlands Army.
His Royal Highness, Sir Charles, the Prince of Wales.
Admiral Rob Bauer, Chief of Defense of the Netherlands Armed Forces
SPC Ethan Valetski
Peter Hoekstra, US Ambassador to the Netherlands
H.M.F. (Hubert) Bruls, Burgermeester of Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Lieutenant Colonel Harry Hekman, Royal Military Police, the Netherlands
Major General (ret) H. Morsink, Chancellor of the Dutch Military Knighthood.
Brigadier General Jan-Willem Maas, Commander of the 13th Light Brigade, Royal Netherlands Army.
Angus Wallace, WW II Podcast, United Kingdom
Ursula McGuaughy, the Netherlands.
Herbert Bauernebel, American Correspondent for the German periodicals BILD and amerikaREPORT.
K. Scott Morley, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army.
Frank Olberts, Historic Battlefield Tours, United States
The late United States Navy Admiral Hyman George Rickover, father of our nuclear submarine program.
Monique-Hekman-Landwier, Netherlands Royal Army
The numerous good citizens of Nijmegen who were forced to serve Herr Himmler whenever he decided to utilize Belvedere Castle as his local HQ
The more than 30 members of the Netherlands Air Assault Brigade who were held spellbound by Gene Metcalfe.
“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 (United Kingdom)
Army Rumour Service, United Kingdom, June 20, 2019.
Midwest Book Review, June, 2019.
The United States National Archives, July, 2019.
Literary Titan, July 12, 2019.
Jack Magnus, Readers’ Favorite.
The scores of Hollanders who have read the book, and those tourists who caused the Museum Shop at The Hague to sell out of LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN more than once.
The good citizens of Nijmegen who were present at the Nijmegen Belvedere Castle restaurant in 1961 as more specifically set forth at pages 209-210 of the book, LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN.
The veterans of American Legion Post 58.
The veterans of Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 7507.
The Congress of the United States of America.
The government of The Netherlands.
The government of France.
And many others.
“MARCUS, I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE BOOK. IT’S PERHAPS ONE OF THE BEST MEMOIRS I’VE READ.” Angus Wallace, WW II PODCAST, United Kingdom
On 21 September, 1944 Himmler gave a speech wherein he described how he had just completed a week-long, personal tour of the entire Western Front from north to south. As near as I can tell, Nijmegen was NORTH.
Also see:
https://chameleonsthebook.com/left-for-dead-at-nijmegen/
You can listen to Gene relate his highly personal story on this WW II Podcast from the UK and judge for yourself what you think of Gene:
Watch Gene Metcalfe: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=left+for+deAD+AT+NIJMEGEN&view=detail&mid=FBBB3E0E09D55F103813FBBB3E0E09D55F103813&FORM=VIRE
https://chameleonsthebook.com/ww-ii-podcast-of-gene-metcalfe/
One of many newspaper stories: https://www.fhtimes.com/news/local_news/dutch-honor-metcalfe-in-wwii-mission-reenactment/article_16f0f5d4-e495-11e9-beba-4b9e7af07096.html
Amazon offers LEFT FOR DEAD AT NIJMEGEN LINK: HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/GP/PRODUCT/1612006965
WHILE GENE WAS IN HOLLAND…An elderly brother and sister sought him out as eye-witnesses to the firefight in which Gene was permanently injured. They lived in a house facing Keizer Karel Plein and Hunner Park. From an upper-story window they watched as the Germans brought in the “88” and anti-aircraft gun. They witnessed the battle, hoping the Germans would be ousted. When dawn came, the Germans dragged the adults from all of the houses facing the Plein and Park into the streets and executed them.
The Highly Respected Midwest Book Review says: “Left for Dead at Nijmegen: The True Story of an American Paratrooper in World War II is an extraordinary and simply riveting memoir that will prove to be an immediate and enduringly valued addition to both community and academic library World War II Military History & Biography collections.“
“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 “
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
For more information email Marcus at: MarcusNannini@aol.com
“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.” LITERARY TITAN, JULY 12, 2019. https://literarytitan.com/2019/07/12/left-for-dead-at-nijmegen/
MCAS BEAUFORT: https://www.mybaseguide.com/News/118-63232/mcas_beaufort_us_veterans_presented_with_highest_dutch_military_award
“VERY RIVETING” Herbert Bauernebel, American Correspondent for the German periodicals BILD and AMERIKAREPORT.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
“THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BIOGRAPHY WORTHY OF INCLUSION IN WORLD WAR II THEMED COLLECTIONS.” AuthorsReading
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-a-nannini-65b949160/
You can email Marcus: MarcusNannini@aol.com
Copyright Marcus A. Nannini 2019-2023 MarcusNannini@aol.com; Twitter: @MarcusNannini