The Nine Lives of Arnold - Softcover

Der, Arnold Von

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1587215977 ISBN 13: 9781587215971

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2003

Synopsis

Who would want to read: The Nine Lives of Arnold?Serious people who have wondered how it was possible for an intelligent and cultured people like the Germans to vote for a maniac like Hitler, history buffs and students who are interested in an entertaining and often humorous report on the time between the two World Wars, World War II and its aftermath.Born in 1917, Arnold von der Porten is raised in a family whose religion was democracy, he describes how the ominous threat of Nazism was fed by the fear of a Communist Revolution and by the foreign politics of the victorious Allies of the first World War.As he left home, Arnold, a boy of 15, brought up in the genteel German middle class, was suddenly tossed into extreme poverty in the British Crown Colony of Jamaica. He describes all aspects of Jamaican life before World War II as he works himself up and eventually starts his own neon shop.This narration and Arnold's 26 drawings are sure to be of great interest to people of all backgrounds and nationalities who wish to understand the time between the two World Wars with the rise of Hitler. Certainly it will be of great interest to British and Jamaican people as well as others who ever lived in, or read about a colony.War comes. He interned with Nazis, Fascists, and Jews alike. Life in a British internment camp. Released, he describes his experience in the Kingston business world. Arnold becomes prominent. He marries Amy Barry of a prominent family.Arnold illuminates a lot of historical events causing Hitler's rise, leading to World War II, the changing fortunes of that War, the Cold War. He was there when the British Empire was breaking up. The independence movement became hostile to foreigners. Amy and Arnold decided to migrate to America in 1953.

About this title

About the Author

Arnold P. Von der Porten was born in Hamburg, Germany, November 30, 1917. He had to leave High School half a year before graduation, as he was an anti-Nazi. In October of 1933 he migrated to Jamaica, British West Indies. He had a ver difficult life because of pervasive poverty. Became a very good refrigeration mechanic.Went to New York to study glass blowing. Was then called back by the Jamaica Public Service Co., to take over commercial refrigeration for that company. Became Jr. Swimming Champion of Jamaica, in the 200m breast stroke, and was a goal keeper for a water polo team.Started the very first neon shop in the British West Indies March 1, 1939. Having arrived with a German passport, he was interned September 3, 1939 with Nazis, Jews, and Italians.Was a 'Guest of his Majesty King George VI' for one year and nine months. Released, he became a Director of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, a member of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, and a Director of the Electrical Contractors Association.Was one of the ten best known oil painters.Became goal keeper for the All Star Jamaican Water Polo Team.Married Amy Barry January 4, 1947. She was 23 and he was 29. Their first child died.Migrated to the United States January 17, 1953 and worked as a glass blower, industrial foreman, production manager, and a mechanical designer.Attended Rutgers University College, New Brunswick, NJ, and graduated with a BS in Business Administration 1965.Sent all four children, Richard, Marguerite, Christopher, and Arlene through private schools and to colleges.Retired from Johns-Manville as the machinery design-engineer for their factory in Manville, NJ, August 1, 1980. Retired to Gainesville, Florida.

Edition details

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1587215977
• ISBN 13: 9781587215971
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 560