This book report will dispell any illusions you might have had, gentle reader, that I have to actually read a book to count it as a book I’ve read over the course of a year (unless you remember Hand Shadows to be Thrown Against the Wall). This volume, unlike the hand shadows book, does have text. But it is in German. So I could pick through some of it, but not enough to get what the preface/introduction conveys. Probably something about the history of Innsbruck, Austria, which is what the book is: A collection of photographs, probably sold to tourists, of Innsbruck and its environments in the early 1960s.
So the images definitely have that going for it: Not only is it another place, but it is another time in that place. The photos include old cars and fashions, but in a foreign land. It’s like watching one of those post-World War II Americans Abroad films (such as Three Coins in the Fountain). Except with no Americans.
But the book does anticipate American or Britsh readers: Although the preface is in German, the captions for the photos are in German, French, Italian, and English. So I was able to learn what I was looking at, but not much of it was that helpful as I have not been to Innsbruck.
But, still, many old fascinating buildings in the 1960s. Mountain back drops. Actual cable cars.. How cool is that?
Someday, I might actually want to travel to Europe. I’ll have to build up some cardio-vascular super strength, though. Not because I’m afraid of the Alpine heights, but because some of these vistas are breathtaking, and too much of it, and I’ll be flopping on the ground like a fish out of water.
Oh, and check out the inscription. In German. Sentiments from Europe in 1967:
You’re welcome to translate that yourself; I can’t really make out the cursive German letters well enough to try to run it through the Google translator, but you’re welcome to try if you’ve got lots of time on your hands. Perhaps it’s a coded message from hidden Nazi remnants identifying where the war loot is hidden in the Alps. If so, be kind and give me a finder’s fee, okay?
July 1967
Our beautiful hometown, dear Charlie, must always remain in good memories!
The Jück(?) family,
Mom, Dad, Susi, Henni, Tilde
I’d hoped you’d come through, but I did not want to put you on the spot.
Thanks.
Looks like someone did a study abroad, and his host family bought him this book as a keepsake. It would be interesting to track down any of the children mentioned.
On closer inspection, that may not be a “J” in the family name. It is not formed the same as the one in “Juli.” It looks closer to the preceding “D.” The Dück family?
You do understand that the UN will make you repatriate the treasure after you find it, right?
I don’t recall Piet Heyn having to give back any of the Treasure Fleet. For that matter, has Spain ever given reparations for all the silver looted from Peru?
So now you’re admitting there’s treasure involved and your belief that they won’t take it away from you once you smuggle it out of Austria?