Post World War II Germany was Mary Hanford's world as a young American girl. She was the "fly on the wall" witness to events designed to take down the Krupp empire, which had been major money behind Hitler. Her lawyer father was part of the team that took over the Krupp mansion -- Villa Hugel -- where behind-the-scenes efforts were coordinated to, frankly, extract justice on Krupp. Mary had virtual free run of the massive mansion known as Villa Hugel, including access to the one-of-a-kind swimming pool beneath the floors where secret strategies were formulated. Neither The German or American publics ever were told what really took place during that effort, which ultimately was a disaster of historic proportions due to a senior American official who had personally known Krupp and Hitler, and not in an unfriendly way.
As much as this is a revealing of previously hidden history, it is the compelling telling by the author of her philosophical coming of age living with multiple nationalities, and attending international schools, even enduring caning while attending a school for British children. Already known for her "word portraits" in her poetry, which has been published in various countries, and in her magnificent first novel,Dr. Sally's Voodoo Man, laced with beautifully crisp word images. As a lady considered a senior citizen by age, she is emerging as one of America's all-around talented writers of literature.
This is the debut release of the English language edition of Swimming at Villa Hugel. The German language edition launched in October 2013 in Essen, Germany.
About the Author
Mary Hanford was born in Washington D.C., a city noted for its international connections, and which symbolized a life marked by travel in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Just before she turned ten years old, her father obtained an important diplomatic position in post war Germany as head of the British/American Coal Commission, the allies' attempt to bring heat to devastated Northwest Germany.
The Coal Commission's offices were in Villa Hugel, the industrialist Krupp’s mansion. Because her parents were absorbed by diplomatic duties, Mary Hanford made close German friends and took them with her to the swimming pool in Villa Hugel and also formed bonds with the servants who looked after her.
Those three years imprinted in her an international outlook and an awareness of moral ambiguities despite nationalities. Later, she became a college professor and author and traveled teaching on Fulbright grants, Global Perspective grants and directed several student abroad programs. She has published over fifty poems, a poetry collection, Holding to the Light; also, a critically-acclaimed first novel, Dr. Sally’s Voodoo Man.
As much as this is a revealing of previously hidden history, it is the compelling telling by the author of her philosophical coming of age living with multiple nationalities, and attending international schools, even enduring caning while attending a school for British children. Already known for her "word portraits" in her poetry, which has been published in various countries, and in her magnificent first novel,Dr. Sally's Voodoo Man, laced with beautifully crisp word images. As a lady considered a senior citizen by age, she is emerging as one of America's all-around talented writers of literature.
This is the debut release of the English language edition of Swimming at Villa Hugel. The German language edition launched in October 2013 in Essen, Germany.
About the Author
Mary Hanford was born in Washington D.C., a city noted for its international connections, and which symbolized a life marked by travel in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Just before she turned ten years old, her father obtained an important diplomatic position in post war Germany as head of the British/American Coal Commission, the allies' attempt to bring heat to devastated Northwest Germany.
The Coal Commission's offices were in Villa Hugel, the industrialist Krupp’s mansion. Because her parents were absorbed by diplomatic duties, Mary Hanford made close German friends and took them with her to the swimming pool in Villa Hugel and also formed bonds with the servants who looked after her.
Those three years imprinted in her an international outlook and an awareness of moral ambiguities despite nationalities. Later, she became a college professor and author and traveled teaching on Fulbright grants, Global Perspective grants and directed several student abroad programs. She has published over fifty poems, a poetry collection, Holding to the Light; also, a critically-acclaimed first novel, Dr. Sally’s Voodoo Man.
