Arrive' !

http://www.blurb.com/books/2416194

Ok, my book has come at last! Check out the above link for a preview.

I started this blog on April 6, 2008, over 3 yrs. ago, with almost a year off at one point. This nearly took as much time as my Dad's in the service! Feels like I've spent time in prison. Ack! I couldn't be a writer.

There are some printing errors that Blurb assured me would be ok...but aren't:

None of the red spreads printed nor did the red-to-clear gradations.
Also, I must have chosen the wrong grey ink color because in the quality of the text I can see the dot pattern. Maybe I need to use a spot color, as I thought this was supposed to be a vector file....no pixels. And it's supposed to be a warmer, creamer background color. I can tweak that, but still won't know til I get it if it will be right. But it's right enough and a thrill anyway even though I don't think it a quality print job.

Optimizing for Blurb

After a steep learning curve re: file and printing profiles and monitor calibration, I'm well on my way finalizing images for the manuscript. Still working all day, everyday where possible.

Terminatrix

After nearly 2 yrs. in the making, I've scraped myself off the ground to finish this project. I don't think I touched it for a year and I had to force myself to enter it again. I hardly remembered what I had written...and am glad the research was finished because I couldn't do it again. One good thing, I still like the style and design, so for me it has longevity, because it would be that much harder to get into.

I got discouraged because, understandably, I couldn't get much more out of my father and I don't want to press him to talk about something like this. So I decided to just go ahead and print what I've got rather than have nothing to show for all the work. The huge map I have of his journey was problematic because it wasn't practical to print it in the book as is because it is so large and detail would be lost, so what would the point be? I decided to break it up into smaller areas and sprinkle them through the book chronologically. I've yet to start this daunting task. Then I need to optimize all other artwork as per Blurb's specs. I figure several more months and for the last month I've worked at least 6 hrs. a day on it.

My manuscript has been edited and laid out in InDesign, using Blurb as my print platform. (That's a whole other blog).

They have many format options and I chose the "professional" templates as I'd had experience with InDesign before. Little did I know, but that's old news. I have enjoyed the learning experience and the forums for a change.

Here are a few spreads:

... a long time coming

This work was designed by myself and beautifully laid out and framed by Frank Sumen at FramePros in Glendale, Ca., a shop that has done much of my work over the years.

The plaques were made by Eric, proprietor of Foothill Trophy in La Canada.

Mettle Medals

Dad's medals have arrived, engraved by the govt., after 10 months of waiting. I've configured them in a design I like, with beautiful fabric...better than this mock-up shows. I left it with the framer today, FramePros in Glendale. They've done several pieces for me over the years. The plaques will be finished in a week or two, then it all gets put together. I can hardly wait.

...more incredible numbers!

We have to go back to early 1943, in the North African Campaign. After an Allied ass-wupping in Kasserine, Tunisia, Patton has now surfaced with nearly 89,000 men as II Corp in Gafsa.

Eisenhower has him in back of and supporting Montgomery because of the Americans' debacle in Kasserine. Now, as Operation WOP, Patton is pissed but still raring to go, ready for the charge. Only nary a shot was fired, beause the Italians hightailed it out of town in the middle of the night. Enraged to be only support and then have nothing happen, has one fuming and wry Patton.

Churchill says of Montgomery:

"Indomitable in retreat, invincible in advance, insufferable in victory"

I think more than anything the numbers of the war are the most interesting and incredulous things:

Venereal disease per 1,000 men: 34 whites, 451 blacks

After the disaster in Kasserine, Tunisia was cleaned up in 2 months:

2,000 jeeps assembled in Oran at 9 minutes each
1200 rail cars assembled
250 locomotives (don't know if whole or assembled..but there)

After E. pleads with Roosevelt for trucks, in 3 wks, 20 ships arrive with:
5,000 2 1/2 ton trucks
2,000 cargo trailers
400 dump trucks
80 fighter planes
12,000 tons of coal
16,000 tons of flour
9,000 tons of sugar
3,000 tons of soap
4,000 submachine guns

an accountant noted it was " a brilliant performance"

Wait, there's more...

111 tons of ammo used a day, the total supply equaled 13 TONS per soldier per month!

Between Feb-Mar 43:
130 ships arrive with:
84,000 soldiers
24,000 vehicles
1 million TONS of cargo
500 miles of communication wire
80,000 pairs of shoes

On one train to Beja:
1 sack of flour
1 case of grapefruit
1 boxcar of crackers
16 boxcars of peanut butter

One general noted "The American Army doesn't solve it's problems, but overwhelms them."

Rommel on the other hand, wanted 140,000 tons a month, nearly double that of his previous 2 month supply - and all that even before the Allies beefed up (above). In contrast, the Allies moved 220,000 tons just through the ports of Oran.

But Hitler wouldn't listen.

finally!

I've finally heard from the National Archives in St. Louis that my request for medals for my Dad are waiting to be engraved and will be on their way by January at the latest. I can't wait.

Most all of his military records were destroyed in the St. Louis fire of 1973.