Today marks 3 years since my first book, Loving the Enemy – Building bridges in a time of war was published. It was the culmination of a labour of love that began with a trip to Dresden back in February 2015 when I reconnected with my roots, journeying from my new home, Coventry to the childhood home of my grandmother and where my English grandfather made his home for a year during the Nazi era that would change his life. It was my grandmother’s family who made him welcome and though she was only a girl at the time of his visit, they would begin a correspondence after the Second World War which would eventually lead to their marriage. Theirs is a story of two people taking huge steps of faith to love each other and build a life together, a story of love overcoming hate, and overcoming national boundaries. It is a remarkable story, one that I had the privilege to research and tell.
I was blessed to have the Dean of Windsor, Christopher Cocksworth, (then Bishop of Coventry) write a forward for the book. This concluded,
“It is my hope that, thanks to Andy’s efforts, the story will inspire you as much as it has inspired me, and that it will find its place as a signpost, even a landmark, along the path of reconciliation, trust and love which links Coventry and Dresden; Britain and Germany.”
Part of his hope was realised at my book launch on the evening of 6th November 2021, It was compèred by Dean of Coventry Cathedral, John Witcombe, and attended by a party from Dresden who were present in the city as part of the English-German friendship festival.
That night was extraordinary, a dream come true. If you would like to see any of the highlights then have a look at the videos below.
One of those present was a resident of Dresden, Rainer Barczaitis, who had become a friend, and went on to translate Loving the Enemy – Building Bridges in a Time of War into German. He did all the work, finding a publisher, etc, for which I will always be grateful, and arranged for the publication of the German version of Loving the Enemy – Building bridges in a time of war, which has become Feindes Liebe – Brücken der Freundschaft in Zeiten des Krieges (literally, Enemy’s Love: Bridges of Friendship in a time of war).
Not only did Rainer put in the work for the publication of Feindes Liebe, but he worked with the Mayor’s Office of the City of Dresden and the team at the rebuilt Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), to put on a book launch on 14th February. There could have been no better place for this story to have its beginning in Germany. The Frauenkirche is not only beautiful, but it has become a symbol of reconciliation and resurrection. As Pastor Angelika Behnke commented,
“We were honoured and delighted to have the book launch in the Frauenkirche; it was the perfect place. Andy prefaced his book with the words, “Be bridge builders and dare to love” as a dedication for his children. Apart from Coventry, there is hardly a place where the story of his grandparents’ lives and loves could be heard more authentically and encouragingly than in Dresden’s rebuilt Frauenkirche, which sees itself as a bridge builder – and on Valentine’s Day at that!”
It was incredible to be able to hold the book launch in such a stunning venue and I was overwhelmed by the people who attended (after all, to them I’m an unknown – why would they bother to come out), as well as the evening itself, which was incredibly special.
Looking back I remain in awe at how this story, at the heart of my family, has captured the hearts of so many people; that it has been read by people all over the world in both German and English. I also remain convinced that this story isn’t over … more people are yet to read it – and as, John Witcombe said at the book launch, this could be a film … or a miniseries! My dream is for this to be realised.
So, if you’ve not read my book yet, please buy it! You can get copies from my website or from Amazon. If you’re relatively local and you would like to hear this story, then book me in – I’d love to come and share about it – get in touch with me. If you’re a screenwriter or know one who might fancy a new project, then get in touch!
And if you yourself feel you have a burden to tell a story, then don’t give up – get on and write it! Stories are powerful, and can inspire and encourage others. And finally, like my grandparents, as I wrote in my dedication of Loving the Enemy to my children, “May you build bridges and dare to love.”
Halwill Publishing 
Thank you for reminding us of this wonderful and very moving story, Andy. I am happy to say that the book is still going strong here in Dresden, with a reading on a local radio station (ColoRadio ) to be broadcast soon.
LikeLike