Every time it happens, it delights me: how a book becomes more interesting if it overlaps with some observation or experience in real life. For instance, I am nearing the end of David Irving's, "Hitler's War." Although my interest in the book was waning, it perked up when I talked to a couple tourists in a huge German tourist tank, who had invaded our campground, and rejected it.
Consider Germany's debacle when they invaded Russia in 1941. How could one of the most "advanced" nations of the world fail to conquer a backward, third-world nation like the USSR? It's not that I disagree with the explanations offered by historians, but thinking of that type pulls you away from the reality of how personalities actually think.
Consider the German tourists today who drove in with one of those huge military-like, "Outdoor Expo" RVs that outweigh three Panzer tanks of World War II. I joked that he shouldn't have any trouble crossing the little mountain stream to get to a couple campsites on the far side. (Mistake #1 was trying to joke with a German.) He replied that there was no need to cross because the campsite was no good: it was muddy!
This winter was a snow and rain drought in the Southwest. Wildfires and smoke have been worrisome since May. But finally the monsoons have come -- and we are saved! We needed water so bad that I almost wanted to go out and dance in the rain.
No doubt these two affluent tourists have high paying jobs in some large metropolis in Germany. And they are traveling the world because they are 'nature lovers.' So why isn't Fritz happy about those mud puddles? He should see them as the greatest gift of Mother Nature.
How could a culture that worships cleanliness, precision, and order, ever have been so cocky as to think they could survive Generals Winter and Mud in Russia?
Consider Germany's debacle when they invaded Russia in 1941. How could one of the most "advanced" nations of the world fail to conquer a backward, third-world nation like the USSR? It's not that I disagree with the explanations offered by historians, but thinking of that type pulls you away from the reality of how personalities actually think.
Consider the German tourists today who drove in with one of those huge military-like, "Outdoor Expo" RVs that outweigh three Panzer tanks of World War II. I joked that he shouldn't have any trouble crossing the little mountain stream to get to a couple campsites on the far side. (Mistake #1 was trying to joke with a German.) He replied that there was no need to cross because the campsite was no good: it was muddy!
This winter was a snow and rain drought in the Southwest. Wildfires and smoke have been worrisome since May. But finally the monsoons have come -- and we are saved! We needed water so bad that I almost wanted to go out and dance in the rain.
No doubt these two affluent tourists have high paying jobs in some large metropolis in Germany. And they are traveling the world because they are 'nature lovers.' So why isn't Fritz happy about those mud puddles? He should see them as the greatest gift of Mother Nature.
How could a culture that worships cleanliness, precision, and order, ever have been so cocky as to think they could survive Generals Winter and Mud in Russia?
Comments
Now that you mention it every one of those 'European' RVs that I have seen was sparkling clean. They don't use the RV for what it was intended, they use it to typify who they are.