Why did I choose to write about the Hitler Youth when some of them committed atrocious war crimes? I am the mother of three teenage boys. Boys who play x-Box, stream videos, love rap music, girls, junk food, sports, politics - typical teenagers. The boys of the Hitler Youth were brainwashed and needlessly sacrificed for the lost cause of a psychopath. Does that expiate the sins they committed? No, but 12, 14, 15, 16-year-olds are children, not soldiers. So, from a mother's point of view, I found their role in the Battle of Berlin genuinely horrifying.
In terms of research, I spent a week at the United Nations Archive in New York City researching the United Nations Rehabilitation and Relief Administration. The boxes of information provide a glimpse into the best and the worst of human nature. The archivists there were helpful and allowed me to extend my stay. With the help of the International Tracing Service, I was able to ascertain what the physical layout of the organization was in 1945. I have spent hours and hours tracing old addresses using Google maps. I have tried to present this information accurately, but please do keep in mind that while this is historical fiction, it is fiction.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge my friends and colleagues who have helped me with the book. As in THE LOST SPY, my dear friend, Haley Bond, designed the new cover. My student, Clay Ballard, did the first round of edits. Slim’s biggest fan, Mike “Scout” James did the second and third round of edits. Heidi Riegler, another student, and owner of the amazing, Vienna Cookie Company, did all my German translation for me and asked her relatives about various Post-War jazz clubs and musicians in Vienna. Another student, Dr. Maureen Empfield, a psychiatrist, told me about Dr. Jean Delay’s work in psychopharmacology in 1950’s Paris. I always say my students give me more than I give them and this remains true. I also need to thank my Facebook friend Will Bromley who found Monika Gmochowska to do the Polish translations.
And of course, one of my Trinity sisters, Mimi (Fitzer) Sullivan, who also read the very first draft and edited the book for me.
Now, speaking of Trinity-
Many people have asked me who is Slim Moran. Like me, she went to Trinity, America’s first Catholic women’s college in Washington D.C. We have produced many amazing women: from ambassadors, the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives, many members of the US State Department and the Secretary for Health and Human Services to many writers and journalists. We were all taught by the same nuns from the order of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Our education was exacting and centered around service to others. With Slim, I wanted to create a well-educated woman who, albeit flawed, had deep roots in her Catholic faith. I wanted her to be everything a Trinity woman was and is — resourceful, driven, smart and fun. I also wanted to pay tribute to the amazing nuns who taught me at Trinity and my fellow alumnae who remain some of my closest friends.
I originally wrote THE LOST SPY as a birthday present for my dear friend Barbara Howard. As the daughter of the late Jack Warner, the head of Warner Brothers Studios, she provided me with some great stories of old Hollywood which I’ve used. Her father’s family was from Zwierzyniec, Poland. I discovered it had been used as a transport camp for children during the war. For the record, Barbara never heard her father speak Polish. (I did draw the line when Barbara insisted I name Slim’s daughter, Barbara. I think one Barbara in the book is enough. )
Lastly, I want to acknowledge my girlfriend, Ainsley, who worked two jobs: one at the hospital doing research and at her private practice, so I could stay home to write this book. Between us, we are raising three teenage boys and two poorly behaved rescue dogs, and there is never a moment when we don’t say “WHAT DID YOU DO NOW?” We always manage to laugh and have fun through it all. She is my greatest cheerleader, and I love and adore her. Without her, I would be lost, even though I am the one with a sense of direction.
The Lost Boy Page 26