{"product_id":"achims-story-a-novel-based-on-the-eventful-early-life-of-joachim-wedekind-zur-horst-paperback","title":"Achim's Story: A Novel Based on the Eventful Early Life of Joachim Wedekind zur Horst - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eBettina Spicer Owens\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEver wonder how normal people fell prey to a monster? Find out by reading Achim's Story. The book is based on the life of one of approximately 659 people who survived the sinking of the \u003ci\u003eSteuben\u003c\/i\u003e by the Russians in February 1945. 4,500 people perished in the Baltic Sea. This is believed to be the third greatest loss of life at sea after the \u003ci\u003eGustloff\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eGoya\u003c\/i\u003e. Joachim Wedekind zur Horst was interviewed and quoted in the February 2005 National Geographic article \u003ci\u003eGhost Ship\u003c\/i\u003e about the sinking and finding of the Steuben. On February 13, 2005, Joachim was featured in an article in the New Orleans Times Picayune \u003ci\u003eDredging Up Memories\u003c\/i\u003e by Mark Waller about his experience surrounding the Steuben. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJoachim begins life with tragedy even though he is born into an upper-class family in pre-Hitler Germany. He spends his early years in a stormy relationship with his mother and a life based on a lie that he uncovers through his inquisitiveness while Germany is falling under the spell of Hitler. Joachim finds that dreams really can come true so, as the adage goes, be careful of what you wish for. Joachim dreams of going to sea from a very young age against his father's wishes and finally accomplishes that goal only to find himself sailing on merchant ships in World War II, receiving the Iron Cross from Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, and fighting for his life on the \u003ci\u003eSteuben\u003c\/i\u003e. During the war and in the years after in a Danish refugee camp, Joachim experiences love, tragedy, fear, friendship, betrayal, joy, and luck. He discovers that his choices have a far greater impact on his life than he had anticipated and an outcome that he cannot alter.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 524\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.17 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 24, 2022\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42171535655047,"sku":"9798843447069","price":26.66,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/984f4f6ed0d6dc54371dea536075531e.webp?v=1733356452","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/achims-story-a-novel-based-on-the-eventful-early-life-of-joachim-wedekind-zur-horst-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}