Product Description

While digging up a withering wax myrtle tree beside his waterfront home on the Gulf coast, author Andy Andrews unearths a rusted metal container filled with Nazi artifacts and begins an intriguing investigation that unlocks an unspoken past that took place in his backyard . . . literally . . .

. . . In the summer of 1942, as the country gears up for a full-scale commitment to WWII, German subs are dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico to sink U.S. vessels carrying goods and fuel for the war. While taking a late-night walk along the coastline, Helen Mason-recently widowed by the realities of war-discovers the near-lifeless body of a German sailor. Enraged at the site of Josef Landermann's uniform, Helen is prepared to leave the lieutenant to die when an unusual phrase, faintly uttered, changes her mind.

Set in a period simmering with anger and suspicion, Island of Saints offers the very real chronicle of a small town preparing itself for the worst the world has to offer.  As cargo from torpedoed ships begins to wash up on the beach, Josef and Helen must reconcile their pasts in order to create a future.

Blending his unique style of historical accuracy with unparalleled storytelling, New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews offers a tale of war, faith, and forgiveness-illuminating the one principle that frees the human spirit.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #194880 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Bestseller Andrews provides another round of light historical fiction, with themes similar to his last book, The Lost Choice. This time the person finding historical artifacts in his yard is Andrews himself. (Fact or fiction? It's tough to tell, and some readers may find that confusing.) While trying to dig out the roots of a dead wax myrtle tree, Andrews's shovel hits a tin containing WWII artifacts—buttons, photos, a badge and medal from a German U-boat officer. Andrews, who lives on a Gulf Coast island, immediately begins researching U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico during the war. Who did these items belong to? How did they end up buried in his yard? What happened to the German officer and the family shown in one of the pictures? The questions lead him to uncover the past: a U-boat officer washed ashore, critically injured; a desperately bitter young war widow; a crazed Nazi; and a cast of characters from a sleepy undeveloped beach town. The underlying theme concerns the necessity and nature of true forgiveness, portrayed through the story and in occasionally didactic dialogue that may grate on some readers. But many are sure to love this sweet tale, simply told. (June 2)
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Customer Reviews

A Small Treasure
Generally I tend to avoid the self-help section, not out of arrogance, because in an imperfect world, the solutions offered are not a one-size-fits-all. Take my religion, lose weight my way, parent better children, be intolerant of those who do not measure up to perfect standards. This book has proven to be a pleasant surprise.
First, I was not looking to improve myself at the sale rack of our favorite children's bookstore. And here it was. Who have susupected a really good adult story that you could share with your children, or simply curled up with the cats and read. I, for once, expected nothing, and found a small treasure. Secondly, there's a really good story told here, with all the makings of a fable. The good guys win, and there's some unexpected characters: my favorite is Danny, the young man with Down syndrome. He's astutely portrayed, and lovingly given depth and sensibility. But, I am biased: my son has Down syndrome, and I love him.
Then for the history buff, there is the oft untold story of German U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico, small town life in the South during World War II, and, for good measure, a Nazi.
Third, and finally, there's forgiveness. Mr. Andrew's spin on that is worth the price of the book. He understands human frailty and fragile emotions, and has succeeded in going beyond the cliche "anger management" into a much more practical and liveable solution: forgiveness.

Excellent vacation reading!
Going to the beach, then read this book! It is an unexpected story from WW2 and what happened just off the beach (maybe the one you are sitting on while reading this book). A young woman is surprised with what happens when she leasts expects it and the story is a little known history lesson. The story should have been longer--I wasnt ready for it to end!

A wonderful story
This a wonderful story that works on so many levels. It has a well delivered message and it is beautifully woven around an involving plot. It is also a history lesson. The intersection of setting and time are fascinating, particularly to anyone who has vacationed on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. It's hard to imagine what life was like during World War II in what is now a popular vacation destination, but this book will take you there and have you wishing you could travel back to that time and meet these characters.
But, above all, this is a wonderful story.
Enjoy!