Thursday, May 27, 2010
Here's Something You Won't Believe
Hi Everyone!
I wanted to give you some interesting information that you can use in “oil spill conversations” with your friends…
If you have read my latest book The Heart Mender, 
you know the story is about a forgotten time in American history. During the first six months of 1942, German submarines (U-boats) were dispatched to American shores to prey upon supply vessels traveling from our ports to England. They were incredibly successful. Before Hitler called them back, the U-boat fleet sunk more than 800 ships in American waters with a loss of life almost tripling that of 9-11.
In The Heart Mender, an officer aboard the U-166 is betrayed and wounded while refueling close to shore one night. After making his way to the beach, Josef Landermann is found by Helen Mason, a young war widow. She ultimately decides to hide Josef and the story is about how they hide in small town America during the war and what ultimately happens because of that choice.
But get this…
After Josef’s untimely departure, the U-166 traveled the Gulf of Mexico coastline into Louisiana waters. The very next week, that submarine sunk the passenger freighter Robert E. Lee. Then, within minutes, the U-166 was itself destroyed by Navy planes.
In 2001, the very submarine featured in The Heart Mender was found by a petroleum survey crew. The U-166 was identified and is still virtually intact. It lies about 40 miles off the coast of Venice, Louisiana in 5,000 feet of water… And yes, that is almost exactly where the massive oil spill is currently located.
One more curious fact… The survey crew that found the U-166? They worked for BP. The U-166 will not be recovered. Considered a “war grave” and thus protected by international treaty, the submarine’s crew are entombed in freezing water, their bodies still intact. Only Josef Landermann escaped that fate.
Below you will find a video with very cool information (including specific numbers of sinkings) regarding that time in our country’s history.
I have also included another link to the television appearance I made last Tuesday regarding this matter with even more facts.
Enjoy having “fresh news for the conversation” when your buddies bring up the topic of the oil spill!
Your friend,
Andy Andrews
P.S. Please feel free to pass this on!
17 Comments
1. Brian Persson:
May 27, 2010 @ 2:18 PM
"Andy, I travel from my home (a very small town in southern Washington state) often to the gulf coast (every three to four weeks or so), primarily Mississippi through Pensacola/Navarre area. I still determine, every day, to make Seven Decisions. I recently stood in Orange beach and thought of you and your family. The Lord bless you as you continue to bless others. In closing, today I made a eighth decision. I am purchasing this book.
Brian
Psalm 1: 1-6"
2. Bonnie Bartel Latino:
May 27, 2010 @ 3:34 PM
"Andy,
I thought your appearance on Fox and Friends the other morning was excellent...a great way for people to learn about unexpected ways World War II affected the coastal towns of the Gulf of Mexico...The love story of Josef and Helen is remarkable, as is the news that U-166 is located near the BP catastrophe.
By the way, my daddy's name was William JOSEPH BARTEL....but his people were the London Bartels...still quite a coincidence.
Enjoy the summer with your monkeys ;-)
Bon"
3. Heman Smith:
May 27, 2010 @ 3:47 PM
"Andy, I will have to get a copy of the updated and newly titled book. I have enjoyed the original and have given it as a gift to friends in need of the healing perspective the story to effectively conveys.
Your work has affected my life, and rippled out to others. Thank you! May the Lord continue to bless you in what you're doing.
Heman"
4. Dan Toigo:
May 27, 2010 @ 4:00 PM
"Andy my friend, this is some of your best work ever. I love this story and the life lessons you make so obvious. Thanks for being you and"
5. troy gunn:
May 27, 2010 @ 7:44 PM
"This book is fantastic. I could not put it down. Furthermore it allowed me to let go of a wrong that was done to me but was poisoning my life with desire for revenge. After this booked I forgave and let go and what a feeling of relief, wow. My sincere and ever grateful thanks to you Andy."
6. Morgan Chase:
May 28, 2010 @ 5:39 AM
"I have read every book you have written thus far. Own all the dvd and cd sets. I think you are an awesome author. You have influenced and changed my life for the better. I thank my Bishop all the time for introducing me to your books. I have bought and given away 19 books of the Traveler's Gift. Thank you for all you do and for being you.
Morgan"
7. Wayne Hastings:
May 28, 2010 @ 9:54 AM
"Andy, I'm so glad to see this book back in circulation. Pam and I loved it the first time and now a whole new batch of people can read this tremendously inspirational story."
8. Dr. Paul Jondle:
May 28, 2010 @ 12:00 PM
"Brilliant, That is what your book comes down to. Thanks
Paul Jondle
Author of From Doctor to Healer"
9. Jeff Russell:
May 29, 2010 @ 12:16 AM
"This is really cool! very interesting."
10. Jacob Bembry:
May 30, 2010 @ 9:24 PM
"Just ordered my copy from Amazon today, Andy. Keep up the great work of encouragement that God has given to you."
11. Sergey:
June 6, 2010 @ 2:44 PM
"Hi Andy! Could you please tell me have your
last books been translated into Russian?"
12. Andy Andrews:
June 7, 2010 @ 5:42 PM
"At this time, the only book that has been translated to Russian is The Traveler's Gift."
13. Sergey:
June 13, 2010 @ 1:59 PM
"Some days ago I was asked to translate into Russian your book "The butterfly effect ....". For me it was interesting to do this(I'm a professinal translator), because speaking frankly I only knew you as an actor. It took me 3 days to finish the translation. The book deserves attention. Besides, you'll be glad to know your second book has been translated into Russian."
14. Kari:
June 23, 2010 @ 10:10 PM
"Andy, Awesome as ever! I had read it in it's original and was so glad that you added a bit of insight at the end. I did look at the crew list of the U-166, amazing.
Thanks, Kari
How many more couples just like Joseph and Helen found new lives here in the US"
15. Pat Holbrook:
June 23, 2010 @ 11:01 PM
"Travellers Gift has been my all time favorite book and the one gift that I have given over and over and every recipient enjoys. The Noticer made the same impact on my life. Now, The Heart Mender will be my new favorite gift to give. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us. Proverbs 27:17. Thank you! Pat"
16. Shirley Miles:
July 7, 2010 @ 5:08 PM
"interesting and current. Josef and Helen was introduced to me today at Thomas Hospital Aux Gift Shop.
they were thrill to see Heart Mender
and the books were flying off the shelf
Guess I'll checkwith Page and Pallette
to see how it is selling there.
My husband had background with Underwater Sound Lab in New London Conn 1970's w/ Welex testing and selling the systems to USN
You can contact us 251-210-4177"
17. Ted Martin:
August 16, 2010 @ 8:57 PM
"Andy, have you ever seen the movie "The Scoundrel's Wife" by Glen Pitre, staring Tatum ONeal? Many element's of "The Heart Mender" are strikingly similiar such as the traitor that sold fuel to the Uboats. The Scoundrel's Wife was loosely based on actual experiences of people and actual events documented in South Louisiana as well. I remember my mother, who lived along the Louisiana coast during WWII, telling me these stories when I was a small boy."