George Dibbern

I have a copy of Dark Sun and am enjoying it very much.

I like your writing style – it really flows. I loved looking at the pictures; there’s such a variety. It’s quite a story…

It really moves along. I actually cried at the end.

Your writing style is so invitational and readable. I’m no author, as such, but as a story songwriter I know the importance of character development.

Even though you’ve written a biography with the story laid out in front of you and already know the beginning, middle, and end, it’s no easy task, I would think, to sustain the reader’s dramatic interest. There is a tone that you sustain that makes it sound like a tale of adventure of the mythic variety—which, of course, it is!

Page 169 I could read over and over and over again. It reflects some of my deepest inner longings and intentions. I need to repeat the following quote many times each day as a reminder of who/what I am/want to be about: “…now that I have found what is my work, to work at something else I feel would be wrong.” Heart surgery or no heart surgery, I’m still a troubadour for as long as I can be. Thanks for the reminder, George.

I believe this story intersects the lives of all of us in more ways than one.

Yesterday a friend of mine from Australia who is working for me gave me a little present her mother had brought from New Zealand: a book called Dark Sun. I don’t know when I had mentioned my interest in GD to her … I immediately started diving into it and it absorbed me completely.

Well, how do I start. Brilliant, what a book, the only book I’ve read in years that hasn’t sent me to sleep in 20 mins. …a bad dose of flu gave me the opportunity to read a few pages, and once I’d started I just had to continue. …Thank you Erika, a book I’ll treasure.

I have just finished reading Dark Sun and I wish to convey my congratulations on your effort.

…Your book captured the essence of the man who was known to us, his friends, as an entertaining old rogue, scoundrel, cadger whatever you will but nobody had a bad word for him. His ability to attract females was well known and many of us, although we tried our hardest, never learnt his secret.

…Thank you for your effort which gave me a deeper insight into the man. Whenever I think of him a smile comes across my face.

I just wanted to convey how inspirational your book and subject were to me. I am sure there have been many remote spectators like myself who feel the same.

Just finished the book! What a marvelous job you’ve done. The depth of research you’ve put into it, the continuity of the story, the sustained high level of interest, and the realism you’ve achieved in the characters of George and his family. I admire the passion and commitment you’ve put into this work. And the authenticity of language, that is, nautical terms and German references and reflections of that era. Nothing tacky. Dark Sun is a good mix of mystery, human interest and adventure. Well done!

George’s philosophy is still a mystery to me. On the one hand I think of him as an irresponsible drifter who seeks to justify his behavior by his ever expanding philosophy of “love is all and excuses all”, and on the other hand I can’t help thinking maybe he is on to something. In any case, the story certainly makes you think.

I hope the book takes hold in a big way and you get the credit you deserve.

I really enjoyed the book. I never knew about the post-war hardship in Germany. I’ll spread the word about Dark Sun.

I have just finished reading Dark Sun and must let you know how much I enjoyed it. I find George fascinating but still cannot make up my mind whether he is a selfish escapist or some one to be admired for his determination to stick to his ideals! I wonder what would have happened if he had not been befriended by Henry Miller. The amount of research you did was enormous and I can see how it took you 10 years.

I am about half way through your book and am really enjoying learning all about George and his travels and most importantly about his attitude to life.

I am reading Dark Sun on passage. I love it. I wish I had known George & Eileen—some people! My Dad was a pacifist on Christian principles and was interned during the Second World War.

When I sailed my 28' boat into Squirrel Cove this summer and visited the Craft Shop in the harbour, Dark Sun jumped off the shelf into my hands. Now that I am home, I have delayed any further boat work until I finished reading your masterful work. I was sad when I finished reading, a few hours ago, because I enjoyed it so much I wanted more. I read all the notes, what an amazing work of research you have done, I felt that throughout the book. Then I had to go back and reread parts, the index was helpful.

[…] I felt you ‘pulled no punches’ in the descriptions of all the characters involved, warts and all, but you have also treated everyone with dignity and respect.

[…] And yes, as another reader has commented, how sad that the family from Germany never came to visit. But that view is obvious now only after you have put the whole life of George Dibbern into perspective. It could not have been a perspective that family members would have had at the time. Such are the tragedies of life where we cannot see and understand without the view that the future would so clearly provide.

[…] Your writing and the George Dibbern story are inspiring.

Have read your book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done!… As to George, I am not sure what to think of him. (I never met him myself). He certainly led an interesting and amazing life but while I don’t think he meant to be selfish, he certainly appeared to put himself first. Whether that is good or bad I don’t know. If you want to achieve anything in life you do have live by your dreams.

Thank you for writing Dark Sun, count me as a loyal fan.

What a captivating story! I loved the way Chapter 1 was a hook.

It’s increasingly difficult for people today to conceive the achievement of men such as George in an age when around the world races and the technology of space has pervaded life. However, you have done magnificently well to bring it to life.

(referring to the reaction of a friend) [She was] upset—almost to the point of violence—at George’s neglect of his wife and family. She felt the family had a much harder time of it than George had. An outstanding story, but not particularly happy.

I have just finished reading Dark Sun which greatly impressed me. I agree with the statement on the book’s “monumental challenge” to write the George Dibbern story. You are to be congratulated.