Talk:Alfons Heck

Looking for input ...
I'm hoping to find input from people who knew or met Alfons Heck and may be able to add their personal knowledge to this article.CAWook (talk) 00:04, 14 September 2008 (UTC)


 * In reply to CAWook I met Alfons Heck when he and Helen Waterford came to Western Kentucky University, October 22, 1985. I bought his book, I got his signature, and I talked to them both afterward. The lecture was amazing. I remember a young woman, who identified as Jewish, asking a question and becoming very angry at Heck's implication that no one can say with certainty that he or she would not get caught up in such madness if it happened in his or her own country, that you just don't know unless you are actually in it. He wasn't trying to excuse his behavior but, rather, warn against the "it can't happen here" mentality, and the "Well, I would never do such a thing" mindset. Waterford knew Anne Frank and her family - she mentioned it during the lecture. I asked her about the Franks after the lecture - I was afraid my voice was break if I asked during the formal Q & A. She said Margot was a very, very beautiful girl, and that Anne was intensely close to her father. Heck said that his book had been optioned for a movie, so I asked him who he wanted to play him in the movie and he said, "Oh, someone very good looking." There was a huge group after the lecture wanting to talk to them, and I remember Ms. Waterford standing behind Mr. Heck, saying, "Alfons, we must go now. Alfons, you must finish, we must go now" and for some reason, I started to cry because it was obvious they had become close friends, and she was talking to him as a dear friend. And now, as I write this, there is something in my eye again... User:Jcravens42 (talk) 17:17, 08 May 2017 (UTC)

German version
Why there is no german article about this nazi-criminal ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.171.82.231 (talk) 18:08, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

—Heck was a kid—a little kid—when Hitler came to power (and only 16 when the war ended). Kids that age will believe whatever they are taught, whatever they are indoctrinated with. That was the point of Heck’s first book which he hoped will serve as a cautionary tale for future generations. Ms. Waterford, a Jewish Holocaust survivor with whom he lectured recounting their respective experiences, understood such and forgave his childish naiveté.

I am not familiar with any allegations against Heck that would rise to the level of a war crime, nor am I familiar with any challenge to his residency status in the United States. Had that not been the case, I doubt he ever would have courted such visibility. If you have knowledge to the contrary, please state what the allegation is and your source and its evidence. Please refrain from making naked allegations towards any Wikipedia subject without producing substantiation.HistoryBuff14 (talk) 13:43, 23 September 2011 (UTC)

More sources
We need more sources, and more detailed notes to where in the lenghty text of the current source we can find the information given. I'm no expert when it comes to editing Wikipedia, so I hope someone more skilled will take their time and make it easier to find the information given in the Wiki-article. A3oertENG (talk) 18:37, 20 January 2013 (UTC)