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Famed Author's Grandson Pursues Closer US-German Relations

Natalie Liu

   During his later years, the acclaimed German author and Nobel laureate
   Thomas Mann would tell a story about riding a train across the United
   States during a lecture tour to rally support for the effort to defeat
   the Nazis during World War II.

   "He was sitting there, then another man came and asked if he could take
   the seat next to him," said the author's grandson, Frido Mann, who was
   himself engaged on a goodwill tour across the United States to foster
   closer U.S.-German relations and promote democracy back in October.

   I'm Tom. I write books.

   "Once the man took his seat, he said: 'Hi, I'm John,'" related the
   grandson, who first heard the story when he was 13 or 14 years old.
   "Oh, I'm Tom," the famous writer replied. Frido Mann chuckled at the
   thought.

   He went on to say that "John" told "Tom" he was a retired businessman,
   and that Thomas Mann replied, "I'm writing books."

   The two men went on to look at John's family photos and carry on a
   personal conversation that "would have been impossible" in Germany in
   those days. Mann said the incident left his grandfather with a deep
   appreciation for the ease and warmth of Americans and of a country that
   had, for a while, become his adopted home.

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