Locations 1312 – 1347

We wrap up the first part of Mandelbrot’s life – with a wonderful preview of the 2nd and third parts.  The family made a bold bet to split up, and it was truly necessary based on the gruesome description of French resistance youths meeting their death hanging from street lamps.

Best Quote(s)

“The bold plan our parents had devised—bless their hard-won survivor skills—had let them and their sons cope with events separately. This bet, the riskiest of our complicated lives, worked better than any realist could have hoped.” Chapter 7, Location 1335

The plan had worked, all four were alive – while other families in similar situations were never to meet again.

“During this second, twelve-year stage of my life, I was not going to manage elegantly—as will be seen. So, in time, I deliberately provoked a belated third stage.” Chapter 7, Location 1347

Mandelbrot’s self reflection is impressive.

Page by Page, Screen by Screen, Swipe by Swipe

1317

“After just barely escaping the coming horrors in Poland, I had managed to survive the occupation of France, with its periods of astonishing “normality” alternating with hair-raising episodes.”

1329

“Deliriously happy family reunion with no one missing!”

“…the occupying forces that smashed Oradour also hanged nearly a hundred young people from lampposts and balconies of a square right next to where we lived. One victim had been a classmate. Both of his parents were schoolteachers. Nice, brilliant, and all too secure, he was often heard expounding in a loud voice classic left-wing ideas that I would not have dared even whisper.” Chapter 7, Location 1329

All of the fears that Mandelbrot’s family had harbored were right.

1335

“The bold plan our parents had devised—bless their hard-won survivor skills—had let them and their sons cope with events separately. This bet, the riskiest of our complicated lives, worked better than any realist could have hoped.” Chapter 7, Location 1335

1347

“During this second, twelve-year stage of my life, I was not going to manage elegantly—as will be seen. So, in time, I deliberately provoked a belated third stage.” Chapter 7, Location 1347