Description
It’s said there are two sides to every story. Not so when the story is the size of a world war or is as invasive as communism and other “isms” battling for the soul of Europe.
As a young child born in Germany during World War II Sigrid has few memories of her father who was forced into military service by the Nazi regime. As the war neared an end her young mother had to escape a Russian invasion with two small children in what became a desperate fight for their lives.
Sigrid’s first-hand account reveals a divided country and a communist government which seeks to control every aspect of her life: From her education to her leisure time; from the books she’s allowed to read to the people with whom she’s allowed to associate; from her choice of occupation to her choice of dress−all is mandated.
When the Berlin Wall goes up on her twentieth birthday she’s knows she must now choose.
Edition: Second edition
Publish date: May 9, 2022
Print length: 405 pages (paperback)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 978-1958101001
ISBN-13: 978-1958101001-52199
Weight: 0.77 pounds
Dimensions: 5 x 1.17 x 8 inches
Edition: First edition
Publish date: September 30, 2014
Print length: 468 pages (paperback)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1502568527
ISBN-13: 978-1502568526
Weight: 1.13 pounds
Dimensions: 5 x 1.17 x 8 inches
Jean Thompson –
A Must Read!
A riveting story of a little girl born under the Nazi yoke of fascism. The story chronicles her life growing up as the Communists swept through much of Europe. Forced to flee from the Russians as a small child with her mother, Sigrid had to do things to survive that a child shouldn’t have to do. Sigrid’s intelligence, questioning nature, sense of adventure, and willingness to teach herself led to a young woman testing Communist authority and willingness to attempt an escape to West Berlin.
golfer girl –
A chilling saga of post-war misery and courage
I very much enjoyed this splendid memoire of the author’s chilling experiences growing up under Communist rule in partitioned East Germany following WWII. Her family’s history under the Nazis gave way to still another horror. She recounts the gut-searing hunger, the lack of and search for food, the rapes and the intimidation of the populace. The constant scrutiny of the armed Soviets observing every movement and speech, tanks, barbed wire – all contributed to the general misery in stark contrast to the luxuries enjoyed by their captors…and to the safe, productive and happy society on the other side of the Wall. From her pre-school years to high school, she had an eye-opening view of life under socialism..and more than most of us, truly appreciates the freedoms we have in this country. This is an engrossing saga of one young woman’s harrowing experiences growing up, written with fascinating detail about a world that we fortunate Americans never have had to endure.
Marilyn Richards –
I was so naive!!
This book was written by a lady just one year older than me. She grew up in Germany and I grew up in the United States. After reading her book of her childhood and all of the hardships I am so thankful I was born in the U.S. I never thought of myself having so many blessings! We always had food to eat and a roof over our heads. We felt safe. Sigrid endured a lot of things I never imagined were being felt by the Germans. I thought it was just the Jewish people that were impoverished and frightened. How naive I was! Her book points out many types of political powers and how we can all become “fooled” by political promises. I am so thankful Sigrid was able to escape that horrible life. When the book ended I wanted MORE!! I had to imagine her “happily ever after”
G. Davis –
An intriguing memoir of an intelligent and gutsy German woman over a very large portion …
An intriguing memoir of an intelligent and gutsy German woman over a very large portion of her life, covering her experiences before, during, and after the war, including living in East Germany during the Russian occupation. Exciting and illuminating, it all bore a ring of true experience and was understandable at several levels by any female reader who has ever been a daughter, wife, or mother, which takes in a large part of the reading population. I have about forty pages to go, and still pick it up every time I pass the coffee table. Can’t wait to see what she gets into next! The autobiographical ring to it adds a feeling of immediacy that propels one constantly toward the next chapter.
Julie K. White –
Four Stars
Both touching and often exciting as the families flee from the Russian troops behind them
joy neal –
Of the many voices and stories I’ve heard from World …
Of the many voices and stories I’ve heard from World War II (American soldiers, Jewish youth and adults, and so on), Sigrid Weidenweber’s is one I had never heard before. I’m so grateful that she gifted the world with her early life story, which she tells with such attention and careful detail. As a 20-something American, Mrs. Weidenweber’s will stay with me and continue to shape my view of politics, government, and power.
Elizabeth LaDue –
Sigrid is a beautiful poetic writer who so eloquently clarifies how people are …
Mind blowing and especially in light of what is currently going on with our own government you must read this book to understand the atrocities of communism, socialists and the how liberal left democratic American government is really seeking to imitate the communists… this book is a must read! I could not put this book down. Sigrid is a beautiful poetic writer who so eloquently clarifies how people are viewed and treated around the globe in the most repressed nations.
J. Tucker –
WHAT a good read. IF you think you have it bad …
WHAT a good read. IF you think you have it bad read this account of communism/socialism in action. It’s not a pretty picture but Sigrid give her 1st hand account of life before and after WWII. Should be a MUST READ in world history classes.