BOOK REVIEW: Surviving Uncle Hittler by Dorothea Wollin Null

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Book Crash. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Surviving Uncle Hitler by Dorothea Wollin Null
Published by Port Hole Publications on June 30th 2016
Genres: 20th Century, Biography & Autobiography, History
Pages: 121
Source: Book Crash
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Dorothea Wollin was just a young girl when American bombs demolished her German town. Uprooted overnight, she and her family found themselves on a journey of survival across Europe. Like many German families, they had little understanding of the topsy-turvy world into which they had been thrown, or the atrocities which precipitated it. Looking back, Dorothea came to realize that she was not only a war survivor, but that she had survived "Uncle Hitler," the term of endearment with which her parents ignorantly referred to the Fuhrer. This is a story of adventure, bravery and challenges that could have destroyed weaker souls. Dorothea's experiences gave her a thirst for freedom, which led her to America. It is also a story of the quest for meaning in a dark world, a quest that led Dorothea to faith in Christ, and to a freedom bigger than that of country or politics.

Let me tell you a story about this book.  I was having a discussion with Kristin (of course) about the idea that there are many fictional (and nonfiction as well) books about WW2 from the prospective of Jewish individuals, non-Germany individuals, pretty much anyone but a German individual.  I mentioned that it would be interesting to read a book from the other perspective.  I mean, let’s face it, we all know that not all Germans were supportive of the Nazi regime.  Look at our own society and how many people truly know what is going on beyond their own household or even community.  Not to get political at all but the truth is very very few of us as we tend to only be privy to what each side wants us privy too.  That being said, it was shortly after that I came across this book on Book Crash and knew I had to read it.

Even though it’s a fairly short book at only 121 pages it took me a bit to get it into my reading schedule.  It was absolutely nothing like I expected yet everything it needed to be.  I expected a neatly woven story of life in Germany during the war.  A bit of back story perhaps with the rise of Hitler and maybe a bit of the aftermath.  I completely got that but not in the way I envisioned.  Let’s face it, I read the synopsis, I did a little digging into the book when I took it.  I knew that the author was quite young during the war.  I knew this but somehow still expected more an essay than a remembrance. However, I’m totally OK with that and here’s why.  Broken into three sections (before, during, and after) each section is written in almost a short blurb style of remembrances.  The memories of a child all these years later.  The things that really stick with you.  Worries.  Fears. Questions that were never answered.  Impressions.  Personalities.  It was all there.  What they lacked in depth (hello, memories of a child!) they more than made up for by captivating you.

It is very evident that the author has found her place with Christ, even though that didn’t come until many years later.  She was raised with religious education in school by a Christian mother (who never shared her faith with her children) but never dug in to explore her faith.  Many of her remembrances are brought full circle with the author’s fundamental belief and knowledge that her family survived only through God.  Survived the bombings.  Survived the journeys they undertook.  Survived refugee camps.  Survived the war.  I cannot recommend this book strongly enough as a must read.  It’s not a neat autobiography with all the elements we look for in a solid book.  It’s a remembrance.  And it’s pretty amazing.

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Posted By: Fizzy Pop · In: book review, Dorothea Wollin Null