Christmas Trees Lit The Sky: Growing Up in World War II Germany

Since I am married to a German, I love to read accounts like these which give modern readers a glimpse into times gone by in Germany. I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography, particularly the chapters describing pre-war Christmas celebrations in Germany - they sounded so charming and magnificent! Her writing style is extremely readable and enjoyable and the book is filled with interesting details that made it easy to imagine the life she and her family led before, during, and after the war. I also enjoyed the recipes throughout the book as well. I hope the author will publish another book soon!

This book reads much like a person would feel as they slowly edged down a Bavarian slope while carefully balancing upon new skis with an increasingly cold wind caressing the face, first gently, then with blasting force!The first third of the book carefully lays the foundation of the story with colorfully descriptive commentary of the principle participants of the narrative, while also delivering a good cultural recitation of the inhabitants of Munich, and it's suburbs. This effort permits the reader to really get to know the uniqueness of this ancient large metropolitan center of Bavaria, and how the population of this region lived their lives. There are even a very significant number of recipes for cakes, vegetable dishes, and other culinary efforts included at the end of most of the chapters in the first half of the writing.But, as the second half of the book begins, the pace quickens, the war intrudes upon the rich, peaceful lives of the family's world, and by the last twenty percent of the book, the events of each page flies into the face of the reader like the chilling blasts of sub-artic temperatures that adventurers experience in the coldest regions of the Alps!A very good book, though not quite as chilling as "Angels in the Darkness", or "Innocence Lost" because these two books were set in the Prussian regions of Germany where the Red Army were the primary allied forces invading, rather than the American/British arm of the Expeditionary forces. One cannot really understand the true horrors experienced by the civilian population of Deutschland at the final curtain of the war, without realizing the vindictive nature instilled in his troops by Joseph Stalinin the years leading up to the end of WWII.Angels in the Darkness: A Family's Triumph over Hitler and World War II Berlin: 1935-1949Innocence Lost: A true story of a young German girls surviving the horror of the Russian advance westward in the last months of world war two. From peace as an evacuee to survival as refugee.

While I was not fond of the cover photo or the title, the book itself is wonderfully written and places you on the front lines of the war! Highly recommend!

I found this story of a young girl growing up under Nazi administration to be fascinating. Family survival by growing their food and being innovative and the uncertanty with the brother's draft to the Russion front keep up the interest. And then the GIs arrive. It was well worth my time.

Resilience is fostered by families loving and caring for one another through unspeakable horrors. Tisdale sees the irony and puts family survival, love and hope in her first person account of WWII. It is a must read. She weaves together what she knew as a child with family stories, family recipes. This is placed in the context of what is known now of WW11. I'm giving this book as a holiday gift for the adults in my family.

When I started this book, I had a completely different idea as to how its narrative would be. I expected that it would focus on the misery of a people about to be militarily crushed. I was completely and pleasantly surprised at its tone and content. Even though hardships are related in it, for the most part, it is written in an "upbeat" style. There are even some interesting recipes in it, that in due time I would like to try!

I cannot imagine how hard it was for her, wished more about day to day. She appears to be more fortunate than other books I have read and persons I have met in my travels to Germany.

As an American, and being half German, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. So many towns mentioned in this book I have been to. Recipes in this book remind me of our recipes that my family use here in America. I traveled back to my youth and reminiced about family traditions . My German family members fought with the Americans yet they were proud Germans as well. This book was interesting and it was hard to put it down.