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One Woman Against the Reich: The True Story of a Mother's Struggle to Keep Her Family Faithful to God in a World Gone Mad
While no one suffered under Hitler more than the Jews, truly committed Christians found themselves facing two terrible conform to or be consumed by the monstrous political ambitions and genocidal blood lust of the Third Reich. This one-of-a-kind true story depicts the courageous Ziefle family, Christians standing firm against the tidal wave of Nazism. While Hitler's tyranny undermined, contradicted, and countermanded every effort she made, one woman instilled in her children a commitment to remain faithful to God. Its lessons will be a welcomed encouragement to contemporary Christians facing equally real cultural pressures and seduction in the twenty-first century.
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 23, 2016
Much has been written about the Nazi persecution of the Jews and the Holocaust, but the hardships suffered by Christians, who were unwilling to jettison their beliefs to conform to the “political correctness” of their day, is not so well known. Helmut W. Ziefle’s One Woman Against the Reich tells the story of his family during the Third Reich.
The choice of the title is unfortunate because it gives the impression that this is a book for women about a woman. (In looking at the previous ratings and reviews, I noticed that I am the only male.) Although Maria Ziefle, the mother, plays a major role, the book reveals the hardships endured by the entire family – pressure to join the Nazi youth movement, rejection and ridicule, threats, forced conscription, allied bombings, food shortages, etc.
Stated at the very beginning of the book is this notice: “The people, places and incidents in this story are all real. However, the names of certain individuals have been changed in the interest of privacy.” This may be true in a general sense, but the book reads like a novel. It’s “fleshed out” with detail that may or may not be authentic. The author was only six at the end of the war, and even with the recollections of his much older brother, actual dialog between various family members as well as their silent prayers obviously had to be reconstructed. Although it makes for an engaging read, it leaves one wondering what is known fact as opposed to what is plausible reconstruction.
The book is not long and is written in a manner that will hold the reader’s attention. I found parts of the book to be moving as well as inspiring.
The choice of the title is unfortunate because it gives the impression that this is a book for women about a woman. (In looking at the previous ratings and reviews, I noticed that I am the only male.) Although Maria Ziefle, the mother, plays a major role, the book reveals the hardships endured by the entire family – pressure to join the Nazi youth movement, rejection and ridicule, threats, forced conscription, allied bombings, food shortages, etc.
Stated at the very beginning of the book is this notice: “The people, places and incidents in this story are all real. However, the names of certain individuals have been changed in the interest of privacy.” This may be true in a general sense, but the book reads like a novel. It’s “fleshed out” with detail that may or may not be authentic. The author was only six at the end of the war, and even with the recollections of his much older brother, actual dialog between various family members as well as their silent prayers obviously had to be reconstructed. Although it makes for an engaging read, it leaves one wondering what is known fact as opposed to what is plausible reconstruction.
The book is not long and is written in a manner that will hold the reader’s attention. I found parts of the book to be moving as well as inspiring.
May 30, 2014
A decent book, but not a must-read. It's really not what the title implies it is. It sounds like it's going to be this woman standing up grandly against the Nazis. She refused to say Heil Hitler, which I do understand brought disapproval, and didn't go to Nazi meetings, but got a doctor's note to be excused. That's it. In struggling to keep her family faithful, of the two sons, one chose to go to the Hitler Youth meetings, and that was allowed freely by the parents. And when both sons got older and were drafted, they went to fight for the Germans. It's the story of a Christian German anti-Nazi family going through WWII, which is a valuable perspective, but it's not what it was made out to be. Writing is fine, but not great.
September 11, 2021
This displays unbelievable faith in the face of evil. My greatest hope is that no US citizen will ever have to live through a government like this in our great land.
November 29, 2021
Loved this book, so applicable to current situation. It's so nice to read the story of a Christian family inside Nazi Germany, and see what life was like for them!
June 12, 2024
Quick read, challenging, and very interesting story.
I picked this up because I like to read books on the holocaust/nazis/etc. It is well written and an enjoyable read.
When I picked this up to read it, I had no idea that it was a book about a Christian German women who had to suffer through the pain of watching her country fall apart and do things she believed were wrong. Her family truly stood strong amidst troublesome times. The testimony of God’s grace to this family is astounding.
I picked this up because I like to read books on the holocaust/nazis/etc. It is well written and an enjoyable read.
When I picked this up to read it, I had no idea that it was a book about a Christian German women who had to suffer through the pain of watching her country fall apart and do things she believed were wrong. Her family truly stood strong amidst troublesome times. The testimony of God’s grace to this family is astounding.
February 9, 2022
A very different WWII account! This is the story of a German family living in Germany through WWII and how they depended on the Lord, especially regarding their children as they were exposed to Nazi propaganda and the dangers of war.
December 14, 2017
While "One Woman Against the Reich" has been reprinted, I am writing this review under the heading of the issue I read. I came across this book because my in-laws were friends of Kurt Ziefle in upstate New York. The copy I read was signed by the author, the youngest brother Helmut.
There have been a multitude of books written about the Holocaust, many human interest stories of which I have read. This book is unique. It was the first I had read of a German Christian family's account (besides Bonhoeffer) of life under the Nazis and living in the aftermath. With poignancy the author (the youngest person in the Ziefle famiy) recounts the strains of Christan parents who observe the cultural influence of the Nazi environment on their children. The children make a variety of decisions, one to join the Hitler youth movement, another committed Christian to join the German air force. The commitment to live a Christ-like life in the midst of suspicious neighbors, to serve with mercy even those whom they disagreed with, is a shining example to any Christian today.
Answers to prayer in incredible situations are a staple of this story. Some of the events bring to life realities that are lesser known in the general public about that time in history: the role of medical rescue within the German population, the psychological stresses of Nazi propaganda, peer pressure within the Christian community, the continued suffering of German citizens following liberation, Russian oppression long after the war came to an end.
I recommend the book to a variety of readers: young adult readers, Christian parents interested in discipling their children, Holocaust readers, and any who may be interested in this question--How does a Christian serve one's country with integrity even when they cannot agree with their country's leaders? That is a topic still relevant today. This book can also be an encouragement to parents whose child may have taken a road away from the faith and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring them home again.
In contrast to another reviewer of this book (later issue) who listed the spiritual strength of the mother Marie Ziefle as a negative, I commend Helmut Ziefle for his intentional recounting of an heroic Christian woman whom we all have something to learn from. May we all give God credit for holy work in each person's life, male or female.
February 27, 2022
Some people see resistance as a show of force or a strong heroic act. But sometimes resistance can be as quiet as saying no when evil comes your way. In keeping your faith and teaching your children to do the same against a regime that wants to destroy faith and turn children into a force of hate. This is the story of one such couple and how they faced up to the Nazis by saying no. By staying true to God and trusting Him when all about them was falling away, when a son was being led astray by the very thing they hated, and how a woman instead of losing hope prayed and trusted and hoped. A beautiful story written by her youngest son. I would definitely recommend this book
January 17, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The connection between the Ziefle's family and God made me want to restore my personal connection with God. Amazing book for children through ages 12-16 if you want to have them pursue a book in both Christianity and history. The relevance of what is happening in this book during the 1939-1945 time period and today's current political climate is astonishingly relevant and should interest anyone who needs some hope in today's current dilemma. Such a positive message and glimmer of light within a dark time in history.
November 19, 2021
A real inspiring and encouraging read! There is a lot I could say about this book, all of it good, but I don't like writing long reviews (otherwise it may turn into an article) so I'll just say that this was a book I really needed to read with everything going on in the world today (2021). This book has helped me gain perspective and has given me a real appreciation for quiet resistance as well as the importance of family in times of trouble, and having and keeping faith in God.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling pressured by society, or anyone really, and anyone else who is feeling rejected, confused about what to do or is losing patience, hope and/or faith. It's a real spark of hope for those who need it.
p.s. I especially enjoyed the story of Reinhold Ziefle, his was probably my favourite. So thankful I got to read his story!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling pressured by society, or anyone really, and anyone else who is feeling rejected, confused about what to do or is losing patience, hope and/or faith. It's a real spark of hope for those who need it.
p.s. I especially enjoyed the story of Reinhold Ziefle, his was probably my favourite. So thankful I got to read his story!
October 21, 2024
The story was compelling even though the writing was not great. It gave me insight into an ordinary Christian German family and their life during WWII. It was very difficult to stand against the Nazi's without losing your life. They were persecuted by their neighbors and compelled to serve in the armed forces.
September 22, 2018
A Mother who kept praying to the God she believed and worshipped - the God who kept all members of the family alive against the backdrop of daily death. That’s nothing short of a miracle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2019
An interesting story, though not exceptionally written.
February 27, 2008
This is a timely book for today. Maria Ziefle was a strong Christian woman, and was very concerned about the Nazi influence on her family. As they dealt with the Hitler Youth, Nazi neighbors, the draft, horrors of war, pressures from “the Party”, the heartache of seeing so much wickedness, and so much more, Maria prayed that their family would remain alive and faithful to God.
Today in America we do not live with the horrors the Ziefle family faced. But as our culture becomes more Godless, our children can innocently be drawn into it, just as Kurt was attracted to the Hitler Youth. Parents must be vigilant in prayer and in teaching their children what is good and right and honoring to God. This woman’s story will be an encouragement for many parents. Especially as the book was written by her son.
Everything was not ideal in the Ziefle family. Georg was not the family’s spiritual leader; his wife was. Everyone may not agree with certain stands they chose to make, but ideal families exist only in fiction, and to agree with everything in a book, we must write it ourselves.
Many photographs are included throughout the book of the people and places described. The story unfolds in an easy way, although the events make for less than easy thoughts as we comfortably read about the Ziefle’s struggles. The war is not the focus, but rather the experiences of a Christian German family who did not support the Nazis. Readers of all ages will enjoy this biography, but parents in particular will be blessed by the account of a woman who fought for her family.
Today in America we do not live with the horrors the Ziefle family faced. But as our culture becomes more Godless, our children can innocently be drawn into it, just as Kurt was attracted to the Hitler Youth. Parents must be vigilant in prayer and in teaching their children what is good and right and honoring to God. This woman’s story will be an encouragement for many parents. Especially as the book was written by her son.
Everything was not ideal in the Ziefle family. Georg was not the family’s spiritual leader; his wife was. Everyone may not agree with certain stands they chose to make, but ideal families exist only in fiction, and to agree with everything in a book, we must write it ourselves.
Many photographs are included throughout the book of the people and places described. The story unfolds in an easy way, although the events make for less than easy thoughts as we comfortably read about the Ziefle’s struggles. The war is not the focus, but rather the experiences of a Christian German family who did not support the Nazis. Readers of all ages will enjoy this biography, but parents in particular will be blessed by the account of a woman who fought for her family.
July 23, 2014
A good book for church libraries. This is the true Georg and Maria Ziefle stuggle to keep their family true to their GOD rather than give allegiance to the Nazi regime. It chronicles the power of a simple woman's prayers for her children and husband.
Although the dangers of today's society aren't as obvious a in Nazi Germany, this book can encourage parents who are raising children in a today's Godless secular society.
Although the dangers of today's society aren't as obvious a in Nazi Germany, this book can encourage parents who are raising children in a today's Godless secular society.
January 23, 2013
Great book! Amazing testimony of how a German couple remained faithful to the Lord even amidst the rise of Nazism. They faithfully raised their four children in the knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus Christ and taught them the power of prayer. What a legacy of love and hope they passed on to their children! The story of this family's struggles through the rise of Nazism, through WWII and its aftermath is nothing short of inspirational. I really enjoyed this book.
January 7, 2008
Excellent. Sobering. Recommended. The story of one German Christian Family caught in the middle of a confusing Nazi nightmare. Written by the youngest son born in the midst of societal madness, Ziefle tells his family story from the recollections of his parents and siblings, as well as some of his own. This is a story of courage, determination and preservation.
January 4, 2011
It will never cease to amaze me who easily and willingly most people will follow a tyrant. This is a great story of one strong woman who refuses to be duped by Hitler and his tryanny. She never wavers in her faith in God and relies on Him to protect her family as they stand for what is right. A great reminder that God will protect those who follow Him.
June 3, 2009
this was such a good book. I have not thought about the "ordinary" Christian woman and how she provided for her family, her prayer life, her desperation.....This was soooo good.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews