What do you think?
Rate this book
From the Oder to the Bitterroot
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
338 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 9, 2018
A very interesting autobiography by Werner Will who grew up in a family with very little money and little chance for improvement. Werner grew up in a very small German farming village during Third Reich, suffering the ravages of war. Werner's father was a day laborer working for the owner of a farm estate. After the German defeat, Werner's family suffered under the conquering Russian Armies. After the war, Werner's home village was controlled by Poland and Werner's family suffered extreme poverty and often went hungry. Eventually, they were pushed out of their village and relocated to East Germany where life continued to be very difficult for the Will family. Read how Werner Will risked his life to escape to the West. With drive and determination, Werner who was not allowed to get a high school education, will eventually persevere and make it to America where he overcomes all odds and receives a college PhD degree and becomes a college professor.
November 18, 2018
A well told memoir of a young man who was born at a place in East Germany that is now part of Poland and managed to survive through war and government actions and changes that destroyed many people. He eventually made it to the US and attended Eastern Mennonite College in Virginia, and later Iowa State. This book portrays the stress placed on families when the members are separated by ideology, political boundaries, and oceans. Ultimately a joyful story.
Read
March 19, 2017An interesting story, but slow!
April 29, 2012
Werner Will was someone whose name I heard growing up as he was an acquaintance, if not friend of my parents. I have vague memories of his family eating a meal at our house so I may find the book more interesting than some. Hopefully I wasn't one of those kids who made fun of his sons if they wore lederhosen to our house.
The story Will shares shows how characters like Hitler can dramatically shift the nature of one's life. Will describes his life as the child of a poor day laborer in eastern Germany. With limited educational opportunities, joining the Hitler Youth is seen as an opportunity to learn. Will does a nice job of telling this story and then as an older man reflecting on the lies he was taught. As World War II arrives his family eke's out a miserable existence as they deal with food shortages and disruptions to daily life. After the war his family is forced to move to East Germany since his old home was now part of Poland and Germans were not welcome.
Will then traces the rest of his life as he comes into contact with Mennonites, escapes from East Germany, and eventually finds his way to the U.S. Here he makes the most of his opportunities and becomes a university professor.
I imagine there will be those who will argue the book would benefit from more editing, and part of me wishes I could give this a 3.5. At the same time I can imagine listening to a grandpa sharing his rather dramatic story with his children and grandchildren and wishing he would write down the stories so they would not be forgotten. For doing so, Will is to be commended.
The story Will shares shows how characters like Hitler can dramatically shift the nature of one's life. Will describes his life as the child of a poor day laborer in eastern Germany. With limited educational opportunities, joining the Hitler Youth is seen as an opportunity to learn. Will does a nice job of telling this story and then as an older man reflecting on the lies he was taught. As World War II arrives his family eke's out a miserable existence as they deal with food shortages and disruptions to daily life. After the war his family is forced to move to East Germany since his old home was now part of Poland and Germans were not welcome.
Will then traces the rest of his life as he comes into contact with Mennonites, escapes from East Germany, and eventually finds his way to the U.S. Here he makes the most of his opportunities and becomes a university professor.
I imagine there will be those who will argue the book would benefit from more editing, and part of me wishes I could give this a 3.5. At the same time I can imagine listening to a grandpa sharing his rather dramatic story with his children and grandchildren and wishing he would write down the stories so they would not be forgotten. For doing so, Will is to be commended.
November 25, 2016
The only reason I even came across this book was through a neighbor reminding me of the author's unknown German background. I googled him and found he'd written a memoir about growing up in Nazi Germany and I was able to find the book.
This is such a rich read! His voice is easy to follow and the events he recounts are stories you can't imagine.
It felt relevant now as our country faces new leadership, and he hits heavily on the mentality of being a child under Hitler's rule, then being moved and placed under communist rule. All the while he knows there is something more.
He beautifully recounts his journey to America and becoming a citizen and starting a family here. I actually wish there was more reflection later in life, but I guess there is not much more to be said about having grow up receiving messaging that does not sit with your soul.
An obscure but valuable read.
This is such a rich read! His voice is easy to follow and the events he recounts are stories you can't imagine.
It felt relevant now as our country faces new leadership, and he hits heavily on the mentality of being a child under Hitler's rule, then being moved and placed under communist rule. All the while he knows there is something more.
He beautifully recounts his journey to America and becoming a citizen and starting a family here. I actually wish there was more reflection later in life, but I guess there is not much more to be said about having grow up receiving messaging that does not sit with your soul.
An obscure but valuable read.
August 30, 2012
Memoir of a child survivor of World War II and how he left East Germany and obtained an education.
July 26, 2015
Interesting book -- Great descriptions of the scenery as well as the political situations. Great Montana history too.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews