Waltraud: A True Story of Growing Up in Nazi Germany

by Tammy Borden

A true story of love, loss, strength, and resistance through the eyes of an ordinary German girl turned courageous young woman named Waltraud.

The Nazis tried to break her. But her very name means strength.

Germany 1937. Waltraud’s life in her small German village is heartwarmingly simple yet fraught with uncertainty as Nazi ideologies grow ever more radical. Then, war. Her beloved father is forced into Hitler's army and she must cope with the battles raging on her homeland’s soil and in her heart as her family is torn apart.

Bombings, hunger, and gut-wrenching horrors bring Waltraud to the edge of defeat. But she promised her father she’d be strong and daringly resists the Nazis by keeping a treasonous secret. Heartache persists when the war ends, but the love of a young man with a dark past holds the promise of a better future. To secure it, she must cross forbidden borders. Can Waltraud leave her haunting past behind and take hold of the life she’s dreamed of, or will she lose everything trying?

Engaging and evocative, Waltraud: A True Story of Growing Up in Nazi Germany captures in vivid detail what life was like during World War II as a German citizen—the indoctrination, fear, and profound loss. Follow Waltraud’s journey of courage and resilience in this captivating true story of hope and survival.

Author’s Note:
Author, Tammy Borden, is a first-generation American who grew up hearing her mother, Waltraud’s, first-hand accounts of coming of age under Hitler's regime and the cruelty inflicted by the Nazis on their own people. Through the years, she secretly recorded her mother’s extraordinary life experiences, fully intent on writing a creative nonfiction WW2 novel, even taking several trips with her to Germany to walk the cobblestone streets where recollections were shared in their actual settings. In-depth research combined with her mother’s vivid memories allowed the author to weave her story into a compelling WW2 historical fiction novel based on a true story, making it both historically accurate and incredibly moving.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Historical, War, Germany, Book Club, Fiction

396 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2023

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story! I’ve read numerous books about WWII and each have been different and incredibly moving in their own way. Waltraud’s experience growing up in Nazi Germany was told in such a way that you felt you were right there with her, having a clear idea of the hardships that she and her family faced. Well done, Tammy Borden!

[Julie Levelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m trying hard not to rate books as a 5 unless they blow me away in some manner; historically, emotionally, well-written, etc. but I couldn’t give this book anything less. I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend you read it, especially if you’re a Wisconsinite.

[Terri Gulyas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good description of life of author's mother as she grew up in Germany during Nazi occupation. Interesting to learn of the lack of information German citizens knew of during the Nazi regime. Waltraud never learned of atrocities of the Holocaust until she came to America. Looking forward to hearing the author speak at our upcoming book club meeting.

[Becca Dillenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt story of a young girl growing up in Hitler's Germany. This novel weaves true, first-hand memories into a bigger picture of life, loss, power, and survival.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was there. The author did an amazing job of capturing every feeling her mother experienced, and I am so glad I was introduced to her family and their story.

[Lynn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, and heartbreaking story. The strength and resilience of Waltraud is inspiring. The book was so well written that I felt like I was right there with Waltraud.

[Doug Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but...

I enjoyed the book until the author wrote into the story about a religious conversion & then a baptism. While I believe all should worship freely whomever they wish, I don't want to read 80% of A book & then have it morph into a Christian message.

[Gabriele Goldstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. The author tells the life story of her mother, born in 1927 in the Braunschweig area of Germany. Told in first person, it follows Waltraud from BDM days through the war, the confusing time after the war until her immigration to Wisconsin in the USA. I picked up the book because of the similar-sounding titles … my Waltraut vs. Tammy Borden’s Waltraud.

[Amy Fessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I read this as an audiobook. The author narrated the story about her mother’s life during WWII and I felt as I listened that I could feel her through her voice. What a beautifully written story. I am so excited to be able to meet the author, Tammy Bordan, in June when she will be joining our bookclub!!!

[Barb Metivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story! Author did an amazing job of telling her mother’s story! Met the author and I hope she will continue to write.

[Ashley Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of the hardest times in history, this story needs to be as big if not bigger than the stories we read about in our required reading classes. This brought new light to the German side of the war and how one woman can fight through and make a beautiful life and legacy. I’m so honored you shared this sad, heartbreaking and real story with us your mother and family have an amazing story coming to America.

[Cheryl Retzlaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional! Highly recommend!

[Amy Spaeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin? I really loved this book!!

The author tells her own mother's story about growing up in Germany leading up to, during WWII, and after when Germany was separated. I had asked for recommendations in a FB group for books about Germany after WWII and leading up to the reunification of the two sides and this book was recommended. While only a small portion of the book involves after the war, the part that made me choose this one first was the fact that it's a true story passed down and told by her daughter, which stood out to me since this is how the story of Christy was told (one of my very favorite books)!

The writing was exquisite and I appreciated that while the hardships of her mother's life were shared, it wasn't in miserable detail, and I feel like this could easily be read by younger teens as well.

I also loved the personal connections for myself...her mother was Lutheran (as am I) and her parents ended up in Milwaukee, WI and my German grandparents' families both also immigrated to Milwaukee (they moved away and I actually live just north of Milwaukee now- pretty neat)! I would have very much enjoyed this story even without these connections, it just added the cherry on top. Highly recommend!!

[Pam V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a little more ‘special’ to me as I graduated high school with the author. In this book, the author takes interviews with her mom and turns them into this ‘story’, writing about her mom’s time growing up in Germany during the rise of Hitler/the war. Unlike many such books though, this family was German, not Jewish. Although the German families’ hardships could never compare to that of the Jews during this time, it is interesting to read firsthand how German families struggled too. Especially families like this one who did not like hitler or believe in the war. When you read this book, it is written as if the author’s mom (named Waltraud) is talking. Sometimes it makes you think that this is just a story, not a true account of someone’s life, but it is true; all about Waltraud, my classmate’s mom, growing up in a German family in Germany during the time of hitler. I personally didn’t realize, therefore learned, of the hardships that they were also put through with a power hungry nut job as their leader. Very interesting and heartwarming, and at the same time heartbreaking story!

[Lauryn Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tammy has an exceptional way with words, using them in a way that evokes strong emotions. The story of her Mutti, Waltraud, is full of struggle, perseverance, fear, and plenty of unknowns. It comes from the unique perspective of a young woman growing up as an average citizen of Hitler's Germany, which is a point of view that I had not read a WWII novel from before. It is clear from the way that it is written that Tammy has a passion for having her mother's story told. An excellent read that I would recommend to anyone!

[Leah Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful account of a young German girl growing up during WWII. It is very well written and the characters are extremely relatable. The author wrote this book based on stories about her mother, so it is real and a great perspective to read and understand. Loved it, would recommend to anyone and everyone.

[Kayleigh Antenucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So beautifully done. So grateful for the opportunity to read Waltraud’s story and Tammy did an incredible job writing it. In tears thinking of the hard working, tender hearted, strong willed woman who actually existed and created such a wonderful life in oppressive Germany during WWII.

[Lauren - Find me on Fable! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for my book club and we were lucky enough to have Tammy (the author) join us (she is lovely! And so fun to chat with!). Really such a great story and the writing is very accessible, easy to read, paced well, written for all ages. Her mother truly sounds like an amazing woman, and I’m glad Tammy shared her life with us through this book! The story itself is very timely as well with everything going on around us in the world, but it also gives a unique snapshot of what ordinary Germans were living while Hitler was in power, whether they agreed with him or not.
Highly recommend checking out this book, you won’t regret it. ❤️

Given everything going on in the world today, it’s worth remembering that even a little act of defiance can make a big difference.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This self published book about the author's mother growing up in Germany during World War II was very readable and interesting. The editing errors got more plentiful as the book went on (a pet peeve so I must mention it LOL) but did not distract from the story. Waltrud (the author's Mother) had a difficult time during the war as all Germans did. The nuance of being a German at that time is delicately portrayed here and does make one wonder how much we would be willing to tolerate in order to live our lives. The fact that Waltrud's family lived in a fairly isolated area actually helped them survive the war and luck was just on their side when they found themselves 10 miles inside the American sector after the war.

[Book Boyfriend · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that is empowering, impactful, moving, and makes you feel as if you are there as things are being told as they unfold, then look no further, because I have a great historical fiction recommendation. It is this book right here. In this loving story, you learn about Hitler, Germany, the major cities surrounding Germany, and the Germans who were affected by the WW2.

As your eyes read the words on the page you feel for Waltruad as she gives specific detail accounts of the war, the explosions, and when you read this, it makes you feel as if you are there, running, hiding, and experiencing the horror that she sees. I am happy to say I read this story. This is one of those books that will make you think about taking out time to get to know your loved ones on a deep level; the level where you know the real them and their authentic personality.

[Roberta Banta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book…..took me a couple of weeks to read it because I only had time at breakfast and lunch to read. I love reading books that are based on true stories. I thought it was interesting to see the viewpoint of someone growing up in Nazi controlled Germany. Waltraud sure went through a lot growing up, but she seemed like a very strong girl. When I got to the part of her capture, at first I was fearful of what would happen to her, but God brought her through it!! I would have liked to have seen the book go into more of her life after she got to America, but overall I really enjoyed this book. And I loved the photos at the end!

[Katie V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will not forget. The first half of the book was difficult to read knowing that these “characters” were real and these events were not imagined; however, the realism of it makes every redemptive moment that much sweeter and more miraculous. Waltraud’s life is a testimony of God’s power to bring peace to brokenness.

[Jane Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waltraud

Very realistic recounting of a young womans life and how she endured the hardships of life during ww2. She subsequently moved to the USA with her husband but her previous life of hardship was never forgotten. This book was well-written and extremely interesting - would definitely recommend.

[Stacy Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

This story was well-written, with a storyline that draws the reader in. It was an unromanticized account of growing up German during that time period. It far exceeded my expectations in breadth and depth. That it’s also true made sense of my tears.

[Jill Rabideau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of a family...

The story of the strength of this family is touching. The true toll of war isn't just in those who perish. Lives are forever changed... this book tells it beautifully. Some friends from Serbia have told me how they fled, with only what what they could carry and 2 small sons. I marvel at the determination and strength of these families.

[Alysa Blum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful true story from the perspective of a German citizen in WW2 Nazi Germany. A beautiful reminder to tell your story and ask your family for theirs. ♥️

[Judith Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will add my review once I publish it in the Historical Fiction group.

[Lori Christel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Historical fiction based on A true story .

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for book club and the author (who is lovely) came to our (virtual) discussion, which was super cool. Really enjoyed the story - a lot of “based on a true story” narratives can be boring or feel like a recitation of facts but the writing here was very accessible and the story was engaging. Definitely recommend to anyone interested in WWII era stories.

[Alyssa Kussow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful life Waltraud lived, and what a treasure to get to know her through her story. This book is a work of love - a tribute from her daughter to preserve her memory for generations to come. I will save this book for a very long time and will one day share it with my daughters so that they, too, can get to know Waltraud’s important story. Tammy manages to capture her mother’s spirit, voice, and character in a way that feels as though you are reading the words of a close friend. I love Waltraud’s character development through the years. The grown Waltraud at the end of the book has the same voice as the Waltraud you meet at the beginning, though matured and refined by life and experiences both wonderful and terrible. When faced with difficult life decisions, her words “I knew what I had to do” are a heartbreaking testament to her strength and self-sacrificial love. Her story is a page-turning journey that shines with wit, grit, and grace in the midst of truly horrifying situations.