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Shadow of the Swastika--A Girl Comes of Age in Nazi Germany
The year is 1936. The place is Nazi Germany. Lilly is not Jewish. She is a typical eight-year-old German girl who is too busy playing in the cemetery her pappa runs to worry about what is going on around her. That is until Hitler and his Nazis interrupt her life. Shadow of the Swastika is based on her life until the end of World War II. Even at a young age, Lilly is a hardheaded girl. She wants her freedom, but the tyranny and oppression of the Third Reich thwarts her desire to do and say as she pleases. Though Lilly grows up in a world of war, hunger, fear and death, she is a survivor and faces each day’s challenges with obstinance, humor, spunk and courage.
- GenresWar
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2013
140 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 24, 2020
Interesting
This is an interesting book. It tells the every day life of a young girl and her family during the war.
This is an interesting book. It tells the every day life of a young girl and her family during the war.
July 7, 2018
A great book
This is a great book for all ages to read. It is a story of a young girl growing up in Germany during World War II. You could form pictures in your mind while reading. This book was very hard to put down.
This is a great book for all ages to read. It is a story of a young girl growing up in Germany during World War II. You could form pictures in your mind while reading. This book was very hard to put down.
February 2, 2020
Lilly
It was an interesting story about a girl named Lilly growing up during the time Hitler was in power, and the impact the war had on her, her family and friends. Everything had to be kept secret and all thoughts had to be in compliance with Hitler.
It was an interesting story about a girl named Lilly growing up during the time Hitler was in power, and the impact the war had on her, her family and friends. Everything had to be kept secret and all thoughts had to be in compliance with Hitler.
April 18, 2021
Really Good
When I have to get up at 4am to get ready for work, do the 1hr drive, work a 12hr shift, return via same 1hr drive, fall into bed to get up & do it again tomorrow.... you would think I would have enough sense to put the book down & go to sleep! But I couldn’t! I had to keep reading to see what happened next. I say to myself “I will read to the end of this chapter!” But the current chapter keeps going & going. Did I miss the chapter break? I don’t know. Probably more than once. Well I think what this tells me is this is a very good read. Puts you at ground zero of the Nazi occupation in the sort of average family in Germany.
But there’s something else that sends shivers down my spine. I compare what was happening then in Germany, to what is happening now in 2021 in America. There are many parallels. But really, in the beginning, the Nazis actually pretended to care about the German people. I guess the far left try to pretend like they care, but they are very bad actors & their actions speak so much louder than their words. Compare the Nazis & the Nazi news media or the media in general to the current regime in America & the mainstream media of today. They spew outright propaganda & lies. The amount of lies I hear coming out of the mouths of our “leaders” is downright amazing. They attack one certain race or group of people to create unrest & divide. They spent four years promoting HATE towards Pres. Trump with their lies & propaganda. I have been verbally attacked for the mere mention of his name! They are singling out anyone who supports Trump, who do not support THEM & labeling them as terrorists, insurrectionists. There are many who do not support THEM who are terrified to speak up! This is happening in AMERICA? Really? It’s Un-be-liev-a-ble! They are, as I type, creating laws to eliminate guns from the citizens. They are attempting to completely control all three branches of government so they can shove their anti-american agenda down the people’s throats. They are flooding the country with illegal immigrants for the sole purpose of slave labor for big corporations, adding future voters to their side, & giving terrorists a free pass to enter the country. Not only do they want to take our guns away, they want to eliminate our police force so that we have no protection whatsoever. Then what? They will creat a federal police force that will resemble the “black shirts”, the “brown shirts”, the GESTAPO. If that thought does not scare the holy moley out of every single American... oh my, it sure terrifies me.
Dear Author of This Book, you did an amazing job writing this, & I am sorry for highjacking this review & not focusing on your wonderful writing talent. I had to laugh when I read the “about the Author” at the end where you said your cat likes to mess with you. I was wondering where those extra letters here & there in the text came from! Your cat! So cute!
But.... the similarities to what happened then, to what is happening now, are quite chilling. Have we learned nothing from history?
Actually, I wonder if my review will be posted or rejected? If it does get posted & opens the eyes of just one person....
I recommend this book highly! If you have any interest or have ever wondered why the german people “didn’t do something” to stop Hitler, this book helps bring to light the why of that question. By the time the german people figured out what was happening, it was, quite frankly, too late. All the power had been transferred from the people to the government & everyone lived in absolute fear. I’ve heard people say that’s not a valid excuse, they were complete cowards. They should have done this or they should have done that. Their biggest mistake was trusting that their government would take care of them, that they had the peoples’ best interest in mind, that what they heard & read in the media was truthful. I’ve heard people say “how could the german people buy into the hate they cultivated towards the Jews?” Well I have news.... they did it for four years, 2017 through 2020. They spread hatred for Pres. Trump & half the nation ate up every word of it. So, the question is this: Could what happened in Germany happen again? My answer is yes. Yes it can & YES. It. Is. Happening. Right. Now.
When I have to get up at 4am to get ready for work, do the 1hr drive, work a 12hr shift, return via same 1hr drive, fall into bed to get up & do it again tomorrow.... you would think I would have enough sense to put the book down & go to sleep! But I couldn’t! I had to keep reading to see what happened next. I say to myself “I will read to the end of this chapter!” But the current chapter keeps going & going. Did I miss the chapter break? I don’t know. Probably more than once. Well I think what this tells me is this is a very good read. Puts you at ground zero of the Nazi occupation in the sort of average family in Germany.
But there’s something else that sends shivers down my spine. I compare what was happening then in Germany, to what is happening now in 2021 in America. There are many parallels. But really, in the beginning, the Nazis actually pretended to care about the German people. I guess the far left try to pretend like they care, but they are very bad actors & their actions speak so much louder than their words. Compare the Nazis & the Nazi news media or the media in general to the current regime in America & the mainstream media of today. They spew outright propaganda & lies. The amount of lies I hear coming out of the mouths of our “leaders” is downright amazing. They attack one certain race or group of people to create unrest & divide. They spent four years promoting HATE towards Pres. Trump with their lies & propaganda. I have been verbally attacked for the mere mention of his name! They are singling out anyone who supports Trump, who do not support THEM & labeling them as terrorists, insurrectionists. There are many who do not support THEM who are terrified to speak up! This is happening in AMERICA? Really? It’s Un-be-liev-a-ble! They are, as I type, creating laws to eliminate guns from the citizens. They are attempting to completely control all three branches of government so they can shove their anti-american agenda down the people’s throats. They are flooding the country with illegal immigrants for the sole purpose of slave labor for big corporations, adding future voters to their side, & giving terrorists a free pass to enter the country. Not only do they want to take our guns away, they want to eliminate our police force so that we have no protection whatsoever. Then what? They will creat a federal police force that will resemble the “black shirts”, the “brown shirts”, the GESTAPO. If that thought does not scare the holy moley out of every single American... oh my, it sure terrifies me.
Dear Author of This Book, you did an amazing job writing this, & I am sorry for highjacking this review & not focusing on your wonderful writing talent. I had to laugh when I read the “about the Author” at the end where you said your cat likes to mess with you. I was wondering where those extra letters here & there in the text came from! Your cat! So cute!
But.... the similarities to what happened then, to what is happening now, are quite chilling. Have we learned nothing from history?
Actually, I wonder if my review will be posted or rejected? If it does get posted & opens the eyes of just one person....
I recommend this book highly! If you have any interest or have ever wondered why the german people “didn’t do something” to stop Hitler, this book helps bring to light the why of that question. By the time the german people figured out what was happening, it was, quite frankly, too late. All the power had been transferred from the people to the government & everyone lived in absolute fear. I’ve heard people say that’s not a valid excuse, they were complete cowards. They should have done this or they should have done that. Their biggest mistake was trusting that their government would take care of them, that they had the peoples’ best interest in mind, that what they heard & read in the media was truthful. I’ve heard people say “how could the german people buy into the hate they cultivated towards the Jews?” Well I have news.... they did it for four years, 2017 through 2020. They spread hatred for Pres. Trump & half the nation ate up every word of it. So, the question is this: Could what happened in Germany happen again? My answer is yes. Yes it can & YES. It. Is. Happening. Right. Now.
July 21, 2020
Shadow of the Swastika: A Girl Comes of Age in Nazi Germany is a historical fiction by Rebecca Malone. Through a mutual friend, Rebecca met Lilly and began hearing her story. What began as a short memoir turned into a novel that took three years to write. Research to confirm historical events and places took time as well as doing the oral questioning. What resulted was a very good historical novel that follows Lilly’s life as she grew up under the Nazis.
Lilly was the second child of Heimlich and Frieda Mucke.of Freiburg, Germany. She was a surprise baby in that her Mother was able to keep her existence a secret until her birth. They were living with her aunt and uncle in a small flat. Having two children made the flat too small. Her Pappa finally got a job as the city’s funeral director and they moved to a small flat that was provided. Lilly seemed to always be in trouble, although she never tried to be. She was just a tomboy and too interested in doing things that manners sometimes got in her way or got lost. This wasn’t too bad until she kept forgetting to say “heil Hitler” when greeting people. Her Mother was worried more about what others thought of her mothering than doing what was right. Her brother, Helmut, often got away with things while she took the blame. However, Lilly loved her family and would do anything for them.
Her behavior or misbehavior gained the attention of the Schmidt’s who lived next door and were fervent Nazis. Lilly grew up under their scrutiny and with the threat of being turned in to the police for a plethora of things, most of which were totally unintentional. However, she knew and felt that someone was watching her all the time.
The book goes on to tell what happens to her through the days prior to the bombing of the city. She endured lectures from her Mother she got praises from her Father. It follows her exploits as she goes from an elementary school lstudent through her work with the BMD, Lily flies in the face of adversity.
Lilly was the second child of Heimlich and Frieda Mucke.of Freiburg, Germany. She was a surprise baby in that her Mother was able to keep her existence a secret until her birth. They were living with her aunt and uncle in a small flat. Having two children made the flat too small. Her Pappa finally got a job as the city’s funeral director and they moved to a small flat that was provided. Lilly seemed to always be in trouble, although she never tried to be. She was just a tomboy and too interested in doing things that manners sometimes got in her way or got lost. This wasn’t too bad until she kept forgetting to say “heil Hitler” when greeting people. Her Mother was worried more about what others thought of her mothering than doing what was right. Her brother, Helmut, often got away with things while she took the blame. However, Lilly loved her family and would do anything for them.
Her behavior or misbehavior gained the attention of the Schmidt’s who lived next door and were fervent Nazis. Lilly grew up under their scrutiny and with the threat of being turned in to the police for a plethora of things, most of which were totally unintentional. However, she knew and felt that someone was watching her all the time.
The book goes on to tell what happens to her through the days prior to the bombing of the city. She endured lectures from her Mother she got praises from her Father. It follows her exploits as she goes from an elementary school lstudent through her work with the BMD, Lily flies in the face of adversity.
June 15, 2020
A new perspective.
I enjoy reading historical fiction. This is the first book I have read that explores the life of a German girl coming of age during world war two. She was a 10 year old girl who was an average german, not typically associated with groups that would found such horrible conditions. In fact she did what she could do to become a typical young lady during the war. Things became very bad and she and her family had to deal with starvation, homelessness, the German army and spies. This author ha done an amazing job of capturing the spirit of her amid such conflicts. This novel will open your eyes to how hard a time it was. Thank you for opening my eyes about Lilly and her family! I give an Awesome Dawson rating of 10 stars, I truly enjoyed reading it. Thank you for opening my eyes a little wider and my heart a little larger. Sincerely, mjm
I enjoy reading historical fiction. This is the first book I have read that explores the life of a German girl coming of age during world war two. She was a 10 year old girl who was an average german, not typically associated with groups that would found such horrible conditions. In fact she did what she could do to become a typical young lady during the war. Things became very bad and she and her family had to deal with starvation, homelessness, the German army and spies. This author ha done an amazing job of capturing the spirit of her amid such conflicts. This novel will open your eyes to how hard a time it was. Thank you for opening my eyes about Lilly and her family! I give an Awesome Dawson rating of 10 stars, I truly enjoyed reading it. Thank you for opening my eyes a little wider and my heart a little larger. Sincerely, mjm
June 19, 2021
WWII Story of a German girl and her family living under Hitler.
Well written. This memoir is a story of one woman’s memories of a horrible time. I could not put it down and read it in record time. I’ve always read books about WWII and what the Jewish people went through but this is from another angle. It totally rings true historically.
Well written. This memoir is a story of one woman’s memories of a horrible time. I could not put it down and read it in record time. I’ve always read books about WWII and what the Jewish people went through but this is from another angle. It totally rings true historically.
July 4, 2020
A family living in Germany and surviving during World War II
Very interesting and well written book. If you want to know how it was to live as a family in Germany during the war, this is the book to read
Very interesting and well written book. If you want to know how it was to live as a family in Germany during the war, this is the book to read
November 14, 2020
In a world of evil, survival is all there is.
Lilly is a survivor, not any of Hitler,s followers could break her, although many tried,,She stood defiant, and learned that she had power knowing would fail.
Lilly is a survivor, not any of Hitler,s followers could break her, although many tried,,She stood defiant, and learned that she had power knowing would fail.
June 9, 2021
Survived!
This girl was stubborn but brave. I don't know if I would've had the courage but I know that you can find it in the most desperate of situations.
This girl was stubborn but brave. I don't know if I would've had the courage but I know that you can find it in the most desperate of situations.
December 11, 2020
First Book by Author is a Hit !
Lilly grew up in Germany and this book follows her life from a very early age until War's end,when she was about 17.
She and her brother Helmut,knew they were not to say or do anything to cause any suspicious looks from the Brown shirts who were always hanging around.
Her father managed the grave yard and mausoleum, where she spent much of her time,playing and entertaining her friends,but he could lose his job,at any time,for the smallest infraction.
Since her city was one of the last to be bombed ,other than run ins with her mother or brother,she had a pretty good childhood.
Life for the German people was pretty good as long as they followed the rules.
Lilly,had many adventures thru out her childhood and kept her parents on their toes,because she didn't follow rules very well.
There was never enough food and by the middle of the War,many of the Germans were starving,as Hitler took almost everything they raised in their Victory gardens and all of their livestock as well to feed his men .
I found this book very readable, as most often,books about WWII are told from the Jewish,Polish or French sides, very rarely from the Germans.
According to the author, this is a loosely based memoir, but all places,times and dates,may be off somewhat.
If you are a reader of books about this particular War, you will find this book highly entertaining.
Lilly grew up in Germany and this book follows her life from a very early age until War's end,when she was about 17.
She and her brother Helmut,knew they were not to say or do anything to cause any suspicious looks from the Brown shirts who were always hanging around.
Her father managed the grave yard and mausoleum, where she spent much of her time,playing and entertaining her friends,but he could lose his job,at any time,for the smallest infraction.
Since her city was one of the last to be bombed ,other than run ins with her mother or brother,she had a pretty good childhood.
Life for the German people was pretty good as long as they followed the rules.
Lilly,had many adventures thru out her childhood and kept her parents on their toes,because she didn't follow rules very well.
There was never enough food and by the middle of the War,many of the Germans were starving,as Hitler took almost everything they raised in their Victory gardens and all of their livestock as well to feed his men .
I found this book very readable, as most often,books about WWII are told from the Jewish,Polish or French sides, very rarely from the Germans.
According to the author, this is a loosely based memoir, but all places,times and dates,may be off somewhat.
If you are a reader of books about this particular War, you will find this book highly entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews