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Journey Interrupted: A Family Without a Country in a World at War
In the midst of World War II, a German-American family finds themselves stranded in Japan in this inspiring tale of an extraordinary family adapting to the hazards of fate, and finding salvation in each other. In the spring of 1941, seven-year-old Hildegarde Ercklentz and her family leave their home in New York City and set off for their native Germany, where her father has been recalled to the headquarters of the Commerz & Privat Bank in Berlin. It was meant to be an epic journey, crossing the United States, the Pacific, and Siberia—but when Hitler invades Russia, a week-long stay in Yokohama, Japan becomes six years of quasi-detention, as Hildegarde and her family are stranded in Japan until the war’s end. In this spellbinding memoir, Mahoney recounts her family’s moving saga, from their courage in the face of terrible difficulties—including forced relocation, scarce rations, brutal winters in the Japanese Alps—to their joyous reunion with their German relatives in Hamburg, and their eventual return to New York City in 1950. Richly detailed and remarkably vivid, Journey Interrupted is a story unlike any other—the inspiring tale of an extraordinary family adapting to the hazards of fate, and finding salvation in each other.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2016
1128 people are currently reading
1296 people want to read
About the author
Hildegarde Mahoney
1 book22 followersHildegarde Mahoney was born in Hamburg, Germany, and came to the United States when she was two months old. She attended schools in New York City, Yokohama, Japan—where she and her family spent six years—and in Germany, learning Japanese, German and French along the way. Upon returning to the United States, she began her career at Time, Inc. Using her professional name of Hillie Merritt, she was elected “Miss Rheingold of 1956,” and represented the Liebmann Breweries on both the east and west coasts. In the 1970's, Mahoney traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East with her husband, the late David Mahoney, before the two became involved in the relatively young field of neuroscience. She became an active participant in preventive medicine, social welfare, health, and educational organizations, as well as in public broadcasting, where she broadcast “Hillie’s Health Hints” as a weekly health program, and later, broadcast the health section of the “Sunday Magazine”—both on National Public Radio. She is the co-founder and Chairman of the Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute in Cambridge, MA and the David Mahoney Institute of Brain Initiatives in Washington, D.C., and lives in Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
August 22, 2021
At the beginning of summer, 1941, the author's family left their home in N.Y.C. to visit their relatives in Germany. When you are wealthy a war doesn't stop your plans, apparently. They knew they couldn't travel via the Atlantic, so their itinerary was to cross the Pacific and eventually enter Europe through Russia. An ill-advised trip? Definitely. Either Mr. Ercklentz, Hildegarde's father thought Germany would win the war in a very short time, or he believed he could buy his way to his destination, regardless of what was happening in the world.
Their trouble began when they arrived in Japan shortly before Hitler invaded Russia. With that path to Germany blocked, they were forced to stay in Japan. They continued their privileged life in a wealthy expat community, until the U.S. entered the war. At this time they and all other foreigners in Japan were shipped to remote Japanese villages where food and heat were scarce and their money was of no help. Their stopover in Japan turned into six years of exile.
When the war ended they tried getting back home but as they were German citizens, things got complicated, even though they had all the right connections. Their only choice was to go to Germany and stay with their mostly unscathed relatives. Once again, hardships were lessened thanks to their affluence. It took another four years before they were allowed entry back to N.Y.C.
I was intrigued by the story of this family's ten year forced exile, although they seemed unaware that their wealth diminished their problems. I would have rated this book 3 stars if the story had ended with their return to the U.S. But, unfortunately, it didn't. Hildegarde bored me with her N.Y.C. socialite's life, her modeling career, her 1958 Miss Reingold reign, and on and on. It would have been a much better book without all that and much more befitting the book title.
Their trouble began when they arrived in Japan shortly before Hitler invaded Russia. With that path to Germany blocked, they were forced to stay in Japan. They continued their privileged life in a wealthy expat community, until the U.S. entered the war. At this time they and all other foreigners in Japan were shipped to remote Japanese villages where food and heat were scarce and their money was of no help. Their stopover in Japan turned into six years of exile.
When the war ended they tried getting back home but as they were German citizens, things got complicated, even though they had all the right connections. Their only choice was to go to Germany and stay with their mostly unscathed relatives. Once again, hardships were lessened thanks to their affluence. It took another four years before they were allowed entry back to N.Y.C.
I was intrigued by the story of this family's ten year forced exile, although they seemed unaware that their wealth diminished their problems. I would have rated this book 3 stars if the story had ended with their return to the U.S. But, unfortunately, it didn't. Hildegarde bored me with her N.Y.C. socialite's life, her modeling career, her 1958 Miss Reingold reign, and on and on. It would have been a much better book without all that and much more befitting the book title.
July 27, 2020
An interesting description of a German family who leaves New York in May of 1941 because the father of the family is called back to Germany by the bank from which he is employed. The father decides the safest route back to Germany is through Japan and the Soviet Union. However by the time the family arrives in Japan, Germany has invaded the Soviet Union and the family decides to stay in Japan and they are eventually interned for the duration of World War II.
The first half of this memoir is more successful than the second half in which the family returns to Germany in 1947 and then to the United States in 1950. Hildegarde mostly sees this period through her eyes and the reader does not flesh out her family much. Her father, mother, and two brothers do not become true personalities or characters as the author concentrates on her own feelings and memories.
I could not really feel any connection with the author, especially the latter part of the story which takes place in the United States where we get a detailed description of the Miss Rheingold contest which the author was apparently very proud. Not your usual story of the experiences of a war time family.
The first half of this memoir is more successful than the second half in which the family returns to Germany in 1947 and then to the United States in 1950. Hildegarde mostly sees this period through her eyes and the reader does not flesh out her family much. Her father, mother, and two brothers do not become true personalities or characters as the author concentrates on her own feelings and memories.
I could not really feel any connection with the author, especially the latter part of the story which takes place in the United States where we get a detailed description of the Miss Rheingold contest which the author was apparently very proud. Not your usual story of the experiences of a war time family.
January 1, 2019
An interesting tale to say the least. What happens when you are called to your home country, Germany in April of1941 because your employer is shutting down the US operation? Well, you go. However, take note the year and month. What could possibly go wrong?
You travel across the US from New York to Chicago To Phoenix, taking in all the sites you’ve read about but never see, ie Grand Canyon. Imagine being seven, five and two and riding a train across the Great Plains where the buffalo roamed and the Indians ruled. Next stop-San Francisco then Japan. So far so good.
The family land in Yokohama on June 1, 1941. Let’s take in the sites while father confirms our reservations to Korea and onto the Trans-Siberian railroad. Everything is going well as the family takes in all the sites and wonders of the Japanese nation, culture and people. There is only one problem the rumor of war breaking out between Germany and the Soviet Union. But it is only frivolous talk until June 22, 1941 and the unthinkable happens. Hitler has taken on Stalin in what will be the most brutal four years of bloodshed Eastern Europe has ever witnessed. Out travelers? Well, they keep their heads and father tries to arrange for passage back to the US. Shouldn’t be a problem except the US has cut off oil and scrap exports. Each time he tries to get passage back the reply is the same. “No ships available for at least four to five weeks. Come back then and we’ll see.” December 7th, 1941 will change all that as there will be no passage back until the war has been won by either the Axis or Allies. How’s that for a plot?
This is the story of Ercklentz family and how they survived in a county that was allied with their father and mother’s roots and both at war with the home the children had known-The United States of America. This is unlike any story I’ve read. They were spared the horrors of being the in the middle of fall-out shelters and suffering allied shells and bombs. They were sequestered in Karuizawa for the duration. When the war ended it should be a happy ending, right? Wrong. Remember, mom and dad are German by birth and by MacArthur’s decree, they will be headed back to their homeland and Hamburg.
In the end it took almost ten years for the family to return to their beloved New York City and start rebuilding their lives, not that they were broken, but they had nothing to call their own until they returned.
The author? Let’s say she went on blossom in our Great Nation.
If you’re a fan of World War Two and how it affected families caught in transit between the warring nations and came out stronger then when it started, you will enjoy this story.
Four Stars
You travel across the US from New York to Chicago To Phoenix, taking in all the sites you’ve read about but never see, ie Grand Canyon. Imagine being seven, five and two and riding a train across the Great Plains where the buffalo roamed and the Indians ruled. Next stop-San Francisco then Japan. So far so good.
The family land in Yokohama on June 1, 1941. Let’s take in the sites while father confirms our reservations to Korea and onto the Trans-Siberian railroad. Everything is going well as the family takes in all the sites and wonders of the Japanese nation, culture and people. There is only one problem the rumor of war breaking out between Germany and the Soviet Union. But it is only frivolous talk until June 22, 1941 and the unthinkable happens. Hitler has taken on Stalin in what will be the most brutal four years of bloodshed Eastern Europe has ever witnessed. Out travelers? Well, they keep their heads and father tries to arrange for passage back to the US. Shouldn’t be a problem except the US has cut off oil and scrap exports. Each time he tries to get passage back the reply is the same. “No ships available for at least four to five weeks. Come back then and we’ll see.” December 7th, 1941 will change all that as there will be no passage back until the war has been won by either the Axis or Allies. How’s that for a plot?
This is the story of Ercklentz family and how they survived in a county that was allied with their father and mother’s roots and both at war with the home the children had known-The United States of America. This is unlike any story I’ve read. They were spared the horrors of being the in the middle of fall-out shelters and suffering allied shells and bombs. They were sequestered in Karuizawa for the duration. When the war ended it should be a happy ending, right? Wrong. Remember, mom and dad are German by birth and by MacArthur’s decree, they will be headed back to their homeland and Hamburg.
In the end it took almost ten years for the family to return to their beloved New York City and start rebuilding their lives, not that they were broken, but they had nothing to call their own until they returned.
The author? Let’s say she went on blossom in our Great Nation.
If you’re a fan of World War Two and how it affected families caught in transit between the warring nations and came out stronger then when it started, you will enjoy this story.
Four Stars
August 3, 2016
I liked all the history in the book. I found the writing style to be dull and lifeless,I would not recommend the book.
February 24, 2016
Unusual story of a German-American family in WW2 Japan and Post-war Germany.
Hildegarde Mahoney’s German-American family are stranded in Japan en-route to Germany following the German invasion of Russia and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Mahoney’s account follows their experiences in Japan, their deportation to post-war Germany and subsequent emigration back to the US.
The family were not interned as US nationals, but were closely monitored as suspect German nationals despite being citizens of a nation allied to Japan.
I can’t say I found the whole book fascinating, but there are some sections that are particularly interesting such as the small eyewitness account of the Doolittle raid, but once they get back to the US it tends to drag.
As an overall biography of a family dealing with significant changes of circumstances the book is strong, but I did find the prose somewhat stilted and restrained.
Worth a look for the eyewitness details of WW2 Japan and post-war Germany.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hildegarde Mahoney’s German-American family are stranded in Japan en-route to Germany following the German invasion of Russia and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Mahoney’s account follows their experiences in Japan, their deportation to post-war Germany and subsequent emigration back to the US.
The family were not interned as US nationals, but were closely monitored as suspect German nationals despite being citizens of a nation allied to Japan.
I can’t say I found the whole book fascinating, but there are some sections that are particularly interesting such as the small eyewitness account of the Doolittle raid, but once they get back to the US it tends to drag.
As an overall biography of a family dealing with significant changes of circumstances the book is strong, but I did find the prose somewhat stilted and restrained.
Worth a look for the eyewitness details of WW2 Japan and post-war Germany.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
April 27, 2019
Interesting tale about a privileged family’s detainment in Japan on a trip to Germany.
Semi-interesting tale about living in Germany with relatives before returning to US.
Not so interesting tale about self-absorbed daughter’s reign as Ms Rheingold after return to US.
Semi-interesting tale about living in Germany with relatives before returning to US.
Not so interesting tale about self-absorbed daughter’s reign as Ms Rheingold after return to US.
March 11, 2019
This was an unexplored portion of WW2 memoir for me. We read of the home front, the refugees in war-torn countries, and Jews, but this book had a new perspective. The author was born in Germany, but her family moved to NYC when she was 2. Caught on holiday in Japan at the beginning of the war, they spent ten years in limbo before receiving entrance permits back into the US. This is written as an older woman's memories, and therefore is sometimes less cohesive than one would perhaps wish, but still an interesting and informative read.
December 31, 2018
This is one I could hardly put down. The author led an almost unbelievable life, leading to a fascinating book!
February 18, 2019
Could have been 5 stars....(possible spoiler alert)
This book began as one of those books I could not put down. I found myself emotionally involved with the characters of the story and feeling their tension and fears for their futures living as enemies of the country they were forced by tragic and unforseen circumstances to reside in during World War II. How horrified the father must have been to realize his precious and innocent German-American family had become citizens of no country!
The author's descriptions of the dangerous circumstances they lived up in kept me feeling just a fraction of the anxiety the
family felt through their years of exile in Japan. Talk about being in the wrong place at the right time -the irony was horrifying.
During my reading my Kindle notified me that my battery was low and I was worried I wouldn't make it to the end of this fascinating account...I needn't have worried about the battery issue. I could easily have stopped reading at the point when the family returns to the United States. For me, the book became somewhat of an opportunity for the author's vanity to take over. To me the rest of the book was an opportunity for the author to brag about becoming a model and a beauty queen. I found that I stopped caring about her story at that point. It was not the interrupted journey any longer. It was no longer her family's story of being united In love for each other. In a way, I lost interest because I felt that she had become a totally different person that had forgotten her roots and simply became caught up in glamorizing herself.
This would have have been a five-star book had the author just made the decision to stop: at the place the title suggested.
This book began as one of those books I could not put down. I found myself emotionally involved with the characters of the story and feeling their tension and fears for their futures living as enemies of the country they were forced by tragic and unforseen circumstances to reside in during World War II. How horrified the father must have been to realize his precious and innocent German-American family had become citizens of no country!
The author's descriptions of the dangerous circumstances they lived up in kept me feeling just a fraction of the anxiety the
family felt through their years of exile in Japan. Talk about being in the wrong place at the right time -the irony was horrifying.
During my reading my Kindle notified me that my battery was low and I was worried I wouldn't make it to the end of this fascinating account...I needn't have worried about the battery issue. I could easily have stopped reading at the point when the family returns to the United States. For me, the book became somewhat of an opportunity for the author's vanity to take over. To me the rest of the book was an opportunity for the author to brag about becoming a model and a beauty queen. I found that I stopped caring about her story at that point. It was not the interrupted journey any longer. It was no longer her family's story of being united In love for each other. In a way, I lost interest because I felt that she had become a totally different person that had forgotten her roots and simply became caught up in glamorizing herself.
This would have have been a five-star book had the author just made the decision to stop: at the place the title suggested.
February 20, 2021
She had an interesting life, but something about the writing style didn't engage me. It felt like I was reading a textbook.
September 20, 2019
Interesting account from the viewpoint of a child, then an adult looking back. We all remember our childhoods differently from our parents. The Parents protected their children from the horror going on as much as possible. I enjoyed the account of their journey. Surprising ending. Enjoyed this book very much.
Wonderful account of what we never knew about people stuck in unpredictable situations, the innocence of children, perseverance and uplifting human spirit which keeps us going. NEVER give up. Enjoy today for we know not WHAT tomorrow Brings. I always think of the ordinary people behind extraordinary events. This is such a story.
Wonderful account of what we never knew about people stuck in unpredictable situations, the innocence of children, perseverance and uplifting human spirit which keeps us going. NEVER give up. Enjoy today for we know not WHAT tomorrow Brings. I always think of the ordinary people behind extraordinary events. This is such a story.
January 9, 2019
Boring...... after reading so many moving stories of family tragedy during the war, this did not even begin to touch my heart. I’m sorry for what they experienced, but they were so fortunate on so many levels, I could not sympathize!
August 14, 2019
Hildegarde Ercklentz, a 7 year-old girl, and her family has lived in New York for 5 years, where her father worked in a German bank. In 1941, his father is ordered to go and work to Berlin, his native country. The world is at war, and his plans were to cross the United States, the Pacific and Siberia. However, when Hitler invades Rusia the family was in Japan and they were forced to stay there much longer than they had intended. In this novel Hildegarde recounts her experience in Japan, the harsh times her family lived until they eventually were able to travel to Germany, where their situation was not completely solved. Finally and after some years they were able to return to New York, the country they truly felt as their own. Although they had to endure hard times, being a well-off family actually helped them, and their fate cannot be compared to the dreadful situations refugees and the poor really lived. When compared to the majority of emigrants and displaced people, they were in heaven. I don't know how I would feel if I were one of those really unfortunately persons if I read this book. I am certain I would feel insulted.
April 22, 2016
I won this book on Goodreads....love their Giveaways!
This memoir reads like a very interesting novel. It is the story of a family who are traveling from their home in New York to visit relatives in their native Germany. Their journey is interrupted by the onset of WW II. They are forced to spend the next 5 or 6 years in Japan, until the end of the war.
The author was seven when these events happened, and she shows how her family supported one another, never letting anyone give up on the hope that they would one day return home.
What surprised me is how much of the war went on without their knowledge; how much was withheld from those in the midst of these events. It makes one wonder just how much governments are able to deflect and keep hidden.
This book was written in a way that held the reader's interest to the very end.
This memoir reads like a very interesting novel. It is the story of a family who are traveling from their home in New York to visit relatives in their native Germany. Their journey is interrupted by the onset of WW II. They are forced to spend the next 5 or 6 years in Japan, until the end of the war.
The author was seven when these events happened, and she shows how her family supported one another, never letting anyone give up on the hope that they would one day return home.
What surprised me is how much of the war went on without their knowledge; how much was withheld from those in the midst of these events. It makes one wonder just how much governments are able to deflect and keep hidden.
This book was written in a way that held the reader's interest to the very end.
July 31, 2019
I was enthralled by the first part of the book in which the author told about the life of her family as they were forced to move from place to place during WWII. But I totally lost interest when the family returned to America and the author focused on the details of her own life as a model and as Miss Rheingold. It just became TMI, in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2020
The fact that this German family became stranded in Japan made the idea for the book interesting but there was more focus on the author than the story.
April 18, 2019
This was a unique WWII story, as well as a unique memoir in general. Hildegarde Mahoney’s parents were German, but came to the United States in the 1920s. She was born in Germany, but her younger and older brothers were born in the United States. They all saw themselves as permanent American residents who only visited family back in Germany. In 1941, however, Hitler said all German citizens had to return to Germany, and her father had to do so since he worked for a German bank in New York City.
Not wanting to travel through Russia, the family travels to Japan to get to Germany. Only, the United States declares war on Japan after the Pearl Harbor bombing, and her family cannot leave Japan until the end of the war. Then, when all looked like smooth sailing back to the United States, all German citizens in Japan had to return to Germany, on orders from General Douglas MacArthur, so they eventually did end up back in Germany! Finally, they were able to return to the United States in 1950.
I thought Hildegarde Mahoney told the story well. She didn’t gloss over the difficult times; including the freezing, starving years; but didn’t dwell on those times, either. In addition, she repeatedly made it a point to acknowledge her family did not suffer as badly as so many others during the war, including those murdered by the Nazis. She repeatedly made it very clear her family did not sympathize with the Nazis.
Yes, her family fortunately still had money even in Japan, but having money is not a sin, and does not mean her story has no value. Her parents instilled strong values in their children, and had high expectations of them. When the family no longer had money, no one fell apart and played victim. Employment and education were still sought, jobs and degrees were gotten.
Mrs. Mahoney’s description of life back in the United States in the 1950s was also an interesting look at the time period, and demonstrated why so many saw the ‘50s as a golden decade with so many possibilities and opportunities. While her reign as Miss Rheingold of 1956 wasn’t that interesting to me, it was an Americana story that certainly will interest other readers. It was one more unique story in a unique memoir.
Not wanting to travel through Russia, the family travels to Japan to get to Germany. Only, the United States declares war on Japan after the Pearl Harbor bombing, and her family cannot leave Japan until the end of the war. Then, when all looked like smooth sailing back to the United States, all German citizens in Japan had to return to Germany, on orders from General Douglas MacArthur, so they eventually did end up back in Germany! Finally, they were able to return to the United States in 1950.
I thought Hildegarde Mahoney told the story well. She didn’t gloss over the difficult times; including the freezing, starving years; but didn’t dwell on those times, either. In addition, she repeatedly made it a point to acknowledge her family did not suffer as badly as so many others during the war, including those murdered by the Nazis. She repeatedly made it very clear her family did not sympathize with the Nazis.
Yes, her family fortunately still had money even in Japan, but having money is not a sin, and does not mean her story has no value. Her parents instilled strong values in their children, and had high expectations of them. When the family no longer had money, no one fell apart and played victim. Employment and education were still sought, jobs and degrees were gotten.
Mrs. Mahoney’s description of life back in the United States in the 1950s was also an interesting look at the time period, and demonstrated why so many saw the ‘50s as a golden decade with so many possibilities and opportunities. While her reign as Miss Rheingold of 1956 wasn’t that interesting to me, it was an Americana story that certainly will interest other readers. It was one more unique story in a unique memoir.
September 8, 2020
Great family story.
This a non-fiction book that could had been the saddest story ever written. But, is a book full of wonderful lessons about courage, resilience and hope. For the entire family their glass was always half full. Is only in the epilogue that Mrs. Mahoney starts wondering about all the "what if" in their lives. Just the fact that the family had to learn three very different languages to be able to survive is enough. I don't think that Japanese, English and the German languages have much in common. I don't believe that they are easy to learn and much less in 10 years. All three kids had to deal with that situation when they were going to school; first in the States, then in Japan and in Germany. This is a the story of a family that were experts in making lemonade because they got a lot of lemons in their journey. They started their journey where everything was first class. They had 40 suitcases when they left for Germany and some of them were full with items that the mother thought that were very important and couldn't risk to be without. Is amazing that after almost seven years they still had some of the items ie: Orange marmalade. When they returned to the U.S. it was in freight ship and just some cases with mostly second hand clothes. I laughted so hard when Hillie was asked to do a toothpaste commercial and all her father said was that straightening her teeth was the money he ever spend.This is a book that I believe that I will re-read many times.
This a non-fiction book that could had been the saddest story ever written. But, is a book full of wonderful lessons about courage, resilience and hope. For the entire family their glass was always half full. Is only in the epilogue that Mrs. Mahoney starts wondering about all the "what if" in their lives. Just the fact that the family had to learn three very different languages to be able to survive is enough. I don't think that Japanese, English and the German languages have much in common. I don't believe that they are easy to learn and much less in 10 years. All three kids had to deal with that situation when they were going to school; first in the States, then in Japan and in Germany. This is a the story of a family that were experts in making lemonade because they got a lot of lemons in their journey. They started their journey where everything was first class. They had 40 suitcases when they left for Germany and some of them were full with items that the mother thought that were very important and couldn't risk to be without. Is amazing that after almost seven years they still had some of the items ie: Orange marmalade. When they returned to the U.S. it was in freight ship and just some cases with mostly second hand clothes. I laughted so hard when Hillie was asked to do a toothpaste commercial and all her father said was that straightening her teeth was the money he ever spend.This is a book that I believe that I will re-read many times.
January 19, 2019
Take of a privileged family dealing with unexpected obstacles during the war
I expected more from this book, but not sure why. It is about a German family that lived as expats in NYC prior to WW2, and then is summoned back to Germany by the father's employer in 1941. In the midst of the journey, the world falls apart and they're stuck in Japan, then Germany before finally returning to the U.S. After the war.
The experiences are written very much as a 7-11 year old girl would have seen it, which was refreshing. I loved that she always seemed to find the positive in situations and didn't dwell on the hardships
That said, it becomes apparent that this was not an average family - they were well-designed and really need seemed to need to worry about money. So while things were relatively difficult for them based on what they're accustomed to, it was hard for the me to work up much empathy. Especially as there is little to no mention of how this family used their resources to help others in worse circumstances. And the name-dropping!! My word! Excessive and unnecessary - I still can't figure out why the Duke of Windsor was ever mentioned at all! In the end that was enough to drop my eating from a 4 to a 3 star.
I expected more from this book, but not sure why. It is about a German family that lived as expats in NYC prior to WW2, and then is summoned back to Germany by the father's employer in 1941. In the midst of the journey, the world falls apart and they're stuck in Japan, then Germany before finally returning to the U.S. After the war.
The experiences are written very much as a 7-11 year old girl would have seen it, which was refreshing. I loved that she always seemed to find the positive in situations and didn't dwell on the hardships
That said, it becomes apparent that this was not an average family - they were well-designed and really need seemed to need to worry about money. So while things were relatively difficult for them based on what they're accustomed to, it was hard for the me to work up much empathy. Especially as there is little to no mention of how this family used their resources to help others in worse circumstances. And the name-dropping!! My word! Excessive and unnecessary - I still can't figure out why the Duke of Windsor was ever mentioned at all! In the end that was enough to drop my eating from a 4 to a 3 star.
May 6, 2020
An amazing life story by the author. Starting with being born in Germany then moving with family to New York early in life, taking a trip to Japan as a family vacation at the beginning of WWII and not being able to leave. Living in extreme poverty and cold conditions in Japan for many years, then being forced/deported to Germany for many years during the after-years of the war, until finally receiving the authorization to return to New York for work and eventual citizenship. As a citizen, Hildegarde becomes a celebrated spokesperson for a beer company and goes on to model and act and returns to a life of privilege. These are amazing twists and turns for one life - a woman who was 20 years old the year I was born (1958). The writing was often tedious for me - all the minute detail often drove me crazy but then there would be some minute detail about some historical facts and events and then I was enjoying the minutia. I personally feel the editors could have helped out a bit with the word count, but it is still a life and story worth writing and reading about.
May 18, 2019
Reviewed by: Charles Burton
It may be true that this family didn't get involved with war directly, nevertheless they were affected as helpless victims of politics in a way that few others were, and this is the tale of what they endured. As such, it is a valid story of how a family, albeit a well off family for most of the time, were affected. The parents, especially, deserve credit for sheltering their children from much of the concern they must have felt during those helpless years. The narrator, Hildegarde. especially shows how well she was sheltered from much of her parents' fears, through her optimistic tone. All war wasn't death and destruction. Much was personal psychology. Hildegarde, especially, came through what could have been a terrifying time in wonderful shape, due largely to the efforts and the love of her parents. They should receive full credit, and that is the real story here.
It may be true that this family didn't get involved with war directly, nevertheless they were affected as helpless victims of politics in a way that few others were, and this is the tale of what they endured. As such, it is a valid story of how a family, albeit a well off family for most of the time, were affected. The parents, especially, deserve credit for sheltering their children from much of the concern they must have felt during those helpless years. The narrator, Hildegarde. especially shows how well she was sheltered from much of her parents' fears, through her optimistic tone. All war wasn't death and destruction. Much was personal psychology. Hildegarde, especially, came through what could have been a terrifying time in wonderful shape, due largely to the efforts and the love of her parents. They should receive full credit, and that is the real story here.
January 2, 2023
Journey Through History
What a heartwarming, engaging tale of an adorable young girl growing up during World War II caught between her home, New York City, and the place of her birth, Germany. Her unique experiences in Japan learning to survive with a smile following the example of her parents are awe-inspiring. The unfolding of her life as she develops despite hardship and sacrifice into a beautiful cultured young woman, for whom strong character and close family are guiding tenets, will have you rooting for her as she eventually settles in New York, finds a job at Time, meets the man she will marry and reigns as Miss (Mrs.) Reingold. Along the way Hillie will introduce you to historical figures and tell you stories of WWII, from the Doolittle Raid, to the invasion of Russia by Germany, to the kindness of strangers.
Hillie is a survivor who exudes joie de vivre and extraordinary grace. And what a smile, no wonder she was chosen as Miss Reingold!
What a heartwarming, engaging tale of an adorable young girl growing up during World War II caught between her home, New York City, and the place of her birth, Germany. Her unique experiences in Japan learning to survive with a smile following the example of her parents are awe-inspiring. The unfolding of her life as she develops despite hardship and sacrifice into a beautiful cultured young woman, for whom strong character and close family are guiding tenets, will have you rooting for her as she eventually settles in New York, finds a job at Time, meets the man she will marry and reigns as Miss (Mrs.) Reingold. Along the way Hillie will introduce you to historical figures and tell you stories of WWII, from the Doolittle Raid, to the invasion of Russia by Germany, to the kindness of strangers.
Hillie is a survivor who exudes joie de vivre and extraordinary grace. And what a smile, no wonder she was chosen as Miss Reingold!
February 5, 2023
Hildegarde Mahoney and her family left their home in NYC for a journey to Germany to visit Relatives. Since this was 1941 and Germany was already at war with England, they planned a route that went around the world to the west. They got as far as Japan when the war was declared between the US and Japan. In time they were interned but in their own home rather than in an interment camp but they spent over 6 years as residents of Japan and really as prisoners as they had to be very careful about what they said and did. The family was made up of mother and father, 2 sons and a daughter.
The trip eventually moved on after the war was over, but even then they had a lot of waiting to do before they could continue, and they were required to return to Germany (as they were German nationals) and eventually they were able to proceed back to NYC. It was quite an adventure.
I recommend this book.
The trip eventually moved on after the war was over, but even then they had a lot of waiting to do before they could continue, and they were required to return to Germany (as they were German nationals) and eventually they were able to proceed back to NYC. It was quite an adventure.
I recommend this book.
May 9, 2023
This is a story of a German/American family and the time of the beginning of WWII. There is much to admire of the parents who brought their 3 children on a long trip to reach their grandparents and relatives in Germany- they started in NYC went to California, then Hawaii and Japan before staying as restricted visitors in Japan for several years..( the end location of Germany was not reached for years..)
There were times of money and times of semi-famine eating little protein and just able to maintain existence in a cold place, Kuruizawa in Japan where the Japanese Government regulated foreigners. I found the book very interesting as I had traveled in Japan as a student, many years ago. The parents ability to maintain a positive attitude with their kids and to keep the family together was very impressive. I also liked the subsequent story of their return to the USA and what happened.
There were times of money and times of semi-famine eating little protein and just able to maintain existence in a cold place, Kuruizawa in Japan where the Japanese Government regulated foreigners. I found the book very interesting as I had traveled in Japan as a student, many years ago. The parents ability to maintain a positive attitude with their kids and to keep the family together was very impressive. I also liked the subsequent story of their return to the USA and what happened.
May 22, 2017
This was an interesting autobiography about the author's German family trying to travel from the U.S. to Germany via Hawaii, Japan, and Russia during the beginnings of WWII. They become stranded in Japan unable to return either to the U.S. or Germany. I feel very conflicted about this story. The author was a child at the time and sheltered by her parents from an in depth knowledge of the war so it lacks some of the depth that an adult's experience would bring to the story. I also felt that the story extended too far beyond the end of the war although it was interesting to know what happened to all of them later. However, there are wonderful family photos sprinkled liberally throughout and the story for the most part was pretty light reading. It provided an unusual perspective of Japan during the war so was worth the read.
January 20, 2021
Interesting book. This was not the usual WWII or Holocaust story. This is a German family trying to return home to Germany just prior to the start of WWII, but their timing couldn't have been worse. After living in New York, they are told they have to return to Germany in a round-about fashion to avoid projected fighting. They travel to San Francisco, Hawaii, and Japan, but then are stuck in Japan for the duration of the war. This book is a memoir from the daughter of the family. Historically it is exactly what they went through. I liked this new perspective. And there are great pictures scattered throughout the book. The author could have/should have left out the section post-WWII about her career. It didn't really add to the story and was not as interesting. So skip that if you want and go right to the Epilogue.
September 3, 2021
I think this book is fantastic for the authors family and descendants but for the general public not so much. The one part I did find interesting was that an American/German family is trapped in Japan during WWII, but the family of five live a very low key life, albeit cold and hungry at times and come out basically unscathed. How in the world did that happen? Pictures were fun and to be honest if she didn't have pictures from Japan I don't know that I'd believe she lived there.
The part that I felt was uninteresting and boring was the modeling and beauty contest that the author wins when she returns to America. Her travels and responsibilities as a beer queen in the 50's was just a bit too self centered for my taste. That's what I mean about great and fun legacy for her family but I'm not interested in how white and straight her teeth are :-)
The part that I felt was uninteresting and boring was the modeling and beauty contest that the author wins when she returns to America. Her travels and responsibilities as a beer queen in the 50's was just a bit too self centered for my taste. That's what I mean about great and fun legacy for her family but I'm not interested in how white and straight her teeth are :-)
May 11, 2024
I actually enjoyed this book despite the 3-Star rating. I have read many books that take place during WW2 and love learning about this time period from a different perspective. Mahoney's perspective: how a family of privilege survived. They had resources most others did not but still experienced hard things. Getting stuck in Japan during the war was extremely lucky for them. She explains at the end of her book what might have happened if they had been in New York, not finished crossing Russia, or if they had made it to their intended destination-Germany.
The 3 stars are because I felt that there were times when she wrote in great detail when it was not needed. However, I read this book knowing that it would not be written for entertainment. Maybe it deserves a 3 1/2? In the end, I'm glad I read it. I now have another personal look at that time period.
The 3 stars are because I felt that there were times when she wrote in great detail when it was not needed. However, I read this book knowing that it would not be written for entertainment. Maybe it deserves a 3 1/2? In the end, I'm glad I read it. I now have another personal look at that time period.
November 26, 2025
I didn't particularly like this book. First, I had to check if it was written for young adults. This woman should have hired a ghost writer. It was so poorly written it was boring. Second, I have to agree with the majority of reviewers who said basically "poor little rich" girl. She had it EASY compared to other displaced persons in WWII. I get that she was a child but her parents made sure she had a mostly comfortable existence. And third, after reading the reviews - Once they made it back to New York, I skipped to the end. I could careless about her career as a model.
Who ever wrote the blurb for the back of the book should have written the book. It would have been more interesting. Instead of knowing the layout of her current house, what about the political or military situation. Honestly glad I got this book free from Prime Reads.
Who ever wrote the blurb for the back of the book should have written the book. It would have been more interesting. Instead of knowing the layout of her current house, what about the political or military situation. Honestly glad I got this book free from Prime Reads.
January 13, 2019
A different view
I have read many books about WWII & the Holocaust. This book is the true story of a German-American family. They start a journey from NYC, to return to Germany. Because of the war & fighting in France & Great Britain, their route takes them to California where they take a Japanese ship to Yokahoma. They end up stuck in Japan, first by Germany going to war with Russia & then Japan attacking Pearl Harbor. The stay in Japan, the trip back to Germany after the war & their return to the US shows many hardships & using all of their skills to succeed. It was an interesting look at how Germans who were not Nazi's, felt about the war. Because the family was upper class, they did have it much easier than the majority of Germans. I enjoyed the book
I have read many books about WWII & the Holocaust. This book is the true story of a German-American family. They start a journey from NYC, to return to Germany. Because of the war & fighting in France & Great Britain, their route takes them to California where they take a Japanese ship to Yokahoma. They end up stuck in Japan, first by Germany going to war with Russia & then Japan attacking Pearl Harbor. The stay in Japan, the trip back to Germany after the war & their return to the US shows many hardships & using all of their skills to succeed. It was an interesting look at how Germans who were not Nazi's, felt about the war. Because the family was upper class, they did have it much easier than the majority of Germans. I enjoyed the book
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