Dancing from Darkness: A WWII Survivor's Journey to Light, Life, and Redemption

by Eleanor Isaacson, Jeanette Windle

An Amazing Journey Abandoned as a toddler in Nazi Germany, American-born Eleanor Isaacson survived bombings, starvation, Russian occupation, and a stint as a child smuggler—all before reaching her teens. Escaping just as the Iron Curtain clashed shut, Eleanor soon discovered that “the land of the free” held as much pain and rejection as the life she’d escaped. Deafness and solitude would become the catalyst leading to glorious womanhood, the love of her life, and the beauty of dance. In the process, she would discover that the “invisible Friend” whose presence alone had kept a lost child sane had other names—heavenly Father, loving God, Prince of Peace. A true story too implausible for fiction with every element of a big screen epic—war, danger, starvation, villains, romance, rags-to-riches triumph—along with the most delightful of heroines.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2017

Reviews

[Gladys Drybred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Eleanor speak and she was amazing. Bought her book and found it so full of her faith. Even before she knew who God was she knew that someone she could not see was watching over her. Her life story is a must read. It will reinforce that God has a plan for us even if we don’t know it.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing woman Eleanor is!! I can't get over how positive she is and all she's accomplished after such a traumatic start to her life. She is an incredible and inspiring woman, and I will not forget her story. Beautiful and poignant.

[Diane Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I read an autobiography this good. It is absolutely incredible all that Eleanor went through by the time she reached 20. And yet how she never gave up searching for her Invisible Friend and the immense joy when she eventually found Him. I found it so interesting how God restored to her 100% and more the years that the locust had eaten. Her personal relationship with God and the personal way she wrote the book were all very touching. She had every right to be a sour, angry, depressed lady but because of God all the opposite were true. Praise the Lord for this shining testimony!

[Thelma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The paperback version was a gift from my in-laws. I read first few chapters during my visit with them, then finished the book on my trip home. Could not put it down (the one time I was thankful for a six-hour flight). It is a captivating story of being drawn to God but not knowing at first who God is, or that God even exists. Evidence of God's grace and mercy throughout her life story which continues this day as she serves, disciples, and inspires others, all to the glory of God.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book - read it in one morning ! Such an amazing, faith filled story with great life lessons. A perfect example of Romans 8:28 " All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Very blessed to be able to hear the author speak in the Spring.

[DW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom gave me this book because she said it was uplifting. It is a pretty jaw-dropping story. The first part is jaw-dropping because how could anybody treat a child like that? How could a mother give away her two-year old and leave her in Nazi Germany? How could her aunt be so cold to her? How could her step-uncle risk her life sending her into Czechoslovakia to smuggle food? (Also, I'd never read descriptions of life for a child in German city being bombed during World War Two. (Well, All the Light We Cannot See, but I didn't think much of that book). And I didn't realize the lack of food in East Germany after the war. It all sounds horrible.) How could her mother, upon seeing her 14 year old daughter for the first time in 12 years, start off by saying that she had tried to have a miscarriage when she found out she was pregnant with her? How could her father just stop making any effort to see her? And at the same time, the fact that God warned her not to go into the nearer bomb shelter the night it was destroyed, or that they had to get out of the city the day it was destroyed, even when she had never even heard of God, is also incredible.

The second part of this book is also amazing. She finds Christianity, gets a scholarship to college but gets a job instead, goes deaf, regains her hearing after several years, marries a smart, rich guy who is madly in love with her, survives cancer, is widowed, leads Bible studies, mentors younger women, and oh yeah, wins ballroom dancing competitions (as a neophyte. In her 80s.) And ends up financially much better off than her blood family, who was so nasty to her, even though she continues to reach out to them and be kind to them after she marries the rich guy. It's almost hard to reconcile the second part of this book with the first part.

[Laura Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a testimony! Eleanor’s story is such a reminder that God is able to save His own regardless of the circumstances. God’s hand of protection was on her in her childhood, and even when she didn’t know a thing about Him, He was drawing her to Himself. He pursues His children! Eleanor’s perspective of growing up in WWII Germany was fascinating and heartbreaking to read about. I’ve never heard what schools were like under the Nazi regime…and then the Russian regime. The amount of lies and propaganda and fear is just hard to imagine.
Eleanor is quite the lady. I looked up what she is up to now and found an article that she just recently celebrated her 88th birthday! She celebrated with 200 guests and put on her own ballroom dance recital—in high heels with 5 outfit changes—and she of course used the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus with her guests. I mean….she is just fantastic.
While most of her book is her recounting her story, she takes every opportunity to stop and talk to her ‘dearest reader’ to give spiritual insights and encouragement. (My favorite quote-made me laugh out loud… “dearest reader, by now you know that I make a spiritual application to everything that happens in my life”)
Overall a really good read about an extraordinary lady and God’s work in her life!

[Julie Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this story. Then again, I love any true story of survival and faith. This autobiography is about Eleanor's story which ironically starts out here in the United States. After her parents cannot seem to get it together, she is sent back "home" to her right before the war. It's an incredible story of a true orphan - not wanted by her parents or even by her aunt - these were rough, hard times. Another excellent, but totally different story of survival from WWII.

[Sandy Stoltzfus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner

I couldn't put this book down. Eleanor Isaacson's life is a testimony to all of God's love and faithfulness. She has an amazing life story that you don't want to miss! I highly recommend this book.

[cheryl scoles · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much a story as it is a devotional

AS much a story as a devotional. Upliftiing.
So happy to pass it on to both believers as well as nonbelievers to find or continue to grow in their walk with Christ.

[Camille Siegrist · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 ⭐️ fascinating story! And meeting her at tea time made it that much more intriguing. Truly remarkable what humans can endure, and go on to thrive despite of. And a powerful testament to the healing potential of love.

[Laura F · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing story!

[Kim Brault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational!

[Janette Stauffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has become one of my absolute favorites.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down! A wonderful testimony of coming to know God as personal savior and friend.

[Jo Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have read too many excellent WWII books - this is a very poignant memoir - as much to do about overcoming awful parents as living through war. Many good bible verses. Straight forward.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ATY 2025 #2 A prompt that did not make the list ( a book about faith )