Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin: One Woman’s Remarkable Escape from Nazi Germany

by Mildred Janzen, Sherye Green, Ken Gire (Foreword)

The peaceful farm life of a teenage girl in Germany is abruptly upended when WWII comes knocking at her family’s door. One month before her sixteenth birthday, Mildred “Mickchen” Schindler and her family are captured by Russian Soldiers. Having already survived life in Hitler’s Nazi Germany, they now face the terror of a new enemy—Stalin’s Red Army. Driven from their home, Mildred and her family become refugees along with a sad, slow-moving caravan of other families who have suffered the same fate. Cleverly disguised by her mother, Mildred avoids being taken to a work camp until one morning when authorities arrive unexpectedly. Her father has already been taken by Russian soldiers, and now she is taken from her mother and brother. Mildred recounts, in meticulous detail, her treacherous journey and the roller coaster of raw emotions she experiences —fear, regret, loneliness, humility, perseverance, and defiance. Mildred’s odyssey of making her way home and finding her family in a war-torn countryside takes many riveting twists and turns. The discovery of a secret, hidden document offers hope for a brighter future. From harrowing to heartwarming, this memoir provides a unique perspective of a Gentile girl’s road to resilience and her fortitude against all odds to forge a life filled with love and laughter. "Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin" is a remarkable testimony to the strength of the unconquerable human spirit and an endearing account of God’s faithfulness in the midst of faithless circumstances.

Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin has garnered numerous awards. Mildred was personally awarded the National Medal of Honor by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) in September of 2021 and received the Women in American History Medal in June of 2022.

2020 Sunbury Press SUNNY Award
2021 Mississippi Library Association Non-fiction Author Award
2021 American Book Fest - Best Book Award Autobiographies & Memoirs
2021 Sunbury Press SUNNY Award
2022 Illumination Book Award Silver Biography/Memoir-Inspiration
2022 International Book Autobiography/memoir

Genres: Memoir, World War II, Nonfiction

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2020

About the author

Mildred Schindler grew up on a peaceful family farm in the German countryside. WWII came knocking at her family’s door in February 1945, setting in motion a chain of events that would forever change all their lives. Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin recounts this teenager’s incredible escape from occupied Nazi Germany to America. Once there, Mildred made the decision to look beyond her personal pain, choosing instead to forge a life filled with joy, compassion, perseverance, and love. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, and now an active senior, she has decided to tell her story…all of it! To find out more, visit the writer's website:
www.sheryesimmonsgreen.com/survivingh... or the book's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/msjmemoir

Reviews

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a memoir from a lady that is local to my in-laws. She was a young teen in Germany at the time of WWII. Her family lived on a farm and was relatively protected for quite awhile. Then the Russians came in, her father was killed and she was separated from her mom and brother. Luckily, she was born in America so she was able to return to the states 7 years before her mom and brother. She settled in Lorraine, KS and went to high school, got a job at the bank, got married, had kids, went back to the bank and lived happily ever after with God, family and friends. I will read anyone's memoir so I'm not upset I read this, but it spans 75 years and is very dry writing. It's also very confusing if Mildred wrote this herself or if it was supposed to be interview style. There are times where she quotes herself, so I'm guessing the other writer did the majority of it but I don't know.

[Sam Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this unique perspective of a German child growing up under Hitler's reign and then enduring the Soviet occupation of Germany. It was interesting to see how her journey brought her to Kansas.

[Bev Kimmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the perspective of a young German girl during WWII. A true story of ordinary citizens whose lives were turned upside down. Too many details toward the end of the book, but definitely worth reading.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and very uplifting. I have met Mildred, she is a friend of my mother’s. My mother gave me the book because she thought Mildred’s story was important to know. Mildred is as outgoing, friendly and positive as she comes across in this book.

I have read quite a few stories about people who have survived war-torn countries. To me, this one is different because Mildred’s situation could happen in any seemingly stable country if its citizens take their freedom for granted and allow a leader to mislead their country (she points this out in her book). It’s easy to tell myself that I could never be a refugee, be persecuted or live in a war-torn country because I’m not a minority, I don’t belong to a persecuted religion, my skin color is white, I don’t live in a developing country but Mildred’s book makes me realize I’m wrong.

The news media and some political leaders often make refugees out to be scary, creepy, dirty, threatening people. We’d all be dirty in their survival situation but this book dissuades the rest of that diatribe.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mildred Schindler Janzen helps us to understand what it's like to be living a normal life when the world around changes due to war and political changes. Her and her mother and brother were able to survive the craziness and cruelty and were able to escape to start a new life. Her story was inspiring and I loved it, partly because she and her family came to my state...Kansas. I highly recommend this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4 stars is for the honesty of this memoir. I requested this book as an ILL and received it as Russia attacked Ukraine which made this book an aching parallel to current events. The author clearly communicates her emotions in her experience of World War II. She credits her faith in God as carrying her family through the times of terror, heartache, abuse and miserable conditions in war.

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!

I recommend the book to anyone who wants to understand what the most important things in life are. Life memoirs are always interesting and teach a lesson. Highly recommend.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very good! Different from other WW2 books I’ve read.

Such a great read! What an interesting and inspiring life Mildred has led.

And, Sherry did an amazing job of telling her and her family’s story.

I will surely recommend it!!

[Lauren Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing story of one woman's life during Nazi Germany and how she went on to lead a full and rich life after facing so many atrocities in her youth.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woooooow! Amazing account and testimony. A friend of mine is related to Mildred and recommend this book. I’m so glad she did.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like a 3.5. Interesting story, more uplifting than the title sounds. I enjoyed the Kansas connection.

[Lin Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. Enjoyed learning history through this biography. One can survive many things when there is family, love and faith.

[Podaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great discussion on the reality of growing up in a family in Germany and the way that WWII destroyed their lives they knew.

[Dorothy Claussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Love knowing the people and places.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Smooth brained warmed over garbage. Also - offensive to conflate her story with survivors, or resistance fighters. Just some dumb lady!

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

With as much as I like to read about ww2 I don't think I'd be as brave as the survivors

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I highly recommend reading. Very inspirational and a wonderful testimony to how God works all things together for the good of those who love him.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer. I lost this book in between my passenger side seat and the console. But, yay. Found it. And I hope everyone can read this and feel Mildred’s love for life. Her tenacity is contagious. I do know her granddaughter, Christy. I’m so happy I read this book. I will be sharing the book with friends.

[GrannyMary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of a courageous woman and her family who overcame so many obstacles in her life.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

All though this is mostly narrative, I found myself very involved in this book. I loved the history. I admired her faith in God. What an inspiring woman!