What do you think?
Rate this book
When The East Wind Blows: A World War 2 Novel Based on a True Story
A fast-paced World War II historical novel based on the true story of holocaust survivors This historical novel, based on a true story, brings World War Two to a new level of reality and a descriptive intensity that will leave the reader spellbound. It brings to life the dramatic experiences of a woman caught between a ruthless government and the will to survive with her children during the last six months of World War 2 in Nazi Germany as she flees the incoming Russian front in the East and right into the carpet bombing in the West. This book brings this war down to a human level in a way that will leave the reader with a stunning new perspective never told in America and represents the missing link in the historical annals of this time. A sequel called WEST WIND is being written at this time and deals with the chaotic aftermath of the collapse of the Third Reich and the survival of Elisabeth, her four children and Helga, the maid. It also describes her husband's experiences in an American prison camp in the south of France. Quote by Elisabeth Wendell, Professor of American Literature, University of Duesseldorf, “Barbara Martin is a very talented story teller and has captured a dark period of German history during the holocaust with sincere honesty and deep understanding for the people caught up in it. The book makes for great reading enjoyment!”
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1998
99 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 26, 2017
The only thing I did not like about this book was the cover. The book subject was a riveting account of the German people who faced several fronts during WWII, and for what reason? My mind cannot countenance the answer I have been given. I have read two other books, maybe more, from the German point of view and always come back to the belief that what they did to us, we did to them in turn, and again, for what reason? So much history stems from the war that my mind is confused.
As a boomer, the history of the war was not taught in depth in my schooling. Reasons for the war were generally condensed to a statement that Hitler was crazy. Nazi aggression and race cleansing were mentioned, but not studied. I am grateful to this author for her answering many questions that I had. Can you imagine being public enemy number one just because you were German? or having to mentally recognize the enemy? or having to assimilate post-war conditions, both politically and in every day living? How can your fuhrer be your protector and your enemy?
Thank you, Ms. Martin, for a good read.
As a boomer, the history of the war was not taught in depth in my schooling. Reasons for the war were generally condensed to a statement that Hitler was crazy. Nazi aggression and race cleansing were mentioned, but not studied. I am grateful to this author for her answering many questions that I had. Can you imagine being public enemy number one just because you were German? or having to mentally recognize the enemy? or having to assimilate post-war conditions, both politically and in every day living? How can your fuhrer be your protector and your enemy?
Thank you, Ms. Martin, for a good read.
May 10, 2016
An exciting read as a young married woman with her 4 children and the maid start a perilous journey from East Prussia to get to western Germany and escape the oncoming Russian troops. Based on a true story.
April 24, 2018
A very detailed, heart-rending story of WWII atrocities involving citizens of Germany fleeing for their lives from East Prussia, as Russia was rapidly forcing her way into Germany. To escape this, many families, loyal to Hitler, were preparing to seek refuge further into Germany, Dresden being their goal. Hitler 's promise was unquestionable victory of the Third Reich and great prosperity to his followers to reward their loyalty, in the end. His promise of ultimate victory through a great "wonder weapon" being prepared to bring into the fray, was beginning to ring untrue as many doubting citizens were leaving the area, their numbers increasing daily. In attempting to escape the horrors of invasion by Russia, the refugees, with the Russians rapidly pushing from the rear, were to find their escape route blocked numerous times, by the death and destruction left behind by relentless Allied troops, whose purpose was to rid Germany of Hitler's regime. The innocent were caught in the middle.
Attempting to get their families to safety, with no help coming from der Fuehrer, doubts regarding their leadership choice continued to arise. Many were losing all hope but, Elizabeth's complete dedication toward keeping her family , and others in their group, safe gave her the amazing strength to struggle onward. It became extremely hard to trust anyone and the author describes all this superbly.
This story was told to the author by her mother, a very strong person who took many refugees under her wing and influenced many people caught up in the same horrors of merely staying alive. The author shows great insight into the era's horrors as witnessed by her own sage remarks throughout the book, regarding these times.
The character Baby Barbara in the book, in real life, is the author of this historical fiction that is based on real lives of real people, her family and others.
I would have given a 5-star review had it not been for the poor editing of this, otherwise, great book. It is riddled with typos, poor punctuation, and grammar errors. Despite this, the story as told, rates excellence.
Attempting to get their families to safety, with no help coming from der Fuehrer, doubts regarding their leadership choice continued to arise. Many were losing all hope but, Elizabeth's complete dedication toward keeping her family , and others in their group, safe gave her the amazing strength to struggle onward. It became extremely hard to trust anyone and the author describes all this superbly.
This story was told to the author by her mother, a very strong person who took many refugees under her wing and influenced many people caught up in the same horrors of merely staying alive. The author shows great insight into the era's horrors as witnessed by her own sage remarks throughout the book, regarding these times.
The character Baby Barbara in the book, in real life, is the author of this historical fiction that is based on real lives of real people, her family and others.
I would have given a 5-star review had it not been for the poor editing of this, otherwise, great book. It is riddled with typos, poor punctuation, and grammar errors. Despite this, the story as told, rates excellence.
April 18, 2018
A better way,
Thank you dear Barbara., I shall long remember your story. I was born in 1945 in southwest Missouri. How is it that this book touches so in my heart? It is absolutely something so right for civilization to continue in the order intended for us. Love one another.
Sincerely,
Cheryl.
Thank you dear Barbara., I shall long remember your story. I was born in 1945 in southwest Missouri. How is it that this book touches so in my heart? It is absolutely something so right for civilization to continue in the order intended for us. Love one another.
Sincerely,
Cheryl.
October 18, 2024
I highly Recommend this book!
Thank you for writing this book! I couldn’t put it down! The history is so real, and I felt as if I was right there. I appreciated all of the details about what was happening in different areas during WW2. Of course the information about Jews was difficult to read but it also showed how most Germans felt at the time.
Thank you for writing this book! I couldn’t put it down! The history is so real, and I felt as if I was right there. I appreciated all of the details about what was happening in different areas during WW2. Of course the information about Jews was difficult to read but it also showed how most Germans felt at the time.
March 19, 2023
I have read many WW2 novels. Not from the German point of view. Unfortunately what spoilt it for me were the American expressions of dialogue.
December 31, 2016
This book is a story of great bravery and heroism. It is so well written, I actually felt cold while reading it! The main character reminds me so much of my own mother, it drew me in quite quickly. And the story is similar to ones I have heard from people I have met who fled Germany, Austria, Italy and Russia during the war; some my own relatives.
The story is so easy to read and draws you right into it as if you were there with them. The characters feel real and you hurt for them, fear and cheer for them, and you weep for them.
The story is so compelling, you can hardly put down the book. It's difficult to imagine going thru the hardships, dangers, and sacrifices these people did. But it was a matter of survival. And it makes you wonder if you would have their strength. And knowing it is all true, makes it that much more interesting.
A must read for anyone interested in this kind of story, or in a good story of love, family, love, and survival.
The story is so easy to read and draws you right into it as if you were there with them. The characters feel real and you hurt for them, fear and cheer for them, and you weep for them.
The story is so compelling, you can hardly put down the book. It's difficult to imagine going thru the hardships, dangers, and sacrifices these people did. But it was a matter of survival. And it makes you wonder if you would have their strength. And knowing it is all true, makes it that much more interesting.
A must read for anyone interested in this kind of story, or in a good story of love, family, love, and survival.
April 2, 2016
I have always been interested in books about WW2. This book is so well written that I didn't want to put it down. Given the fact that it is written about real people and their experiences during the war made it more interesting. I have a different view of the lives of every day Germans who had no interest in the Nazi party.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history, particularly in looking at Germans who were opposed to the war.
.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history, particularly in looking at Germans who were opposed to the war.
.
January 21, 2016
When The East Wind Blows
My heart just cries out at all the cruel and unjustnesss of the treatment of the Jews and the local people. But I see the petsicutition of people going on today . No ones seems to learn from history. I wish thete was a way to show the past treatment of the Jewish people on a daily basis. Just maybe we would stop and treat others better
My heart just cries out at all the cruel and unjustnesss of the treatment of the Jews and the local people. But I see the petsicutition of people going on today . No ones seems to learn from history. I wish thete was a way to show the past treatment of the Jewish people on a daily basis. Just maybe we would stop and treat others better
August 20, 2016
Very informative ww2 novel
Very informative and interesting novel. Most of us have no idea what the people in WW 2 went through. It's hard to believe the German people did not know what was happening to the Jews, but that was a different time. it is fast moving. Glad I read it.
Very informative and interesting novel. Most of us have no idea what the people in WW 2 went through. It's hard to believe the German people did not know what was happening to the Jews, but that was a different time. it is fast moving. Glad I read it.
June 26, 2016
The other side
I love how this book shows what the German people went through during this war lead by a madman. People forget what happens when they are told lies by their government and follow without questioning the reason for the destruction and annihilation of their neighbors for reason that is made up.
I love how this book shows what the German people went through during this war lead by a madman. People forget what happens when they are told lies by their government and follow without questioning the reason for the destruction and annihilation of their neighbors for reason that is made up.
Want to read
August 2, 2012 Not liking it as well as I'd hoped and the punctuation or lack there of is quite distracting. My previous sentence is an example. I also would have preferred less dialogue, the reason being difficult to explain unless you have read the book yourself
.
.
Read
April 8, 2016Engaging WW2 novel
I love how the strength, resourcefulness, and courage of women during that tremendously stressful, dangerous, and frightening time is showcased. They had to face these terrifying ordeals alone, and did so bravely.
I love how the strength, resourcefulness, and courage of women during that tremendously stressful, dangerous, and frightening time is showcased. They had to face these terrifying ordeals alone, and did so bravely.
July 4, 2016
World war 2
I really enjoyed reading this book. I especially liked reading the German prospective of the last year of the war and the civilians who had to live through those awful months-just to survive for themselves and their children.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I especially liked reading the German prospective of the last year of the war and the civilians who had to live through those awful months-just to survive for themselves and their children.
July 6, 2016
My heart was crying once again for the victims of war
This was very hard to put down. I cheered on Elizabeth's family as they struggled through day to day living, I cried with the senseless abuse and murder of the innocent. This is a story of courage that should never die
This was very hard to put down. I cheered on Elizabeth's family as they struggled through day to day living, I cried with the senseless abuse and murder of the innocent. This is a story of courage that should never die
January 11, 2014
This book is definitely worth reading! You really feel the pain and struggle for survival and admire the strength of the main character!
February 1, 2015
East wind
Great determination and devotion to family amongst the brutality of the war. Is the author the baby in the novel?
Great determination and devotion to family amongst the brutality of the war. Is the author the baby in the novel?
April 20, 2016
Good book
This is a moving and interesting story told from the German side of the war. The average German citizens suffered many hardships during that time.
This is a moving and interesting story told from the German side of the war. The average German citizens suffered many hardships during that time.
May 7, 2016
The other side
I have never read a book from the German side and this was very interesting. Especially the attitudes people had.
I have never read a book from the German side and this was very interesting. Especially the attitudes people had.
June 24, 2016
Wonderful
I gave this book a five because 1. it was a page turner 2. it portrayed women as strong-will who can survive. 3. it was a GREAT story based on truth
I gave this book a five because 1. it was a page turner 2. it portrayed women as strong-will who can survive. 3. it was a GREAT story based on truth
May 29, 2016
Held my Interest
This is a well-written novel. With so much happening in the final days of the Third Reich, I was eager to keep reading.
This is a well-written novel. With so much happening in the final days of the Third Reich, I was eager to keep reading.
July 7, 2017
Excellent story telling through the dialog of the main characters! Inside the days of World War II. Written by a very talented lady who lived part of the story.
April 4, 2016
Not well written. Didn't even finish it.
April 6, 2017
Amazing grace
The heroics of the protagonist, Elizabeth, merit reading this book. I simply could not put it down. It raised my spirits and while it created genuine sorrow.
The heroics of the protagonist, Elizabeth, merit reading this book. I simply could not put it down. It raised my spirits and while it created genuine sorrow.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews