The Other Side of Knowing

by Margit Seifried Benton

The tragic story of what happened to the ethnic Germans living in Czechoslovakia after WWII from the point of view of a survivor.

194 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2015

Reviews

[Aycock]

Love, love, loved this book. I know Margit personally and was floored when I read it. I never knew anything about her past. She is just a lovely woman I assumed had a "normal" upbringing somewhere in Europe based on her accent. I also knew nothing about what happened in Czechoslovachia after the war. Beautifully written and a beautiful message.

[Carol King]

This book was an eye opening experience! Over the years I have read many World War Two novels, but never heard of the suffering in the aftermath to those of German nationality. It is so sad to know that anyone could be so unkind to another human being.
The story is well told and kept my interest throughout. I appreciated the honest telling of testimony struggles as well as strengthening.

[Linda]

A timeless lesson on faith, love, justice, family and how each of us can seek to understand the lessons that only our heart can reveal.
Margit has done a wonderful job of helping all of humanity understand the importance of forgiveness in our lives. The faith her family shows in the face of evil serves her well in her quest for survival and eventual reunion with family. Along the way she discovers that her inner strength comes from the loving relationships of her father's convictions to hold true to virtue and her mother's convictions to do right. All of this good karma comes back to save her and her family. Set in the WWII era and a true story, it was an era that I knew nothing about.
I believe her message of forgiveness and faith come at a time when we all can be reminded of what happens when we allow fear to rule our lives and our countries choices.

It was a book that I could not put down. Written as a personal history I found her lessons both universal and compelling.

[Alexei Christopher]

This is a very moving book and gives a rare, first hand look from someone who lived through horrors of war and racial hatred. I had no idea before reading this book what ethnic Germans living in other countries went through as a result of the war and the tensions remaining throughout Europe after the horrors of the Nazis. You can't have a full understanding of that epoch without turning to this book or a book like it to learn of the story from others' perspectives.

[Cori King]

This is a wonderful book about the struggles of native Germans during and after WWII and their fight that didn't end with the war. Until I read this book, I never knew something like this happened. It's not something we were taught in school. It's a very inspiring account of sorrow and perseverance but also the joy that can come to those that seek the truth in trying times. It's a must-read!

[Tally]

Absolutely loved this book. I knew the author as a little girl and of course had no idea of all these things happening to her. A brave lady that I have truly come to admire. An entirely different side of the story I didn't know about!