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The Unbelievable Adventures of a WWII German War Bride: Collections of Acts of Kindness in War and Peace
Ingeborg M. Balendat's German youth was dramatically changed because of World War II. During the war she served as a teenage nurse in war-torn Berlin, administering to wounded German officers while planning to escape with her mother to the American front. In this heroic and compelling story, readers learn how Ingeborg M. Johnston, eighty-five and the last survivor of her immediate German family, escaped into and out of East Berlin, took on the president of Daimler-Benz to save her father's life, carried to America a Nobel laureate's scientific discoveries, won the first Mrs. Philadelphia contest, survived Hurricane David aboard her sailboat, and bec!,, ame a valuable member of the U.S. educational community. In Unbelievable Adventures of a WWII German War Bride, we are reminded of the generosity of strangers, the need to live every day to its fullest, and how one young woman lived to share her extraordinary story of survival, love, and American patriotism.
226 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 22, 2011
I don't normally read reviews of a book before I review it myself, because I don't want to taint my own impressions of a book, but i admit I did so in this case & I was rather surprised to see nothing but very positive, glowing comments about the book. Not that I had anything overly negative about the book; I did enjoy reading Johnston's adventures, but sections were written poorly, there was a lack of editing more obvious in some places then in others, and all in all, the whole thing lacked realism. Not any individual 'adventure' mind, but all in all, that all of these adventures could actually happen to one person, who has not come apart at the seams & is still perfectly sane. I'm not saying I don't believe the author, as in this case I do happen to believe in her tales & she has no reason to lie, I'm just pointing out that all of these adventures just seem a little fantastical, but that's because absolutely nothing of any interest has happened to me.
I received a review copy from the author.
I received a review copy from the author.
April 25, 2011
The German author of this memoir lived through the Nazi regime without succumbing to it, mostly because her father was decidedly anti-Nazi. Her memoir recounts some very interesting recollections that would greatly appeal to WWII buffs. Afterwards, she was initially trapped in Communist-controlled East Germany.
The second two-thirds of the book, however, has more to do with Inge's wonderful American life (and believe me, she is a very interesting and inspiring woman) but I obtained the book because I thought it would provide much more information on the war and its immediate aftermath.
Some fascinating quotes from the first third of the book include her recollection of the bombing of Berlin, the clever way in which she outsmarted the relentlessly pushy Hitler Youth recruiters, receiving an unwanted bust of Hitler as a school prize, and her escape from Soviet-controlled East Germany. Her description of the post-war Berlin Wall:
"The Berlin Wall was heavily fortified and constantly improved against possible escapes. Mines and more mines were added in "No Man's Land," the large, bare areas along the wall. Anti-tank barriers, barbed wire, broken glass, vicious dogs, and double guards were among the many obstacles used to prevent escapes. The guards were always in pairs because if one tried to escape, the other one and his family would be held accountable. Many escape attempts were made by East Germans: tunneling, the use of hidden compartments in vehicles, and disguises. most of them were fatal but it did keep the world focused on the cruelty of the Berlin Wall."
Prior to this, the narration of her escape is equally fascinating:
"We decided to attempt the crossing at two o'clock in the morning. We crossed a stubble field, trying to make as little noise as we could manage. And no talking! We walked and walked and when we thought we were in the British sector, we started to whisper to each other. We misjudged and had not yet reached the British part. To our horror, we heard the dreaded "Stoy" ("Stop") screamed at us! Two Russian soldiers crawled out of stacked cornstalks and ran towards us with their rifles pointed at us."
After the Soviets looted their knapsacks and began to eye Inge in a very particular way, separating her from the males, the soldiers were fortunately distracted by some other would-be refugees:
"Ignoring all the threats of being shot, the boys grabbed my hands and the four of us ran as fast as we possibly could toward the British zone. I lost a shoe running and continued hobbling over the stubble field, not even feeling the pain or the loss of my show! We made it to the British sector without getting shot by the Russian guards . . ."
There are many such fascinating scenes in the first third of "Unbelievable Adventures."
The second two-thirds of the book, however, has more to do with Inge's wonderful American life (and believe me, she is a very interesting and inspiring woman) but I obtained the book because I thought it would provide much more information on the war and its immediate aftermath.
Some fascinating quotes from the first third of the book include her recollection of the bombing of Berlin, the clever way in which she outsmarted the relentlessly pushy Hitler Youth recruiters, receiving an unwanted bust of Hitler as a school prize, and her escape from Soviet-controlled East Germany. Her description of the post-war Berlin Wall:
"The Berlin Wall was heavily fortified and constantly improved against possible escapes. Mines and more mines were added in "No Man's Land," the large, bare areas along the wall. Anti-tank barriers, barbed wire, broken glass, vicious dogs, and double guards were among the many obstacles used to prevent escapes. The guards were always in pairs because if one tried to escape, the other one and his family would be held accountable. Many escape attempts were made by East Germans: tunneling, the use of hidden compartments in vehicles, and disguises. most of them were fatal but it did keep the world focused on the cruelty of the Berlin Wall."
Prior to this, the narration of her escape is equally fascinating:
"We decided to attempt the crossing at two o'clock in the morning. We crossed a stubble field, trying to make as little noise as we could manage. And no talking! We walked and walked and when we thought we were in the British sector, we started to whisper to each other. We misjudged and had not yet reached the British part. To our horror, we heard the dreaded "Stoy" ("Stop") screamed at us! Two Russian soldiers crawled out of stacked cornstalks and ran towards us with their rifles pointed at us."
After the Soviets looted their knapsacks and began to eye Inge in a very particular way, separating her from the males, the soldiers were fortunately distracted by some other would-be refugees:
"Ignoring all the threats of being shot, the boys grabbed my hands and the four of us ran as fast as we possibly could toward the British zone. I lost a shoe running and continued hobbling over the stubble field, not even feeling the pain or the loss of my show! We made it to the British sector without getting shot by the Russian guards . . ."
There are many such fascinating scenes in the first third of "Unbelievable Adventures."
April 17, 2011
This is the story of Ingeborg M. Johnston, the author, an incredibly fascinating woman. In this book she shares her experiences as a nurse during WWII, and it was quite an adventurous story which left me amazed at how courageous she was. She was at risk from raids, bombings, and for six years, her life was in constant danger. The book is written in the first person, but, the lack of descriptive narrative in sections makes the book read not as gripping as it possibly could have. Still, the author is able to briefly convey her emotions during these chapters as she struggled with and overcame her early life's obstacles.
Her story doesn't stop there, however, and the author takes us through her adventures in the United States as she grabs life by the horns and takes up sky diving, motor cycling, or at the age of 79, took Aerial Combat Training in a T-34 Navy Training Plane. The central theme to her story is "kindness", acknowledging that without it from others, she may not have ended up where she did today. She also inspires and encourages the reader to adopt kindness in their own lives, and hand it out freely.
Inge Johnston has such a wonderful story, and she kept me interested from the first word to the last. The inclusion of her family photographs, as well as the Index which showcases her many adventures, are welcome additions and add a little something special to the story. This book's little faults in the story (whether it dragged in sections, or moved too fast in others) are erased by the overall, engrossing storyline. And so, it is one that I would recommend to most readers, especially if one wants to read about an adventuresome, inspiring woman.
Her story doesn't stop there, however, and the author takes us through her adventures in the United States as she grabs life by the horns and takes up sky diving, motor cycling, or at the age of 79, took Aerial Combat Training in a T-34 Navy Training Plane. The central theme to her story is "kindness", acknowledging that without it from others, she may not have ended up where she did today. She also inspires and encourages the reader to adopt kindness in their own lives, and hand it out freely.
Inge Johnston has such a wonderful story, and she kept me interested from the first word to the last. The inclusion of her family photographs, as well as the Index which showcases her many adventures, are welcome additions and add a little something special to the story. This book's little faults in the story (whether it dragged in sections, or moved too fast in others) are erased by the overall, engrossing storyline. And so, it is one that I would recommend to most readers, especially if one wants to read about an adventuresome, inspiring woman.
April 28, 2011
Ingeborg was born and raised in Berlin. Her survival was credited to her upbringing, sense of values, and her kind, open heart. This is clear throughout her life.
Her book captures her adventures vividly and frankly. She tells them with an intimacy, as if speaking directly to the reader. Each chapter takes us on an adventure, from her childhood through WW II, when she became a teenaged nurse, then a War Bride and eventually coming to America. Once in America, there was no stopping her!
As a wife and mother, Ingeborg competed for the first Mrs. America title. She became a business woman. Ingeborg volunteered at a Veteran’s Hospital during the Vietnam War. She raised funds for the United Way. At the age of 79, Ingeborg flew in Aerial Combat Training! Her “unbelievable” adventures are many and varied, including publishing this book at the age of 85.
Ingeborg’s outlook on life and what she has done with it all is truly incredible. However, the most amazing thing about this woman is her capacity and willingness to “collect” and share kindness throughout her long and very full life. To add to her credit is that she encourages and fosters this in others. She is an inspiration.
Her book captures her adventures vividly and frankly. She tells them with an intimacy, as if speaking directly to the reader. Each chapter takes us on an adventure, from her childhood through WW II, when she became a teenaged nurse, then a War Bride and eventually coming to America. Once in America, there was no stopping her!
As a wife and mother, Ingeborg competed for the first Mrs. America title. She became a business woman. Ingeborg volunteered at a Veteran’s Hospital during the Vietnam War. She raised funds for the United Way. At the age of 79, Ingeborg flew in Aerial Combat Training! Her “unbelievable” adventures are many and varied, including publishing this book at the age of 85.
Ingeborg’s outlook on life and what she has done with it all is truly incredible. However, the most amazing thing about this woman is her capacity and willingness to “collect” and share kindness throughout her long and very full life. To add to her credit is that she encourages and fosters this in others. She is an inspiration.
April 25, 2011
Ingeborg M. Johnson has lived a full and adventurous life to say the least. She starts out the book talking about running through the streets during bombings to get to the hospital where she worked. She was willing to take this risk to help others. This was the beginning of a life filled with adventure. Because so many people helped her survive by deeds of kindness, she adopted that almost as a rule. When she came to America she gave back to America the way others had given to her. I am not as adventurous or a daredevil like Ingeborg but I hope to live my life to the fullest as she has lived hers. There are so many wonderful stories or chapters to her life. This is a book that I will keep on my shelf. I will make sure I recommend it to my friends.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews