Experience the Rise and Fall of Nazi Germany Through the Eyes of a Child

Elfi lived in Germany during the 1930s and 40s and was subject to Nazi rules and regulations. Tomboyish Elfis early years were filled with tranquil childhood memories, but as the years passed, she was exposed to the realities of the regime. Living through the war years was the most difficult time. Knowledge of Hitlers tyrannical regime can be increased by reading the memoirs and family stories of this young girl in a non-political family.

Spinnerstown, PA. (PRWEB) April 12, 2004 -- Elfi lived in Germany during the 1930s and 40s and was subject to Nazi rules and regulations. Tomboyish Elfis early years were filled with tranquil childhood memories, but as the years passed, she was exposed to the realities of the regime. Living through the war years was the most difficult time. Knowledge of Hitlers tyrannical regime can be increased by reading the memoirs and family stories of this young girl in a non-political family.

Who is that yelling on the radio", Elfi asked her grandfather and he replied, Thats Adolph Hitler, our new fuehrer", and so Elfis knew of Adolph Hitler. Elfi continued as an adventurous and tomboyish girl. As the Nazi Party grew they forced the Heil Hitler salute", enrollment into a German girls group, and the involuntary sterilization of beloved Aunt Gusti. Elfi returned to her parents in 1942 at the age of twelve. She and her family were evacuated from the city into the country because of constant bombings. The older children were placed among different farm families and life consisted of food rationing, constant relocations and many difficulties including the bombing death of fellow students in the town where Elfi attended school. Most of the family was finally united in a small village, until the American tanks came thundering over the hill top. Two tanks parked in the farmyard in front of Elfis house. A soldier started playing his guitar and singing folk songs. Elfi watched and wondered.

Elfis World was written by Edelgard Knoob and is her life. She was born during the difficult conditions in the early thirties. She was the third child of a large family, raised by her grandparents from the age of two, because of terrifying fear of her father. She found great security with her grandfather, building a close and warm relationship with him.

From early childhood, she built a wall around her and created her own private world, where she felt secure, like an oasis in a troubled world. All through the war, through the bombings and depravations, she lived in her own oasis; from there she could face the difficult situations. To her it was all an exciting adventure, because she always felt secure in that spiritual world of her own making where she experienced many of Gods miracles. At the end of the war, she found new courage and hope with the faith her grandparents had instilled in her.

Edelgard Knoob and her family moved back to Kassel at the end of the war. After the war she went through an apprenticeship for business. In 1953, she met her husband, who was in USAF intelligence. They left for the States in 1954. She became an American citizen and acquired a degree in nursing becoming a licensed nurse in Pennsylvania. She has two children, a girl 43, who is a staff accountant and a boy 39, who is an air traffic controller. She has four grandchildren. She became a published author, short story writer and poet. Three of her sisters immigrated to the United States and added to the American portion of her family with nieces, nephews and their children. She is retired now and is active in Christian ministries.    

Edelgard Knoobs book Elfis World is two stories in one. It relates the experiences of a non political family during Hitlers Regime and at the same time is it is a heart warming, nostalgic human interest story.

Title: Elfis World
Author: Edelgard Knoob
ISBN: 1-59286-756-1
Publisher: PublishAmerica, 209 pages, Trade Paperback
Info: www.PublishedAuthors.net/EdelgardKnoob
Purchase: www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopquery.asp?catalogid=2817 or
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592867561/
Also available at: Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other sites

ELFIS WORLD REVIEWS

Elfi's World    ***** (Five Stars)
Rita
CT (11/16/2003)        A very delightful, yet serious book about growing up in Germany during WW II. It brings back memories to many Germans who lived through that time. Insightfully written, touching the heart.

Fascinating, October 24, 2003    ***** (Five Stars)
Reviewer: ziggle (see more about me) from Pennsylvania, USA
What was it like to be an ordinary child living in Germany in the beginnings of WWII? It's something that we, today, can not fathom.

Elfi's World ***** (Five Stars)
Barb
Ohio, U.S.A. (9/7/2003)        Elfi's world is a well written book that completely captured my heart. I felt as if I was right there with her through out the whole story. I felt her joy (the wedding), her sorrow (when she dropped her new doll), her fear (during the bombings) and her grief (when she lost her favorite aunt). This is a truly all inspiring book that should be at the top of everyones must read list

Elfi's World    ***** (Five stars)
Joan-Marie
New Jersey, USA (9/1/2003)    
As you travel with Elfi through her early childhood, the "little child" in you will recall many of your childhood memories. That's what makes "Elfi's World" different from other books. As it is the "child" in us that is responding, we do not relate to Elfi the way we might relate to the heroine of another book. Instead, Elfi is more like a friend - someone to "share" feelings and childhood memories with. As I traveled with Elfi during her peaceful childhood years, I recalled many of my own childhood memories. And not just the memories but the feelings associated with them too. By the time the war arrived, Elfi and I were already good friends, so it mattered not that I never have experienced the reality of war. As she recalled the pain and suffering brought about by war, I "experienced" the pain and suffering with her. Traveling with Elfi was a good trip - one we probably should take more often. In writing "Elfi's World" Edelgard Knoob has given us this opportunity.

Elfi's World    ***** (5 Five Stars)
Janet
Connecticut U.S.A. (8/24/2003)    
In "Elfi's World", Edelgard Knoob transports us to the wondrous time and place of her childhood in Germany. We see through little Elfi's eyes the beauty of an era when times were still simple. Her family comes alive throughout the book as we learn their individual characters. Grandmother and Grandfather played a very important role in Elfi's upbringing and their love and warmth is genuinely felt through the writer. And Aunt Gusti quickly became a favorite of mine. Her cheerfulness and dedication to the family was endearing. I was very sorry to read of her misfortune at the arms of the Third Reich. Elfis mischievousness keeps us smiling throughout the story but through her loving upbringing, her faith and optimism lets her shine through all obstacles. The memories that are brought to life in this revealing autobiography will immortalize Elfi and her family forever. I would recommend this book as great reading for young and old.

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