This book follows a girl named Hedy in western Germany during the war. Wanting to become a physical therapist she instead finds herself assembling airplanes, dodging bombs, and battling hunger. This books brings out so many emotions. Once you start it you simply can't put it down. I received this from LibraryThing Members Giveaway for an honest review. ( )

My favorite books shows the great resiliency of the human spirit. And, this book definitely fits the bill. I love that is inspired by a true story. I had put off reading this book for a while because the cover seemed dark. (the picture of Hilde is beautiful though) DO NOT judge a book by the cover. There was so much light inside! Thus, the saying, "The Darker the Night the Brighter the Stars". This book has courage, compassion, forgiveness, hope, love and even humor! I love how it was told from the perspective of a German citizen as she came to grips with what was truly happening in her country, by her country. I often wonder how I would have reacted in the same situation! The chapter heading quotes were very insightful. And, I enjoyed going to the web and learning more about the true Hedy I would love to read more by the author.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

4.5

DARKER THE NIGHT delivers a compelling history of WW II from many mostly unwelcome German civilian perspectives.

It is difficult to comprehend ordinary, normal German people actually joyously welcoming the news of the conquest, murder, torture, and destruction of the neighboring men, women, children and babies of Czechoslovakia, Poland, and, finally, France. Their unquestioning acceptance of Hitler and Nazi RIGHT to conquer the world is surreal.

Here, it is disguised as the only way to bring an end to another hideous war that Germans again started.

Still worse is the pretension that the German people did not know what was happening in the Concentration Camps.

The chapter quotes which parallel the advent and ending of the War are chilling, warnings for our brave new world >
have we learned yet how to deal with terrifying hatred and pure, prideful ignorance?

"We will rebuild and come back stronger!"

The book follows the path of a bold and brave young German woman as she fights to help her family and community to survive.
Chapter transitions could be smoother and many people and situations call for deeper exploration of possible motives, feelings,
and reactions. And, what's with the constant "hands flying to mouth?"

The real question readers are led to is how they would have faced the same dark and frightening physical and moral challenges.

Amazing courage for a young unarmed female in a war strewn country!

The Glossary is valuable, as are the maps.

Thank you, Lisa London,for bringing this forgotten story to light. ( )

A dramatic tale based on true events of young Hedy who grows up in Germany during Hitler’s regime. She is naïve and innocent and unable to realize the terror the Nazi’s are inflicting on its citizens and other nations. Her dream is to be a physical therapist, instead she is forced to work for the Reich in farming or work camps. She does volunteer to help in hospitals settings. As the war ends she meets an American soldier, a romance is kindled and eventually she becomes a war bride. The story is told with compassion and reflects the feelings and attitudes of many Germans who were caught up in war, propaganda, starvation and destruction. As someone who worked in military intelligence in Germany, it caused me to reflect on the many stories I heard from German civilians who experienced WWII or their families’ sufferings. A good Read.

I was given an electronic copy in return for an honest review. ( )