Publisher's Synopsis
Follow the life experiences of an American boy in Germany during the Second World War. His family returned to Germany from New York under curious circumstances, not being able to come back to the United States. Although very young, with the help of others, particularly relying on his maternal grandmother's diary, the author is able to recall some of the more horrific, life-threatening events. Follow the family's run for their lives, loosing all their wordly possessions, being accosted by former Concentration Camp survivors, yet the author is also narrating happy occasions. As the title of the books states, the family spent a lot of time in a basement or bunker in the hopes that they will stay alive during the bombing runs by the British and American forces. The author is asking the reader to follow his and his family's constant struggle for survival, in the end being able to seek and receive protection from the American military. The author, as an American citizen, through his mother was ordered to the German Youth organization, part of the Hitler Youth, when he was trained to kill. During his and his family's time in Germany during World War Two, they had to be cautious not to cause any repercussions for the fact that the author was a born-United States citizen. Learn also that due to circumstances his father and sister, both born in Germany were declared persons without a country and that the author attempted to assist his father to regain his American citizenship. The reader will, hopefully, come away reading this book of the sacrifice, particularly his mother had to endure, all in an effort to protect and defend her family. After the war, his mother's English language knowledge, she was engaged by the U. S. Military Government. Learn that his father was in the German military, subsequently becoming a POW of the Americans. The author, understandably took on a significant role in the life of his family as he attended High School and assisting his father in his business. Many folks were part of the author's life shaping him for future involvement as a business man and later as a pastor. He discusses, albeit briefly the subject of allegiance during the war. Although having had an exciting life in Germany, the Author chose to enter the US Army, serving over six years. Follow his life beginning in New York, to Germany, and back to the United States.
