The author lived almost twenty-seven years in Germany working as an Army Counterintelligence Special Agent. He interviewed hundreds of refugees from East Germany and East Prussia. He also interviewed many Germans who survived as Russian prisoners of war. This book is based the memories of those who lived through World War Two and the American Occupation of Germany. German women bore the brunt of the hardships of World War II. They also contributed significantly to the rebuilding of Germany and handled many of the administrative duties of the U.S. Forces occupying Germany following the war. This is a historically accurate story of four East Prussian women who resist the Nazis, survive the war, and go from enormous wealth to raising cabbages to stay alive. Each of the women loves Hermann in a different way. Hermann spends 14 years in Russia as a POW. He finally comes home to sort out his relationships with these women. From a review: Although this is the second book in a series, it is a prequel that can be read independently of the other books. Dukelow has a great sense of the personal details that reveal the larger history of epic events. If you think you know the big picture of the European Theater in World War II, this novel colors in the background, illuminating the social scene in Germany. Many novels have dealt with the lives of civilians in Great Britain and France during the war. This book takes a fascinating look at the struggles of four generations of heroic German women living through the Nazi era and its aftermath. In addition to his deft handling of the history, geography, and culture of the time and place, Dukelow has created appealing and memorable characters, especially the four women referred to in the title.
About the Author: Robert Dukelow worked for thirty-three years as a U.S. Army multi-disciplined counterintelligence officer. Most of that time, he worked with NATO partners, but he also worked with the NSA, CIA, and FBI. He retired from the Pentagon in 2005. His lifetime of work started in the orchards of rural California at age six. He attended Chico State College on a California Merit Scholarship and went to graduate school at Chico State. He completed many classified training courses taught by U.S. and German intelligence agencies. He resided over 26 years in Germany, as well as in Hungary, The Netherlands and Afghanistan. He is fluent in English and German. He studied many languages. He now works as a writer, teacher, and gardener. He lives near Phoenix, Arizona. His avocations include writing, gardening, raising gamefowl, mountain hiking, cycling, photography, and teaching. More information can be found at his website: robertdukelow.com.