John H Berndt

My name is John H Berndt. This is my first attempt at writing a historical novel. The subject matter that I portray in ‘Lois Chronicles of a German Nurse 1945’ is based on real life stories that I heard as a child growing up in East-Germany. These accounts portray the psychological impact of how a woman feels as she is facing the unknown of a malevolent conquering army. I wanted to capture their anguish and suffering before it is lost and forgotten.
Until she died, for the first three years of my life I lived with my great aunt in Soviet occupied Saxony. After her death my great uncle placed me into the first youth organization orphanage called Mitschurin (named after a Stalinist Botanist). The orphanage was run like an Israeli Kibbutz and it taught me fairness and equality in dealing with people. In 1954 the East-German government placed me with my grandparents in Thüringen. In 1959 I escaped to the west and during the sixties I attended the University of Wisconsin receiving an advanced degree in the Social Sciences. I functioned as the Supervisor of Adult Protective Services for thirteen years, working with a local Police department for twelve. Through my work I gained more insight into women’s psyche, particularly when facing unusual stress. Although I am relatively new to fiction writing, I have had considerable experience scripting grants and proposals. Being a member of the local authors group, as well as taking classes in creative writing has helped me greatly in penning this book.
I enjoy Florida in the winter and traveling throughout Europe in the summer.

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Website: http://barnesandnoble.com/w/lois-chronicles-of-a-german-nurse-1945-john-berndt/1118671897?ean=2940045695169

1945 germany    nurse    war aftermath    war against women    women and empowerment    women and war