from the back cover After Germany was roundly defeated in the bloody first World War, the immense loss of lives and land and the continuing hunger and demoralization of her people bode ill for the country’s future. Yet life goes on one day at a time, and children are born and somehow thrive. Against this backdrop, in a small town on the Rhine River, the Heimbach family story unfolds. Like so many Europeans, Peter and Lisa Heimbach struggle to make ends meet, and despite long job-related separations and relocations to Soviet Russia, Berlin and Romania, they slowly succeed. Their daughters Helen and Inga grow up pawns in the historical shift from the Golden Era of peace, stability and prosperity to the rise of the extremist movements that ultimately change the fate of Germany and the rest of Europe, even reaching across the oceans.   Writing in novel form, Helga Ruge brings to life the tensions of the time by recreating remembered exchanges, experiences and emotions of her own family. More Truth Than Fiction: Growing Up in Europe between the World Wars offers the readers not only a glimpse into the author’s childhood but a view of the historical events and cultural milestones of early twentieth-century Europe. Readers of all ages will find the book entertaining and enlightening. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Excerpt from Chapter One The year 1922 was looming on the horizon like a new dawn. Three hard years had elapsed since the end of that terrible war to end all wars. The Rhineland smarted under French occupation.  Inflation was so rampant that every day brought new prices. Thousands of  Reichsmarks were needed to buy a loaf of bread early in the morning, and by late afternoon people could barely afford a box of matches with which to burn the worthless bills. Many Germans were out of work and hungry, yet life went on. Young people fell in love and couples got married. Peter Heimbach was lucky. He had a job selling pills for his company. The pay wasn’t great, but he did not complain. After spending four years in an internment camp in Russia during the war, having a job in Germany was a promising beginning. He married an attractive young girl, short in stature with a rosy complexion, sparkling blue eyes, blond hair, and a quick wit. She could even take shorthand and type fast. In other words, she was a paragon of virtues except for one minor flaw: she couldn't cook. Six weeks after the wedding, just when they had completed furnishing their modest apartment in a new housing development on the outskirts of town—all on credit—Peter's widowed mother arrived. She wanted to make certain that her son was not slowly starving as a result of Lisa's cooking. "Has Peter complained about my meals, Mama?" Lisa asked worriedly. Mama Heimbach had not stated the real reason for her visit, but her daughter-in-law soon got the message when her mother-in-law quietly but resolutely took over the kitchen duties, and said with a laugh, "Now, child, I'll teach you how to make Peter's favorite dishes. You know he is a little spoiled from home, don't you?" Lisa sighed. "I know only too well. How could he help becoming spoiled after being brought up in the finest delicatessen store in all of Hesse?" "Ah yes, those were the days,” Mama responded. “Papa produced roast beef so pink it melted in your mouth . . . and herring salad that had no equal . . . and for a clientele that had most discerning tastes. Yes, Papa Heimbach was an artist." More Truth Than Fiction Growing Up in Europe between the World Wars This novel is based on Ruge's childhood and youth. Ruge was born in
Wiesbaden, Germany where she spent most of her childhood with her parents and sister, though they lived temporarily in Soviet Russia. During her teenage years the family lived in Romania before returning to Germany. Reviews Dan Barnett, Chico E-R reader comments "I am enjoying it very much." "It is fascinating!" "Your story is a history lesson.”