Maria's heroic spirit continued to assert itself in each generation as the family's women experienced the hardships of war and deprivation in Germany. From a few documented statistics about her great-great-grandmother and family lore, the author has fleshed out an inspirational tale that bridges the gap between herself and this intrepid ancestor. Marianne Tong has written both the English and the German versions in this bilingual book. The side-by-side format can greatly benefit readers who are interested in improving their understanding of either language.