Book Review: Confronting Power and Chaos by Christine Skarbek #Memoirs #History #KrystynaSkarbek

Posted on by BonnieReadsAndWrites

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BOOK DESCRIPTION (FROM AMAZON)

What’s in a name?

Her trailblazer of a distant cousin forged a solitary, singular path during and after WWII. Unassuming and somewhat clueless, Christine eventually finds she has to do pretty much the same. A teen fully expecting her Midwestern life would be drab and ho-hum, she meets in Germany an elderly man who offered her a ride – and insight into a legacy she was going to rely on throughout her entire life.

Marrying the wrong guy, divorced, isolated, and responsible for four chronically ill children, she charged forward, brooking no fools to get her children the healthcare and education they richly deserved, even if that meant blackmailing the governor of Iowa. She took on the powers that be while always striving for the career she pined for.

Throughout all the decades of financial and personal setbacks and the chaos that swirled around her, Christine’s legacy constantly beckoned her: to be worthy of that distant cousin, WWII’s most decorated courier, and of a timeless love story she witnessed.

Christine’s life journey, including her 12 years in Poland (her other homeland), is a stirring testament to determination, imagination, and the power of perseverance.

BOOK REVIEW

This is the amazing memoir of journalist Christine Skarbek. It is written in such an engaging way that I was immediately invested and glued to the page.  We follow Christine through her tough childhood, marriage struggles, divorce, and single motherhood, but her story is also full of travel, international adventures, and battles with government agencies.  I think her fight for her kids and their health, physical and mental, stuck with me the most.  She is a Warrior Mom at heart, and as a Mom and Grandmother, I can definitely relate to that.   Intertwined with her memoir is the amazing story of the life of Christine’s namesake and distant relative, Krystyna Skarbek, also known as Christine Granville, an intelligence agent and courier during WWII.  The way their two lives touched each other through inspiration and even a common acquaintance is really unusual, especially since Krystyna Skarbek died in 1952.

Another thing that stood out in this book is the travel. Although sometimes almost in poverty, Christine found a way to have life-changing adventures, even if they were local and inexpensive. But make no mistake, Christine traveled the world, and it’s all chronicled here for us to enjoy.

The author does share some of her personal politics, and that is not something that I review. However, I knew about it ahead of time, and it does not take over the book at all. This is a book about a woman who struggled, fought, traveled, and triumphed, and the history of another woman who inspired her. They were both named Christine.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

BUY LINKS

AUSTIN MACAULEY PUBLISHERS | AMAZON | AMAZON POLAND

CHRISTINE SKARBEK’S SOCIAL MEDIA: INSTAGRAM | TWITTER (X) | GOODREADS

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Published by BonnieReadsAndWrites

I love to read and write book reviews in my free time. I review advance review copies of books on Netgalley for various publishers. I am also a reviewer for Historical Novels Review Magazine, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. I review books from publishers of all size, large to small. I have a special place in my heart for indie authors. I will sometimes post a little writing that I might dabble in occasionally. I also am lucky enough to live in the Smoky Mountains, so I'll be sharing photos of the beauty around me from time to time.

24 thoughts on “Book Review: Confronting Power and Chaos by Christine Skarbek #Memoirs #History #KrystynaSkarbek”

    1. Thanks. My first inclination was not to review the book because the author used the word “political” in the description. I immediately said no, because I don’t review political books. But she came back with an excerpt and convinced me, and that was my first impression of Christine. She doesn’t give up or immediately take no for an answer.

        1. If you’d like, T.W., I can send you the same links of excerpts published on their own in independent online journals. 😀 I think Bonnie will agree this isn’t politics-politics.

          Cheers!

  2. Your review is touching, Bonnie.
    Christine’s Memoir sounds like an inspirational story of dedication and love. Touching on motherhood and Eastern European culture it immediately called my attention.
    Thank you.
    Congratulations to Christine Skarbeck on a beautiful review.

    2. Thank you, Patricia! Folks have called me a Momma Bear protecting her cubs. I just did what I had to do and thank God my namesake got me through those perilous times. Wisdom beyond telling.

      If indeed you look for my book (publisher: Austin-Macauley/Amazon/Barnes and Noble etc.), the last name is SKARBEK (no Cs in it). I look forward to reading Bonnie’s review of your book for sure!

      Many thanks,
      Christine

      1. I am accompanying you right now, metaphorically speaking, at the Ukrainian border. The stray dog and woebegone hens look familiar too, as do the hopeful travellers and the wheezing granny bending under the suspiciously weighty carpet.
        I wonder what were you doing there?? 🙂

        1. Wow, Patricia — yeah, what is in that overstuffed carbetbag? ;-D

          Super thanks for starting the read. If you have any questions, you can email me. Dzieki!!!

  5. This sounds like a wonderful reflection. She definitely has been through more than her fair share of difficult periods but that only adds to the richness of her memoir. Excellent review!

    2. Dzieki, Tessa. So glad Bonnie mentions my namesake and mentor! You would not believe what is in this book. I have to pinch myself frankly but it’s all real.

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