Few stories pierce the heart and illuminate the human spirit like the life of Gerda C. Robinson, a woman who survived the terror, hunger, and emotional devastation of World War II as a young German child and spent decades silently carrying the pain inside her body.
In her powerful memoir, “From Trauma to Peace: How We Reclaim Our Lives – Healing Body and Soul,” Robinson delivers an unforgettable account of war, survival, and the long, complex healing journey that followed. Drawing from her memories, therapy experiences, and the deep emotional excavation guided by her psychiatrist, Dr. Loran Pilling, Robinson reveals not only what happened during the war — but what happened after: the lifelong scars no one could see.
More than a memoir, this book is a mirror for countless German families who still struggle with the intergenerational effects of fear, silence, and unhealed wounds.
A Story Rooted in German History — and in German Hearts
Robinson was only a child when she faced:
- Bombings in Wilhelmshaven
- Hunger so severe she fainted repeatedly
- Emotional neglect and the crushing silence of fear
- Chronic pain that medicine could not explain
Her memories vividly described in the manuscript's early chapters reflect a reality many German families recognize but rarely speak of: The war did not end when the bombs stopped. Its ghosts followed children into adulthood, into their bodies, and into the relationships they struggled to build.
The subtitle, correctly rendered as “Wie wir unser Leben zurück gewinnen,” perfectly captures this truth — that reclaiming one's life is not an act of conquest, but a deeply personal journey of healing.
Why This Book Speaks Powerfully to German Readers
1. A Historical & Personal Perspective That Feels Familiar
Robinson brings forth the unfiltered truth of wartime childhood:
the fear, the cold, the hunger, and the emotional rupture caused by neglect and violence.
2. The Mind–Body Connection Germans Immediately Recognize
Robinson's chronic back pain, panic attacks, depression, and exhaustion were later diagnosed as
repressed emotions a revelation detailed in her introduction and early chapters.
3. A Rare Look at Psychotherapy Through a Survivor's Eyes
Beginning therapy at age forty, Robinson offers a practical, deeply relatable perspective on:
- what therapy felt like
- how emotional release affected her body
- why addressing old wounds is essential for peace
4. A Bridge Between Generations
This memoir helps younger readers understand their parents' and grandparents' emotional distance, silence, or fear-driven parenting. It opens the door to empathy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
5. A Holistic Approach to Healing
Body, emotions, memories, spirit Robinson shows how all four must be addressed for authentic peace.
6. Spiritual and Emotional Depth
Robinson speaks candidly about forgiveness, faith, and discovering inner calm after decades of torment.
Why “From Trauma to Peace” Is a Must-Read
This book is for:
- German families seeking to understand inherited silence
- Readers of WWII history
- Survivors of trauma
- Mental health professionals
- Faith-based communities
- Anyone carrying invisible wounds
Robinson's honesty is raw and courageous. Her journey is unforgettable.
Her message is universal:
Peace is possible — even decades after the war inside you began.
About the Author
Gerda C. Robinson is a survivor of WWII, a former patient of the Metropolitan Medical Center chronic pain program, and an advocate for emotional healing. Her life's story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the profound human ability to reclaim one's life.
— WebWireID347500 —
