Early Reviewers
"That one event, that one ten-minute car ride, radically bowled over my life's kaleidoscope."
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 (including spooks invading her home for six months), 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.
- Media
- Ebook
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Offered by
- ChristineSkarbek (Author)
- Published by
- Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.
- Batch
- December 2023 Starts: 2023-12-01Ended: 2023-12-26
- On Sale
- 2023-08-18
- Countries
- Available in all countries
- Links
- Book Information
LibraryThing Work Page - Receipt
- 1 marked received
I must admit nobody has ever called me a legend before. That said, I cannot help but to post Gina Rae Mitchell's review she posted November 19.
ONE of the MOST FASCINATING MEMOIRS YOU'LL EVER READ
"I recently finished the memoir by Christine Skarbek, “Confronting Power and Chaos: The Uncharted Kaleidoscope of My Life.” Let me tell you, it’s not your typical life story – it kicks off with a ten-minute car ride in Germany that completely flips Christine’s kaleidoscope of a life.
Her cousin and namesake was a real trailblazer during and after WWII. This sets the stage for Christine’s own unique journey. Picture this Midwestern gal, clueless about the twists life had in store. Fast forward to marrying the wrong guy, dealing with a messy divorce, and handling four kids with chronic illnesses – Christine doesn’t mess around. She even blackmailed the governor of Iowa for her kids’ healthcare and education. Talk about bold moves!
Amidst financial setbacks, spooks invading her home, and personal chaos, Christine’s life echoes her cousin’s legacy. Her 12-year stint in Poland … just another layer to her wild journey, showcasing determination, imagination, and a truckload of perseverance.
I usually expect to skim through some parts of a memoir because I’m always in a hurry to get to the “good stuff”, but not with this one. Christine had me hooked from the get-go. This woman’s been through it all – from single motherhood struggles to being homeless in Poland. I laughed, cried, and felt things I can’t even put into words.
You know it’s a killer book when you’re yelling, “No, I need more!” at the end. I’m convinced Christine could write a book for every adventure she’s had, and we’d still be hungry for more.
We need more people like her in our lives, shouting, “Up the rebels!”
A solid 5 out of 5 stars – Christine Skarbek, you’re a legend!"
