Time of Terror Time of joy

Born into Nazi Germany during WWII, this is the extraordinary story of Elsie Thieme. Forced to steal coal as a child to survive, living off ration cards and at the whim of the government, her early life of hardship was filled with dreams of becoming a ballerina, and throughout the fall of Germany and the Russian occupation, she never once wavered in her desire to dance. After working two jobs to fund dance lessons, she was forced to flee Germany after a violent attack at the hands of Russian soldiers, or risk being betrayed to the communist regime. The perilous crossing from communist Germany into American territory marked the beginning of another life of fame and fortune, and a new adventure... An exciting journey across the world, experiencing exotic locales and colourful characters, as a prima ballerina, wife and mother, Time of Terror, Time of Joy paints a vivid picture of life in post war Europe and beyond, and of one woman's determination to survive and thrive.