Jutta

"Hermann Peine was born to his war-widowed mother, Jutta Viktoria Peine, in Hildesheim, Germany towards the turbulent end of World War II. His chosen name was changed to that of his fallen father, who was killed by a snipers bullet on the Central Eastern Front six months before his only son was born. At seven years of age the author immigrated with his mother to the United States where they settled in the Rocky Mountains. He eventually received his Ph.D. from the University of Utah. After a long career in education and mental health, including a Fulbright Scholar award in conflict resolution to the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus in 2000-2001, he noted that the more therapy he practiced; the more he understood the uniqueness of his mother's experiences and the strength of her personality. This work is based on the author's personal observations, taped interviews of his mother, her personal writings, and recollection of the daily conversations they perfected. The story is one of beating the odds and is a testament to resiliency of the spirit and the development of profound coping strategies through numerous harrowing circumstances. It is a story encompassing the American dream and the blessings coming from hard work and determination"--