num_pages: 191
description: Two Expanding Totalitarian Monsters—Communist Russia and National Socialist Germany—are soon to collide. On the eve of war—at its most devastating in Eastern Europe—a young Ukrainian couple marries, but the two vastly differ from each other. Theo is bookish and brainy, and Steffie is street-smart and world-wise. As World War II begins, Theo is called up during his honeymoon to fight the invading Germans. The Germans massacre his unit and take him captive, but he soon escapes, only to find that the Russians, who’ve taken over, are arresting all escaped military officers. Though Steffie and Theo’s marriage shows early signs of fraying, the challenges they face serve to unite the two and allow them to discover each other’s unique traits and abilities. They may differ greatly in character, but in combination, they find ways to outwit the enemy—they must, or face the sheer devastation brought about by the collision of the two greatest totalitarian ideologies in world history. Author Darian Diachok brings readers an electrifying and utterly captivating tale of one couple’s ability to repeatedly overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. Incredibly rich in historical detail, Escapes illustrates what the gift of family truly meant during a horrific period in history—and just how important it was to establish mutual trust and acceptance.
title: Escapes: A True Story