Stories of My Life

The Search for True Love

Non-Fiction - Memoir
280 Pages
Reviewed on 03/26/2023
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Gail H. Scoates for Readers' Favorite

Stories of my Life is a collection of reflections, journal notes, prayers, and poems by Elisabeth M. Seidel. According to editor Jennifer P. Tanabe, the original works were personal notes written in English and French, and modified into the chronological format presented in the book. Elisabeth’s stories begin with her childhood in France. Later she traveled to the United States where she was an early Western follower of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Elisabeth engages the reader with stories about her life as a wife and mother of two children, and as an active member of the Unification Church in America and Canada. Numerous photographs throughout the book provide a wonderful visual connection with her stories.

Elisabeth M. Seidel provides a fascinating autobiography of her early childhood going back to her great-grandparents, and how she was forbidden to attend church. Seeking information about religion, Elisabeth was introduced to the Unification Movement while studying in Milano. Soon after, she traveled alone to America and continued her spiritual journey. Shortly after arriving, she married her German-born husband, who she met on the day of their wedding. She provides intimate details of supporting her husband while he obtained his doctoral degree in theology all while raising two children. Some of her writings are spiritual, some are poetic, and some are happy stories while others detail the obstacles she faced. Throughout her writings, Elisabeth shares her inner thoughts. Her story ends with a loving tribute to her family and her husband, Dietrich. Elisabeth Seidel offers an insightful book for anyone looking to read about faith struggles as well as a detailed view of the life of a family in the Unification Church.