“When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.” Seneca
Raised behind the Iron Curtain and thoroughly indoctrinated with communist ideology, I was a card-carrying member of East Germany’s communist party. I was trained to prepare future youth leaders to responsibly serve as secretaries for Agitation and Propaganda. My beliefs were challenged by God’s word when I met my wife a devout Christian raised in a Christ-loving, Bible-centered home.
As a graduate electronic engineer, I was contracted at the Navy base Peenemünde until I was expelled for publicly expressing my faith in Jesus Christ.
After a ten-year battle with the all-powerful State Security Police (STASI), I managed to leave East Germany in 1985, which I considered one of the largest prisons on earth. Twenty years later, I fulfilled my lifelong dream by immigrating to the United States, only to find that my American Dream had turned into a nightmare. I began speaking out, initially among family and friends. I co-founded the Cincinnati Tea Party and served as the Senior Strategist for many years.
At various events in OH, KY, IN, and MI, I discussed the loss of freedom and what life under oppression looks like. Encouraged by many friends, I finally wrote a book about my experience as a warning for all Americans not to lose the most extraordinary country ever created by divine intervention on earth.
The book…Then Living On My Knees is an imaginary story in three parts about the potential salvation of the Communist Party of Germany, based on the premise that the communist leaders could use deadly force against protesters the same way Chinese leaders did.
Robin McCarty (London, UK) –
An absolute page-turner from start to finish! Than Living On My Knees… (Part 1) dives deep into resilience and the human spirit, keeping me hooked with its raw honesty and compelling narrative pacing. I found myself thinking about the characters and themes long after I finished the final page. Highly recommended for anyone who loves deep, impactful storytelling!
Dustin Logan (Washington, US) –
A powerful and gripping read. The emotional depth and rich storytelling in Than Living On My Knees… (Part 1) are truly remarkable. Harald Zieger has crafted a brilliant narrative that resonates on a personal level. I’m already looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Hanna Wright (Virginia, US) –
A masterclass in character development and atmosphere. Than Living On My Knees… (Part 1) pulls you right into its world from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. The prose is sharp, evocative, and deeply moving. A stellar achievement by Harald Zieger!