In World War II: A Dutch Child’s Witness to History, author Anneke F. Mendiola delivers a deeply personal account of surviving the Second World War as a child in the Netherlands—written not through the voice of hindsight, but through the immediate language, emotions, and perspective of the child she once was.
What began as dormant memories resurfaced decades later in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, when the events of 9/11 triggered an unexpectedly profound emotional response rooted in Mendiola’s wartime childhood experiences. That realization became the catalyst for a memoir that bridges two defining moments in world history and explores the hidden, long-term effects of war.
The inspiration to write the book emerged after Mendiola delivered a presentation about her wartime experiences to students at California State University, Fullerton, where a professor encouraged her to preserve her story in writing. Over the course of more than two years, she carefully documented memories as they returned, remaining committed to presenting events as authentically as possible.
Unlike many historical memoirs, World War II: A Dutch Child’s Witness to History unfolds in the present tense, immersing readers directly into the uncertainty, fear, and resilience experienced by a child living through war. Alongside these recollections are explanatory notes and reflections that provide historical context and family perspectives.
Beyond recounting history, the book carries a timely message. Mendiola invites readers to reflect on parallels between past and present political climates and to consider the emotional and psychological consequences that conflict leaves behind—not only for survivors, but for future generations.
“Though the events of World War II happened decades ago, their impact did not end with the war itself,” says Mendiola. “The experiences remained, hidden beneath the surface, until history echoed again.”
The memoir also pays tribute to the courage of Mendiola’s parents, who participated in resistance efforts during the war, and acknowledges the lasting physical and emotional effects wartime experiences had on her family, particularly her brother.
An accomplished scholar and lifelong writer, Anneke F. Mendiola built a career in Social Services and later pursued higher education after retirement, earning a dual bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Liberal Studies, followed by a Master’s degree in Anthropology in 2023. Her thesis, Women in Politics: The Gender Difference in Voters’ Preferences, reflects her continuing interest in social and cultural issues.
Through World War II: A Dutch Child’s Witness to History, Mendiola offers readers not only a memoir, but a reminder that history’s lessons remain urgently relevant today.
About the Author
Anneke F. Mendiola is a writer, scholar, and former Social Services professional whose work spans decades of public writing and editorial contributions. A lifelong reader and advocate for social awareness, she has contributed numerous published letters and served as editor of an organizational newsletter focused on community and worker concerns. World War II: A Dutch Child’s Witness to History is her published memoir recounting her childhood experiences during the Second World War.
Book Title: World War II: A Dutch Child’s Witness to History
Author: Anneke F. Mendiola
Formats & Availability: Information to be announced by the publisher.
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