Blue Skies, Troubled Waters
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An Independent Press Award-winning memoir
Blending vivid history with deeply personal memory, Blue Skies, Troubled Waters speaks to those interested in historical memoir, Asian-American history, and World War II civilian experiences.
Blue Skies, Troubled Waters is the astonishing true story of twin sisters, Ath and Kath, whose idyllic childhood in 1930s New Jersey is shattered by their family’s deportation to the jungles of Indonesia. Their new life, already a world away from everything they knew, is violently upended when Japan invades in 1941. At just eight years old, the twins and their family are captured and imprisoned as civilian prisoners of war.
This gripping memoir, co-authored by Ath’s grandson, plunges the reader into the heart of a forgotten chapter of World War II. Through the innocent yet resilient eyes of young Ath and Kath, we witness the daily struggle for survival, the quiet acts of defiance, and the unwavering power of family in the face of unimaginable brutality. More than just a war story, this is a tale of hope, the strength of a community, and the enduring love between two sisters who refuse to be broken.
Drawing on personal narrative, newly unearthed historical documents, maps, and poignant family photographs, Blue Skies, Troubled Waters is a meticulously researched and deeply moving account of survival, offering a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
Readers of Unbroken and When Broken Glass Floats will be drawn to this powerful true story of family, resilience, and survival.
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Praise for Blue Skies, Troubled Waters
“A compelling tale of lost innocence and survival updated for a new generation.”
Kirkus Reviews
for Kirkus
“...a rare, first-hand account of the civilian experience of the Pacific War, a story of profound resilience, and a testament to the enduring bonds of family."”
Booklife
for Publisher's Weekly
“"...eye-opening historical memoir."”
Foreward Reviews
for Foreward Reviews
“A unique perspective on a pivotal moment in history through the eyes of those who lived it, resulting in a history-rich narrative that will appeal to fans of World War II literature and Asian-American narratives alike.”
James Weiskittel
for IndieReader
“Beyond the harrowing details of wartime, the book is a testament to the strength of family and community.”
Falcon Review
for Printed Word Reviews
“Ath and her family’s story remain relevant to our times, demonstrating how our stories intertwine across the world, and how the tremors of history continue to shape lives today. ”
Jeddie Sophronius
author of Interrogation Records
“In today’s climate, where refugees and immigrants around the world are once again facing persecution and displacement, this story feels more relevant than ever.”
Ellen Laura
author of One Minute Healing Miracle
“There is much for us to learn from this touching and remarkable gift from the heart.”
Louise Dunlap
author of Inherited Silence
“If I had to use one word to describe Blue Skies, Troubled Waters, it would be Love.”
Martha Cinader
for Listen & Be Heard
About the Authors
Brian Kimmel (pronouns: he/dia) is an artist, award-winning author, and guide who teaches that our unique stories are the essential threads that weave our world together. As a second-generation multi-heritage Indonesian American and the grandson of a storyteller, Brian inherited a legacy of music and narrative. This lineage led him on a journey to co-author his grandmother’s WWII memoir, a profound experience that revealed how sharing one personal story can create a bridge for collective healing.
A poet, musician, and Buddhist teacher ordained by Thích Nhất Hạnh, Brian’s work is dedicated to this art of connection. His signature approach, “Embodying Narratives,” guides people to explore their “Invisible Ikat”—the social and cultural patterns they wear—to find a state of supportive ease and transform their lives. As a mental health counselor and supervisor, his insights are grounded in both ancient wisdom and real-world clinical practice.
Brian is a contributing author to numerous publications, including The Lion’s Roar and Transcending: Trans Buddhist Voices, and shares his teachings internationally. He lives in Seattle with his spouse and enjoys gardening with family and friends.
Martha Walandouw Lohn was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to a naturalized American Polish Mama who escaped the Russian occupation of Poland in the 1920s and an undocumented Minahasan-Indonesian Papa who disembarked a Dutch military ship in New York and never reboarded—Lohn is not just an author; she’s a living testament to resilience and the human spirit.
As a survivor of World War II’s Japanese occupation of Indonesia, formerly known as the Dutch East Indies, and as a child who saw her father getting deported from the United States, Lohn’s experiences have become a wellspring of inspiration for her writing. Her evocative storytelling captures the nuances of history, weaving together the threads of personal experience with the grand tapestry of global events.
She is an avid gardener. Much like the strong ties she has cultivated with family, both by blood and by heart, anything she puts into the ground — even a twig — will grow and flower. She is a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother of multi-heritage descendants and a Tanta (Auntie) and great Tanta to many family members in the United States, the Netherlands, and Indonesia. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, and has continued to find inspiration, healing and hope through gardening.
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Book Details:
- Trade Paperback
- Pages: 294 Size: 5.5 x 8.5
- ISBN: 9798218286767 PRINT $19.95
- ISBN: 9798218537548 EPUB: $9.99
- Publication Date: April 29, 2025