About The Author

Elizabeth Van Doren Author

Introduction

About the Author

Elizabeth H. Van Doren was born in California but spent her early years in Turkey and Germany. Her father, a college professor, taught in Istanbul, and she lived with her grandfather in the Black Forest while her mother studied in France. Growing up in Germany, she heard many stories about living under Hitler’s rule and the devastation of WWII and the Holocaust. These early experiences deeply influenced her perspective on history and storytelling.
After her father’s untimely death when she was just 14, Elizabeth was inspired to pursue a career in medicine, driven by a desire to help others. However, her passion for writing emerged later in life when current events evoked her childhood memories of war and survival. She felt compelled to share these stories, believing that history must be remembered and its lessons heeded.

Elizabeth is a lifelong avid reader, traveler, and lover of culture. She enjoys gardening, running, hiking, and meeting people from around the world. Supported by her wonderful husband and three amazing children, she dedicated herself to writing “Crossing the Line,” a work that reflects her deep connection to the past and commitment to telling stories that matter.