Elena Skrjabina''s struggle to survive World War II began in 1941, with the blockade of Leningrad, which is described in this section of her diary. Elena, her two sons and mother follow a trail of terror across Lake Ladoga, endure hunger, bombs and the cold before finding safety in Pyatigorsk.

Elena Skrjabina''s struggle to survive World War II began in 1941, with the blockade of Leningrad, which is described in this section of her diary. Elena, her two sons and mother follow a trail of terror across Lake Ladoga, endure hunger, bombs and the cold before finding safety in Pyatigorsk.