The Innocents Within

by Robert Daley

In the thick of World War II, in a tiny town in the middle of France, Jewish refugees have found an enclave of conscience amidst a sea of hate. Led by the charismatic Pastor Favert, the townsfolk of Le Lignon risk their own lives to hide a constant stream of the persecuted. But when a badly wounded American pilot crashes nearby, their safety is compromised.The region's Reich commander is desperate to load the waiting deportation trains with Jews. Le Lignon, he knows, might be concealing enough refugees to fulfill his entire quota and secure his position within the SS. As the commander plots to seize his quarry, Vichy police descend on the village and demand the hidden pilot. Stretched to their limits, the people of Le Lignon must fortify themselves against the converging Nazi onslaught--or die trying.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, War, Fiction, World War II

480 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 3, 1995

About the author

Robert Daley is the author of seventeen novels and eleven non-fiction books. Born and brought up in New York, he graduated from Fordham University, did his military service in the Air Force and began writing stories, articles and books immediately afterward. He was a New York Times foreign correspondents for six years based in France but covering stories from Russia to Ireland to Tunisia, fifteen or more countries in all. Much later he served as an NYPD deputy commissioner, which explains why many of his books have played out against a police background. His work has been translated into fourteen languages, and six of his books have been filmed. He is married with three daughters. He and his French born wife divide their time between a house in Connecticut and an apartment in Nice. France.

Reviews

[Federico DN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faith renewed.

For a WWII reading, this was not bad at all.

Quite compelling, and memorable.

RTC.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1995] [480p] [Historical] [3.5] [Conditional Recommendable]
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Fe renovada.

Para una lectura de GMII, esto no estuvo para nada mal.

Bastante atrapante, y memorable.

RTC.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1995] [480p] [Histórica] [3.5] [Recomendable Condicional]
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[Donn Lorber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very well written take on WW11, that focuses on how people can help in tragedy. An uplifting tale

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction book based on real events that happened during WWII in France. I was completely blown away by it's presence in a Reader's Digest book, so I enjoyed it while it lasted. I've always had a thing for historical fiction and military history, so combing them probably puts me in a biased mood for a review.

Nonetheless, this was a great story about what happened in France during the height of the war and Nazi invasion. It is the story of a pastor that saves Jewish lives, it's the story of a pilot that found love after his plane went down. It's about struggles and survival in a time of complete oppression. It's also about redemption.

I shall have to seek out the full version of this book since this condensed version seemed lacklustre in parts. I'm hoping the full version brings about more of the details and emotions.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story revolves around several characters from Le Lignon, France during WWII. Based on a real town that harbored refugees during the war, this novel revolves around a Protestant minister, his Jewish foster daughter, and an American pilot who crash lands near the town. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was that prevented me from really enjoying it; one thing that annoyed me was that the author presented several promising characters (even going so far as to offer backgrounds) and then abandon them at convenient times. Interesting, but not as satisfying from a historical, literary, or thriller genre point of view.

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is a popularized version of true events, that a village in France hid Nazis because God used a pastor to preach the golden rule. In this book we have a love story front and center and a fighting climax--fun to read, but over the top. I'm going back to Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, which is an historical account.

[Henni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bogen skulle være bygget på en rigtig historie, og den er også spændende nok, men personligt syntes jeg der er andre bøger om modstandskamp og kærlighed under anden verdenskrig som er bedre skrevet og mere fængende.

[Pat aka Tygyr · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this were the only book I had been reading at the time I might have enjoyed it better. But I kept wishing I was reading one of the other books in my stack that I am alwys rotating through.

[Marvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

A cheesy novel, without a distinctive voice & one-dimensional characters, about WWII resistance in France. I didn't read very far.

[Bill Coe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy a little history with your mystery; Daley is the author for you.