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A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust
A biography of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese consul in Lithuania, explains how he saved the lives of thousands of Jews during World War II by issuing visas against the orders of his superiors. By the author of Memories of Anne Frank.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
18 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Alison Leslie Gold
43 books26 followersAlison Leslie Gold is an American author. Her books include Anne Frank Remembered, Clairvoyant: the Imagined Life of Lucia Joyce, The Devil's Mistress, and Memories of Anne Frank. She has written literary fiction as well as books for young people on a wide range of subjects including alcoholic intervention and the Holocaust as experienced by the young. Her work has been translated into more than 25 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 6, 2016
I had never heard of this man until recently and when I learned through a facebook friend that there was a book, I put a hold on it at the library to learn more about him.
This is a book I believe written for a younger audience older children/teenagers level but it shows character and humanity at its best. There is a quote in the book, "I didn't do anything special...I made my own decisions, that's all. I followed my own conscience and listened to it." He did do something special for all the people he saved, and he risked and lost his job by doing the right moral thing not the right ordered thing!
I also like how the book gave some back story to some of the lives of people he saved.
Glad he was honored and recognized for his act by the Sugihari survivors and by Jerusalem!
This is a book I believe written for a younger audience older children/teenagers level but it shows character and humanity at its best. There is a quote in the book, "I didn't do anything special...I made my own decisions, that's all. I followed my own conscience and listened to it." He did do something special for all the people he saved, and he risked and lost his job by doing the right moral thing not the right ordered thing!
I also like how the book gave some back story to some of the lives of people he saved.
Glad he was honored and recognized for his act by the Sugihari survivors and by Jerusalem!
March 4, 2019
WWII is one of those eras so full of extraordinary villainy and heroism one could devote several lifetimes to research and never scratch the surface. One of the heroes is this gentleman, proving that nationality doesn't determine a man's capacity for good, however much easier it is to think of things that way. This Japanese diplomatic official stationed in Europe risked everything, including his family's lives, and got more than 6,000 Jews out of Nazi territory by signing visas that allowed them to travel through Japanese territory. What an amazing man--well worth reading about.
May 27, 2023
When we ordered this book we did not realize it was a scholastic book for students 9 to 14 years old. But because of my interest in Lithuania I read it and am so glad I did. All I knew was that it was a true story about a Japanese man in Lithuania during World War ll who saved thousands of Jews. It is inspiring book about doing the right things when all odds are against you.
September 10, 2025
Talk about heroes! This unassuming man was one. Can't believe all he went through because he believed in three laws: do not be a burden to others; Take care of others; and Do not expect rewards for your goodness.
December 7, 2009
Sugihara has been one of my heroes for a long time. This book, aimed at children, tells the story of the Japanese diplomat who risked his job and his family's lives to save the lives of 6,000 Jews. Against the orders of the Japanese government, Sugihara issues thousands of visas to Jews in Lithuania. It's an amazing story that not many people know. It is estimated that 40,000 people are alive today because of what Sugihara did. This book also follows two children who received visas from Sugihara and what happened to them. It's a good, fast read that I recommend to people who like to see what can happen when one good man stands up and does what is right.
December 25, 2018
A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust is a biography of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese consul in Lithuania who saved the lives of thousands of Jews during World War II. Alison Leslie Gold wrote this biography.
Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese government official who served as vice consul for the Japanese Empire in Lithuania. During the Second World War, Sugihara helped some six thousand Jews flee Europe by issuing transit visas to them so that they could travel through Japanese territory, risking his job and his family's lives.
A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust tells the story of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese diplomat who was directly responsible for saving thousands of Jews during World War II. This biography traces the life of Chiune Sughiara from his birth to his death.
From the beginning, Chiune's family believed he was destined to do something special with his life. Never did they dream he would come to save thousands of lives. Chiune was taught, as all other Japanese children, "to not be a burden to others, to take care of others, and not to expect rewards for his goodness."
He often wondered how he would live up to these words. His father wanted him to become a doctor. When Chiune told his father he desired to be a teacher instead, his father was furious and refused to pay for his education. Unable to find funding for his teacher's education, Chiune took a subsidy to study for a diplomatic career and travel abroad, becoming a diplomat by default.
His career took off quietly as he studied Russian, English, Chinese, French, and German. During a stay in Tokyo, he met Yukiko who was to become his wife. She was not the traditional Japanese wife, although she could act the part if needed. She became his confidant and main supporter. They had two children by the time World War II started. Chiune could never have accomplished all he did without the backing of his wife.
While stationed in Kuanas, Lithuania, Chiune became aware of what the Germans were doing to Jews and other unfortunate people. Since his country was an ally of Germany, Chiune could do little to help. During a Chanukah celebration Mr. Rosenblat, a guest, told of his escape from Poland and of the mistreatment of the Jews.
Following his conscience and remember the lesson from childhood, Chiune with Yukiko's blessing, decided to issue visas in defiance of his Foreign Ministry and under his own authority. Until his consulate was finally closed, Chiune continued to issue visas. He did not know if they would indeed be honored when they were used, or not.
He only knew he had to try. He worked day and night handwriting these visas. He issued over two thousand official visas. Since these visas were for individuals, groups and families, there is no way of knowing how many people these visas represent. Also unknown is the exact number of visas he wrote since no record was kept once the consulate closed.
He wrote visas until he could write no longer and he and his family had to get to the train. As a last act, he dropped a handful of diplomatic papers off the train as they left, hoping it would be used for forged documents.
A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust is written rather well. Alison Gold creates a vivid account of Chiune and Yukiko Sugihara's rescue of Jews during the Holocaust. It is a well-written piece of literature and is easy for younger students to read, as well as imparting a great deal of information for older students to absorb.
Additionally, this biography follow a couple of children who received visas from Chinune Sugihara and followed their lives from there. It was not until much later in his life that Chinune Sugihara knew how effective his defiance has been.
All in all, A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust is a wonderful biography of a man with the support of his wife who went against orders and followed his conscious and saved a great number of people despite what would happen to his career and life.
Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese government official who served as vice consul for the Japanese Empire in Lithuania. During the Second World War, Sugihara helped some six thousand Jews flee Europe by issuing transit visas to them so that they could travel through Japanese territory, risking his job and his family's lives.
A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust tells the story of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese diplomat who was directly responsible for saving thousands of Jews during World War II. This biography traces the life of Chiune Sughiara from his birth to his death.
From the beginning, Chiune's family believed he was destined to do something special with his life. Never did they dream he would come to save thousands of lives. Chiune was taught, as all other Japanese children, "to not be a burden to others, to take care of others, and not to expect rewards for his goodness."
He often wondered how he would live up to these words. His father wanted him to become a doctor. When Chiune told his father he desired to be a teacher instead, his father was furious and refused to pay for his education. Unable to find funding for his teacher's education, Chiune took a subsidy to study for a diplomatic career and travel abroad, becoming a diplomat by default.
His career took off quietly as he studied Russian, English, Chinese, French, and German. During a stay in Tokyo, he met Yukiko who was to become his wife. She was not the traditional Japanese wife, although she could act the part if needed. She became his confidant and main supporter. They had two children by the time World War II started. Chiune could never have accomplished all he did without the backing of his wife.
While stationed in Kuanas, Lithuania, Chiune became aware of what the Germans were doing to Jews and other unfortunate people. Since his country was an ally of Germany, Chiune could do little to help. During a Chanukah celebration Mr. Rosenblat, a guest, told of his escape from Poland and of the mistreatment of the Jews.
Following his conscience and remember the lesson from childhood, Chiune with Yukiko's blessing, decided to issue visas in defiance of his Foreign Ministry and under his own authority. Until his consulate was finally closed, Chiune continued to issue visas. He did not know if they would indeed be honored when they were used, or not.
He only knew he had to try. He worked day and night handwriting these visas. He issued over two thousand official visas. Since these visas were for individuals, groups and families, there is no way of knowing how many people these visas represent. Also unknown is the exact number of visas he wrote since no record was kept once the consulate closed.
He wrote visas until he could write no longer and he and his family had to get to the train. As a last act, he dropped a handful of diplomatic papers off the train as they left, hoping it would be used for forged documents.
A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust is written rather well. Alison Gold creates a vivid account of Chiune and Yukiko Sugihara's rescue of Jews during the Holocaust. It is a well-written piece of literature and is easy for younger students to read, as well as imparting a great deal of information for older students to absorb.
Additionally, this biography follow a couple of children who received visas from Chinune Sugihara and followed their lives from there. It was not until much later in his life that Chinune Sugihara knew how effective his defiance has been.
All in all, A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust is a wonderful biography of a man with the support of his wife who went against orders and followed his conscious and saved a great number of people despite what would happen to his career and life.
June 20, 2023
The American Writer Alison Leslie Gold published a biography of the Japanese Diplomat Chiune Sugihara in 2000. The book was entitled A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara. Sugihara was posted to the Lithuanian city of Kaunas in the summer of 1939. In the late summer of 1941, Sugihara issued thousands of visas to the Jewish people who gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Kaunas. The Jewish people who received the visas from Sugihara were hoping to travel across the Soviet Union and then enter Japan. Then the Jewish people hope to travel to the Americas. The Japanese government forbid Sugihara from issuing visas, but Sugihara issued thousands of visas anyway. After the Japanese government closed the embassy in Kaunas in late 1941. Sugihara was moved to different embassies around present-day Eastern Europe. Ironically Sugihara was not disciplined by the Japanese government for ignoring orders until after World War II in 1947. The book contains the story of the Polish-born Masha Bernstein and her parents who were Jewish. The family received visas from Sugihara. Masha’s father ended up in Argentina. The book also covers the Lithuanian family of Solly Ganor, who befriended Sugihara but whose family did not take his offer of a visa seriously. Solly Ganor lived through life at Nazi concentration camps. Masha and her mother spent World War II in Canada. Masha later moved to the United States. Gold’s biography of Sugihara is written for young people, but older people could also find the book to be a good introduction to the life of Sugihara. The book includes black and white pictures. Gold’s book, A Special Fate could also be a good introduction to the Holocaust for young people.
Works Cited:
Mochizuki, Ken. 1997. Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story. New York: Lee & Low, Incorporated.
Works Cited:
Mochizuki, Ken. 1997. Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story. New York: Lee & Low, Incorporated.
September 9, 2021
Chiune “sempo”’sugihara issued 6,000 visas from Kaunas, Lithuania, allowing passage from Russian to Japan and out of the grasp of Nazi Germany. When the book was written in 2000, that meant 40,000 Sugihara Survivors. Another generation has grown up since 2000, and we’re onto the next generation! He and his wife Yukiko are transcendent examples of human decency and goodness. They were in an internment camp for almost 2 years in Russia with their 3 children and sister (hers)after the war—the youngest son died 4 years after they returned to Japan, and the sister died 2 years after that—exacerbated by the conditions of their imprisonment. He was disgraced and forced to retire from the gov’t, and had to get a job in Russia, separating him from his family for years. The Japanese govt only apologized in 1985, a year before he died, and decades after he and Yukiko had already been honored by Israel (1968). Amazing story.
October 26, 2017
I was unfamiliar with the many people who helped Jews escape Hitler's death camps. Sugihara should be in our history books. He put his life and his family's lives on the line in order to save thousands.
Amazing that a Japanese citizen at war with the west had compassion for people whose traditions,language, and religion were so opposite from his own upbringing.
The book is very engaging, not at all like the dry lists of dates that typically pass for history. I usually don't find history books enjoyable, but I enjoyed this one and learned a lot, not only about how Sugihara's visas saved so many people, but also a bit about Japanese culture.
Amazing that a Japanese citizen at war with the west had compassion for people whose traditions,language, and religion were so opposite from his own upbringing.
The book is very engaging, not at all like the dry lists of dates that typically pass for history. I usually don't find history books enjoyable, but I enjoyed this one and learned a lot, not only about how Sugihara's visas saved so many people, but also a bit about Japanese culture.
November 13, 2021
This is definitely a children's book and written without a ton of detail. However, it's one of the only books about Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who issued visas for an estimated 6000 Jews attempting to escape the Nazis. He did this against the express orders of his government and the dangers it might pose to himself and his family. Definitely a piece of history well worth knowing, and this book offers one of the few ways to do so.
August 20, 2017
First time I've learned Chiune was via Wikipedia while searching for Nazi atrocities. Fortunately, Chiune Sughara name was mentioned in the article. I didn't realize there were good Japanese people who were willing to risk their career or life to help desperate people in needs. I was impressed and humbled by Shiune's action during this period.
March 2, 2017
very good book for young readers. Topic is well researched and well told.
September 16, 2019
I liked this book it gave a lot of details about the Holocaust
March 24, 2020
An amazing story of bravery and the difference one good person can make in the world.
Not a very well written book, but an uplifting story!
Not a very well written book, but an uplifting story!
May 11, 2020
Extraordinary
Such an important story. The heart and humanity of Sugihara saved thousands of lives. Shows that acting in defiance to your government is sometimes the thing to do.
Such an important story. The heart and humanity of Sugihara saved thousands of lives. Shows that acting in defiance to your government is sometimes the thing to do.
January 16, 2021
Great book!
I’ve read a lot of books about WWII, but this one was different. Ambassador Sugihara was a real hero that I (and most people) have never heard of.
I’ve read a lot of books about WWII, but this one was different. Ambassador Sugihara was a real hero that I (and most people) have never heard of.
September 26, 2021
Before reading this book, I had never even heard of the man named Chiune Sugihara. This book was pretty interesting as it included both the story of how Sugihara saved the lives of thousands of Jewish refugees during the holocaust and the story of how one of the families that he helped made it to the United States. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading stories of people who survived the holocaust and/or wants to read an uplifting story.
March 6, 2017
Tyler babbel
Mrs. wyckhuyse A1
274 Pages
05 march 2017
Book Report #6
A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara, hero of the Holocaust, This book about the holocaust was extremely inspiring, It showed me that no matter what you should always do the right.
The best part of this book is its Theme they made it a uplifting and shows that it's always good to do the right. “The train pulls away, hands reaching out the window Passing out visas Hands reaching towards the windows for visas for life --Hope” Chiune was literally staying up all day and night writing these visas so the Jews would live. Showing that it doesn't matter if have orders to do something bad but just do what you think is right. Making it very inspiring and motivates you to try doing the right.
The character growth is also a great literary element showed in this book. "I did not pay any attention and just acted according to my sense of human justice, out of love for mankind”
He came to realize that he didn't have to follow the orders he was told that when you feel it's right you go with it. Well before he was just ignoring them for a while till you couldn't hold it anymore and started helping them.
Mrs. wyckhuyse A1
274 Pages
05 march 2017
Book Report #6
A Special Fate: Chiune Sugihara, hero of the Holocaust, This book about the holocaust was extremely inspiring, It showed me that no matter what you should always do the right.
The best part of this book is its Theme they made it a uplifting and shows that it's always good to do the right. “The train pulls away, hands reaching out the window Passing out visas Hands reaching towards the windows for visas for life --Hope” Chiune was literally staying up all day and night writing these visas so the Jews would live. Showing that it doesn't matter if have orders to do something bad but just do what you think is right. Making it very inspiring and motivates you to try doing the right.
The character growth is also a great literary element showed in this book. "I did not pay any attention and just acted according to my sense of human justice, out of love for mankind”
He came to realize that he didn't have to follow the orders he was told that when you feel it's right you go with it. Well before he was just ignoring them for a while till you couldn't hold it anymore and started helping them.
November 22, 2023
I have heard about special people who risked their lives to save others. This books highlights the incredible journey of Sugihara through the devastating years of the Holocaust. His effort to save as many lives as possible, his wife and family support on this endeavor is admirable. And all these was carefully written in this bio. It brought tears to my eyes, it was very descriptive that I could see people lined up around the council's home or flying visas, oops, I think I'm saying too much. I loved this story!
September 23, 2013
I find myself needing to read more and more books with purpose. This is a fabulous Juvenile non-fiction piece about someone during WWII who follows his principles, even knowing the potential cost. The detail was amazing, the story as moving as ever with Nazi/Jewish stories. It was very nice to have real photographs to peruse as the story unfolded. The end was also quite satisfying or perhaps, rather, a relief after all the suffering.
November 26, 2016
What does an Ashkenazi jew and a Japanese dignatary have in common?
Today I found this book while looking through old things, it really brought me back, such an incredible story. The story of a man who left behind everything for justice. To help and save people who had nothing in common with him. Remarkable!
Today I found this book while looking through old things, it really brought me back, such an incredible story. The story of a man who left behind everything for justice. To help and save people who had nothing in common with him. Remarkable!
November 15, 2012
"He who saves one life saves the world entire." This man saved approximately six times as many Jews as Oskar Schindler, and risked his own livelihood and that of his family in the process. Truly one of the Righteous Among the Nations.
July 29, 2013
A relatively unknown hero, Mr Sugihara, st great personal risk chose honor and courage. He illegally issued 6000 visas for Japan to Jews trying to escape Lithuania. There are40000 people alive today due to his heroic actions.
January 23, 2016
I read this around 2005 maybe. It was in our kids bookshelf. What an amazing true story of courage and love of fellow man as a Japanese diplomat in Europe during WWII who risked his own life and his family's lives to help Jewish refugees flee from their oppressors.
June 23, 2007
Shiguro, a Japanese diplomat during WWII, saved hundreds of Jewish Europeans destined for concentrations camps.
Read
September 9, 2010Click here to find it in the catalogue.
February 12, 2011
Fascinating true story... pedestrian YA biography prose. Wish I knew of a better book on the subject.
October 26, 2019
He was an amazing, brave man whose story is inspiring. I will look for more on him.
March 31, 2017
Another incredible but little known story about WWII. This is the story of a brace, selfless Japanese official and the thousands of Jewish lives he saved. The book is written for children so it is fairly simple and not overly detailed. But it is enough to provide a solid story and image of this man and his actions. There are no sexual or language issues. Some of the descriptions may be too much for younger readers, but this is probably okay for 5th grade and up. Of specific interest to me were some of the ideas and philosophies taught to Japanese students. The book says Japanese children were taught not to be a burden to others, to take care of others, and to not expect rewards for your goodness. A selfless approach to life that also carries a strong sense of obligation as well. Makes me wonder if more teaching like that in Western schools today would be beneficial and could help turn the tide of issues we are facing.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews