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The Firecrackers of Lilliput
This book is no longer in print and is NOT another edition of The Fires of Lilliput.
409 pages, ebook
First published December 8, 2020
295 people are currently reading
2438 people want to read
About the author
Michael Martin
7 books29 followersI'm a journalist turned novelist who loves stories about anti-establishment rebels that defy the conventional wisdom in search of greater truth.
I have been a member of the National Press Club, the National Association of Science Writers, and am currently a Local Independent Online News association member and longtime local news publisher.
I have been a member of the National Press Club, the National Association of Science Writers, and am currently a Local Independent Online News association member and longtime local news publisher.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 14, 2022
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I have a buddy in Poland who has provided more detail on Poland's history in WWII than U.S. history books go into, so I knew what I should expect going into this one. The canonization process discussed in the early part of the book was rather dry, but the author definitely did his research with respect to Poland's involvement in WWII. I would have found it easier to get into this book if the kerning was better - the formatting felt a bit like reading a high school student's report, which tends to take you out of what you're reading rather than drawing you in.
September 27, 2022
This was a hard read. The detail that this author put into this book is impressive. I have been blessed with knowing someone who witnessed what happened in Poland so I came to this with some idea of what occurred. I was moved by the strength of these characters. They have been written with great depth so much so, that you will find that you will need to step away in order to continue. This is a story of faith and friendship found within one of the darkest times that has befallen man. Put this on your must read list I guarantee you will not regret the decision.
June 19, 2021
This was a haunting book but a good read. From the perspective of Polish citizens being conquered and ruled over by Nazi Germany and its eugenics program as Law. How does one survive? This book is relevant and important. Since it is only with time -and distance- one could recognize the true saints that were victims of such evil. Faith was important to the characters in that the hope that faith brings to those with small or large hearts.
February 10, 2012
One of the most engaging novels I've read in a while. Tender moments with soaring prose punctuate the most intense, dire situations. Humor pops up unpredictably. The interactions between the characters -- especially the women -- are "felt life" at its most profound. A great read about real heroes with real passion, real love, and real commitment.
January 26, 2022
Thought provoking and hard to put down.
The Fires of Lilliput reads like a fascinating documentary. The fictional characters blended so well with the historical settings , it was difficult to remember this is a novel. I be recommending it to all my friends but particularly my Polish friends both Catholic and Jewish.
The Fires of Lilliput reads like a fascinating documentary. The fictional characters blended so well with the historical settings , it was difficult to remember this is a novel. I be recommending it to all my friends but particularly my Polish friends both Catholic and Jewish.
February 2, 2023
A long and somewhat difficult read
Shosha Mordechai Price lives in New York when she is called to Rome to speak on behalf of Jakub Chelzak, who is being considered for sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church. Shosha knew and loved Jakub and his brother Karl during the Nazi invasion of Poland and credits them with saving her life. After this introduction, the book goes back to 1939 and the Warsaw Ghetto. It follows Shosha and her family through the ghetto, the uprising, and the camps. Shosha loses almost everything, but her spirit remains indomitable. It also follows Jakub and Karl and several German officers. It does not edit out either cruelty or humanity on either side. I had to read it very slowly in order to digest it all, which is why it took me eight nights of reading before bed to finish it. This is not a book for the casual reader, but I do recommend it to anyone who believes in the oneness of humanity and the triumph of the human spirit.
Shosha Mordechai Price lives in New York when she is called to Rome to speak on behalf of Jakub Chelzak, who is being considered for sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church. Shosha knew and loved Jakub and his brother Karl during the Nazi invasion of Poland and credits them with saving her life. After this introduction, the book goes back to 1939 and the Warsaw Ghetto. It follows Shosha and her family through the ghetto, the uprising, and the camps. Shosha loses almost everything, but her spirit remains indomitable. It also follows Jakub and Karl and several German officers. It does not edit out either cruelty or humanity on either side. I had to read it very slowly in order to digest it all, which is why it took me eight nights of reading before bed to finish it. This is not a book for the casual reader, but I do recommend it to anyone who believes in the oneness of humanity and the triumph of the human spirit.
June 5, 2021
Could have been so much better. Beginning was a slog to get through. The parts about the canonization process were somewhat interesting but otherwise the characters were very one dimensional. So many characters conflicts should have been more deeply explored. I was very disappointed in this novel.
June 17, 2022
wonderful historical perspective
Unfortunately this was written very with a scattered approach. Better organization would have made this a top read. Still, I would not have missed it.
Unfortunately this was written very with a scattered approach. Better organization would have made this a top read. Still, I would not have missed it.
January 31, 2021
A very well written book. It gave you an insight into the suffering of the people in Poland during the Holocaust. I highly recommend this book.
June 10, 2021
A haunting account of the daily life of all victims of the third Reich, including the officers and their families. A story of survival, friendships and miracles.
August 12, 2021
Grueling read, very much recommended but hard to get into for the first third of the book.
October 20, 2021
painfully poignant
Michael Martin artfully brings together the life threads of a group of key survivors of the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, and a nearby Nazi death camp.
Michael Martin artfully brings together the life threads of a group of key survivors of the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, and a nearby Nazi death camp.
May 1, 2023
An amazing novel set in Warsaw, Poland during the Nazi occupation. Well researched; I frequently felt these were real people’s stories of survival and loss.
An ereader.com ebook.
An ereader.com ebook.
August 9, 2023
For a book this looooong, the ending seemed rushed and underwhelming. Would have been four stars for sure if not for that.
March 10, 2022
A fascinating a disturbing story of a Jewish family fleeing and fighting the Nazis.
Interspersed with historical facts which were at times a bit too heavy and distracting.
Interspersed with historical facts which were at times a bit too heavy and distracting.
June 7, 2021
A difficult read. Martin gives a detailed view of life in the Warsaw ghetto sparing no details. I did have to stop once or twice to wonder how I could read the horrors and go on with my day as usual. The characters are well developed and their story compelling.
January 9, 2021
A Great Read
This book is one of the best I have read about the Jewish people of Poland during the Holocaust. Based on facts, the characters make you love them, and the details will break your heart.
I highly recommend this for anyone interested in this historical era.
This book is one of the best I have read about the Jewish people of Poland during the Holocaust. Based on facts, the characters make you love them, and the details will break your heart.
I highly recommend this for anyone interested in this historical era.
July 5, 2022
Very Good Read
Although this book was fiction, it still recounted the events that occurred during this time. It was an excellent and interesting read.
Although this book was fiction, it still recounted the events that occurred during this time. It was an excellent and interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews