What do you think?
Rate this book
The Remnant - Stories of the Jewish Resistance in WWII
"I can't kill Nazis if I'm dead. . ." Solomon Shalensky
After researching the transcripts of the Nuremburg Trials and interviewing 'The Remnant' or Jewish survivors of the holocaust, many still living in Israel; Othniel Seiden was compelled to write their startling and remarkable stories of World War II. In this stunning and compelling historical novel about the Jews who were able to remain free and fight, Seiden documents their survival, their suffering, their missions and their guerrilla warfare tactics against the Nazi occupation forces.
Also, well documented, the tragedy of Kiev and now infamous ravine of Babi Yar where it is thought that nearly a million people, Jews and non-Jews alike were massacred. These brave few escaped the certain death of their co-religionists by acts of bravery and sheer determination to live. The myth that the Jewish people 'went to their deaths like sheep to slaughter. . .' is put to rest forever in the stories of "The Remnant."
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2008
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 2, 2016
Not the most eloquent book on the subject, but the story is still engaging and important. I was disappointed by an anti-Christian bias - an assumption that all Christians are, at least to a degree, anti-Semitic, because of the teaching that only through Christ can an individual be saved. In my North American experience, I have not found this to be true. The simple fact that Christians acknowledge that they, too, are only saved by God's grace in Christ Jesus is proof enough for me.
October 23, 2019
I thought the book was excellent. Really gives the a full picture on what happened with Kiev and the Eastern European area. I am on the third book by Otti Seiden. By the way, he is a wonderful guy in person too and a good friend. Could not ask for a better one. Judy Keim
March 15, 2021
Must read
A definite read for those wanting a view from those surviving in the forests during the war vs in concentration camps
A definite read for those wanting a view from those surviving in the forests during the war vs in concentration camps
June 19, 2012
The Remnants: Stories of the Jewish Resistance.
By Othneil J. Seiden
I loved this book! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got it, but upon reading the forward I was prepared for a wonderful historical novel. What I got was even better! I got a novel that was so based in fact and true stories that almost every encounter, every event, could be looked up and backed by historical fact. I did.
I love a book that takes me so deep in the history of an event and makes it all so real that it sends me into research mode to verify things and learn more. This book did this in spades. What should have been a day or two read, turned into almost a week because I had to keep stopping and looking things up; I have over two pages of notes on events and people and rumors that I had to chase down. And Mr. Seiden never disappointed me, every part was true, from the Trench at Babi Yar, to the constant gun fire going on there by the Nazi’s once they invaded Kiev. The fact that Soviet held countries, the Jews in particular, welcomed the German’s as liberators from the prejudice, suppressive Communist party, only to find themselves in worse shape than they were before. The small bands of resistance fighters, turning into larger bands, the woods of Russia and the Russian weather providing the native fighters hiding places and advantages over the better equip German army. The pain of the bands too far away to heed the calls from the Warsaw Ghetto when they had their uprising Passover of 1943, and with each call they knew that no one was going to help them, not the closer resistance groups, not the allies, no one went the aid of these people that fought for over a month with no back up.
The mob mentality of the people, turning on their neighbor’s wasn’t a surprise to me, having learned all this from a historical view point growing up more than 40 years after the fact, but in this author’s writing I can see that it wasn’t a surprise to him either, or his characters he writes about, having been pushed to the background, into slums, ignored by their government and spit up on by their peers over time, they expected it. The Pogrom’s that the Church organized and the Government looked the other way during which they went in and massacred as many Jews as they could for centuries. What surprised them was the way the supposedly civilized German people treated them. The dislike and distrust of the Vatican and the Catholics in general, the people of the time had came through loud and clear in this work, but what came through also was the belief that people could go against what they had been taught all their life. By accepting some Genitals into their group, and trusting the fledgling groups location and plans to the couple that saved Solomon, and the Priest that spoke against the killings, and later sent Jews to them, and eventually joined them; yes, Mr. Seiden was able see all sides of the fallible humans that got caught in Hitler’s quest for power and world domination.
I give this book a rating of five solid stars, and am recommending it to any of my friends that have any type of interest in this area of history. Thank you for writing this book, and for giving me something new to learn about a time I thought I had pretty much exhausted all avenues on. I loved every part of this book, every death cut me, but I know it was war and it wasn’t going to be pretty going into it. There wouldn’t be roses and birds singing all through the story line, but they were there when it was most unexpected. A great tale very carefully and thoroughly researched and plotted out. Thank you for sharing it.
By Othneil J. Seiden
I loved this book! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got it, but upon reading the forward I was prepared for a wonderful historical novel. What I got was even better! I got a novel that was so based in fact and true stories that almost every encounter, every event, could be looked up and backed by historical fact. I did.
I love a book that takes me so deep in the history of an event and makes it all so real that it sends me into research mode to verify things and learn more. This book did this in spades. What should have been a day or two read, turned into almost a week because I had to keep stopping and looking things up; I have over two pages of notes on events and people and rumors that I had to chase down. And Mr. Seiden never disappointed me, every part was true, from the Trench at Babi Yar, to the constant gun fire going on there by the Nazi’s once they invaded Kiev. The fact that Soviet held countries, the Jews in particular, welcomed the German’s as liberators from the prejudice, suppressive Communist party, only to find themselves in worse shape than they were before. The small bands of resistance fighters, turning into larger bands, the woods of Russia and the Russian weather providing the native fighters hiding places and advantages over the better equip German army. The pain of the bands too far away to heed the calls from the Warsaw Ghetto when they had their uprising Passover of 1943, and with each call they knew that no one was going to help them, not the closer resistance groups, not the allies, no one went the aid of these people that fought for over a month with no back up.
The mob mentality of the people, turning on their neighbor’s wasn’t a surprise to me, having learned all this from a historical view point growing up more than 40 years after the fact, but in this author’s writing I can see that it wasn’t a surprise to him either, or his characters he writes about, having been pushed to the background, into slums, ignored by their government and spit up on by their peers over time, they expected it. The Pogrom’s that the Church organized and the Government looked the other way during which they went in and massacred as many Jews as they could for centuries. What surprised them was the way the supposedly civilized German people treated them. The dislike and distrust of the Vatican and the Catholics in general, the people of the time had came through loud and clear in this work, but what came through also was the belief that people could go against what they had been taught all their life. By accepting some Genitals into their group, and trusting the fledgling groups location and plans to the couple that saved Solomon, and the Priest that spoke against the killings, and later sent Jews to them, and eventually joined them; yes, Mr. Seiden was able see all sides of the fallible humans that got caught in Hitler’s quest for power and world domination.
I give this book a rating of five solid stars, and am recommending it to any of my friends that have any type of interest in this area of history. Thank you for writing this book, and for giving me something new to learn about a time I thought I had pretty much exhausted all avenues on. I loved every part of this book, every death cut me, but I know it was war and it wasn’t going to be pretty going into it. There wouldn’t be roses and birds singing all through the story line, but they were there when it was most unexpected. A great tale very carefully and thoroughly researched and plotted out. Thank you for sharing it.
November 26, 2012
Lost first one. This is a book that should be read be all today. It is the story which began at Babi Yar where hundreds of thousands of Jews as well as gypsies, Ukranians, Catholica, priests and bishops were murdered. It is the tales of resistance fighters, the Nazi who oversay the murders and of a Uniate Catholic priest who tried to warn the Vatican what was going on but was ignored as Pope Pius XII and Hitler had made a pact to leave each to their own business. The priest joined the resistance movement along with a husband and wife Ukranian to help. some of this is sad, some of it awful to read, but I highly recommend it. Pope Pius XII is up for canonization. personally I feel this is a travesty.
December 4, 2012
I have read a lot about the holocaust, but not about those Jews who fought against the Nazi's. This book is a historical novel. The author interviewed Jewish survivors, who fought and lived in the forrest. He incorporated the survivors stories into his novel. I had heard a little bit about complaints about the Pope, but I didn't know the extent of the Catholic church in helping the Nazi's. According to this author, the Vatican helped over 50,00 high ranking officers escape out of
Europe as the war was winding down and afterwards. The Pope signed an agreement with Hitler, stating the Church would stay out of politics, and the Nazi's would let the church practice its religion.
Europe as the war was winding down and afterwards. The Pope signed an agreement with Hitler, stating the Church would stay out of politics, and the Nazi's would let the church practice its religion.
September 14, 2012
I have read a ton on WWII and the Nazi occupation of countries. There are some saying fiction because of incorrect information about the Pope helping or not helping the Jews during WWII. You can find information to document both sides of that coin in other books. Don't get so caught up on what others are saying regarding that issue. Just enjoy a really engrossing and compelling read that I find to be accurate. I rarely give 5 stars, but this is a can't put down book.
January 16, 2013
It was a well-done story for the depressing subject matter. It was a unique perspective, and fairly interesting. But for the 2 completely random sex scenes in there, I could have enjoyed the story- as much as a story of such horror could be enjoyed. Why ruin a decent story with garbage? I don't like that in any story, but it certainly didn't fit in this one!!! But for that, I would have given this a 3 or 4 star rating.
October 29, 2017
Beautifully written and tragic. This is written as a novel, though the events are, horrifically, non-fiction. That the information was taken from his own experiences and those of the heroes he fought with just makes the book that much more powerful. It's important that we never forget what happened in Europe during those painful years. Seiden is very brave in putting forth such an emotional tale.
April 11, 2014
As a Jew of 75 I do remember the war slightly. I was 7 years when it finished. but I was hooked on war stories for years after.
Years later the awful truth emerged like "The Remnant" showed what a evil regime the Germans created with the links to the Vatican and the anti semantic Pope Pius X11 just kept the kettle boiling.
I would dearly love to read about the escape plans the Vatican set up to hep the Nazis escape.
Years later the awful truth emerged like "The Remnant" showed what a evil regime the Germans created with the links to the Vatican and the anti semantic Pope Pius X11 just kept the kettle boiling.
I would dearly love to read about the escape plans the Vatican set up to hep the Nazis escape.
April 25, 2015
Completely spellbinding
Unbelievable how inhumane we can be to each other based on religious beliefs...as a Catholic, I was ashamed and horrified to read about the treatment the Vatican gave to those it was supposed to protect, yet the ultimate triumph that the survivors found was not so much a homeland, as it was recognition of what they endured during the savagery that was WWII. This book will make you think about how you view the rest of the world.
Unbelievable how inhumane we can be to each other based on religious beliefs...as a Catholic, I was ashamed and horrified to read about the treatment the Vatican gave to those it was supposed to protect, yet the ultimate triumph that the survivors found was not so much a homeland, as it was recognition of what they endured during the savagery that was WWII. This book will make you think about how you view the rest of the world.
January 12, 2012
A powerful book about Jewish survival and resistance in Kiev during World War II. At times your heart is breaking and other times you want to cheer. Books like this should be required reading so we never forget!
April 14, 2012
This was a hard book to read. But I learned more about the Jewish plight than I had previously known. This would be a good book for those who are interested in stories other than just the military versions that is readily available pertaining to WWII.
April 29, 2012
Honestly, not very well-written (the dialogue was annoying and obvious) but the stories are fascinating. I've read tons of books about the Holocaust but very little about the Jewish resistance. Heartbreaking, of course, but also so inspiring.
September 20, 2012
I love books about WWII and I have read a bunch on the topic. This was so intriguing since it was from a Jewish resistance groups point of view. I definitely learned quite a few things. Definitely worth the time.
January 16, 2013
If you like historical fiction this is the book for you....I have read many holocaust books but this is a complete different side to the past....the Jewish resistance ...parts saddened me and parts made me cheer for the characters..,,,
January 5, 2014
The Remnant - Stories of the Jewish Resistance in WWII by Othniel J. Seiden was a terrific story. It's true history and it effected a few survivors. See the Jews fight back and win. I wanted to shout and cheer them on. It's a very gratifying piece of history.
November 12, 2015
Lest we forget!
This is a great book and helps everyone to remember the terrors of war. As a gentle and a Christian I am always ashamed of the treatment of the Jews by the church. May we all be forgiven.
This is a great book and helps everyone to remember the terrors of war. As a gentle and a Christian I am always ashamed of the treatment of the Jews by the church. May we all be forgiven.
July 9, 2016
I obviously knew some things about WW11, but I had never heard of Babi Yar., nor did I realise the Pope was involved in a pact with Germany. I certainly learnt a lot from reading this book. It was totally shocking, but the author wrote it in a way that made it more than just a history lesson.
January 22, 2012
Must read! A surprising look at the Jewish Resistance movement during WWII. Heartbreaking at times
June 11, 2012
Amazing book about the Jewish Resistance in Europe. A really good read.
July 8, 2012
Well worth the read. Supposed to be true stories, so they're not all happy endings. Eye-opening.
Want to Read
July 22, 2013Free today on amazon!!!
September 26, 2013
Not the most enjoyable or pleasant read, but a MUST READ.
May 30, 2014
A truly great account
this what we all need to read an remember, it could well be going on again. There are those who miss use religion for their own purposes
this what we all need to read an remember, it could well be going on again. There are those who miss use religion for their own purposes
August 9, 2014
Some good stories, but almost leaves you kind of depressed at the end.
December 12, 2015
excellent book to read learn a lot from this book of the history of the holocaust
May 5, 2015
A fascinating, if disturbing historical novel about the Jewish Resistance during WWII. Very critical of the stance of the Catholic church during that time.....
Read
April 12, 2018amazing work
Read
September 12, 2018Remember and understand
I am not Jewish but I have read many books on the holocaust and even now I can't understand it find a reason for the inhuman suffering and ultimate murder of innocent people. Nowadays it is brought to mind how the jews are treating the Palestinians in such a cruel way and I don't condone these actions in any way BUT it should be made more clear to the rest of the world that Palestine was the Jewish homeland for centuries before the Romans invaded and enslaved the jews. Now in our time it's shameful what is happening between jews and arabs but it should be reminded that as in nearly every other world conflict it was the British who caused it but they packed up their armies and walked out leaving civil war in their wake.
I am not Jewish but I have read many books on the holocaust and even now I can't understand it find a reason for the inhuman suffering and ultimate murder of innocent people. Nowadays it is brought to mind how the jews are treating the Palestinians in such a cruel way and I don't condone these actions in any way BUT it should be made more clear to the rest of the world that Palestine was the Jewish homeland for centuries before the Romans invaded and enslaved the jews. Now in our time it's shameful what is happening between jews and arabs but it should be reminded that as in nearly every other world conflict it was the British who caused it but they packed up their armies and walked out leaving civil war in their wake.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews