Witnesses to War: 8 True Life Stories of Nazi Persecution

by Michael Leapman

Provides the true stories of Jewish children and others from all over Europe who managed to endure and survive the persecution of the Nazis during World War II.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Holocaust, World War II, Social Justice

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A scholastic read for students that are unfamiliar with some of the horror true-life world war two experiences - thru the eyes of eight young witnesses.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is perfect If you're looking for a short read! While it's only about 125 pages its length doesn't take away from the subject matter. Within these pages I learned things I hadn't known about the war and read survivors stories I didn't know about !! It's a fast pace book but it has such powerful, indepth stories. Definitely recommend.

[Sophia Arredondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started off not knowing much about WW II, but after reading this book it taught me a lot. I read about Anne Frank, a little about Dr. Mengle, the Ghetto, the village of Lidice, the kindertransporte, an escape from France, the fake identities of three sisters, and e.t.c.. This book had a series of eight stories from different people. It talked about many of their hardships of living as a Jew and what they want to grow during the course/period of WW II. It amazed me at all of the events that occurred just in this book, and scares me to find out what also went on that was not mentioned in this book too. I highly recommend this book to many including those that get bored with history stories. With this book it keeps your attention with the eight different stories that talk about many different topics that will make you want to read more.

[John Malaszecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all about survivors of captured countries and their stories of war. The stories are about 12 pages long. Anne Frank's story is one of the amazing stories. The stories are interesting and detailed they give background on the war and on the Nazis. If you want to learn about survivors of the war this is the right book. Most of these stories are about the children and what the family did to make them survive. I loved this book and hope you have the chance to read it.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great reminder to how much the younger ones had to deal with during the war. Children suffered the most. Some of these stories were so sad, even though they ended better than they could have. I plan to have my children read this book to keep the memory of what human beings are capable of. As a reminder of what we should not have to face. And to remind them how fortunate they are no matter what they face in today's world.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book illustrates the realities of growing up in Nazi controlled Europe. There are stories about Gypsy concentration camp survivors, Jews in the Warsaw ghetto, stolen children, and hidden children. Maps and pictures accompany each chapter.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every survival story is a combination of help and luck. Anne Frank had the help but not the luck. Really horrible was how the Germans snatched children up to make them Germans. Then again, everything they did was horrible Good book

[Jane Mendelsohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man’s Inhumanity to Man. It’s always amazing to read about the people who survive.

[Caleb Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative.

[Kim Zangrilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The evil that humans are capable of is astonishing

[Sverre · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book, first published in 1998, was written for junior high aged students. Adults may find the language elementary and the historical descriptions oversimplified. The Introduction is no more than a sketchy overview. However the situations to which the children and their families were subjected are moderately but factually presented. In eight chapters the author describes what happened to Jewish and Roma (Gypsy) children, most of who were removed or separated from their parents. The book is profusely illustrated with black and white photographs.

Although I have read the three volumes of Richard J Evan’s “Third Reich” extensive historical trilogy I still learned new facts about how Jews—and especially children—were so despicably treated by the Nazi regime. I also learned how a great many civilians opened their homes or risked their lives to assist those fleeing and in dire danger. Considering that the book was geared for the young, it could have been made better with a concluding commentary (perhaps by a collaborative team comprised of psychologists, sociologists and historians) to help readers understand topics such as: a) why and how German society had became radicalized, b) how war breeds greed, fear, anger and violence on all sides, and c) how civilization disintegrates when order, ethics, justice and morals are dishonourably compromised.

[Austin Elmore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really care to much for this book. It was all the same thing. And by that i mean all the holocaust stories are all the same thing, they get taken to a ghetto and then they get taken to concentration camps, and they most of them pass away. But most of these eight children lived to be elders. But most of these stories are sad, the children had to take mug shots type of photos. It is honestly really sad.
The authors purpose is to inform us about the tragedies in the 1940's. I know this because there really is no other purpose. He obviously wants us to know about these horrible things that happened in this book.
The theme of this book is I would say sad, tragedy, and or horror, because there really is no other theme to be said about this. There are many examples, one would be just the stories in general. All of the stories are terrible.
The style of the novel is nonfiction. It was set back in the 1940's, it was based on the holocaust obviously. They feel like they are experiencing terror.

[boekverslaafde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witnesses to War tells the story of Eight children and how they survived the second world war. Their stories will make you cry, and smile at the end, knowing that they are going to have a much better life once they escaped they situations they were in. This book brings to light what it was like for people in different countries from different backgrounds and religions. I really enjoyed reading this book, not because of the horrors it talks about, but because it's informative and factual. It's a part of our history, and it's always a good idea to know what happened.
As Edmund Burke said: "Those who do not know history's mistakes are doomed to repeat it."

[Conner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book it had good facts and stories. It needed more action. Or more about the war. In this book there were stories from the people that survived the war. Some of them were Jews that made it through the holocast.

[JACK M. 1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to "Parallel journeys", there was dry literature. A little more attention grabbing though, and it gave some insightful, thought-provoking material.
Wouldn't recommend it to those who want interesting-plotted books.

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I read as a kid that was based on WWII and the Holocaust. However it did lack some suspense. The stories where a bit to short for me. Skill a good book to use to introduce WWII and the Holocaust to kids.

[Rose]

940.54 Lea

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, yet quick read.

[Sarah Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love books about war world two. It was so sad to see what the Nazis did to children.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sad story about jews and there experiences with the Nazis and Hitlers horrid plan.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story tells you about the lives of 8 kids and how they fought to survive. You will definitely cry:)

[Elizabeth]

personal book moved to Bleeker Collection

[Josiah]

This is a book about little kids who were either kidnapped by or hid from the nazi in world war 2 this book contains the stories of eight of thoses children