Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death

by Sharon Linnéa

Traces the life of the diplomat who saved Hungarian Jews during World War II and then disappeared after the Russian occupation

Genres: Holocaust, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Biography

152 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

About the author

The author of bestselling thrillers and award-winning biographies, Sharon enjoys creating protagonists who face adversity with determination, optimism and humor. Her most recent is Avalon Nash, a bartender whose penchant for “collecting stories” leads her to find motives for murder hidden from others. Sharon would be happy to send you a free booklet of Avalon’s favorite cocktails if you email her at Sharon@SharonLinnea.com with the subject line Drinks to Die For.

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Reviews

[Amy Plitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Raoul Wallenberg is nothing short of fascinating! I read this book in one sitting. I am intrigued by WWII history, and though I have read about so many little-known heroes of the war, I have never read about this man. And that's a shame because Raoul should be a well-known historical figure for how hard he worked to save tens of thousands of innocent Jewish people from the literal hands of Nazi evil. This book should be part of every school curriculum to teach humanity, acceptance, and anti-hate.

[Becki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my book club book for March. As much as I’ve read about and even taught about the Holocaust, I had never heard of Raoul Wallenberg. While this book is meant for younger readers (think middle school), I thought it was a great introduction to Wallenberg and his work rescuing the Jews of Budapest, Hungary. It does not get too bogged down in dates and general war information. The book is very specific in its scope. It is very readable and engaging. The pictures throughout only add to the story. Worth the read for anyone interested in WWII and Holocaust history.

Also published at www.bookmarks-of-my-life.blogspot.com

[cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually very good for an introduction to the Wallenberg story of his saving of thousands of Jews during the early part of WW2 before the gates slammed shut. However it's very brief and there are many other more in depth books about him which I'd like to continue reading.

[Jeaninne Escallier · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I checked this book out of the library from the Biography section, I didn't realize it was a YA book, written at a middle school level. Since I had it for a few weeks, I read it anyway. While the writing is diluted for the younger reader, I found the story of this brave Swedish civilian extraordinary during the months, weeks, and days before the end of WWII. Raoul Wallenberg, an architect, was enlisted to act on behalf of the United States government in Budapest as an informant. However, he went above and beyond by turning hundreds of thousands of Jews, in line to be executed by the Nazis, into Swedish citizens. By changing their papers and finding safe houses for them to hide from the Nazis, this man worked night and day to save lives. I was saddened to learn that after the war, Raoul ended up missing when he fled to the Soviet Union to secure more aid for the starving refugees he saved. His whereabouts was refuted by the Soviet Union from many who claimed they knew him throughout prisoner of war gulags. There is still no evidence to pinpoint his last time on earth. I am pleased that authors are writing this history to reach young minds. It is only in this way that we, as a free nation, can continue to educate all people to the horrors of genocide.

[Kayrene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this Young Adult book, about a man I was previously unfamiliar with. What a hero, and what an astounding life's work, he did in a very short time; saving thounsands of jews during WW11 Hungary. Some of this very hard to read, especially for the younger set, but important, none the less. Loved it!

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. It is written for middle schoolers and is a great book to teach WWII history ofthe blight of the Jews. Unbelievable ending!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit simple, seemed like an easy reader, but a great historical account.

[Ciara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was such an embarrassing account of the Wallenberg affair. I doubt Linnea had in mind an audience of 8 year olds when she wrote it yet that's what it felt like to read this book. Further there are no references or bibliography. I doubt an effort was made to research events as thoroughly as a historical account warrants.
Just not good enough for Wallenberg's legacy.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring. I found this in the juvenile section of the library and I wanted to read it as a potential biography for my children to use for school. It is an appropriately shorter account of the incredibly selfless life of Raoul Wallenburg.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book though likely written for more of a middle school reader. It does a generally nice job of explaining the situation in Hungary in World War 2. Though it doesn't go into a lot of details as to what happened with Wallenberg after the liberation of Hungary by the Russians, I did learn new information about sitings of Wallenberg well into the 1970s.