Lost Hero: Raoul Wallenberg's Dramatic Quest to Save the Jews of Hungary

by Danny Smith

Recounts the courageous efforts of the Swedish businessman turned guerilla fighter in the rescuing of Hungarian Jews.

Genres: Biography, Holocaust, World War II, Hungary

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Danny Smith, Founder, Jubilee Campaign, Jubilee Action an organisation committed to ending injustice, childhood prostitution, and slavery. He is the author of Slavery: Then and Now.

Reviews

[MsBrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this at the local library. I have always been interested in the life of Raoul Wallenberg, especially after attending the annual "Wallenberg Lectures" and viewing the plaque dedicated to him at my University.



My Review:

Part 1: This novel chronicles the life and work of Raoul Wallenberg as he attempts (and in many cases succeeds) in rescuing approx 100,000 Jews of Hungary.

Part 1 follows Wallenberg as he becomes a diplomat, creates and prints off safe passes, distributes the passes, uses his skills of debate to help prevent deportations, and goes head to head with the most powerful of nazis. Part 1 is a spellbinding tale as Wallenberg uses every bit of knavery and stealth that he has and...unbelievably, succeeds.

Part 2 starts off as the Holocaust finally comes to an end and Hungary is 'liberated' by the Russians. Soon after the 'liberation' Wallenberg is taken off by the Russians and disappears into the vast Russian gulag system. Part 2 attempts to answer the question, "What happened to Raoul Wallenberg" ? Freakishly, the Swedish government abandons Wallenberg, the US government (which Wallenberg had also had some connections) similarly betrays him and the Russians pretend to deny any existence of Wallenberg in their possession at all. Part 2 also examines the stories of those claiming to have been in contact with Raoul while caught in the Gulag, and the surprising retribution of the Russian government towards anyone even daring to mention his name.

Part 2 is a saddening story leaving the reader with her jaw, quite literally, dropped in astonishment and disgust. Though Part 2 does offer some light when recounting the stories of some of those rescued by Wallenberg.


All in all, this is a pretty quick read. I admit, i was not too keen on the alternating chapters in Part 1 (one chapter about the Holocaust, one following Raoul) but i do realize that background information and a clear picture of the setting is necessary for anyone desiring a full understanding of Raoul's role in its proper context.


Finally, i am left with a few last thoughts. The story of Raoul Wallenberg is one of the most amazing true stories of courage and heroism EVER to grace humanity (who needs saints and jesus when there are REAL men performing miracles right here?). Yet one is also left wondering what would have happened if there had been more Raoul Wallenbergs during the holocaust. At last though, i am left with the thoughts that raoul himself most would have liked me to have, "What can I do to help humanity?"

I can only speculate that if you pick up this book you too will be left with a pounding in your chest and a mission for truth and justice in your heart.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One man made a difference to so many people. Why aren’t we taught about him?? Raoul Wallenberg needs to be taught about in schools right alongside Oscar Schindler, perhaps even more so. This one man saved as many Jewish people as he could and yet he’s lost In history, why?!

[Destiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age 16+
(Skip page 110)

[Bart Hendrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was definitely the most interesting to read. It contains accounts of the miracles performed by saint Wallenberg amidst an orgy of Nazi violence.

The second half deals with the search for Wallenberg after his capture by the Sovjets. Nice to read, but this section takes up too many pages if you ask me.
The book is the story of a hero, not of a mortal. And I suppose that's why the spy-thesis doesn't quite the get the attention it deserves here..

[Jennifer Nunez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories of heroism have always fascinated me and boy is this one of them! I had heard of Wallenberg while reading some stories on the Yad Vashem website, but this book went into great detail. His intelligence and boldness was incredible for his time. This is a person to "have to dinner" in that game.... "If you could invite anyone to dinner".

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the story, and certainly by the life of this brave man who was incredibly brazen in the way he, as a Swedish Diplomat, saved so many Jews from the Nazis in Hungary. The writing felt more expose to me, and a little too much conspiracy theory.

[Christine ten Bosch · Rating 4 out of 5]

More information about World War 2 that I had never read before. Across the board informative and inspiring.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good because it expanded my insight on the Second World War and the Holocaust but wasn't very well written. It dragged quite a bit and I was relieved when it was finally done.

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The style is not perfect, but the content is very 'disturbing'. Time to change.