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The Children’s Nurse: A WWII Historical Survival Novel Based on a True Story
Warsaw, 1939. Merie watches as the flames of war engulf the place she and her husband once called home. As bombs fall and the sound of gunfire fills the once-peaceful streets, Rafal urges his wife to flee with him to Russia. But Merie’s thoughts are on her patients. A pediatric nurse at the city’s only Jewish hospital, Merie dutifully tends to Warsaw’s injured and orphaned children.
When the occupation of Warsaw is complete, the plans the Nazis have for the Jews of the city become clear. Knowing that staying in Warsaw would spell her death, Merie has no choice but to follow her husband east on a long and arduous journey toward the Russian border. But with every step she takes, the war follows close behind.
From a small Jewish orphanage in war-torn Tashkent to the comfortable life of a diplomat’s wife in Moscow, Merie experiences extreme poverty and grief but also unbelievable acts of kindness. With her empathy and resourcefulness as her weapons, she ferociously fights for the lives of Jews wherever she goes, discovering a strength she never knew she had. Though will it be enough for her and her children to not only survive – but heal?
Based on the riveting true story of a pediatric nurse’s journey during WWII, The Children’s Nurse is an unforgettable page-turner, perfect for lovers of Surviving the Forest and Heather Morris.
When the occupation of Warsaw is complete, the plans the Nazis have for the Jews of the city become clear. Knowing that staying in Warsaw would spell her death, Merie has no choice but to follow her husband east on a long and arduous journey toward the Russian border. But with every step she takes, the war follows close behind.
From a small Jewish orphanage in war-torn Tashkent to the comfortable life of a diplomat’s wife in Moscow, Merie experiences extreme poverty and grief but also unbelievable acts of kindness. With her empathy and resourcefulness as her weapons, she ferociously fights for the lives of Jews wherever she goes, discovering a strength she never knew she had. Though will it be enough for her and her children to not only survive – but heal?
Based on the riveting true story of a pediatric nurse’s journey during WWII, The Children’s Nurse is an unforgettable page-turner, perfect for lovers of Surviving the Forest and Heather Morris.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2023
407 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 2, 2023
Maybe it’s just the Kindle edition of this book, but I found it poorly written and poorly edited making it difficult to follow.
January 26, 2024
Unsung Hero
I've read countless books about WWII primarily about the Holocaust. This was so different and a story that needs to be told. I picked this book thinking it was going to be about Merie's experience as a children's nurse during the war, but it's much more than that. In fact there's very little of it and for good reason. What this woman sacrificed, risked and accomplished is truly amazing. It deserves to be read. I knocked a star off due to several punctuation and editing issues.
I've read countless books about WWII primarily about the Holocaust. This was so different and a story that needs to be told. I picked this book thinking it was going to be about Merie's experience as a children's nurse during the war, but it's much more than that. In fact there's very little of it and for good reason. What this woman sacrificed, risked and accomplished is truly amazing. It deserves to be read. I knocked a star off due to several punctuation and editing issues.
November 6, 2023
Based on a true story, it depicts a Jewish nurse's experience in Warsaw during the pre-WW2 days who mostly served pediatrics. She meets a Russian Jew and marries despite their differing nationality loyalties. Rafal somehow escapes conscription by serving the higher echelon until forced to flee with his wife back to Russia when Poland is taken over. Surviving there with their two children working for the Russian government and as a nurse, after the war they returned to a destroyed Warsaw. Though Merie has loftier goals of starting over in newly formed Israel for her sons' sake while her husband desires remaining behind. She achieves this goal in a harrying journey with her two children, being taken into a kibbutz, despite affecting her marriage. Well-written by Merie's son, it is extremely detailed and somewhat complicated to read with all the upper-level terminology. However, it gives a historical insight to what the Jewish people had to endure in order to survive during the era of the Third Reich.
November 6, 2023
This is one of the best books I have ever read. It drew me in, and didn't let me go. The fact that it's based on a true story written by the son of the main character makes it even more meaningful, if that is even possible.
The story revolves around Merie Gerber whose bravery, determination, intelligence, and deep caring nature cannot be overrated. Her life story is one that goes from living in squalor to opulence, from losing beloved members of her family, to marrying and doing everything within human power to protect her two sons from a war which threatened them every single day.
A born survivor with a will of steel, she is a strong, yet supremely gentle woman, whose touch helped heal untold numbers of children. She had no fear of going toe-to-toe with authorities whose actions affected everything she held dear.
I was moved to tears, felt joy, and, in reading the epilogue, felt pride at her legacy which carries on to this day.
Read this book.
The story revolves around Merie Gerber whose bravery, determination, intelligence, and deep caring nature cannot be overrated. Her life story is one that goes from living in squalor to opulence, from losing beloved members of her family, to marrying and doing everything within human power to protect her two sons from a war which threatened them every single day.
A born survivor with a will of steel, she is a strong, yet supremely gentle woman, whose touch helped heal untold numbers of children. She had no fear of going toe-to-toe with authorities whose actions affected everything she held dear.
I was moved to tears, felt joy, and, in reading the epilogue, felt pride at her legacy which carries on to this day.
Read this book.
February 19, 2024
I recently found a passion for WWII historical fiction. This is a very interesting story based on a true story. Merie is a Jewish pediatric nurse in Poland during the war. As the war grew, Merie traveled further from the conflict all the while protecting her children and those close to her. Merie is the author’s mother.
I would have liked to feel more emotions and been more invested in the characters. With war and persecution all around, there was plenty of opportunity to ramp the story up. I never felt like I was in the midst of the conflict. What this woman risked and accomplished is truly an inspiration. I’m so happy her story will live on. A good editor would have made this good story great. The cover is fantastic!
I would have liked to feel more emotions and been more invested in the characters. With war and persecution all around, there was plenty of opportunity to ramp the story up. I never felt like I was in the midst of the conflict. What this woman risked and accomplished is truly an inspiration. I’m so happy her story will live on. A good editor would have made this good story great. The cover is fantastic!
January 7, 2024
I’m giving this a 4 because it is based on a real person and real events. I want to encourage survivors of this horrible time period to continue to share their stories. We must learn from them, and hopefully history will not repeat.
Obviously, several people have been touched by this story. I must admit that I have read several novels based on Holocaust survivors from Auschwitz. That should not lessen the events written about here.
On pg. 121, there was a word for word repetition, from mid- pg. 120. It ended at the top of pg. 123. I didn’t feel a connection with the main character, and lost interest towards the ending on the book.
Obviously, several people have been touched by this story. I must admit that I have read several novels based on Holocaust survivors from Auschwitz. That should not lessen the events written about here.
On pg. 121, there was a word for word repetition, from mid- pg. 120. It ended at the top of pg. 123. I didn’t feel a connection with the main character, and lost interest towards the ending on the book.
December 6, 2023
Wonderful story
Most of this story up until WW 2 ended is a harrowing tale how the nurse was moving one step of the Nazi's where they could be free and help others. It is a beautiful story of how the nurse was able to help so many children. It a story of complete love. Thank you for sharing your mothers story with the world Ehud. I highly recommend this book it is yet another side to the Holocaust that ended in happy ever after.
Most of this story up until WW 2 ended is a harrowing tale how the nurse was moving one step of the Nazi's where they could be free and help others. It is a beautiful story of how the nurse was able to help so many children. It a story of complete love. Thank you for sharing your mothers story with the world Ehud. I highly recommend this book it is yet another side to the Holocaust that ended in happy ever after.
December 12, 2023
My low rating is based solely on the mechanics (editing, proof reading) of the book. As another reviewer mentioned (the Kindle version was) very difficult to read. I did stick with it to the end as I found it to be a very interesting read. My impression was a manuscript translated to English using inferior software followed by no proofreading of the translated version. A shame, I really wanted to rate it 3.5.
December 19, 2023
I picked up this book as my father-in-law was Polish and ended up in Siberia during WW2 - I felt the connection. I really enjoyed learning more about the experience of those living in Poland as the country was invaded and especially understanding the journey for Marie and her family. There are a few editing issues which doesn't take away from the power of the story but could do with fixing. If you want to learn more about the period I would recommend this book.
November 21, 2023
A different WWII book
I have read many different WWII, holocaust, books. I have not read one that talked more about Poland and russia...and how the jewish people left Europe to immigrate to Israel.
I have read many different WWII, holocaust, books. I have not read one that talked more about Poland and russia...and how the jewish people left Europe to immigrate to Israel.
December 10, 2023
Not what I was expecting
I found this book to be very detailed chocked with Historical jargon that bored me. The main character was not very likable albeit a real person. It was a waste of my time, it may interest others with a thirst for highly detailed minutiae.
I found this book to be very detailed chocked with Historical jargon that bored me. The main character was not very likable albeit a real person. It was a waste of my time, it may interest others with a thirst for highly detailed minutiae.
December 24, 2023
A refreshing new POV
I could not put this book down. Merie' s story taught me things I never knew . I found myself crying over some of the children.
Recommended for anyone who ever believed they should live in Israel.
I could not put this book down. Merie' s story taught me things I never knew . I found myself crying over some of the children.
Recommended for anyone who ever believed they should live in Israel.
March 8, 2024
I am former English teacher. I thought the book was poorly written and, as a former editor, poorly edited. It also names groups that are active in the book with no explanation of what those groups are or represent.
December 3, 2023
A strong story
Well researched and well written story of an amazingly strong woman who not only survived WW2, but flourished through it.
Well researched and well written story of an amazingly strong woman who not only survived WW2, but flourished through it.
December 27, 2023
It’s a very interesting story. At times, I found it to be a little slow. Overall, it was a good read. But it wasn’t captivating.
January 15, 2024
The writing was stilted and dry. I didn’t feel like a knew any of the characters 3/4ths of the way through. I was almost like a child’s report with no emotion. I don’t recommend this one.
April 6, 2024
A heroe
The courage of a woman with a passion for her homeland.
Even With difficulties she succeeded the impossible and accomplished her dream.
The courage of a woman with a passion for her homeland.
Even With difficulties she succeeded the impossible and accomplished her dream.
April 28, 2024
Not the best book I ever read! The story line got a little long and tedious. I generally enjoy WWII stories but this one could not hold my interest.
December 5, 2023
This story was about Ehud’s mother Merie, a Jewish pediatric nurse in Poland during WWII who fled from country-to-country to continue running from the expanding war. She is so intent and dedicated to helping herself, her children and others that she often makes choices that don’t include her husband, especially once he’s a diplomat in Russia.
I believe this could have been better written to understand the dynamic between this husband and wife and the choices they both made. Despite being written by Merie’s son, it seemed somewhat detached and not truly touching on the emotional hardship of the plights war-wise and marital-wise. This was clearly the author’s first book and may have been better-served written by someone else.
I believe this could have been better written to understand the dynamic between this husband and wife and the choices they both made. Despite being written by Merie’s son, it seemed somewhat detached and not truly touching on the emotional hardship of the plights war-wise and marital-wise. This was clearly the author’s first book and may have been better-served written by someone else.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews