Elsa

by Simon Gandossi

Elsa Baum dreamed of moving away from Germany a country she had
watched everyday being dragged deeper into war by Adolf Hitler.
Everyone was under his spell, listening and believing in everything he told
them. Elsa and her close friends were the exception, they despised the Nazi’s
and were soon to learn the extent of their hatred towards others they considered
a threat to their ideology of the perfect superior race. After a chance meeting
with the daughter of a high ranking Nazi, feelings developed and she found
herself a part of the minority the Nazis were trying to eradicate.
“I don’t want my story to inspire people nor make them sad; I want it to educate
them because hate, homophobia and racism still exist today, and although
the chance of another event like the Holocaust is rare; the world will never be
rid of the foundations that cause hatred among us.
— Elsa Baum"

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2012

About the author

Simon Gandossi is a historical fiction author who was born and raised in Western Australia. From an early age, Simon discovered a passion for history and writing. It is that passion combined with his desire to bring to light the different aspects of the past that makes him a unique writer. There are a lot of people who give up so much to follow their dreams, and Simon is no different. To become a professional writer is difficult, but his hard work and determination has seen him develop from an amateur to a full-time writer in just a few years. To learn more about Simon, please visit www.simongandossi.com.

"I want everyone to take a step back in time when they read my books. Every book should take the reader on a journey. With my dedication to preserving history, I know that each and every person will begin that journey from the very first word" - Simon Gandossi

Reviews

[Lisa Markson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa's review of
Elsa
By Elsa Baum

I was givens a copy of Elsa by Elsa Baum in exchange for an honest review. I have to honestly say I was a little hesitant to read this book because I usually don't read this genre and it was a true story set during Nazi Germany. But I have to admit I am glad I did because this book was fabulous. The story was very heartbreaking what happened to Elsa based on prejudices. Elsa was not Jewish her parents were fanatical Nazi. Her problem she feel in love with another girl in the eyes of the Nazi just as bad as being Jewish. Elsa was sent to a camp along with her friend and the treatment that they received was horrendous. Neither one of their families lifted a finger to help them it took someone outside their family to come to her aide. But the story didn't go good for Elsa. I loved the way the author told her story I was unable to put the book down. It was do engaging you could help but feel her emotions in each and every word. I would highly recommend this story. Thank you for sharing the emotional life that you harrow endure to hopefully make people aware how prejudice hurts everyone.

[Sara Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book that I would normally read, but it was recommended to me by a friend, and I'm glad it was.

The story was both thought-provoking and emotional, and I was totally engrossed. Elsa's story is so sad, and the horrors she endured had me both angry and tearful.

I think the saddest thing is that so many people still endure this kind of hatred and torture, for many different reasons. The human race really didn't learn from this, did we? An excellent read, and highly recommended.

[Jennifer Kirkwood (Levac) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this book I kept a very open mind not really knowing what to expect. I had a feeling this may be a very hard read as it was based with the Nazis and the Holocaust but I really wanted to read it and get another point of view. The book started out with Elsa telling us about herself and that she isn't Jewish but she wasn't Nazi either like her parents and almost everyone else she knew.
We meet Elsa's two best friends, Liz and Grata who are just like Elsa and does not approve of Hitler and what was happening. Liz is sent away to a boarding school to become a better Nazi and that left Elsa and Greta alone to figure out how to get out of Germany. Elsa meets Raina and it is love at first sight which is forbidden. Elsa and Raina are sent away to a concentration camp because they are found in a sexual act that is forbidden for same sex relationships at the time.

This was a hard book to put down as I was pulled into finding out what will happen to Elsa and her friends but a few times I needed to put it down and walk away as the things happening were very hurtful. By the end of the book I was in tears. This is a heart wrenching book about love and hate. Be prepared as it is very hard on the heart strings. Innocent people are being killed for no reason but they are Jewish or have done something that is impure to the Nazis.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for Promotional Book Tours for a honest review

Elsa Baum was a German girl in WWII she lived her life and did not know much from the bad side of the war. till she meets Raina. They hate Hitler and all he stands for. Elsa falls in love with Raina which was more dangerous in that time, since Hitler besides Jewish people also hated Homosexuals.
They were not careful enough and got caught, the ended up in camps.

This is a new look on it because who would think that a daughter of a Nazi General would end up in a camp, it was a hard n cruel live. General Vogel and his wife do everything to get Elsa and Raina set free from their horrible
life inside that camp/ They manage to get Raina back to Elsa.
The commander of the camp refuses to set them free and hand them over to General Vogel, at the end someone is set free, who it is and how it goes after you have to read for yourself
I highly recommend this book, especially when you like history.


Apart from this book, I knew from my Grandparents how the war was for people, my parents are war children, my grandpa was in a camp too. So when I still lived in my country I heard a lot about this.
This is however the first time I read about a high placed German militair's daughter and from her point of view. Thanks for this, sad my dad and grandparents can't read it anymore.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elsa Braum is an adolescent during World War 2. She is a German but is neither a Jew nor a Nazi. Her father is a high ranking official within the SS and Elsa struggles with her love for her parents versus her hatred for their Nazi beliefs. One day, the unexpected happens and Elsa finds herself arrested and sent to one of the concentration camps that had been no more than just an ugly rumor to her.

This story points out what happens when people turn a blind eye when they see something that they know is wrong but do nothing to stop it. It shows what can happen when someone does stop and try to right a wrong, how sometimes a simple action can make a difference. This book portrays how people will carry out atrocities out of fear that harm may come to themselves or their own loved ones if they disobey.

The holocaust is truly a bleak part of history that should never be swept under the rug to be hidden. Only through remembrance of these horrific shadows of our past can we learn where blind hatred of others can lead.

As far as criticism, I would have to say that this book could really use another read through by the editor. I also found the whole true love and declaration of undying love by the two main characters after they only knew each other for two days to be quite annoying. Other than those few issues, this book is definitely well worth the read.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for Promotional Book Tours for a fair and honest review.

I am not a history buff by any means, however I do enjoy reading books about a few things in history. It doesn't matter if its fiction or non fiction. This book shows a whole different side to the Holocust.

This story was not based on the hatred of Jewish people. It was mentioned of course but it wasn't the main part of the story. The main characters in this story were a group of teenage girls that hated everything Nazi despite living in Germany. They wanted to find a way to help those hated for something as simple as their religion.

The main character Elsa fell in love with one of her friends Raina. Of course back then homosexuality was even more hated than it is today. This book is full of emotions.. Fear, bravery, disgust, disbelief but above all love.

I love this writers style of writing. The story just simply flowed and I found myself wondering, hoping, praying for a happy ending. Of course given the back drop to the story was the Holocust, there was not a happy ending for so very many.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[Debbie Lockledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

The focus of this book was other than I expected. I purchased it as a historical fiction book focused primarily on how groups other than Jews were treated in the concentration camps of the WWII Holocaust, and although this is discussed at length, it does not come up until halfway through the book. The first half is about two young girls discovering they are lesbians, and how their relationship develops.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon pens "Elsa", an emotional, hard to put down, historical novel where his characters are believable and realistic. This was a new way of seeing the horrors of WWII for me and found myself hoping for a happy ending. A must read for all history bluffs!

This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.