Saving Elli

by Doug Gold

A gripping true story of sacrifice, sabotage, survival and impossible choices, in the darkest days of war.

One child. Two years in hiding. Three lives in mortal danger.

In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, near Anne Frank's house, another Jewish girl is hidden. Her name is Elli. Her father has been executed at Mauthausen concentration camp. Her mother is fleeing for her life. Elli is next.

To save her, resistance couple Frits and Jo Hakkens must risk everything, concealing her in a secret space above the ceiling. With shrewd cunning and unflinching courage, they outwit the Gestapo, survive relentless searches and face betrayal from those they once trusted.

By night, Frits forges ID papers; by day, he sabotages warplanes at the Luftwaffe plant. Jo works in the shadows, aiding Jewish fugitives and smuggling underground newspapers through a city crawling with enemy patrols.

But, with the Germans closing in, how much longer can they hold out?

Genres: Nonfiction

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Doug Gold has had a long and successful media career. With a business partner, he set up the More FM radio network and, later, was a founding partner of NRS Media, an international media company with offices in London, Atlanta, Toronto and Sydney. He has won numerous broadcasting awards and consulted to major media networks globally. He lives in Wellington, New Zealand, with his wife, Anemarie.

Reviews

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Currently the world is crazy with division and gaping fractures between left and right and with the repercussions of Government policy.
Reading many stories about the atrocities of World War Two, I wondered how a population could let things spiral to that extent.
This last year I can see exactly how mindset, propaganda and disillusionment can fester to breaking point.
A true story of Elli and how kindness fought over evil to save a small child from being exterminated.
Her only chance of survival was to be left with a determined couple who worked for the resistance.
Amsterdam had its Jewish population removed and its remaining citizens harassed and killed by the invading Nazis.
Young Dutch couple Fritz and Jo were not submissive and actively helped the underground resistance movement.
Taking in the toddler was a huge risk but humanitarian goodness controlled the narrative.
Based on a true story that was reflective of the horrors had me glued to the pages.
The epilogue was fascinating and gave me closure but not hope as humanity slips down another slide of treachery and misery.

[Jac T · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful book into the atrocities of world war 2. It's a hard read at times but I guess that's the reality. These stories need to be told and kept in our minds... the compassion of many many people in a turbulent time gives me heart.

[Wendy Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible true story. Be warned - it's a harrowing account of a couple in Amsterdam hiding a Jewish toddler during WWII, as well as their story as resistance fighters. could not put it down.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book, thinking that this would be a heartbreaking and poignant tale set during WW2, similar to that of Anne Frank. Everything the blurb and cover suggested led me to believe that this would be a story of a baby being hidden for 2 years based on a true story. I was happy to find out that this is what it was but it was also so very much more.

The actual hiding of Elli didn't come into play until about halfway through the book. Instead we learn about the senseless round up and massacre of thousands of Dutch Jews and the horrific way they were taken and beaten on the streets of Amsterdam. Elli's father, Abraham, had his tale told from when he was snatched to his painful murder through labour and gassing at different concentration camps. Elli's mother's story didn't really start until later but Gita's tale was off fleeing for her life, being forced to leave her children and being hunted for years.

On the other side of the tale, sheltering Elli was Jo and Frits Hakken. Their stories are of being Dutch in occupied Holland, how they helped the war effort, the resistance and their fellow countrymen persecuted by the Nazi's. They made up most of the chapters in the book and their courage and kindness made them better than any fictional character story could be.

The amazing strengths and trials that all of the characters went through is what makes this an incredible and insightful book and not one to read until you are ready to immerse yourself in the rawness of human nature with a box of tissues by your side. I must admit that when I heard it was based on a true story, I Googled how it ended just to prepare myself. With that, I was ready to hear their voices.

This incredible book by Doug Gold and publishers Allen & Unwin is one not to miss and I thank then for the opportunity to read it.

[Caroline O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it, and what a powerful read it turned out to be. While it was hard to get through at times due to the subject, I found it impossible to put down. Honestly, this is the kind of book you’ll want to set aside time for so you can fully immerse yourself in the story.

From the very first chapter, it dives straight into the raw, emotional heart of the storyline. It grips you immediately and makes your heart ache for what the characters are going through. Their strength and bravery absolutely blew me away, and knowing it was based on a true story only made it more impactful.

Without giving anything away, I can say this book is brilliantly written, it’s heartbreaking, it’s poignant and deeply moving. It will tug hard at your heartstrings, so definitely keep a box of tissues nearby.

I always feel a little hesitant rating books based on true stories, but this one deserves all of the stars. It’s an incredible read.

And if you love these kinds of emotional, powerful reads set back in this era then I highly recommend Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It’s one I’ve read a dozen times and will forever recommend.

[readingwithmissbec · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠: 𝚂𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙴𝚕𝚕𝚒 𝚋𝚢 𝙳𝚘𝚞𝚐 𝙶𝚘𝚕𝚍

𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛:

𝙼𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠:
Firstly, I’m not sure how to review, I want to be respectful so I’ll try my best to.

Reading a historical fiction based off world war 2, but from the POV of German resistance who strives to save Jewish people.
Beginning with one Jewish family and two German resistance workers, this family is torn up.
The question is, with Leny safe, Rita on the run and Elli in hiding will they survive the war.

It was interesting reading about world war 2 from the perspective of German resistance workers, who want to save Jewish lives.
It was fantastic to read from a different point of view.

𝙼𝚢 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐:
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐:
0 /🌶️ (for obvious reasons)

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story compelling but was confused as to whether it was "history" (as it was listed) or fiction. The author's acknowledgement in his ending note resolved this question for me: "I'm a storyteller, not an historian." Gold continued to acknowledge his fictionalisation, which confirmed my discomfort throughout my reading. This did not diminish, however, the acknowledgement of the bravery, kindness, and resilience of Frits and Jo Hakkens, who were part of the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and who saved the life of the young daughter of the Jewish parents who struggled to find her safety in leaving her with the Hakkens.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, easy to read. Great book for a long weekend.

I find it hard to review WW2 novels. I enjoy reading about real-life events, but the atrocities done by the Nazis makes me feel so ill. I don't think I've ever read a book that's talked about the Mauthausen concentration camp before - what a hideous place!

Frits and Jo's story was so interesting. They risked so much to look after little Elli, but also were constantly in danger from all the work they did for the resistance. What an amazing, brave couple.

[Sharon . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Elli is a well written World War II story that I found hard to put down. It follows the incredible journey of saving a child during one of history’s darkest times, capturing all the trials, tribulations, and sacrifices made along the way. It also covers the suffering that Jews suffered in the concentration camps and how families were torn apart. The author does a wonderful job of bringing the era to life and showing the strength of the human spirit in the face of danger. A powerful and emotional read that stays with you long after you finish.

[Janice Torrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book again told the story of the atrocities that Nazi Germany caused in the lives of innocent people during WW11. Both Jews and everyday Dutch folks, just trying to live their lives during the war time.
Especially interesting to me as the family the story is based on is known to me.
It's humbling indeed to read how Holland experienced the effects of the Nazi's. An interesting take on the war from a Dutch perspective. I learned a lot from Doug's careful research. And learned more about the bravery of the family ( parents) that live in my neighborhood.

[Cathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and sometimes hard to read - I was already crying in the first chapter.
I have visited the Mauthausen concentration camp mentioned so it made the story hit more for me and I was able to visualise those parts clearly through Doug's words.
I loved the parts that shared the work that Frits and Jo did on behalf of the resistance and was pleased to discover there was a NZ connection to the story.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just what I was looking for at that time! I was sent this by Allen & Unwin and it has been so long since I dove into a ww2 story. I really like historical fiction, and true stories are so eye-opening. I love reading about such brave resistance fighters standing against the oppression of the Nazis. And the Epilogue brought tears to my eyes <3 Finally finding Elli and being reunited! Sometimes Fate just brings things into being.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book after hearing of the search to find Elli and of course the NZ connection ! Very interesting for me to read about the war years in Holland given that is where my in-laws lived at the time. A time in their lives they did not really talk about. Too distressing I would imagine. A great read.

[Maureen Dowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Saving Elli. The story shows the best and worst of humanity, the cruelty of war, the bravery of ordinary people, and the self-sacrifice of those who risked everything to save a child. It’s an emotional journey filled with tension and hope. 

[Pam James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book, Saving Elli, in 4 hours (not much sleep that night). It was a credit to the author, Doug Gold.
It so well written and I had to keep reading to see the outcome. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[Ross Duncum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book well worth reading.
Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down

[Mikaela Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart 😭😭😭
Such a beautiful book I have no words

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A familiar story

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. very sad. very true.

[Ruth Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking read

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Always sad to read books about the Nazi war and it's victims and survivors

[Leela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping historical depiction of events of a small group of people in WW2 Amsterdam, their challenges and amazing story. an amazing read, couldn't put it down.