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Out of the Ashes
In the dying days of the Second World War, amid the ruins of a collapsing Third Reich, two lives briefly intersect – Hannah Katz, a Hungarian Jew who has survived the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust, and Axel Steiner, a former Waffen-SS soldier shattered by guilt and disillusionment. Their meeting is fleeting, but it bonds them both together forever.
Over two years later their paths cross again, this time in Palestine, a land on the brink of transformation. As Jewish refugees pour into a country ready to be reborn, Hannah and Axel find themselves drawn together once more, their shared past an open wound but also a bridge between two worlds.
When war erupts in 1948 and Israel fights for its very existence, Hannah and Axel are thrust into the heart of the struggle. Amid the chaos and the bloodshed, they must confront their deepest fears, their loyalties and the eternal quest for freedom.
From the ashes of Europe to the birth of a nation, their love takes root in blood and hope, a defiance of history itself.
Out of the Ashes is an epic story of survival, redemption and love tested in the crucible of war. It is also a testament to the human spirit’s ability to survive, even in the darkest moments.
Over two years later their paths cross again, this time in Palestine, a land on the brink of transformation. As Jewish refugees pour into a country ready to be reborn, Hannah and Axel find themselves drawn together once more, their shared past an open wound but also a bridge between two worlds.
When war erupts in 1948 and Israel fights for its very existence, Hannah and Axel are thrust into the heart of the struggle. Amid the chaos and the bloodshed, they must confront their deepest fears, their loyalties and the eternal quest for freedom.
From the ashes of Europe to the birth of a nation, their love takes root in blood and hope, a defiance of history itself.
Out of the Ashes is an epic story of survival, redemption and love tested in the crucible of war. It is also a testament to the human spirit’s ability to survive, even in the darkest moments.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2025
About the author
Peter Darman
299 books98 followersI was raised in Grantham, Lincolnshire and attended the King's Grammar School after passing the Eleven Plus exam. In the latter I clearly remember writing an essay on Oliver Cromwell – my first piece of military writing.
Then came a BA in history and international relations at Nottingham followed by a Master of Philosophy course at the University of York. The subject was the generalship and cavalry of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, my boyhood hero, during the English Civil War. The year I spent researching and writing at York, Oxford and at the British Library in London was a truly wonderful time.
I moved to London and eventually joined a small publishing company as an editor. Thus began my writing career.
Then came a BA in history and international relations at Nottingham followed by a Master of Philosophy course at the University of York. The subject was the generalship and cavalry of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, my boyhood hero, during the English Civil War. The year I spent researching and writing at York, Oxford and at the British Library in London was a truly wonderful time.
I moved to London and eventually joined a small publishing company as an editor. Thus began my writing career.
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May 4, 2026 A Must Read in WW2 Historical Fiction - DO NOT MISS
Out of the Ashes by Peter Darman is a beautifully written historical fiction novel set in the post WW2 time period.
I have read all of Mr Darman's books, and all were entertaining page-turners. So are these two books ( Herrenvolk and Out of the Ashes).
Heartfelt, exciting, and technically fascinating, Out of the Ashes is hard to put down. I highly recommend this and all of Mr Darman's books. He writes the best historical fiction and never disappoints.
Out of the Ashes by Peter Darman is a beautifully written historical fiction novel set in the post WW2 time period.
I have read all of Mr Darman's books, and all were entertaining page-turners. So are these two books ( Herrenvolk and Out of the Ashes).
Heartfelt, exciting, and technically fascinating, Out of the Ashes is hard to put down. I highly recommend this and all of Mr Darman's books. He writes the best historical fiction and never disappoints.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review