The Innocents: The Untold True Story of My Family in the Holocaust

by Sharon Ring

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 6, 2026

Reviews

[Alicia Garcia-Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has been reading books about WWII (with regard to Germany) for almost 50 yrs now, I have basically come away with the opinion that there is really just the one story, told a million times over, but with different names in each one. This is not a criticism, but merely an observation. The Innocents, is a slight variation on the theme, in that the author's parents were half-Jewish and half-German, and so had a different experience of that time period (when contrasted with those who were fully Jewish or fully German). The story is told primarily through the lives of the author's uncle, Heini, and her Mom, Edie. I quite enjoyed it, and as it is the author's very first book, I think she did an amazing job detailing the time period so that you felt like you were there. So yes, if you are looking to read about some very real and personal experiences of those who lived in Berlin during WWII, then The Innocents is as good of a place to start as any. I think the author did a great job of honoring her relatives experiences while still remaining respectful of a touchy and sensitive subject. **I received this book for free but all opinions are my own.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an immensely moving book and a tribute to those that contributed to it and endured the horrific abuse and lived with their trauma after these events. Everything was so well written it was very easy to follow and understand. This book is extremely impactful to me and when I finished I was reflecting a lot. I was very grateful to the author for sharing the story of her family members despite how painful it is to revisit. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Suzanne Leopold (Suzy Approved Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author had her uncle’s manuscript translated to English from German, it had been hidden away for 40 years. This is the true story of her family during WW2 in Berlin. It is about two young children and the loss of their youth and survival during one of the darkest periods in human history. It also covers their lives after the war which was an interesting aspect.

[Rebecca Muniz · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartbreaking, hopeful, and inspiring