What do you think?
Rate this book
Vilna, The End of the Road: A WW2 Jewish Holocaust Survival True Story
The unforgettable story of a brave woman and her daring and dangerous journey to survive the horrors of the Holocaust and hold on to life.
Lithuania, 1941. As the Nazi forces invade the capital city of Vilna, its Jews’ lives are forsaken. Death lurks beyond every corner, not only at the hands of the German invaders, but mainly at those of local killing gangs collaborating with the new regime.
Sarah Shimonovitz is not spared from this threat of death. When the Nazis round up Vilna’s Jews in the ghetto and sentence all those without essential professions to death, Sarah’s life is in grave danger. But she manages to survive the selection, moving between hiding places and evading her pursuers.
Then, the Nazis decide to destroy the ghetto in its entirety and haul everyone that remains onto trains designated to the extermination camps, Sarah among them. She realizes that time is running out and she must act quickly to save herself. Mustering her courage, she jumps out of the racing train into the dark forest in the middle of the night to escape the death that surely awaits her at the camp. But now that she is off the train, can she survive the cold forests that hold many enemies in their depths?
Vilna, the End of the Road is the true story of a brave woman in one of humanity’s darkest times. It is a tale of courage and survival, of human nature and its ingrained evil, but also of a strong spirit and an unyielding faith in hope.
Lithuania, 1941. As the Nazi forces invade the capital city of Vilna, its Jews’ lives are forsaken. Death lurks beyond every corner, not only at the hands of the German invaders, but mainly at those of local killing gangs collaborating with the new regime.
Sarah Shimonovitz is not spared from this threat of death. When the Nazis round up Vilna’s Jews in the ghetto and sentence all those without essential professions to death, Sarah’s life is in grave danger. But she manages to survive the selection, moving between hiding places and evading her pursuers.
Then, the Nazis decide to destroy the ghetto in its entirety and haul everyone that remains onto trains designated to the extermination camps, Sarah among them. She realizes that time is running out and she must act quickly to save herself. Mustering her courage, she jumps out of the racing train into the dark forest in the middle of the night to escape the death that surely awaits her at the camp. But now that she is off the train, can she survive the cold forests that hold many enemies in their depths?
Vilna, the End of the Road is the true story of a brave woman in one of humanity’s darkest times. It is a tale of courage and survival, of human nature and its ingrained evil, but also of a strong spirit and an unyielding faith in hope.
131 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 28, 2023
The book I’m reading today is called “ Vilna, The End of the Road” written by the author daughter Helene Hart. She published the book in Hebrew in honour of her mother Sarah Shimonovitz in 1989, then later the whole family decided to publish the book in English for the world to read her story. The short and unbelievable story of Sarah. It is a beautiful, unbelievable and miraculous which I have enjoyed reading the story of her mother Sarah was born in 1896 to a large family and married and raised two children. She is survived through the daily struggle of the ghetto, through her daring leap escaping from the train that was headed for Treblinka. Her journey wanderings in the forests, attempt to join the partisan, to search for her, people, her daughter and son and eventually return to free Vilna. As a result, what happened to the Vilna people? The partisans? Her children? You can decide
May 6, 2024
Very short REAL HOLOCAUST memoir but, still more than heartbreaking 💔
December 5, 2022
‘Do not die - live’ - A monumental work of courage and honor
Reading this memoir is an inspiring honor, and the time is right for the public to hear the realities of the Jewish history of the Holocaust, hopefully ending the threads of antisemitism now darkening the social media. The author, Sarah Shimonovitz, now deceased, wrote this profoundly moving memoir in 1963, and it is now translated from the Hebrew by Helene Hart, with photographs added that enhance the impact. The immediacy of the atrocities suffered as of 1941 are suggested as the memoir opens - ‘June 22, 1941. The Germans performed a surprise attack on the western territories of the USSR, immediately bombing Vilnius, now the capital of Lithuania, among other targets, too. When the frightening, wailing sirens was sounded, before the aerial bombing began, I ran out of the house, as I would always do before the war. In those days, when Vilnius belonged to Poland, I was a commander of the Civil Defense against gas and air strikes and told the Polish neighbors in the street, “Perhaps it’s a drill.” In those opening words, a suggestion of the character of the author is clear.
Sarah’s profoundly moving story reveals the atrocities that Nazi Germany imposed on the Jewish community as clearly as any writer to date. Life in the ghettoes of Vilnius as singed and ultimately destroyed by the Germans is presented in the words of an amazing woman of courage and strength, and her story deserves very wide attention. More than a story of survival, this is a testament to courage and hope in the darkest of times. Very highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Reading this memoir is an inspiring honor, and the time is right for the public to hear the realities of the Jewish history of the Holocaust, hopefully ending the threads of antisemitism now darkening the social media. The author, Sarah Shimonovitz, now deceased, wrote this profoundly moving memoir in 1963, and it is now translated from the Hebrew by Helene Hart, with photographs added that enhance the impact. The immediacy of the atrocities suffered as of 1941 are suggested as the memoir opens - ‘June 22, 1941. The Germans performed a surprise attack on the western territories of the USSR, immediately bombing Vilnius, now the capital of Lithuania, among other targets, too. When the frightening, wailing sirens was sounded, before the aerial bombing began, I ran out of the house, as I would always do before the war. In those days, when Vilnius belonged to Poland, I was a commander of the Civil Defense against gas and air strikes and told the Polish neighbors in the street, “Perhaps it’s a drill.” In those opening words, a suggestion of the character of the author is clear.
Sarah’s profoundly moving story reveals the atrocities that Nazi Germany imposed on the Jewish community as clearly as any writer to date. Life in the ghettoes of Vilnius as singed and ultimately destroyed by the Germans is presented in the words of an amazing woman of courage and strength, and her story deserves very wide attention. More than a story of survival, this is a testament to courage and hope in the darkest of times. Very highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
June 22, 2023
A look at history that still affects the world today.
Reading a personal story like this one gives a deep sense of the horrors of WW II from the point of view of one woman whose only crime was to be born a Jew. Despite her experiences of rejection and discrimination that would defeat a lesser human being, she survived, yet still shows understanding and sympathy towards those who declined assistance.
Reading a personal story like this one gives a deep sense of the horrors of WW II from the point of view of one woman whose only crime was to be born a Jew. Despite her experiences of rejection and discrimination that would defeat a lesser human being, she survived, yet still shows understanding and sympathy towards those who declined assistance.
May 13, 2023
Wonderfully written account by Sarah Shimonovitz of her survival in a world gone mad with hate.
She had fantastic recall of every detail surrounding the dates, events, the politics of the world ( that watched as millions were exterminated ) and she gives us her eye witness account.
Sarah was wise. She paid attention to what she saw coming, her escape from the box car was
no small feat. This is the story of the unbelievable strength and courage of a Jewish woman in
the most dangerous period for Jews and non Jews alike , the 3rd. Reich.
This history so accurate and detailed should be required reading in our schools.
The epilogue by her daughter gives us insight to how Sarah wrote her story, with some pictures
included.
She had fantastic recall of every detail surrounding the dates, events, the politics of the world ( that watched as millions were exterminated ) and she gives us her eye witness account.
Sarah was wise. She paid attention to what she saw coming, her escape from the box car was
no small feat. This is the story of the unbelievable strength and courage of a Jewish woman in
the most dangerous period for Jews and non Jews alike , the 3rd. Reich.
This history so accurate and detailed should be required reading in our schools.
The epilogue by her daughter gives us insight to how Sarah wrote her story, with some pictures
included.
April 24, 2025
Solemn Read
This story of a Jewish lady who escaped the holocaust is worth reading for anybody today. Sadly, we tend to forget history. And because of that, we often find ourselves back in the same circumstances with the same attitudes that brought on the holocaust. Read this book. It’s worth the time.
This story of a Jewish lady who escaped the holocaust is worth reading for anybody today. Sadly, we tend to forget history. And because of that, we often find ourselves back in the same circumstances with the same attitudes that brought on the holocaust. Read this book. It’s worth the time.
August 1, 2023
Good
A tender, tragic telling of a woman’s survival of the holocaust. Her strength, persistence, and luck shine through. An amazing story.
A tender, tragic telling of a woman’s survival of the holocaust. Her strength, persistence, and luck shine through. An amazing story.
November 9, 2025
I don't do book reviews
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
February 28, 2024
Sad and painful story of a mother's search for her children.Clearly shows us her reality of WW2
In Sarah's memories her story takes us through the many miles she has to walk searching for both help from her countrymen and partisans. The safe road to freedom is fraught with pain and describes vividly people's reactions to her. Their fear of helping her and some compassion. When the war ends her search for her children begins which is where she begins to share the various stories people tell her about their survival during the war. They all hope to come home to their Poland their home. The welcome is not what they expected. No warm beds. No warm food no rebuilt houses. No loving arms to hug them better. The reality of coming home is not what they expected.
In Sarah's memories her story takes us through the many miles she has to walk searching for both help from her countrymen and partisans. The safe road to freedom is fraught with pain and describes vividly people's reactions to her. Their fear of helping her and some compassion. When the war ends her search for her children begins which is where she begins to share the various stories people tell her about their survival during the war. They all hope to come home to their Poland their home. The welcome is not what they expected. No warm beds. No warm food no rebuilt houses. No loving arms to hug them better. The reality of coming home is not what they expected.
February 21, 2024
The story of what happened to a woman and her family during WWII in Lithuania, how they were separated and how she survived on her own. I found the story didn't flow due to the style of writing, with the author going back into her memories, commentary and perspective of various people she encountered and events taking place at that time. Also, the translation from Yiddish to Hebrew then to English may have impacted the flow of the story.
February 15, 2025
I have read many Holocaust stories but this one was different. It’s a beautifully written memoir of one woman’s journey beginning in Vilnius, Lithuania. Growing up, my brother and I heard endless tales from our father about our relatives in Vilna. As a Strashun, reading about living on Strashun Street and its importance in the Jewish ghetto during the early days of the war was fascinating and deeply touching.
February 23, 2023
This book.is about what really happened.
This book.is not fiction. It is the memoir of a Jewish mother. Only her daughter survived. A true story of trials and the leading of Jehovah. Out of Poland finally with her daughter and son in law. The only family who survived.
This book.is not fiction. It is the memoir of a Jewish mother. Only her daughter survived. A true story of trials and the leading of Jehovah. Out of Poland finally with her daughter and son in law. The only family who survived.
May 29, 2023
my roots are Lithuanian
My grandfather came from Linkuva to the US in 1888. Born in 1869 at the age of 13 he won a scholarship to the Yeshiva in Vilnius; I did a roots search and and it is published on the internet. This book is a tribute to the brave Jews of Lithuania. Patricia Prinz
My grandfather came from Linkuva to the US in 1888. Born in 1869 at the age of 13 he won a scholarship to the Yeshiva in Vilnius; I did a roots search and and it is published on the internet. This book is a tribute to the brave Jews of Lithuania. Patricia Prinz
July 10, 2024
I personally do not believe you can give someone’s recalling of their life anything less than 5 stars, especially this woman’s story. A Jewish woman who miraculously survives the holocaust by jumping off a train and surviving in the woods. Incredible.
January 29, 2024
I did not get any further than page 50, the translation from Hebrew to English is just awful.
These stories HAVE to be told, but I just couldn’t read it, most sentences didn’t make any sense.
These stories HAVE to be told, but I just couldn’t read it, most sentences didn’t make any sense.
February 19, 2024
Enlightening personal account of Jewish travail and survival during WWII. Thanks to daughter, Zuta, for sharing her mothe's words.
March 25, 2024
Excellent read!
I have read many books and accounts of how the Jewish people were treated, killed, sent to camps to death and of the ones who lived to tell their stories.
I have read many books and accounts of how the Jewish people were treated, killed, sent to camps to death and of the ones who lived to tell their stories.
March 29, 2024
I was spellbound for the several hours reading Ms Shomonovitz' story. Thank you to her family for translating to English.
May 10, 2024
This memoir from a strong Jewish woman that survived the evil and hardships of the Holocaust is truly an unforgettable and inspiring read.
June 16, 2025
Too many unanswered items throughout the story. Travels hard to trace and source of food and clothing un mentioned. The story itself was heart rendering and still had substance worth reading.
January 25, 2026
True but very sad story about Lithuania during WWII.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews