We Survived: Fourteen Histories Of The Hidden And Hunted In Nazi Germany

by Eric H. Boehm

Thousands of Jews and “Aryan” Germans opposed to Hitler led illegal lives under the Nazi terror and survived the relentless hunt of the Gestapo, the concentration camps, and the bombing. They survived in various ways; some as ordinary citizens taking part in the work-day life, others with fake passports, hidden in cellars, living precariously in all the dark corners of a vigilantly policed country. In fourteen autobiographical accounts, author Eric Boehm offers a cross-section of these heroic personalities. We Survived is itself an historical document, giving a window back into this epoch period during World War II.Now reappearing in print over fifty years after its original publication, We Survived remains as relevant and necessary as ever before - an honest testimony to the strength of the human spirit when it triumphs over adversity.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Holocaust, War, Biography

360 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1985

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spend a lot of reading time on the Holocaust and often get overwhelmed by the accounts of German treatment of the Jews. this book reminded me of how generally crappy the Nazis were to everyone. Several eyewitness accounts of just how bad it was to be almost anyone different in those times. Written very soon after the war, so most of the contempaltion concerns a wound that is still open and festering; as apposed to many more contemparary accounts that have, through the years, begun to center on the scars.

[Lisa Matheny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Be sure to read the epilogues.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with individual chapters each written by a survivor of the holocaust.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all I can say, this book brings home the frightening brutality toward Jews like almost no other I've read yet it's the courage of the individuals that stands out in the end.

[Victoria Zagar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised how full of hope this book was. So much of the WWII era is steeped in despair that we forget the everyday heroism of Germans who sheltered Jews at great risk to themselves, who brought food and ration cards, who themselves went without so that those less fortunate could have something to eat. It's important to remember that a lot of Germans didn't buy into the Nazi propaganda and were in fact appalled by the treatment of their former neighbors and friends.

Of course the horrors are here too, as they must be in any accurate recounting of the Holocaust: the Nazis' brutal treatment of political prisoners, the awful conditions in the Jewish ghettos, the suicides of those without the hope to continue in one of history's darkest hours. But overall I found this book to be as uplifting as sad, as kind as it was horrific. Humans are capable of both great and terrible things. These accounts are a fascinating and important reminder of that fact.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - My first book of 2010. Usually I read a book, the averaged size book, in about two days. This has taken me 8 days. I had to really think about some of these stories and occasionally go back to reread some.
If this doesn't get you thinking nothing can. The first few stories are powerful as well but the last few really hit me hard. And Lagi Countess Ballestrom-Solf's also. I don't think any Holocaust reading could be complete without this.
I even learned a little about a few situations I didn't know much about, one of which is the July 20th attempt on Hitler's life that of course failed.
I definitely recommend to anyone who is interested in personal survivor stories.

[Steve Coscia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. It is a re-issued book of personal testimonies from those who survived WWII. The eye witness accounts are from Germans, Jews, Allies, etc. Great synopsis of WWII.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrifying yet full of hope.

[Jack Oughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope springs eternal.