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Hannah Senesh, Her Life and Diary
Hannah Senesh, poet and Israel's national heroine, has come to be seen as a symbol of Jewish heroism. Safe in Palestine during World War II, she volunteered for a mission to help rescue fellow Jews in her native Hungary. She was captured by the Nazis, endured imprisonment and torture, and was finally executed at the age of twenty-three.
Like Anne Frank, she kept a diary from the time she was thirteen. This new edition brings together not only the widely read and cherished diary, but many of Hannah's poems and letters, memoirs written by Hannah's mother, accounts by parachutists who accompanied Hannah on her fateful mission, and insightful material not previously published in English.
Like Anne Frank, she kept a diary from the time she was thirteen. This new edition brings together not only the widely read and cherished diary, but many of Hannah's poems and letters, memoirs written by Hannah's mother, accounts by parachutists who accompanied Hannah on her fateful mission, and insightful material not previously published in English.
268 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
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628 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Senesh
9 books11 followersHannah Szenes was a Hungarian Jew, one of 37 Jews living in Palestine, now Israel, who were trained by the British army to parachute into Yugoslavia during the Second World War in order to help save the Jews of Hungary, who were about to be deported to the German death camp at Auschwitz.
Szenes was arrested at the Hungarian border, imprisoned and tortured, but she refused to reveal details of her mission and was eventually tried and executed by firing squad. She is regarded as a national heroine in Israel, where several streets and a kibbutz are named after her, and her poetry is widely known.
Szenes was arrested at the Hungarian border, imprisoned and tortured, but she refused to reveal details of her mission and was eventually tried and executed by firing squad. She is regarded as a national heroine in Israel, where several streets and a kibbutz are named after her, and her poetry is widely known.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 29, 2019
Hannah Senesh is known as the Joan of Arc of Israel, and is a national heroine in that little country of heroes and heroines.
Her poems are learned by heart in Israel, and her acts of courage, self-sacrifice and love for her people, has led to forests, parks, streets and settlements throughout the country being named after her.
Her diary, which begins when she was 13, shows her remarkable spirit, intelligence and love for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.
At the age of 23 she returned to Hungary as part of an Allied to mission to save Jews from the Nazi death machine. She was captured by the Nazis and tortured to reveal more about the mission and her comrades, but never broke under these circumstances. Her heroic and cruel death at the hands of the Nazis is recounted.
The book is divided into several sections:
Memories of Hannah's Childhood by Catherine Senesh, the Diary, the Letters, and the acounts by friends and comrades of her courageous mission into Hungary, and her cruel death at the hands of the Nazis.
The final section consists of a reproduction of some of Hannah's finest poems.
Hannah Senesh was born in 1921 to an assimilated Jewish family. Her father, a sucesful journalist and playwright died when Hannah was 6 years old. She was enrolled in a Protestant school. The deteriorating situation of the Jews in Hungary led Hannah to embrace Judaism and Zionism-the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, which she was passionate about and dedicated to.
She became involved in Maccabea, a Hungarian Zionist students organization.
But she also loved beautiful clothes and ice-skating and was enthusiastic about life and living. She was interested in astrology, spiritualism and development of the soul.
The sensitivity of her gem of a soul and her intelligence is shown in this excerpt from her diary. It could serve as a testament to Hannah Senesh herself:
"There are stars whose radiance is visible on earth though they have long been extinct. There are people whose brilliance continues to light the world though they are no longer among the living. These lights are particularly bright when the night is dark. They light the way for mankind",-
Indeed in these dark days of the resurgance of anti-Semnitism and the Satanic international campaign to destroy Israel, it is comforting and inspiring to read her words.
Also interesting are Hannah's words about Jewish nationhood and Zionism:
'If we had to define Zionism briefly perhaps we could best do so in the words of Nahum Sokolow: "Zionism is the movement of the Jewish people for it's revival.'
In these days when Jews around the world are being pressured by evil forces to renounce Zionism we would do well to remember Hannah's words.
"We cannot renounce a single on of our rights, not even if the ridiculous accusation were true- that Zionism breeds anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is not the result of Zionism but of Dispersion. But even if were no so, woe to the individual who attempts to ingratiate himself with the enemy instead of following his own route. We can't renounce Zionism even if it does strengthen anti-Semitism...For only Zionism and the establishment of a Jewish State could ever bring about the possibility of the Jews in the Diaspora being able to make manifest their love for their Homeland. Because then they could choose to be part of the Homeland- not be necesity but by free will and free choice".
In these days it is so important to remember her words and her story.
Her poems are learned by heart in Israel, and her acts of courage, self-sacrifice and love for her people, has led to forests, parks, streets and settlements throughout the country being named after her.
Her diary, which begins when she was 13, shows her remarkable spirit, intelligence and love for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.
At the age of 23 she returned to Hungary as part of an Allied to mission to save Jews from the Nazi death machine. She was captured by the Nazis and tortured to reveal more about the mission and her comrades, but never broke under these circumstances. Her heroic and cruel death at the hands of the Nazis is recounted.
The book is divided into several sections:
Memories of Hannah's Childhood by Catherine Senesh, the Diary, the Letters, and the acounts by friends and comrades of her courageous mission into Hungary, and her cruel death at the hands of the Nazis.
The final section consists of a reproduction of some of Hannah's finest poems.
Hannah Senesh was born in 1921 to an assimilated Jewish family. Her father, a sucesful journalist and playwright died when Hannah was 6 years old. She was enrolled in a Protestant school. The deteriorating situation of the Jews in Hungary led Hannah to embrace Judaism and Zionism-the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, which she was passionate about and dedicated to.
She became involved in Maccabea, a Hungarian Zionist students organization.
But she also loved beautiful clothes and ice-skating and was enthusiastic about life and living. She was interested in astrology, spiritualism and development of the soul.
The sensitivity of her gem of a soul and her intelligence is shown in this excerpt from her diary. It could serve as a testament to Hannah Senesh herself:
"There are stars whose radiance is visible on earth though they have long been extinct. There are people whose brilliance continues to light the world though they are no longer among the living. These lights are particularly bright when the night is dark. They light the way for mankind",-
Indeed in these dark days of the resurgance of anti-Semnitism and the Satanic international campaign to destroy Israel, it is comforting and inspiring to read her words.
Also interesting are Hannah's words about Jewish nationhood and Zionism:
'If we had to define Zionism briefly perhaps we could best do so in the words of Nahum Sokolow: "Zionism is the movement of the Jewish people for it's revival.'
In these days when Jews around the world are being pressured by evil forces to renounce Zionism we would do well to remember Hannah's words.
"We cannot renounce a single on of our rights, not even if the ridiculous accusation were true- that Zionism breeds anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is not the result of Zionism but of Dispersion. But even if were no so, woe to the individual who attempts to ingratiate himself with the enemy instead of following his own route. We can't renounce Zionism even if it does strengthen anti-Semitism...For only Zionism and the establishment of a Jewish State could ever bring about the possibility of the Jews in the Diaspora being able to make manifest their love for their Homeland. Because then they could choose to be part of the Homeland- not be necesity but by free will and free choice".
In these days it is so important to remember her words and her story.
February 1, 2015
I read this book after seeing the excellent documentary "Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh" which was very powerful and heartbreaking. This book is quite amazing telling the story of a young woman who was and is a true hero. She was safe during World War II but she volunteered for a mission to help rescue fellow Jews in her native Hungary. Her story is compelling and valuable. The book is a diary and this edition also includes some of Hannah's poems and letters, along with memoirs written by her mother and other's that she touched. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history, WWII, the Holocaust, and Anne Frank. I also highly recommend the documentary "Blessed is the Match."
April 20, 2009
This is an amazing book that collects Hannah Senesh's diary, her letters, and oral history testimonies from people who knew her. She was an incredibly sophisticated young woman even at 13 when the book begins. Her life was tragically cut short at the age of 21; re-reading it this time I was speculating how she could have gone on to become a prime minister of Israel or been a diplomat in the Middle East peace negotiations.
All Jews who care about Judaism and all people who care about Jews and the predilection of men to destroy one another, time and time again - this is who should read this book.
All Jews who care about Judaism and all people who care about Jews and the predilection of men to destroy one another, time and time again - this is who should read this book.
September 11, 2018
It was beautiful to read this life story directly from Hannah's perspective and the perspective of those who lived alongside her. I laughed and I cried and grew to love the zealousness and honesty of Hannah with herself in her diary. That she wasn't a hero in her own eyes was so obvious and made what she did all the more amazing. Also to be able to meet her at the end from the eyes of her comrades and see what others saw gave clarity to who she really was, a human with ideals and a lot of stubbornness.
April 8, 2025
read this for class to use in my research of women's invisibility in resistance to the Arrow Cross Party. I'm not going to speak on the content because this is quite literally the diaries and letters of a woman who was executed by the Hungarian fascists, but it was an intriguing read, especially while thinking about the current political climate within both the U.S. and the Palestinian genocide.
June 16, 2017
Hannah Senesh was like any other teenage girl. In her diary, she wrote about her family, friends, boys, school, hopes and dreams. Her aspirations alternated from wanting to become a writer (an aptitude she seemed to have inherited from her late father, a playwright) and a teacher. At times she hoped she could do both. She tutored classmates and her poetry was praised by all who heard it. Although she experienced some Anti-Semitism in school and had to contend with Hungary's increasingly unjust "Jewish laws," Hannah was not deterred. The pages of her innermost thoughts indicate a certain intellectual and spiritual superiority for one so young.
When Hannah became a Zionist, her new goal became to go to agricultural school and live on a kibbutz in Palestine. She realized that dream, and wrote about every new experience with wonder and optimism -- from tending the stables to working in the bakery, sightseeing on days off, and World War II. She wished to bring her mother, Catherine, and brother, George, together in Palestine, but Hannah's selfless vision got in the way. She volunteered for a British-led paratrooping expedition that would land in Yugoslavia and sneak into Hungary in hopes of rescuing Jews and British POWs. Fully aware of the risks, Hannah and her partner reached Hungary but were captured and thrown in prison. Some of her comrades who served with her share their memoirs in this book, both describing her as bright-eyed and encouraging throughout every circumstances. Everyone who knew her was awed by her attitude.
The most touching part of this book is Catherine Senesh's memories of Hannah's prison days. Her mother was imprisoned for a time as well, and they were able to share moments together. They wrote air messages to each other in opposite windows and made each other gifts out of whatever materials they could find. Fellow prisoners told Mrs. Senesh stories about how Hannah raised their downtrodden spirits. Hannah continued to write poems until the very end. In prison, she did achieve her dream of becoming a teacher. At one point she was in a communal cell with children, whom she taught lessons, dances, and told stories to. She was a friend to everyone despite her uncertain future. Hannah would not give up an important radio code that her captors wanted, even under the most intense torture and threats.
"Fearless" does not even begin to describe Hannah Senesh, who was illegally executed at the age of 23. She was an irregular soul, in the best sense of the word. Her name should be listed more frequently among World War II heroes. Although she was gone from this life too soon, Hannah's story will continue to affect people for generations to come.
I'll end with a quote from Hannah's diary. She wrote this in 1936, at age 15. "...when I think of an above average man I don’t necessarily think of a famous man, but of a great soul…a great human being. And I would like to be a great soul. If God will permit!"
When Hannah became a Zionist, her new goal became to go to agricultural school and live on a kibbutz in Palestine. She realized that dream, and wrote about every new experience with wonder and optimism -- from tending the stables to working in the bakery, sightseeing on days off, and World War II. She wished to bring her mother, Catherine, and brother, George, together in Palestine, but Hannah's selfless vision got in the way. She volunteered for a British-led paratrooping expedition that would land in Yugoslavia and sneak into Hungary in hopes of rescuing Jews and British POWs. Fully aware of the risks, Hannah and her partner reached Hungary but were captured and thrown in prison. Some of her comrades who served with her share their memoirs in this book, both describing her as bright-eyed and encouraging throughout every circumstances. Everyone who knew her was awed by her attitude.
The most touching part of this book is Catherine Senesh's memories of Hannah's prison days. Her mother was imprisoned for a time as well, and they were able to share moments together. They wrote air messages to each other in opposite windows and made each other gifts out of whatever materials they could find. Fellow prisoners told Mrs. Senesh stories about how Hannah raised their downtrodden spirits. Hannah continued to write poems until the very end. In prison, she did achieve her dream of becoming a teacher. At one point she was in a communal cell with children, whom she taught lessons, dances, and told stories to. She was a friend to everyone despite her uncertain future. Hannah would not give up an important radio code that her captors wanted, even under the most intense torture and threats.
"Fearless" does not even begin to describe Hannah Senesh, who was illegally executed at the age of 23. She was an irregular soul, in the best sense of the word. Her name should be listed more frequently among World War II heroes. Although she was gone from this life too soon, Hannah's story will continue to affect people for generations to come.
I'll end with a quote from Hannah's diary. She wrote this in 1936, at age 15. "...when I think of an above average man I don’t necessarily think of a famous man, but of a great soul…a great human being. And I would like to be a great soul. If God will permit!"
January 30, 2008
Powerful. Hannah was a Jewish woman (and a poet/playwright) who gave her life fighting as a paratrooper for Britain in 1944. She was captured during a mission, tortured and tried for treason when she refused to give up the code for her transmitter, disclose information about her mission, or reveal the location of her unit. Hannah wrote in her diary until the day of her execution by a firing squad.
In the month of July, I shall be twenty-three/I played a number in the game/The dice have rolled. I have lost.
-Hannah Senesh
In the month of July, I shall be twenty-three/I played a number in the game/The dice have rolled. I have lost.
-Hannah Senesh
July 31, 2015
When I was leant this book, I thought I would only read Hannah's diary as I've never been that keen on memoirs, but her story and her bravery were so incredible I simply had to go on an read her mother's memoirs and the testimony of her mission compatriots. This edition of the book has them all including her poetry. What an amazing person Hannah Senesh was. Completely selfless, a true heroine and an inspiration.
February 20, 2011
Read a long time ago, brought back from parents place to re-read.
July 22, 2016
I think it is a tremendous shame that nobody seems to know about Chana Szenes. She was a brave, remarkable, important woman who wrote beautifully. This is a must read as far as I'm concerned.
June 4, 2020
"At times I think I love or could love someone. But... There are many objective 'buts' in the way, and I lack the courage to overcome them." - Hannah Senesh
Hannah Senesh, Her Life and Diary hit me harder than I thought it would.
We meet Hannah at age twelve/thirteen, her father's death still fresh in her memory. Intelligent and inquisitive, her family's privileged status borne of wealth and respect allows Hannah to indulge in the culture, art, and sophistication of 1930s Hungary. By age fourteen she has read Tolstoy's War and Peace, Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, and has developed a deep appreciation towards such classical composers as Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, preferring a symphony to a dance party. As she matures, her reading grows to encompass philosophy and its ilk, paving the way for an encounter with Zionism.
Hannah's diary uncovers simmering unrest - a fervent desire to lead a meaningful life with intent. As Nazi domination quickly spreads to the neighboring countries and then into Hungary, Hannah's loyalty to the Jewish people strengthens and she discovers her Home in the Land of Israel.
Of course, we all know what happens to Hannah. Reading with this in mind made it no less poignant.
Whilst her enlistment in the Palmach and subsequent mission to rescue her Jewish-Hungarian brethren at the tender age of twenty-three, Hannah exuded confidence, optimism, and determination for the cause (despite inner self-doubts and uncertainty), impressing all those that brushed up against her: friends as well as enemies. It was at this age where her life culminated in finality.
Reading Hannah's diary was at once awe-inspiring and a moment of reflection. Juxtaposed next to Hannah's heroic courage, passion, and fearlessness my lack thereof filled me with turmoil as I glanced internally: where am I, in leading a meaningful life of responsibility and intent?
Hannah Senesh, Her Life and Diary hit me harder than I thought it would.
We meet Hannah at age twelve/thirteen, her father's death still fresh in her memory. Intelligent and inquisitive, her family's privileged status borne of wealth and respect allows Hannah to indulge in the culture, art, and sophistication of 1930s Hungary. By age fourteen she has read Tolstoy's War and Peace, Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, and has developed a deep appreciation towards such classical composers as Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, preferring a symphony to a dance party. As she matures, her reading grows to encompass philosophy and its ilk, paving the way for an encounter with Zionism.
Hannah's diary uncovers simmering unrest - a fervent desire to lead a meaningful life with intent. As Nazi domination quickly spreads to the neighboring countries and then into Hungary, Hannah's loyalty to the Jewish people strengthens and she discovers her Home in the Land of Israel.
Of course, we all know what happens to Hannah. Reading with this in mind made it no less poignant.
Whilst her enlistment in the Palmach and subsequent mission to rescue her Jewish-Hungarian brethren at the tender age of twenty-three, Hannah exuded confidence, optimism, and determination for the cause (despite inner self-doubts and uncertainty), impressing all those that brushed up against her: friends as well as enemies. It was at this age where her life culminated in finality.
Reading Hannah's diary was at once awe-inspiring and a moment of reflection. Juxtaposed next to Hannah's heroic courage, passion, and fearlessness my lack thereof filled me with turmoil as I glanced internally: where am I, in leading a meaningful life of responsibility and intent?
February 26, 2024
Usually I read anything related to Anne Frank or random things I come across from the Holocaust, but this is the first time I’ve read about Hannah Senesh. I found this book on vacation a year or so ago and just now picked it up to read it. I love how this book shares not only her diary entries, but also letters, commentary from others who knew her including her mother as well as poetry of hers. I could relate to so much that Hannah wrote in her diary. She was such a brave and ambitious soul that did so much in her short life to help others. I definitely think it is a must-read especially if you want to read a life opposite of Anne Frank (meaning hiding vs being a free Jew for majority of the Holocaust).
July 23, 2023
As a diarist, Hannah Senesh exercised restraint. Subsequently, she does not always explain her observations and the reader is left wondering. For example, she hints at disappointment with Eretz Israel, as though it has not met her expectations, but you are never quite sure why though she clearly loves the land. The addition of Hannah's letters and writings as well as two essays, including one by her mother make this edition worthwhile.
January 3, 2018
fairly entertaining read and great woman
June 8, 2019
Brave and idealistic girl. She was a dedicated pacifist so I wonder what she would think of the behaviour of her beloved Palestine now
March 10, 2020
I read this for a research project. But again, if you have the chance, I recommend learning about Hannah!
January 27, 2021
So sad!!! Such a great soul, a real tragedy what happened to her. She was very lonely here without her mother and brother.
October 23, 2011
I admit I asked myself a few times, “What is a grown man doing reading a teenage girl’s diary?”
Well, I’m glad I did.
“Hannah Senesh: Her Life and Diary,” is both the story of an incredible, heroic young woman and a fascinating first-person, in-real-time account of life in pre-state Israel and in Nazi-ravaged Europe.
The book, which was published in 2007 in conjunction with filmmaker Roberta Grossman’s excellent documentary about Senesh, is divided into three distinct sections.
Most of the book consists of Hannah’s diaries and letters, in which she describes the spread of the Nazi menace and evolution of the kibbutz movement. You have to wade through some fairly tedious descriptions of summer vacations, but it’s worth the effort.
The book ascends to its dramatic peak, and it’s a very high peak, in the second section, which consists of three self-written narratives. Two were written by members of Hannah’s parachutist unit, which dropped into Yugoslavia on a daring mission to rescue the Jews of neighboring Hungary. The other is from Hannah’s mother Catherine, who waged a desperate but ultimately futile effort to spare Hannah from execution.
Finally, the book concludes with a sampling of Hannah’s poems, including the classic – at least an Israeli would recognize it as a classic – “Blessed Is the Match.”
Although Judaism and Zionism are central themes of Senesh’s life, many of the values that she so boldly expressed and embodied transcend religion and ethnicity.
“Hannah Senesh: Her Life and Diary” should probably be required reading for all Jewish teenagers. Perhaps for all teenagers. And maybe even for grown men.
Well, I’m glad I did.
“Hannah Senesh: Her Life and Diary,” is both the story of an incredible, heroic young woman and a fascinating first-person, in-real-time account of life in pre-state Israel and in Nazi-ravaged Europe.
The book, which was published in 2007 in conjunction with filmmaker Roberta Grossman’s excellent documentary about Senesh, is divided into three distinct sections.
Most of the book consists of Hannah’s diaries and letters, in which she describes the spread of the Nazi menace and evolution of the kibbutz movement. You have to wade through some fairly tedious descriptions of summer vacations, but it’s worth the effort.
The book ascends to its dramatic peak, and it’s a very high peak, in the second section, which consists of three self-written narratives. Two were written by members of Hannah’s parachutist unit, which dropped into Yugoslavia on a daring mission to rescue the Jews of neighboring Hungary. The other is from Hannah’s mother Catherine, who waged a desperate but ultimately futile effort to spare Hannah from execution.
Finally, the book concludes with a sampling of Hannah’s poems, including the classic – at least an Israeli would recognize it as a classic – “Blessed Is the Match.”
Although Judaism and Zionism are central themes of Senesh’s life, many of the values that she so boldly expressed and embodied transcend religion and ethnicity.
“Hannah Senesh: Her Life and Diary” should probably be required reading for all Jewish teenagers. Perhaps for all teenagers. And maybe even for grown men.
November 6, 2016
4.5 stars. Hannah Senesh is considered a national heroine of Israel. She kept a diary of her life before and during WWII. Born in Hungary, she touches on the growing anti-Semitism before WWII and its affect on her childhood. She developed a passion for Zionism and actually moved to Israel in her late teens just a few days after the outbreak of WWII. She tells of kibbutz life, her schooling and her love of poetry. While the war is raging in Europe, she fervently joins a parachute mission in the British army, with the goal of crossing the Hungarian border to help save her fellow Jews. The first part of the book is her diary and letters sent to family and friends. The last part of the book has anecdotes by her comrades and mother, telling of the last months of Hannah's life as she prepared for her mission and eventually got caught and imprisoned by the Germans. She was a really impressive young woman with profound bravery, zeal, and influence on those around her. Her bravery even awed her German captors.
December 30, 2020
I enjoyed this book -- the first diary I ever read. It was interesting looking at WWII from yet a different perspective from the other histories I've read. The book is a well assembled collection of Hannah's diaries as well as a well-written recounting of events from her mother and another by a comrade from her military unit.
Hannah's writing from a young age was surprisingly readable and engaging.
I've a few reservations about details missing from the book including basics about whether the book includes all of her diary entries or not, to some explanation as to why more detail about the planned operation she participated in are not available. It's also hard to imagine that some more detail isn't available about Hannah's transition from farmer to soldier.
Hannah's writing from a young age was surprisingly readable and engaging.
I've a few reservations about details missing from the book including basics about whether the book includes all of her diary entries or not, to some explanation as to why more detail about the planned operation she participated in are not available. It's also hard to imagine that some more detail isn't available about Hannah's transition from farmer to soldier.
Want to read
June 14, 2009rec: amazon. hah.
a girl who lived in palestine, and went back to hungary to help her people, and consequently ended up executed - by hungarian nazi party (i need to go back to the "terror house" museum!!).
oh, my magyar people, how i am enamoured of you! oh, hannah senesh, how forgotten you are in america and general holocaust history!
seriously, there has to be some way to educate the people about the hannah's and the carl lutzenberg's . . . it's kind of shocking how much history comes out of hungary, considering how late it was on the final solution plans and stuff.
a girl who lived in palestine, and went back to hungary to help her people, and consequently ended up executed - by hungarian nazi party (i need to go back to the "terror house" museum!!).
oh, my magyar people, how i am enamoured of you! oh, hannah senesh, how forgotten you are in america and general holocaust history!
seriously, there has to be some way to educate the people about the hannah's and the carl lutzenberg's . . . it's kind of shocking how much history comes out of hungary, considering how late it was on the final solution plans and stuff.
August 3, 2009
Years after reading Anne Frank's diary, I stumbled upon this book. Since my stepfather was from Hungary, I decided to read it. It was my first time to learn about the elimination of Jews from this country, as it had never been brought up at home. It opened my eyes and made me want to learn more about this conflict and how it had effected the people (Hungarian immigrants) I grew up with in America.
January 25, 2016
This was a wonderful and heartbreaking story of a WWII heroine. I was fascinated with her story since I saw the movie "Hannah's War" in high school that was very well done. I couldn't put that book down as she was a woman of substance who fought back the Nazi's for her cause and her mission to save her people. I look forward to seeing the documentary "Blessed is the Match". I highly recommend this book as she made the world a better place.
July 8, 2016
I knew Hannah's story from seeing an exhibit about her at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. But reading that story in her voice, and the voices of the people who knew her, was powerful. Every student of WWII history needs to read this. I personally think it should be taught in schools, instead of or in addition to The Diary of Anne Frank.
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July 24, 2011A wonderful read of a phenomenal woman with such a short, but rich and heroic young life. A beautiful glimpse into one woman's remarkable courage and belief in her country, Israel and an avid Zionist. I was absolutely wowed by her words and poems!
January 22, 2015
Beautiful and tragic, and above all inspiring.
November 11, 2009
It took me a very long time to finish this inspiring history. She had such courage. I kept hoping she would survive, even though I knew otherwise.
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April 8, 2015Amazing, inspiring, fearless young woman. A mix of her diary, letters, and personal recollections from family and colleagues. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews