In Kindling Flame: The Story of Hannah Senesh, 1921-1944

by Linda Atkinson, ALC Staff (Editor)

A biography of a Jewish heroine whose resistance work during World War II made her a martyr and an inspiration to those with whom she worked.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir, Jewish, World War II, War, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Doria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful and well written biography of the Hungarian Jewish freedom fighter Hannah Senesh, whose light was extinguished in the final chaotic months of WWII. Heroic and inspiring in life, despite her cruelly tragic end, she is sensitively and honestly portrayed in this book, largely in her own words and in the descriptions of those who knew her well.

I highly recommend this book to both teenagers and adults. While there is material here which may be too frightening and intense for very young readers, it is authentic and informative, while also avoiding unnecessarily belaboring some of the darker realities exposed by Hannah's life and times. Hannah's formation as a teenager is well and movingly documented, offering insight and understanding as to the choices she later made as a young adult. And, as trivial as it may seem, the black and white photos interspersed throughout this book are effective reminders of the essential truthfulness of this account of an extraordinary and vital person, who lit fires of hope wherever she went, even as she faced annihilation.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thsi is a non fiction account about a brave young woman who gave her life to save others during WW2.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and well done biography. Also very sad, but worth reading.

[Noemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely interesting, because it helped me with my NHD project in SS by giving me some more information on what happened to Hannah Szenes during her life and also what was going on in the world around her.

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it once many years ago, and enjoyed it.

[Kristin]

Hannah Senesh was a brave girl who lived a heroic and fascinating life. However, sometimes it read like she was so much ahead of her time that I would have liked sources cited.