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Conscience and Courage: Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust
In this brilliantly researched and insightful book, psychologist Eva Fogelman presents compelling stories of rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust--and offers a revealing analysis of their motivations. Based on her extensive experience as a therapist treating Jewish survivors of the Holocaust and those who helped them, Fogelman delves into the psychology of altruism, illuminating why these rescuers chose to act while others simply stood by. While analyzing motivations, Conscience And Courage tells the stories of such little-known individuals as Stefnaia Podgorska Burzminska, a Polish teenager who hid thirteen Jews in her home; Alexander Roslan, a dealer in the black market who kept uprooting his family to shelter three Jewish children in his care, as well as more heralded individuals such as Oskar Schindler, Raoul Wallenberg, and Miep Gies. Speaking to the same audience that flocked to Steven Spielberg's Academy Award-winning movie, Schindler's List, Conscience And Courage is the first book to go beyond the stories to answer the question: Why did they help?
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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669 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 17, 2018
Conscience and Courage is about the people who, at great risk to themselves and their families, helped Jews to escape from the Nazis.
It focuses on such courageous individuals as Stefania Podgorska Buzminska , a Polish teenage girl who hid 13 Jews in her home; Alexander Roslan , a dealer in the black market who kept uprooting his family to shelter three Jewish children in his care, Joop Westerweel who presided over a network in the Netherlands that smuggled Jewish children to safety; diplomats such as Sampo Sugihara, Japanese consul based in Kovno, Lithuania, Aristide De Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese Consul General in Bourdieux, France and of course Raoul Wallenberg, whose efforts saved thousands of Jews from extermination. It also covers the stories of such well known rescuers as Oskar Schindler and Miep Gies.
This book not only focuses on the stories of these brave individuals, but also explores why they acted as they did, and how their efforts and its results affected them both during and after the war.
Many people chose to help out of moral reasons or out of love for their charges. Others where professionals had the skills and tools to help, and others were children who from an early age where involved in the rescue efforts of their parents. Some rescuers worked alone and others worked in networks.
These stories are being re-examined at a time when some, like Hamas , Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran deny the Holocaust happened-while working to carry out a real holocaust against the Jews , while others forget history and aim to dismantle the Jewish State, built to a large extent by Holocaust survivors.
It focuses on such courageous individuals as Stefania Podgorska Buzminska , a Polish teenage girl who hid 13 Jews in her home; Alexander Roslan , a dealer in the black market who kept uprooting his family to shelter three Jewish children in his care, Joop Westerweel who presided over a network in the Netherlands that smuggled Jewish children to safety; diplomats such as Sampo Sugihara, Japanese consul based in Kovno, Lithuania, Aristide De Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese Consul General in Bourdieux, France and of course Raoul Wallenberg, whose efforts saved thousands of Jews from extermination. It also covers the stories of such well known rescuers as Oskar Schindler and Miep Gies.
This book not only focuses on the stories of these brave individuals, but also explores why they acted as they did, and how their efforts and its results affected them both during and after the war.
Many people chose to help out of moral reasons or out of love for their charges. Others where professionals had the skills and tools to help, and others were children who from an early age where involved in the rescue efforts of their parents. Some rescuers worked alone and others worked in networks.
These stories are being re-examined at a time when some, like Hamas , Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran deny the Holocaust happened-while working to carry out a real holocaust against the Jews , while others forget history and aim to dismantle the Jewish State, built to a large extent by Holocaust survivors.
February 17, 2017
I think if I recommend any book this year, this one is it. I look around me and I see the parallels between WWII and where we are headed with Trump. Have a heart for muslims and refugees. Are you a parent? Do you have a child that looks up to you? They are watching how you react to bans or non Americans, for example. Anyone who is different. Stand up for what is right. Judge a person upon their behavior, not where they were born nor their religion. This book is an inspiration.
"In their work on bystander intervention, social psychologists Bib Latane and John Darley have delineated a five stage process by which observers turn into active participants. Their stages are: noticing that something is amiss, interpreting the Situation as one in which people need help, assuming responsibility to offer that help, choosing a form of help, and finally, implementing that help. Latane and Darley's first two stages- noticing and interpreting- are what I call awareness" page 41
"While local citizens were aware that Jews were losing their civil liberties, most interpreted this change as temporary, not fatal and not necessarily warranting intervention." Page 44
"Rescuers framed the question in other terms: 'Can I live with myself if I say no?'" Page 60
"Love us not the result, but the foundation of conscience" page 255
"Hoffman, who has studied parental techniques of discipline and its effects on altruism, found that parents who explained rules and used inductive reasoning instead of harsh punishment tend to have children who care for and about others. After all, parents who voluntarily relinquish the use of force in favor of reasoning send their children a message about how the powerful should treat the weak" page 257
" In talking with rescuers from all kinds of different homes, I found that one quality above all others was emphasized time and again: a familial acceptance of people who were different....The conviction that all people, no matter how marginal, are of equal value was conveyed to children of both religious and no religious households" page 259
"Time, at last, to tell my sons how love, belief, and will can help a human being get through pain and evil times, where each minute is an hour, each day a month, each month a year.....I do not say this lightly. I've asked myself many times whether my work in the resistance was worth losing my health, my marriage, and 10 years of my life, which is what it took before I could get a hold of my nerves, get my energy back, and give myself completely to my work.......my answer is still the same: yes." Pages 296-297
"In their work on bystander intervention, social psychologists Bib Latane and John Darley have delineated a five stage process by which observers turn into active participants. Their stages are: noticing that something is amiss, interpreting the Situation as one in which people need help, assuming responsibility to offer that help, choosing a form of help, and finally, implementing that help. Latane and Darley's first two stages- noticing and interpreting- are what I call awareness" page 41
"While local citizens were aware that Jews were losing their civil liberties, most interpreted this change as temporary, not fatal and not necessarily warranting intervention." Page 44
"Rescuers framed the question in other terms: 'Can I live with myself if I say no?'" Page 60
"Love us not the result, but the foundation of conscience" page 255
"Hoffman, who has studied parental techniques of discipline and its effects on altruism, found that parents who explained rules and used inductive reasoning instead of harsh punishment tend to have children who care for and about others. After all, parents who voluntarily relinquish the use of force in favor of reasoning send their children a message about how the powerful should treat the weak" page 257
" In talking with rescuers from all kinds of different homes, I found that one quality above all others was emphasized time and again: a familial acceptance of people who were different....The conviction that all people, no matter how marginal, are of equal value was conveyed to children of both religious and no religious households" page 259
"Time, at last, to tell my sons how love, belief, and will can help a human being get through pain and evil times, where each minute is an hour, each day a month, each month a year.....I do not say this lightly. I've asked myself many times whether my work in the resistance was worth losing my health, my marriage, and 10 years of my life, which is what it took before I could get a hold of my nerves, get my energy back, and give myself completely to my work.......my answer is still the same: yes." Pages 296-297
October 4, 2008
Fogelman is a psychologist and what stimulated her to write this book, which delves into the psychology of Nazi-era Jewish rescuers, was her interest in psychology and the fact that her Jewish father had been rescued during the Holocaust.
It may sound simplistic or simply odd to categorize rescuers on a psychological basis, but it makes a lot of sense, especially since, when one considers the heroics (or lack thereof) during the Holocaust, the question is always,"what would I have done?" This book simply seeks to explain why rescuers did what they did and Fogelman pulls it off as best as anyone could.
Fogelman also includes, of course, many amazing rescue stories, so it's great reading on that level as well.
It may sound simplistic or simply odd to categorize rescuers on a psychological basis, but it makes a lot of sense, especially since, when one considers the heroics (or lack thereof) during the Holocaust, the question is always,"what would I have done?" This book simply seeks to explain why rescuers did what they did and Fogelman pulls it off as best as anyone could.
Fogelman also includes, of course, many amazing rescue stories, so it's great reading on that level as well.
February 22, 2015
I had forgotten I had read this book. It addresses a question I ask myself. Would I have helped Jews during WW2? Would I have risked my life and my family's lives? Even in small ways would I have helped?
Eva Fogelman addresses this question and tries to extract what common traits were shared by rescuers.
It is a succinct and remarkable book and one of only two I've ever found on this subject.
Eva Fogelman addresses this question and tries to extract what common traits were shared by rescuers.
It is a succinct and remarkable book and one of only two I've ever found on this subject.
January 18, 2008
Eva Fogelman tells the stories of hundreds of Gentile rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust. Her accounts are often very moving, and the book is nicely done. She makes an idealistic plea for government and voluntary institutional support for altruism as a safeguard against future genocide, which is charming, but even she admits this may be a little too 'utopian.'
I really appreciated this book, and was touched by the sobering picture of how modernity and secularism have not brought real moral progress, but instead have made it easier to carry out evil in a grander scale. I don;t think this is the author's point, but it certainly was a conclusion I draw from all such accounts fo 20th century genocide.
My only dissappointments with the book -- while Fogelman as a psychologist proports probe the MOTIVES behind the extraordinary courage shown by the Gentile rescurers -- how their own 'moral compass' gave them the ability to stand against antisemitic hate, she shows very little understanding of how Biblical Christian values were likely decisive in so many cases. She seems somewhat ill-equipped to probe the motives of the truly committed Christian. Perhaps this explains why she makes no mention at all of some of the most famous and interesting cases of rescuers who acted out of profoundly Biblical convictions of justice and mercy (like Corrie Ten Boom, whose story is told in the book and film The Hiding Place; or Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who is give just one sentence in the book).
Overall, a very helpful and moving book.
I really appreciated this book, and was touched by the sobering picture of how modernity and secularism have not brought real moral progress, but instead have made it easier to carry out evil in a grander scale. I don;t think this is the author's point, but it certainly was a conclusion I draw from all such accounts fo 20th century genocide.
My only dissappointments with the book -- while Fogelman as a psychologist proports probe the MOTIVES behind the extraordinary courage shown by the Gentile rescurers -- how their own 'moral compass' gave them the ability to stand against antisemitic hate, she shows very little understanding of how Biblical Christian values were likely decisive in so many cases. She seems somewhat ill-equipped to probe the motives of the truly committed Christian. Perhaps this explains why she makes no mention at all of some of the most famous and interesting cases of rescuers who acted out of profoundly Biblical convictions of justice and mercy (like Corrie Ten Boom, whose story is told in the book and film The Hiding Place; or Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who is give just one sentence in the book).
Overall, a very helpful and moving book.
July 14, 2018
This book is fascinating. Eva Fogelman, herself the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, tells the stories of the many people who risked death to save the lives of Jews during the Holocaust. People like sixteen-year-old Stefania Podgórska, who hid thirteen Jews in her house for over two years. Or Sempo Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat in Lithuania who defied government orders to issue thousands of Jews transit visas to help them flee Europe. As a social psychologist, Fogelman also explores the rescuers' motivations in doing so, and what makes some people more altruistic than others.
This book is certainly depressing--not every rescuer (nor every Jewish person they helped) survived the war--but at the same time it's nice to know that there are people committed to following their consciences, even if they have to defy laws to do so.
This book is certainly depressing--not every rescuer (nor every Jewish person they helped) survived the war--but at the same time it's nice to know that there are people committed to following their consciences, even if they have to defy laws to do so.
August 8, 2019
"The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones." William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar. This quote is found at the beginning of this book - Part III, Postwar.
The question that ran through my mind as I read this was "would I have opened my door and taken someone in"? I know the God of the universe and have often heard his voice, but would my fear have overwhelmed me? This is not a light read, long chapters and intense stories are expertly woven together, but I stopped often to reflect, shudder and cry. I am so glad that Ms Fogelman was able to gather these stories before the people involved were no longer here to share their stories.
As we see the rise of totalitarian governments around the world, the events in this book become even more real when they are put side by side with the real time stories of today.
The question that ran through my mind as I read this was "would I have opened my door and taken someone in"? I know the God of the universe and have often heard his voice, but would my fear have overwhelmed me? This is not a light read, long chapters and intense stories are expertly woven together, but I stopped often to reflect, shudder and cry. I am so glad that Ms Fogelman was able to gather these stories before the people involved were no longer here to share their stories.
As we see the rise of totalitarian governments around the world, the events in this book become even more real when they are put side by side with the real time stories of today.
June 20, 2020
The development of conscience
Excellent exploration of exemplars and documentation that seems to find the motivation of the vast and diverse group of that category of people called rescuers with insight on how we could develop a society that lives with courage, conviction, tolerance, acceptance of difference, and to learn how to feel moved, obligated, or outraged enough by injustice to take action against it those who would have any group live in fear, hatred, or seen as less.
Excellent exploration of exemplars and documentation that seems to find the motivation of the vast and diverse group of that category of people called rescuers with insight on how we could develop a society that lives with courage, conviction, tolerance, acceptance of difference, and to learn how to feel moved, obligated, or outraged enough by injustice to take action against it those who would have any group live in fear, hatred, or seen as less.
March 30, 2021
This is a serious book identifying different names and instances of those who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. I am using this book for research on a future project, so it has good information for my purposes. It is well-researched, and reflective on the types of, or categories of rescuers the author identifies, based on psychological profiles. The author is a Ph.D and psychotherapist. The book is an important contribution to Holocaust literature, and will appeal to serious Holocaust students and researchers.
December 31, 2022
I was interested in the science behind why some people choose to risk everything for another person and some don't. Mainly I read it for the individual examples. The first-hand accounts were fascinating. I wish there had been more of them. Overall, I felt it was somewhat repetitive. For some reason, I had a hard time remembering the details of the stories that were told and then brought up again later in the book. The subject matter is extremely important. I think portions of this would fit well in a high school history class.
April 29, 2023
Fogelman reaches beyond the merely heartwarming to analyze and explain experiences of those who rescued Jews in WWII Europe. There are some amazing stories in here, and also a lot of intellectual depth. This is not just an appeal to the emotions; it is the presentation of a study of the psychology of altruistic courage. As such, it actually becomes more moving and important. This book reveals the difficult core of being human.
October 31, 2020
Actually, I have and read the hardcover edition. But anyway ...
This is a well researched book about rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust. Many interesting stories, some of them with unhappy endings. It's now 25 years later, and I suppose further research was done on this topic. One advantage she had over today's researchers is that many of the rescuers were still alive then, and she was able to either write or interview them. She also contacted some of the rescued. If "Schindler's List" made you curious about this topic, then by all means read this book to learn about other stories, mainly in Holland, France, Italy and Germany.
This is a well researched book about rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust. Many interesting stories, some of them with unhappy endings. It's now 25 years later, and I suppose further research was done on this topic. One advantage she had over today's researchers is that many of the rescuers were still alive then, and she was able to either write or interview them. She also contacted some of the rescued. If "Schindler's List" made you curious about this topic, then by all means read this book to learn about other stories, mainly in Holland, France, Italy and Germany.
June 20, 2025
Psychologist Eva Fogelman's research into the motivations and characteristics of those who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. Well-written and well-researched, with accounts of numerous individual rescuers.
June 24, 2019
This book was intense.
January 7, 2021
Very informative and interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2021
I didn't like all the psychological information. The stories were good.
Want to read
February 8, 2026Study in altruism
July 13, 2013
Fogelman was one of two researchers to conduct personality tests on rescuers in the holocaust in an attempt to find common traits. "Rescuers were unable to articulate all the reasons why the participated in altruistic acts. When I asked them 'Why did you do it?' they responded 'It was the right thing to do'".
Fogelman contends there are 5 categories of rescuers: Moral - people who were prompted to rescue Jews by thoughts or feelings of conscience; Judeophilic - people who felt a special relationship to individual Jews of a closeness to the Jewish people as a whole; network - people fueled by anti-Nazi ideology, joining others politically opposed to the Third Reich; concerned professionalis - people such as doctors or social workers who held jobs in which helping was a logical extension; and children who helped rescue Jews at the behest of their families
Fogelman contends there are 5 categories of rescuers: Moral - people who were prompted to rescue Jews by thoughts or feelings of conscience; Judeophilic - people who felt a special relationship to individual Jews of a closeness to the Jewish people as a whole; network - people fueled by anti-Nazi ideology, joining others politically opposed to the Third Reich; concerned professionalis - people such as doctors or social workers who held jobs in which helping was a logical extension; and children who helped rescue Jews at the behest of their families
March 22, 2011
4.5 stars. The author points out that everyone knows the name of Hitler but how many of us can actually name any rescuers? I could only name two - Oskar Schindler and Corrie Ten Boom. Throughout the book she relates the remarkable stories of rescuers and analyzes why they chose to rescue rather than go along with what so many others were doing - turning a blind eye to what was happening to the Jews or actively participating in their persecution. Really enjoyed the book as well as the author's thoughts and insights.
January 23, 2012
This is a fascinating book. Not just stories of people who risked everything to save others (often total strangers) during the Holocaust but a look at WHY some did while others turned a blind eye. What were the traits that the rescuers shared that the others lacked? One can't help but read this and wonder which side of the divide one would fall on. To risk it all to help others in mortal peril or to turn your back and keep yourself and your family safe. It would be a heart-rending choice, I think.
January 21, 2010
I read this for a school paper and loved it, I finished it quickly because I couldn't put it down! It deals with a fascinating subject that is not too widely written about but is incredibly interesting. Despite the fact that it deals with the Holocaust, this book discusses people that helped resisted and helped others during that time period. It does an excellent job of explaining why certain people did the right thing when so many others didn't. It offers a good look at human nature.
September 13, 2021
This book is both fascinating and inspirational. Fogelman shares the stories of a number of rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust. She also offers her insights into the psychological effects of risking ones life for others and why the individuals (and sometimes groups) chose to do good. This book offers a little known aspect of the Holocaust and presents a shining light from an era of darkness.
February 11, 2008
Very readable account of the author's interviews with people and families who risked their lives to hide Jews during WW II; who they were, why they did it and what differentiated them from people who didn't rescue. Made me really think about what I would risk in those circumstances and the question about risking your own loved ones by a heroic action.
December 23, 2008
In the back of my mind while reading this book, I kept thinking "What would I do?" I think it's really important to know about and to remember the atrocities that have been committed by man so that we can learn from them. Reading about the rescuers in this book made me want to be a better person and to remember not to be so judgemental of others. We are all the same.
June 26, 2011
This is an incredibly interesting book about the kind of people that saved Jews during the Holocaust, why they saved them, and the implications of these courageous acts. The stories of the rescuers are incredibly moving and heartwarming. In the midst of complete darkness they were bright lights of hope and love. I highly recommend this book!
April 21, 2012
So many books out there look at Nazism and the way it pervaded German society. The focus of Holocaust literature often (and rightly) focuses of the negative side, but Fogelman offers a different side of the same story. Conscience & Courage focuses on the people who resisted Nazism and risked so much to save others. It is truly a book that shows the goodness of people.
June 30, 2016
Heartfelt stories of non-Jews who had the courage to step in and help those being persecuted during the Holocaust. This is a book about everyday people who became heroes, some losing their life in the process. A must read.
February 15, 2010
An excellent example of how we ought to behave even when in danger, no matter the consequence. Live your conscience. Some of the stories were incredibly sad. The choices these individuals had to make were unbearable.
June 10, 2008
This was a book that showed what good hearts people have. They put their lives on the line during the Holocaust. If you are a Holocaust buff, this is a must-read
August 5, 2008
Loved the stories of rescues during the holocaust but hated the format of the book - instead of just telling the stories it tried to analyze everything
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews