Twice-Rescued Child: The Boy Who Fled the Nazis and Found His Life's Purpose

by Thomas Graumann

Aged eight, Thomas Graumann excitedly boarded a train in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to embark on what he believed was a three-month holiday. “Go to Britain, learn English, and when the Germans leave, you can come home again,” his mother assured him. Thomas carried two suitcases and a bag of food. At the time he knew his country had been taken over by the Germans and now was under Nazi control.

That was the last he would see of his mother and most of his Jewish family, who died in concentration camps. He had also never heard of Nicholas Winton, the hero who saved 669 children (Thomas was one of the last, #652), transporting them from Czechoslovakia to the UK to save their lives. This was Thomas’ first rescue, aboard what became known as the Kindertransport.

His second came a year later when an evangelist from the Scottish village he was taken to for safety shared the good news of Jesus Christ with him. Saying a prayer on bent knee, Thomas’ soul was rescued, and he soon dedicated himself to missionary service, which he fulfilled as an adult in the Philippines, eventually moving to the U.S.

But his missionary zeal returned after the fall of Communism—and the return of his grandmother’s property to his family. Both actions ushered in a way for him to return to the Czech Republic. The former rescued child was now free to travel throughout his homeland, speaking in schools of how he was rescued … not once, but twice.

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

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2019

Reviews

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a remarkable true story about a Jewish boy sent from Czechoslovakia by his mother in 1939, which saved his life. He was sent to Scotland, not knowing he'd eventually become an orphan. Thomas Graumann eventually embraced the Gospel and hoped to become a missionary. Most of the book is that adventure, which took him to places like the USA and the Philippines. After Communism fell in the Czech Republic, he was able to return to his home country. Almost as remarkable is how author Tricia Goyer met Mr. Graumann which led to her helping him share his compelling story of being rescued twice.

[Becky Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about missionaries! Ordinary people who love Jesus and are so sold out to Him that they sacrifice everything to share Him with the world! This one particularly interested me because of his testimony of being twice rescued - once from the Holocaust and then after being introduced to the Gospel, rescued from eternal death.

[Virginia Slight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyed the book. It's a great missionary book. I thought it would talk more about the holocaust . But it's an amaze story of God's work to a Jewish boy who accepted Jesus and made a difference.

[Rebecca Herold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tale of his life story

I wasn't expecting this to be his whole life story. I love missionary stories though and this was a good one. It was much like sitting and listening to friend.

[Lyaine Munro]

Interesting read. I certainly wasn't expecting the reason for his 2nd rescue, but I am thrilled to know he is home with Jesus and that one day I will see him.

[Kevin Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful book - I cried most of the way through it.

[Dru · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thomas’ story was incredible, starting with how he was sent away from the Nazi-occupied area and ended up being a missionary who traveled the world. However it felt very monotonous with how it was presented. Often I would find myself wondering if he thought it was remarkable or if he tried to appear humble? His story/experience was unlike anybody else yet it was not conveyed that way.

[Lori Wasson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, how he was rescued from the Nazis, and his travels as a missionary. The beginning and of the end of the book was pretty good but the middle of the book seemed monotonous. Otherwise, this was a very well written and interesting book. I would say either focus on a few of the details of his missionary work or expand into a longer book.

[Micaela M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anyone else feel weird about reading about how a Jewish boy who survived the holocaust that was saved by Jesus...? I was given this book as a gift and neither I nor the person who gave it to me realized that. Obviously I can't change someone's life story so I guess this just isn't my thing...

[Elizabeth]

Very clear and concise about Thomas's life. Definitely read if you enjoy reading about WWII

[Kaitlyn Rinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true story is so neat! God directs our steps more than we can comprehend. I highly recommend this autobiography.