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Escaping on the Danube River
Escaping on the Danube River is their only hope for survival.
Europe, 1939: Hanne is an adolescent boy, born into a wealthy family from Belgrade. Realizing the Nazi threat is advancing towards the Balkans with giant strides, his parents are prepared to do anything to save their son’s life.
The road to survival, however, is not easy.
Just as Europe’s gates are about to shut down, Hanne and 1,100 other youths sail away on the Danube River. On board the ship, under appalling living conditions, Hanne falls in love with Inge, a young German Jewish girl.
Soon their love intensifies, and with it, the desire to build a new life together in the Land of Israel. But their journey for survival is becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day.
When promises of a boat that should take them to the Black Sea prove false and Nazi army forces are right around the corner, their plan for escape is in real danger. What fate awaits Hanne and Inge? Will they be able to make the dream they share a reality?
Europe, 1939: Hanne is an adolescent boy, born into a wealthy family from Belgrade. Realizing the Nazi threat is advancing towards the Balkans with giant strides, his parents are prepared to do anything to save their son’s life.
The road to survival, however, is not easy.
Just as Europe’s gates are about to shut down, Hanne and 1,100 other youths sail away on the Danube River. On board the ship, under appalling living conditions, Hanne falls in love with Inge, a young German Jewish girl.
Soon their love intensifies, and with it, the desire to build a new life together in the Land of Israel. But their journey for survival is becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day.
When promises of a boat that should take them to the Black Sea prove false and Nazi army forces are right around the corner, their plan for escape is in real danger. What fate awaits Hanne and Inge? Will they be able to make the dream they share a reality?
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Published July 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 23, 2020
A compelling novel of the flight of almost a thousand Jews from Croatia, Hungary and Yugoslavia to escape the horrors of the Nazis. Unfortunately many of these people thought it couldn't happen wherever they were and for various reasons they were forced to take a voyage which was supposed to lead them to safety in Israel. Sadly the voyage turned from weeks into months and very few made it to the promised land. A sad and detailed story of the horrors that these people suffered on board overcrowded boats, with no privacy and less food. Even when they were allowed to make camp, they were never really safe. At times I found parts of the book a little tedious with descriptions of various youth groups and leaders etc but on the whole a very informative but not happy book.
July 18, 2020
Compelling
For those with roots in Yugoslavia, Croatia, Serbia, and those with Jewish heritage, this is an unblemished look at WWII from the eyes of the Jewish and Gypsy perspective. My friend who lived on the Sava River in Croatia experienced the slaughter of her father, a resistor, and survived only because the camps were freed by the Allies before the extermination was complete. Haunting and memorable, this should be in the high school curriculum for every student. Thanks to the author for an excellent job.
For those with roots in Yugoslavia, Croatia, Serbia, and those with Jewish heritage, this is an unblemished look at WWII from the eyes of the Jewish and Gypsy perspective. My friend who lived on the Sava River in Croatia experienced the slaughter of her father, a resistor, and survived only because the camps were freed by the Allies before the extermination was complete. Haunting and memorable, this should be in the high school curriculum for every student. Thanks to the author for an excellent job.
August 4, 2020
Too repetitive
I don't like to give poor reviews, because someone has taken the time and effort to create something to share with others.
However, this is poorly organized. Characters and time shifts occurs without any clues from the writer.
For example, you may be reading about NYC in the 2000s, and in the next paragraph you are reading about Danube in the 1949s. At the very least add triple space to give the reader a clue that things are shifting.
Other reviews said the book picks up in interest during the second part of the book. No, it doesn't. I felt as if I was reading the same paragraphs many times over. Very boring.
I don't like to give poor reviews, because someone has taken the time and effort to create something to share with others.
However, this is poorly organized. Characters and time shifts occurs without any clues from the writer.
For example, you may be reading about NYC in the 2000s, and in the next paragraph you are reading about Danube in the 1949s. At the very least add triple space to give the reader a clue that things are shifting.
Other reviews said the book picks up in interest during the second part of the book. No, it doesn't. I felt as if I was reading the same paragraphs many times over. Very boring.
November 2, 2020
Horrors of Nazi Germany
Gut-wrenching history of a group of >1000 Jews who embarked on a journey to Israel. Three boats of Jewish immigrants meandered down the Danube, troubled by changes in destination required by continued movement by the German army. A stop was mandated in Yugoslavia and kindness of the Slovakian people was welcomed. The situation deteriorated. Two hundred or so young ppl were fortunate to be allowed to continue the journey and eventually arrived in Israel. The atrocities committed by the Nazi solders on the Jewish Ppl who were unable to continue the journey were unconscionable. Highly recommend this powerful book.
Gut-wrenching history of a group of >1000 Jews who embarked on a journey to Israel. Three boats of Jewish immigrants meandered down the Danube, troubled by changes in destination required by continued movement by the German army. A stop was mandated in Yugoslavia and kindness of the Slovakian people was welcomed. The situation deteriorated. Two hundred or so young ppl were fortunate to be allowed to continue the journey and eventually arrived in Israel. The atrocities committed by the Nazi solders on the Jewish Ppl who were unable to continue the journey were unconscionable. Highly recommend this powerful book.
August 29, 2024
This book covers an little known episode of the Holocaust. I had never heard of this incident but the story was familiar as we now know about the fate of the Jews in Eastern Europe in the early 1940's. The book could an important contribution to the literature, but more valuable for research. As a story, however, it dragged. I expected something well-edited. I expected to be drawn into the lives of these victims, but the writing left me distanced from them. Perhaps because it was translated the language came across as stilted. Much of the book was supposedly a diary written by a young boy but, to me, most of read like it was written by a high school student.
May 3, 2023
The history of the Jewish population in Yugoslavia during WWII was mostly unknown to me. This is a fascinating look into that history.
I listened to this book; but, I think it would have been easier to read. Of necessity, the cast of characters used to tell the story is very large, since it is shifting back and forth between time periods. I think seeing the names would have made it easier to keep track of people. An available map would have been helpful, also, and I am assuming the print copy has one.
I listened to this book; but, I think it would have been easier to read. Of necessity, the cast of characters used to tell the story is very large, since it is shifting back and forth between time periods. I think seeing the names would have made it easier to keep track of people. An available map would have been helpful, also, and I am assuming the print copy has one.
July 5, 2020
I learned so much more about the Jewish flight during WWII, that I never knew. This is a harrowing book. A journey to escape Nazi Germany, took a horrific turn. I like a book that makes me feel. I smiled and cried during this book. It weaves the present and past together. Different view points from teenagers dealing with the Nazis. I highly recommend this book.
Thanks Nave for the book for my honest opinion.
Thanks Nave for the book for my honest opinion.
September 7, 2020
Very good book
A very moving account of people fighting for survival. It never said but, I assume the Sauer were one of the famous gas vans. Mostly I understand that the deaths in them occured quickly most of the time. God bless these poor souls and grant them eternal peace and rest. This was an especially great book because it is a true story. Thank you to the author for sharing it with the world. This is a must read book!
A very moving account of people fighting for survival. It never said but, I assume the Sauer were one of the famous gas vans. Mostly I understand that the deaths in them occured quickly most of the time. God bless these poor souls and grant them eternal peace and rest. This was an especially great book because it is a true story. Thank you to the author for sharing it with the world. This is a must read book!
July 14, 2020
Evacuation
This is the story of over a thousand Jewish refugees on their way to Israel who were subsequently murdered by the Nazi’s. I’ve read many stories about the holocaust and this was just a different one from a different area that involved supposedly transport by river and the Mediterranean that failed.
This is the story of over a thousand Jewish refugees on their way to Israel who were subsequently murdered by the Nazi’s. I’ve read many stories about the holocaust and this was just a different one from a different area that involved supposedly transport by river and the Mediterranean that failed.
June 16, 2022
Amazing
This book was wonderful I have done a lot of reading on WW2 but was unaware of this particular event that had happened. It really opened my eyes to how cruel our world was and is. As I read this book Ukrainian war is underway with Russia and all I feel in Putin is a rising Hitler. May God Bless them ALL.
This book was wonderful I have done a lot of reading on WW2 but was unaware of this particular event that had happened. It really opened my eyes to how cruel our world was and is. As I read this book Ukrainian war is underway with Russia and all I feel in Putin is a rising Hitler. May God Bless them ALL.
September 23, 2022
Valuable story which needs a great editor
This book covers an little known episode of the Holocaust. It is an important contribution to the literature, but more valuable for research. As a story, however, it dragged. I expected something well-edited. I expected to be drawn into the lives of these victims, but the writing left me distanced from them.
This book covers an little known episode of the Holocaust. It is an important contribution to the literature, but more valuable for research. As a story, however, it dragged. I expected something well-edited. I expected to be drawn into the lives of these victims, but the writing left me distanced from them.
October 23, 2022
An amazing, heart breaking true story of jewry from east Europe
The story is very well threaded, compelling but heart warming and heart breaking. ❤️ This is one of the thousand of stories of extreme suffering and sacrifice that people of Israel have.
The story is very well threaded, compelling but heart warming and heart breaking. ❤️ This is one of the thousand of stories of extreme suffering and sacrifice that people of Israel have.
July 4, 2020
Not for me
I ran half of this book. I had to give it up because I just couldn’t get into it. Sorry
I ran half of this book. I had to give it up because I just couldn’t get into it. Sorry
August 25, 2020
Well written, a new view of the persecution of Jews by Germany
September 14, 2020
Great book, really enjoyed it!!
October 12, 2020
I have been drawn to World War II books lately and I chose this book from my library to read over the weekend. The book relates the Holocaust activities as they occurred to families of young people and their parents and friends.
I enjoyed this book because I am interested in this historical era. If you are interested, this book is a novel that is realistic.
I enjoyed this book because I am interested in this historical era. If you are interested, this book is a novel that is realistic.
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October 10, 2020My Review
Enjoyed reading this true account of the Jewish peoples plight. I would like to see other books by this author. How could human beings treat others so cruelly.
Enjoyed reading this true account of the Jewish peoples plight. I would like to see other books by this author. How could human beings treat others so cruelly.
January 21, 2021
Fantastic.
I really enjoyed this book as I thought it was not only very interesting but also very informative. I would highly recommend this.
I really enjoyed this book as I thought it was not only very interesting but also very informative. I would highly recommend this.
February 17, 2021
History
Excellent historical information. I had never, before reading this book, heard of this attempt to get Jewish people to Israel. We need to teach history.
Excellent historical information. I had never, before reading this book, heard of this attempt to get Jewish people to Israel. We need to teach history.
September 18, 2021
Heartfelt
This book was riveting. It is a must read for anyone and especially historians. To think that there are still those who do not believe.😞
This book was riveting. It is a must read for anyone and especially historians. To think that there are still those who do not believe.😞
November 29, 2021
Insightful
I loved the overall story, and even cried a few times. Wish they would have left out Alan's complaining about his busy life all throughout the book
I loved the overall story, and even cried a few times. Wish they would have left out Alan's complaining about his busy life all throughout the book
December 30, 2021
Holocaust evidence
Heart wrenching account of Hungarian and Yugoslavian Jewry. Readable and fully presented. May we never forget those who struggled and died.
Heart wrenching account of Hungarian and Yugoslavian Jewry. Readable and fully presented. May we never forget those who struggled and died.
September 27, 2024
Escaping on the Danube River by Shmuel David was a deeply moving and intense read, and I would give it 4 stars. The story of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution along the Danube River was gripping from start to finish. I was completely drawn into the characters' dangerous journey, and the constant tension of not knowing whether they would make it to safety kept me on edge.
The historical context was rich, and David did an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of what life was like for those trying to escape during such a horrific time. I particularly appreciated how the novel balanced the action and suspense with emotional depth. The characters were so well-drawn, and their courage, fear, and faith made me feel fully invested in their fates.
That said, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit uneven, with some sections moving slower than others. However, the emotional intensity and the historical significance of the story more than made up for this.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction that captures both the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit, Escaping on the Danube River is definitely worth reading. It’s a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to fight for survival, and I found it both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
The historical context was rich, and David did an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of what life was like for those trying to escape during such a horrific time. I particularly appreciated how the novel balanced the action and suspense with emotional depth. The characters were so well-drawn, and their courage, fear, and faith made me feel fully invested in their fates.
That said, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit uneven, with some sections moving slower than others. However, the emotional intensity and the historical significance of the story more than made up for this.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction that captures both the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit, Escaping on the Danube River is definitely worth reading. It’s a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to fight for survival, and I found it both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews