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Three Sisters: A True Holocaust Story of Love, Luck, and Survival
“Low flying planes began to direct their machine gun fire at the refugees. All four of us had crawled into a large culvert. We heard the bullets crackle again and again. Then the ground trembled under the hooves of shying horses breaking away from their fully laden carts. They raced above our heads sounding like wild drum beats. I was lying in the culvert, pulling snails from the walls, as unconcerned as if all this had nothing to do with me. It was an almost euphoric feeling." Three young Jewish sisters from Leipzig, Germany huddle together in the cold darkness of night waiting for their smugglers to rescue them and bring them to freedom in Belgium. Their mother, in a state of shock following Kristallnacht, is left behind, sedated in a psychiatric hospital. November 1938 begins the four-year ordeal of the seven member Kroch family who endure unfathomable conditions in their fight for imprisonment in French internment camps, hiding in a tiny tool shed, and adapting to the deplorable conditions of a Nazi prison. The memoirs of Alexandra, age 11, and her sisters, 15-year-old Eva and 14-year-old Judith, interweave as they recount the true story of their escape from the Nazis. Leaving behind their life of luxury, the girls describe unimaginable hunger, deprivation and fear. Family love, music, and the close friendship of strangers are the essential ingredients that sustain them through the hardships they face at every step. Two factors ultimately saved rescuers and enormous luck. A narrative backdrop threads through the story, providing the socio-political context. From a historical perspective and from the three sisters’ witness accounts, the reader will come to understand the progression of antisemitism in Germany and France, the course by which Hitler dismantled democracy, the role France adopted as Nazi collaborators, and how the Swiss policies towards Jews were executed. This story of resiliency and courage will inspire and uplift. By reading Three Sisters, a testament to the human spirit, you will bear witness, and in so doing, keep the memories of the Holocaust alive. “When you listen to a witness, you become a witness.” ― Elie Wiesel “The story is deeply moving and very disturbing. The material is compelling and reads beautifully.” ― Andrew Solomon, award-winning author of “The Noonday Demon” and “Far from the Tree”
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2020
435 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 22, 2021
A refreshing change
Having read numerous accounts of or by the sole survivor--or one of a bare handful of survivors of the Shoah--I find this book a refreshing change. Why? Because not only the three titular sisters survived, but also their brother, their parents, and their indomitable grandmother.
The three principal narrators are, as one might expect, sisters Alexandra, Eva, and Judith (nee Kroch) and the account benefits greatly from the differences in their memories -- not only what, but how, they remembered events, feelings, and thoughts.
The book culminates with a round-up of the siblings (including their brother, Peter) and their many descendants in their post-Holocaust lives. A collection of photographs--with two depicting the siblings standing on a staircase during the war and in the same positions many years later-- help to enliven the narrative. Finally, we see the honoring (in Yad Vashem, Israel) of a family of French Christians, without whose courageous assistance the Kroch family would not have survived...And we readers would never have had this engrossing, sometimes harrowing, story of their adventures.
Having read numerous accounts of or by the sole survivor--or one of a bare handful of survivors of the Shoah--I find this book a refreshing change. Why? Because not only the three titular sisters survived, but also their brother, their parents, and their indomitable grandmother.
The three principal narrators are, as one might expect, sisters Alexandra, Eva, and Judith (nee Kroch) and the account benefits greatly from the differences in their memories -- not only what, but how, they remembered events, feelings, and thoughts.
The book culminates with a round-up of the siblings (including their brother, Peter) and their many descendants in their post-Holocaust lives. A collection of photographs--with two depicting the siblings standing on a staircase during the war and in the same positions many years later-- help to enliven the narrative. Finally, we see the honoring (in Yad Vashem, Israel) of a family of French Christians, without whose courageous assistance the Kroch family would not have survived...And we readers would never have had this engrossing, sometimes harrowing, story of their adventures.
May 20, 2021
The story of three sister's and their harrowing ordeal during the 2nd.WW is captured by Celia Clement thru the sister's memoirs.
The women were elderly and each had their own recollections of the way things really happened but they all agreed that their grandmother who was in her 60's at the time was the glue that held their family together.
They remembered the deprivation of food,warmth and the terror that they felt,each time they were discovered in a hiding place by the Nazi,'s and never knowing who was a Nazi sympathizer and who would turn them in for an extra bite of food.
There are many descendants from this family of seven still living,that would not be, without the love and trust,this family shared during the hardest of times.
This is a book that I truly enjoyed,as it is a book,not about Warfare, which I also read, but about a family,even in their darkest hours,that treasured the Holiness of life,love and being together.
I would truly recommend !
The women were elderly and each had their own recollections of the way things really happened but they all agreed that their grandmother who was in her 60's at the time was the glue that held their family together.
They remembered the deprivation of food,warmth and the terror that they felt,each time they were discovered in a hiding place by the Nazi,'s and never knowing who was a Nazi sympathizer and who would turn them in for an extra bite of food.
There are many descendants from this family of seven still living,that would not be, without the love and trust,this family shared during the hardest of times.
This is a book that I truly enjoyed,as it is a book,not about Warfare, which I also read, but about a family,even in their darkest hours,that treasured the Holiness of life,love and being together.
I would truly recommend !
June 23, 2020
This is the true story of three young sisters, their brother and parents, members of the Kroch family from Leipzig, who escaped 1930s Germany by being smuggled into Belgium and then France, losing all their material possessions, but not their optimistic outlook on life. The author, Celia Clement, is the daughter of Alexandra and niece of sisters, Judith and Eva. Celia compiled the book based on her family's written memoirs and interviews.
The story illustrates the experiences of German Jewish refugees in occupied and unoccupied France during World War II. It describes the role of a tiny French village in the Dordogne whose inhabitants received a Righteous of the Nations award for hiding and saving the lives of several hundred Jews.
Very well composed and written, with photos, historical references and discussion questions; readers of all ages will learn something new. Written by a recently retired teacher/social worker and suitable for adult book groups and students ages 10 and up.
The story illustrates the experiences of German Jewish refugees in occupied and unoccupied France during World War II. It describes the role of a tiny French village in the Dordogne whose inhabitants received a Righteous of the Nations award for hiding and saving the lives of several hundred Jews.
Very well composed and written, with photos, historical references and discussion questions; readers of all ages will learn something new. Written by a recently retired teacher/social worker and suitable for adult book groups and students ages 10 and up.
January 12, 2022
Three Sisters: A True Holocaust Story of Love, Luck, and Survival is written by Eva Heymann, Judith Kashti, and Alexandra Littauer and Edited and narrated by Celia Clement. This is a unique book which takes the stories of three sisters who lived through the same experience and tells it from each of their viewpoints. It is a great tribute to their father and to Felix Goldschmidt who did all he could to save them from the hands of the Nazis. Their lives depended upon him and his letters to his wife at the end shine light on why he helped when it was so easy to turn your back.
Without the strict fun, and serious side that he sees of his sister, foes not allow him to ignore the feelings she is carrying nor to let her well on them. As he pushes her onward, he also protects her back from all hurts.
The book is well-written and easy to read. It allows us to see how we can show our respect for those who did without loss of hope.
Without the strict fun, and serious side that he sees of his sister, foes not allow him to ignore the feelings she is carrying nor to let her well on them. As he pushes her onward, he also protects her back from all hurts.
The book is well-written and easy to read. It allows us to see how we can show our respect for those who did without loss of hope.
March 30, 2021
I was so moved by this book. It's a story of wonderful people.... strong, smart, loving, loyal, ....with such incredible bonds as a family and as friends to so many others. I am truly glad that they both survived, and thrived, after the war.
It's the story of a German Jewish family and how they survived the Second World War and the Holocaust. It's written through the voices of three sisters and the daughter of one of them. They had a wide range of different experiences, incredible really, and pretty unimaginable. The book makes a point of the fact that they had good luck but they also had the help of many who had grown to know, like and respect them. Most of all they had the desire to give each other endless support.
I was also grateful to learn more about one of the people who not only helped them but hundreds of others. Felix Goldschmidt exhibited such bravery, such humanity!
Though the book is on a difficult topic, it's an easy read. I highly recommend it.
It's the story of a German Jewish family and how they survived the Second World War and the Holocaust. It's written through the voices of three sisters and the daughter of one of them. They had a wide range of different experiences, incredible really, and pretty unimaginable. The book makes a point of the fact that they had good luck but they also had the help of many who had grown to know, like and respect them. Most of all they had the desire to give each other endless support.
I was also grateful to learn more about one of the people who not only helped them but hundreds of others. Felix Goldschmidt exhibited such bravery, such humanity!
Though the book is on a difficult topic, it's an easy read. I highly recommend it.
June 22, 2020
A true memoir of three teenage sisters who were born into luxury only to have to flee for their lives and live in fear as Jews during the Holocaust, almost a riches to rags story rather than the other way around. The narrator provides the larger context for the girls' horrific experiences during 1938-1942 in Germany. She is the daughter of one of the sisters, and was able to gather first person accounts from them all, an unusual report from those awful times. Utterly timely as well in this world today where people are being killed based on their race, religion, and ethnic background. Compulsively readable, filled with photos that help make the various people involved real. Well-researched and designed. Thank you to the author for this amazing book.
December 21, 2020
An unbelievable, inspirational story of survival
It is hard to read many books documenting the Holocaust because it is so depressing and demoralizing to realize that anyone could treat human beings this way. However, this book was very readable and encouraging. The only thing I find fault with is that they proclaimed luck was what ultimately got them through their ordeals. Did no one think that maybe it was God? It seems there is so much emphasis on Jewish tradition without a true purpose in it other than continuing a racial identity. Too sad!
It is hard to read many books documenting the Holocaust because it is so depressing and demoralizing to realize that anyone could treat human beings this way. However, this book was very readable and encouraging. The only thing I find fault with is that they proclaimed luck was what ultimately got them through their ordeals. Did no one think that maybe it was God? It seems there is so much emphasis on Jewish tradition without a true purpose in it other than continuing a racial identity. Too sad!
July 13, 2022
Family means Survival
Like many stories of the Holocaust, thus focuses on one family. Their incredible 'saviors', the people who risked their very lives to help them, along with their own bravery combine to make an awe-inspiring story.
What is special about thus story, is the wonderful follow up to modern times. How the family grew and settled all over the world brings this home to modern audiences. There are study questions for those who would use this as an additional text in a History class.
Like many stories of the Holocaust, thus focuses on one family. Their incredible 'saviors', the people who risked their very lives to help them, along with their own bravery combine to make an awe-inspiring story.
What is special about thus story, is the wonderful follow up to modern times. How the family grew and settled all over the world brings this home to modern audiences. There are study questions for those who would use this as an additional text in a History class.
December 19, 2020
This is a really well written true story about a family’s struggle to escape Nazi persecution while staying together. It combines personal experiences with history to give an excellent perspective on the tragedy and heroism of that terrible time. Be sure to read the very moving letter in the footnotes.
July 22, 2021
Beautifuly protrayed
I am not a big believer in luck. I choose to say it is a blessing that so in so thing happened. I do concur with fate. What will be shall be. This family could not begin to count all their blessings and visitations by angels. I am so happy to read of an entire family who survived and then went on to multiply by so many. Praise the Good Lord up above.
I am not a big believer in luck. I choose to say it is a blessing that so in so thing happened. I do concur with fate. What will be shall be. This family could not begin to count all their blessings and visitations by angels. I am so happy to read of an entire family who survived and then went on to multiply by so many. Praise the Good Lord up above.
February 14, 2022
Three Sisters (by Celia Clement) holocaust
I really enjoyed this book and it's story line and all of it's characters. It is a long read and has a lot of info to share.Sometimes you need to read the same page over several times in order to get what they are talking about. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this era.
I really enjoyed this book and it's story line and all of it's characters. It is a long read and has a lot of info to share.Sometimes you need to read the same page over several times in order to get what they are talking about. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this era.
January 2, 2021
Love, Luck, and Survival
This was a book I read about three Jewish sisters who grew up in a Jewish home and it tells their story about dealing with life and the ensuing consequences.
This was a book I read about three Jewish sisters who grew up in a Jewish home and it tells their story about dealing with life and the ensuing consequences.
May 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. An insight into the Holocaust by the memoirs of three young Jewish sisters who fought and managed to escape from the Nazis after a 4 year ordeal. That they managed to survived is nothing short of a miracle - well worth reading.
August 27, 2022
This was an interesting book as the story was told by 3 sisters. It told about how they survived because of friends of the family and their perseverance to keep going. It was not the typical Holocaust sstory.
June 14, 2023
excellent
I would recommend this book to all who want to not forget the atrocities of the Holocaust and do not want the world to forget. The stories and the post war attitudes of these people are remarkable.
I would recommend this book to all who want to not forget the atrocities of the Holocaust and do not want the world to forget. The stories and the post war attitudes of these people are remarkable.
December 22, 2020
The author told the story about the Holocaust from three different perspectives and I really enjoyed reading what each person thought and felt at the time they were living through it.
July 29, 2021
Very good book
Really good book very well written and a very good read actually finished reading it in 3 days could barely put it down
Really good book very well written and a very good read actually finished reading it in 3 days could barely put it down
October 3, 2021
This book is well worth the read. The three sisters and their family during the war. Such love and true endurance they stayed strong and so brave.
April 18, 2022
Well written, liked how all three sisters gave their point of views on what happened to them and their family.
August 1, 2023
Extremely moving, well written.
September 25, 2023
A local author. Well researched and illustrated with family photos. The author weaves together the memoirs of her mother and aunts, telling the story of their survival and exodus.
April 13, 2024
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 25, 2025
I liked this book. It was very short and it wasn't extremely well written but it was good.
September 29, 2025
A very interesting story
March 4, 2022
This is the true story of three young sisters, their brother and parents, members of the Kroch family from Leipzig who escaped from Germany in 1930s by being smuggled into Belgium, France, losing all their material possessions, but not their optimistic outlook on life. The author, Celia Clement, is the daughter of Alexandra and the niece of sisters, Judith and Eva. Celia wrote the book based on her family where she explains the voice of her mother, age 11, and her aunt Eva, 15, and Judith, 14. They share their story about their escape from the Nazis. It is a short interview that has a 178 page interview with the story of uplifting, incredible people, strong, loving, loyal, with many bonds of friendships with both families and friends helped each other. It is also beautifully written with photos, historical references and questions for any age readers will learn something new to educate them in schools and make this book to convey into movies.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews