Hiding in Death's Shadow: How I Survived the Holocaust

by Allen Brayer

There was commotion everywhere. People were getting dressed or looking for things. The atmosphere was unreal, unbelievable. I know they all felt the same as I. A rope was tightening around everyone's neck-the end has come. It is like seeing the angel of death manifest in the form of a policeman. No one among us spoke. Except for the rustle of everyone getting ready to go, it was quiet. We were living a nightmare. It could not be real, but it was and yet I refused to believe it. Somehow, at least in me, there was a spark of hope. I pretended to look for things, all the while my mind raced through the possibilities, the ideas of escape, running away, or somehow just disappearing. I was desperate because my immediate chances were poor. I couldn't see myself leaving this house with the rest of the group. One thought ran over and over in my mind, I must get out of this mess.

170 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kenneth Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiding in Death’s Shadow is a compelling account of survival during one of history’s darkest periods. The book tells the story of Allen Breyer, a young Jewish man living in southern Poland whose life was forever changed by the Nazi invasion during World War II.

What makes this book so engrossing is Breyer’s remarkable determination and resourcefulness. While many of his family members, friends, and fellow Jews were deported to concentration camps, he managed to evade capture for nearly three years. Surviving in forests, villages, and towns throughout his homeland, he faced constant danger, hunger, and uncertainty. His story highlights both the cruelty of the Nazi regime and the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.

The narrative is fast-paced and highly readable, making it difficult to put down. At the same time, it provides valuable historical insight into the experiences of Jews in occupied Poland and the challenges faced by those who attempted to survive outside the camps. Breyer’s firsthand experiences bring history to life in a way that textbooks cannot.

Although the subject matter is tragic, the book is ultimately a testament to courage, perseverance, and hope. Hiding in Death’s Shadow is a compelling, quick, and informative read that offers both an unforgettable personal story and an important perspective on the Holocaust. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in World War II history, survival stories, or the resilience of the human spirit.

[pineapplefr3ak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unbelievable, arresting account of the fight for survival in the face of Nazis, Ukrainian Nationalists, and regular people seeking bounties, all hunting down Jews in the early 1940s. Breyer's family was the only Jewish one in a small farming village in Poland, living a peaceful life with friendly relations with their neighbors. One day, his entire family is carted away, and Breyer spends the next two years in the forest: on the run, desperate for food, linking up with various groups of other refugee Jews, and forging a brutal existence in the wilderness. It seems like the stuff of Hollywood movies, but it's all too real. This book is painfully necessary in our times, and it's essential reading for anyone interested in truly understanding what it meant to have survived the Holocaust.

[Maddy Gustafson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend’s grandfather wrote this book which made this story feel closer to the heart knowing his family. Allen’s story is heartbreaking and devastating but seeing how far he’s come from his past is incredibly admirable.

[Jason Shatkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I am the grandson in law of one of the targets of Mr. Brayer's ramblings, I found this book to be very superficially written, as though from the perspective of a naive (and very ungrateful) young man.

Would not purchase this book!!