Rescuers: Portraits of Moral Courage in the Holocaust

by Gay Block, Malka Drucker

People who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust describe their experiences and the reasons behind their heroic actions

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

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

Reviews

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. It's the stories of more than forty different people who hid Jews (and some other people groups) during World War Two told in their own words. It's almost unbelievable how many of them say, "I don't think that what I did was special. It was just the right thing to do." My faith in humanity is restored.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for Holocaust enthusiasts (that sounds wrong). I really enjoy how real the people in this book are. Most of them don't really consider themselves heroes. Some believe that they should have received more recognition than they got, and some are racists against the jews even though they saved them. You got it all! I had tears in my eyes while reading some of the stories. (Read the one about the girl getting hit by the train). This book really gets you thinking about what you would do in that situation.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book with real portraits and the stories of courageous people who are very human. They all seem modest about their accomplishments, some even lament that they did not do more. Poland might have been the worst. They were so anti-Semitic that they mmade it easier for the Germans to kill the Jews -in spite of the fact that the Germans invaded their country and looked down on them as inferior beings. The partisan Polish group would not even allow the Jews to fight with them in the resistance and they even killed some of the Jews. On the other hand, in other places where leaders or individuals stood up against the Germans, the slaughter was not so bad or even prevented. The king's resistance - although from England- helped in Belgium. Unlike Queen Wilhelmina in Holland, King Leopold of Belgium continued to act like a leader. Bulgaria, the only Eastern European country without strong anti-Semitism, saved its Jews, who were a well established Sephardic community. Many of the individual rescuers acted on their own with little or no support from others.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading simply for the reflections that the Rescuers have about countries after WW II.

Some of the stories are heart breaking, all up lifting. I don't think I could be as brave as these people.

The narratives are at times honest (in particular the Countess), sometimes quiet.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

My uncle gave me this book when I graduated from high school and I really enjoyed reading the stories. It's a touching book with a powerful message, that is sadly relevant in modern times. I recommend this book for everyone, it's a lesson in being an ally in the hardest circumstances.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The write-ups were wide ranging, but also unevenly interesting. I think the authors would have been better served to send some "starter" questions to their subjects beforehand, since most of the interviews were fairly superficial. The subjects were all elderly people and some seemed to flounder at the open-endedness of the interviews.

Many write-ups left me wanting to know more - follow up questions would have benefited the reader. A handful talked about themselves and the honors and acclaim they received, and not about the actual rescues, which was disappointing. Nevertheless, this book is an important contribution and I'm glad the authors captured at least something of the rescuers stories, since all are undoubtedly dead by now.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing book about "ordinary" people who helped save Jews during the holocaust years. Many countries were represented and it included a history and maps of the regions for better understanding. The "heroes" did not think they were anything special, even though they risked their lives and their loved ones lives every day. It was truly inspiring. Very simply written, pictures were great, extra details were very helpful. I read one or 2 stories at a time to better absorb it all. what a dark time in our history. i have read many Holocaust books, but mostly sad with an inspirational message in the end. this was inspirational thru out. would highly recommend this book.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The overwhelming theme in this book is not, "I set out to do the right thing." but rather, "A time of choice came, and I chose to do the thing that I knew was right." I believe that this is the core of being a good person. I believe that most of us given a choice at any moment in time, will choose to do the moral thing. Most of these people seem bewildered to be recognized for their actions, since they believe they had no other or easier choice.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting but it will take me a while to get through it.

[Jessica Grubb · Rating 4 out of 5]

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