Quiet Hero: Secrets from My Father's Past

by Rita Cosby

When a father reveals his haunting past, a daughter takes an incredible journey of self-discovery . . . Emmy® award–winning journalist, TV host, and New York Times bestselling author Rita Cosby has always asked the tough questions in her interviews with the world’s top newsmakers. Now, in a compelling and powerful memoir, she reveals how she uncovered an amazing personal story of heroism and courage, the untold secrets of a man she has known all her her father. Years after her mother’s tragic death, Rita finally nerved herself to sort through her mother’s stored belongings, never dreaming what a dramatic story was waiting for her. Opening a battered tan suitcase, she discovered it belonged to her father—the enigmatic man who had divorced her mother and left when Rita was still a teenager. Rita knew little of her father’s just that he had left Poland after World War II, and that his many scars, visible and not, bore mute witness to some past tragedy. He had always refused to answer questions. Now, however, she held in her hand stark mementos from the youth of the man she knew only as Richard Cosby, proud a worn Polish Resistance armband; rusted tags bearing a prisoner number and the words Stalag IVB; and an identity card for an ex-POW bearing the name Ryszard Kossobudzki. Gazing at these profoundly telling relics, the well-known journalist realized that her father’s story was one she could not allow him to keep secret any longer. When she finally did persuade him to break his silence, she heard of a harrowing past that filled her with immense pride . . . and chilled her to the bone. At the age of thirteen, barely even adolescent, her father had seen his hometown decimated by bombs. By the time he was fifteen, he was covertly distributing anti-Nazi propaganda a few blocks from the Warsaw Ghetto. Before the Warsaw Uprising, he lied about his age to join the Resistance and actively fight the enemy to the last bullet. After being nearly fatally wounded, he was taken into captivity and sent to a German POW camp near Dresden, finally escaping in a daring plan and ultimately rescued by American forces. All this before he had left his teens. This is Richard Cosby’s story, but it is also Rita’s. It is the story of a daughter coming to understand a father whose past was too painful to share with those he loved the most, too terrible to share with a child . . . but one that he eventually revealed to the journalist. In turn, Rita convinced her father to join her in a dramatic return to his battered homeland for the first time in sixty-five years. As Rita drew these stories from her father and uncovered secrets and emotions long kept hidden, father and daughter forged a new and precious bond, deeper than either could have ever imagined.

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

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the story of Rita Cosy's re-connecting with her father after her mom's death. Her father was in the Warsaw Uprising and he kept much of himself and his story shut off from her. This book tells the story of their journey to a full parent-child relationship and his story as a member of the famous Eaglets -- who were saboteurs and couriers for the A.K.
I went back and forth with this between 2 and 3 stars. I wanted to give it a 2 because it is not particularly splendidly written. Sort of 8th grade reading style. However, I gave it 3 because a 2 would not have been fair for that reason. Cosby merely writes in a way that is accessible to the average reader -- and this is laudable. Not everything has to be elevated and splendid prose. The accessibility of her writing style undoubtely will draw more readers who need to be informed about the contribution of Poles to WW II. This is especially those who have deep sixed their ethnicity as a result of the prejudices they encountered post WW II as DPs (displaced persons).
I have commented many times before about the diminution of the courageous efforts of the Poles, and the cover up of atrocities perpetuated against them. Cosby does not dwell on these, but in her upbeat roundabout way, she makes the point.
Especially enlightening and valuable was her research into PTSD and heroism. It provides much insight into those brave Polish DPs who emigrated to many countries after the war, but chose to keep the harrowing details of their experiences for the most part to themselves.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the author was a little girl, she knew that her father carried ugly physical scars on much of his body that he refused to explain, that he was emotionally distant from his own wife and children, and that he could quickly make a life-altering decision and never look back. What she did not know was why. This book is the answer to that "why" -- an answer she did not know until her father was in his 80's.

Richard Cosby, born Ryszard Kossobudzki, was 13 years old when the Nazis bombed Warsaw, the city of his birth. In the space of a week, his childhood -- and the life he had lived until that point -- ended. From then on, he lived as a Polish resistance fighter, eventually participating in the bloody Warsaw Uprising and becoming a POW when the uprising failed, surviving for 6 months in a German POW camp before escaping to the approaching American lines.

This book is not only an account of the horrors of war, but a story of what it takes to survive and what it takes to heal. Recommended to those interested in WWII history, especially the history of resistance in occupied territories, and perhaps to those seeking to reestablish their connection with an emotionally distant father, especially if that distance is related to unspeakable trauma (what it takes to survive is not always what it takes to live well afterwards).

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy reading this book and hearing Richard Cosby account of the Warsaw uprising. What courage he had as a young teenager boy. A true hero

[Grace Hudnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!! Great account of history that many are unaware of.

[Shimmywith4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read. So many WWII stories focus on the evils of the Holocaust, and that is definitely needed. But I loved how this book wasn't about the horrors it was about the heroes. It was about why so many risked everything. It was about why we fight so hard for what we hold dear to us. It was also about how events, especially those seen in war, can effect and change people for the rest of their lives. And how important it can be for us to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of others. They can be too quickly forgotten if we don't.
I cried many times and was deeply touched by reading this book. Yet as soon as I finished it, I knew that the first person I would hand it off to was my 12 year old son. I think this is a perfect book for a younger reader to read about the war. It tells the truth, it shows how evil war and people can be, but it doesn't dwell on the gore, it dwells on standing up for what you believe is right and patriotism. It shows what true heroes are.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another "must read" book. Rita Cosby has not only presented an eyewitness account to the Resistance Movement in Poland during World War II, she has captured a personal story that is invaluable to her brother, father, herself and many, many others. What she discovered about her father must make others, whose fathers served in the war, wonder about the details of their dad's service. How many of them got the opportunity to learn the personal thoughts and hardships that their fathers endured? Rita now understands the dynamics of her family as she was growing up, something that many may never have the opportunity to know. Imagine that her father never talked about his life during World War II, until Rita began to piece together the details of his story. Father and daughter must value the relationship they now have, realizing that it may never have been if Rita hadn't pursued getting answers to her questions. Moving beyond the personal story, this book no doubt, has a place in the history of Poland.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first WWII book (that I can recall)dealing with personal experiences of the Polish during Hitler's rampage. The author (Fox News anchor; Rita Cosby) writes about her father, whose past she never knew. He was totally silent about his experiences growing up in Poland before he immigrated to the USA. As a girl she once asked him about the horrid scars on his back, but he never explained them to her. Years later, she slowly uncovers the truth about her father's heroic history. He was one of the courageous who tried to make life difficult for Hitler's troops when they took over Warsaw. The resistance army fought without guns (in most cases). When it became obvious that Hitler's forces were not going to be removed, Rita's dad (a 17-year old teen at the time) escaped Warsaw by trudging through the city's sewers.

This book gave me deeper appreciation for, and awareness of those who refused to stand by and comply while Hitler did his evil deeds.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rita Cosby, renowned TV correspondent, grew up with a father who was distant and demanded perfection. Because he shared very little about himself, she couldn't understand him and knew very little about her ancestry. Years pass, her parents divorce, and her mother passes away. While going through her mother's belongings, she finds a battered old suitcase that belonged to her father. In it, she finds stark momentos from her father's youth growing up in Poland. They lead her to reconnect with him to learn about his roles in the Warsaw uprising and the Polish Resistance in World War II. The story is amazing, as is the bond that forms between Rita and her father Ryszard Kossobudzki (Richard Cosby). Richard Cosby is a true hero. Rita Cosby uncovers this heroism and discovers a warm, emotional man underneath the protective shield her father has hidden behind for so many years. This is a different genre of World War II literature. It is a very moving, enlightening read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a touching true story about the Polish resistance during WWII as told by journalist Rita Cosby as she discovers why her father, though alive, was not present during much of her life. Favorite quote: "Many people accept relationships with parents or other loved ones as just being the way they are, distant or complicated, and feel the wall between them is too high to climb. I've always been an optimist, but my relationship with my father was one challenge I was always pessimistic about. I am glad I faced the challenge, quelled my own fears, and took the leap of faith to get to finally know him."

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have already recommended this book to a couple of people. Not only does this book describe the horrors the people of Poland suffered during World War II, but also the specific trials the author's father went through. And, to top it off, it is the story of how a father & daughter, who did not know each other very well, draw closer. The daughter was able to interview her father in such a way (& at the right time in his life) that he opened up about his experiences. It was an amazing book - I wish my father were still here so that I could ask him about his experiences during the war.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read non-fiction but this book was recommended by a friend of the author. I have since met her, too! I can hear Rita's voice while I was reading it like she was telling me about it personally. It's a terrific read - both a personal account and a first-hand history lesson. What horrors the people of Poland suffered, and what a man her father was to fight for right over might. I have already recommended it to others. I'm glad she shared her family history, and it's one that should make her proud.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received a complimentary copy from Rita Cosby at a conference I attended. Unbelievable story about her father, a member of the Polish Resistance during WWII, but knowing Cosby's background as a journalist and professional interviewer, I expected some deeper, more analytical lines of questioning. At times it sounded more like a high school biographical report with questions along the lines of, "And then what happened?" It's probably not quite easy to interview an estranged family member, so I don't get caught up in this--just noticed it, that's all.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book as a requirement for a crisis intervention class and I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed it and how emotional I felt reading it. An amazing story of a Polish POW recalling his experiences during WWII 65 years later with his daughter. The author who is his daughter and a journalist shows us it's never too late to right wrongs with a loved one while learning about her father's past. I would highly recommend.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't have high hopes for this book...Coming from a journalist/news anchor, I thought it would be a blowhard book. This was anything but that! This book made me cry at parts with the obvious love that RC has for her father and a coming to terms and an understanding with mistakes he made in his past.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful biography of a brave man that served in the Polish resistance, and his daughters quest to find out who her really is. Through their journey together, their relationship grows. It is a beautifully written story, and the first story I have read that dealt directly with Poland experiences during World War II.

[Lea Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuine story of bravery and hope! Rita Cosby shares her father's incredibly emotional and gripping account of fighting with the Resistance during the Warsaw Uprising, surviving massive injuries in a crude field hospital, escaping from a brutal German POW camp, and reinventing himself in America. I couldn't put this book down!

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a well written book with photos. The author, a former MSNBC reporter, learned more about her father's heroism in Poland during WWII. Through interviews with her father she learned more about the Polish underground.

[Pat Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just a touching story of a woman connecting with her father once again, but history about the beginning of WWII that hasn't been told before. About how Poland tried to stop Germany from invading and what the youth went through and died for.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I wasn't in love with the question/answer style of writing (but do understand why it was used), I was amazed at the things this man did to survive (walk through a pitch-dark sewer system and escape from a POW cam) and how matter-of-fact he spoke of the events he experienced.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most amazing true-life stories from WWII that I have ever read. God Bless that greatest generation of men whether they hail from the USA, England or, in this case, Poland. Beautifully told by Rita Cosby.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good story of a daughters search of her fathers past. He was a teenager in Poland during the war. A true story.

[Marla Milligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many that love their Country and would die for it. This is a tender story about a young man's courage to fight for Poland and of family forgiveness. Very humbling !

[April Sandmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A daughter's lovely tribute to her hero father.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this and could not put it down . Great book about a woman rebuilding a relationship with her dad by discovering his seceret past.

[MaryAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Very interesting history of Poland during WWII as well as understanding what shapes your parent.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the fathers experience was very interesting, I didn't feel the author drew in the reader.

[Liz Utter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites of late

[Julie Goff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been to Poland and being very interested in its role in WWII I was so interested in this book. It is written so well. I plan to read this again sometime.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the history aspect of this book. The photos at the end of the book are great. I love reading about Holocaust and other WWII stories. I do love reading about history and the war.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book. Sometimes a little sappy, but what a great history of WWII Warsaw, Poland and the Resistance.
Really interesting!