It’s not a novel. It’s not ‘based on a true story.’ It really happened, and I am a witness. You will be, too… What do you do if you are a reluctant soldier, having been shot at, seen your friends killed, and can no longer even remember what your own mother looks like? As a combat soldier fighting your way across Europe, what is the plan when you come across a Holocaust train full of … you come across a Holocaust train full of suffering humanity that shocks you to your core, even after you think you have seen it all? And what happens when you get to meet the survivors face to face, two generations later?
~ ‘After I got home I cried a lot. My parents couldn’t understand why I couldn’t sleep at times.’-Walter ‘Babe’ Gantz, US Army medic
~From the author of ‘The Things Our Fathers Saw’ World War II eyewitness history series~
In this book, the true story behind an iconic photograph taken at the liberation of a DEATH TRAIN deep in the heart of Nazi Germany—brought to life by the history teacher who discovered it, and went on to reunite HUNDREDS of Holocaust survivors with the actual American soldiers who saved them!
~ ‘I grew up and spent all my years being angry. This means I don’t have to be angry anymore.’-Paul Arato, Holocaust Survivor
~THE HOLOCAUST was a watershed event in history. Drawing on never-before published eye-witness accounts, survivor testimony and memoirs, wartime reports and letters, Matthew Rozell takes us on his journey to uncover the stories behind the incredible 1945 liberation photographs taken by the soldiers who were there. He weaves together a chronology of the Holocaust as it unfolds across Europe and goes to the authentic sites of the Holocaust to retrace the steps of the survivors and the American soldiers who freed them. His mission culminates in joyful reunions on three continents, seven decades later. Rozell offers his unique perspective on the lessons of the Holocaust for future generations, and the impact that one person, a teacher, can make.
~ ‘I survived because of many miracles. But for me to actually meet, shake hands, hug, and cry together with my liberators—the ‘angels of life’ who literally gave me back my life—was just beyond imagination.’-Leslie Meisels, Holocaust Survivor
-Featuring testimony from 15 American liberators and over 30 Holocaust survivors
~ ‘People say it cannot happen here in this country; yes, it can happen here. I was 21 years old. I was there to see it happen!’-Luca Furnari, US Army
Included:
BOOK ONE-THE HOLOCAUST
BOOK TWO-THE AMERICANS
BOOK THREE-LIBERATION
BOOK FOUR-REUNION
~ ‘It’s not for my sake, it’s for the sake of humanity, that you will remember.’-Steve Barry, Holocaust Survivor
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A great collection of survivor & liberator’s stories from an often overlooked group of people who suffered during the end of the war.
And incredible book of history, inspiration and happy endings. Gripped me from the beginning and I could hardly put it down.
If this book doesn’t grab at your heart – you don’t have one. I loved reading it but often had to put it aside because it was so gut-wrenching. How can one human do this to another? I realize there are many (including Hitler) that think the Jews have no right to life but they are God’s chosen.
Every student in high school needs to read this haunting book. Historical knowledge hopefully will keep the horrifying culture of WW II from repeating it self.
incredibly moving book. Knowing this was a true story and how they came together in a reunion was moving. I recommend this book and would give it 5 stars.
This was a very interesting book about a group of Holocaust survivors and their rescuers as well as some of the battles in WWII and how the life of the author tied into their lives. It was a very good book, I would recommend it for anyone interested in history.
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Not easy to read one more book about the Holocaust, but the portrayals of victims on the train going to a death camp made it even more real to me.
I liked it because it contained historical events. I was able to feel and imagine the tragic experiences of the characters. I liked the lighter parts about airlifting candy for the children. School children in America should read excerpts from this book. It would open their eyes to more recent history.
Compelling thoroughly researched history. Loved the first person accounts befire! During and after the holicaust.
My opinion of things in this book. The last part of the book when the American troops meet with the people from the train, and the Jewish people call the Americans heroes and they down play this, saying that they were only doing their jobs, following orders:
I think that, that is what the German troops were saying, we were only following orders.
When the American officers have to hold a gun to the heads of German citizens to get them to feed the freed Jewish people tells a lot about the German citizens, and what they knew about the killing of the jewish people.
I do believe that the majority of the German people were in favor of the Jewish people disappearing, and how that happened they did not care.
A well written book.
This was a true story that happened at the end of WWII. Well written and very interesting, even as it was sad and somewhat horrifying reading what happened to the Jews. We must never forget.
If you are a reader of WWII books of Cathy events this is one you want to read. The author is a NY teacher who did remarkable research and facilitated the meeting of survivors of the Holocaust with their accidental rescuers. Intense as well as heartwarming.
Informative. Very worth reading.
Balanced view of the Holocaust.
Very inspired story of perseverance!
Well written documentary about things you may never had heard of or imagined.
A great story about a specific part of the Holocaust that I didn’t know. Very informative and sobering.
This was an outstanding book related to the Holocaust and the rescue of some of the victims. It makes you feel as if you were there. In a really horrifying time in history this book sheds some light amid the darkness.
Outstanding. Uplifting. Worth the read.