The gripping tale about two boys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust.“A novel of survival, justice and redemption…riveting.” —Chicago Tribune, on Once We Were BrothersElliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and wealthy philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto … accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto Piatek, the Butcher of Zamosc. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser is convinced he is right and engages attorney Catherine Lockhart to bring Rosenzweig to justice. Solomon persuades attorney Catherine Lockhart to take his case, revealing that the true Piatek was abandoned as a child and raised by Solomon’s own family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation. But has Solomon accused the right man?
Once We Were Brothers is Ronald H. Balson’s compelling tale of two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland, and a young love that struggles to endure the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. Two lives, two worlds, and sixty years converge in an explosive race to redemption that makes for a moving and powerful tale of love, survival, and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit.
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Fabulous book. It is so well written, and the author maintained the tension all the way through. Great WWII historical fiction based in Poland WWII, and modern day. No spoilers but it’s a good twist. Stay with it to the very end, you won’t be disappointed. This was a fast read, especially as an audio book read with all the voices and accents. The …
Heart breaking story of a Holocaust survivor, raised with a gentile friend who became a high ranking Nazi, He wants him to pay for his crimes even though many years have passed.
This was a random book I picked up before a trip to Eastern Europe and it is one of the best books I have ever read! I couldn’t put it down and I would reccomend this author and ESP this book to anyone.
It’s been a long time since a book kept me up so late past bedtime, to say nothing of waking well before the alarm (or the early summer dawn) to try to finish it before work. Once We Were Brothers did both. Written by Ronald Balson, Brothers is the story – part historical fiction (the early chapters, especially, recall In the Garden of Beasts) and …
Had this book on my kindle for quite some time before I read it. So glad I did. Once I started t didn’t want to put it down.
A real page turner. I couldn’t put it down. It’ll also make you cry.
Great story, would make a good movie.
Shows what happens when politics can ruin a friendship and create danger
I have read many novels about the Holocaust but this one was so moving with wonderful, drawn-out characters that I couldn’t put it down. It’s about a German boy and a Jewish boy who, through circumstances, are raised together for several years and become close — like brothers. Again, fate steps in and the German boy goes back to live with his …
One of the best books I have read recently. Certainly worth it.
all time favorite
Read most of Ronald H. Balson’s books, and they all are good, but this one is his best in my opinion.
Loved this book!
obsessed
I couldn’t put this book down. I read 3-4 books per month and this is at the top of my list. Will read it again at some point! Love this author and quickly searched for other books he’d written. Now I pre-order his latest as soon as it’s available. He can’t write fast enough for me!
loved
This is a great read!!! I would definitely recommend.
Loved this!
Every person I recommended this book to said the same thing, “ I didn’t want it to end”.
A wonderful story about redemption,of trusting & believing in someone else & yourself & all you can do with that trust. By far the best historical fiction I’ve read in a long time.
This was a book I hated to see end. The characters seemed like old friends. The history was engrossing. Is the elderly Chicago philanthropist really a former Nazi criminal?