New York Times Bestseller: The true story of twelve Jews who went underground in Nazi Berlin—and survived: “Consummately suspenseful” (Los Angeles Times). When Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, approximately one hundred sixty thousand Jews called Berlin home. By 1943 less than five thousand remained in the nation’s capital, the epicenter of Nazism, and by the end of the war, that number had … the end of the war, that number had dwindled to one thousand. All the others had died in air raids, starved to death, committed suicide, or been shipped off to the death camps.
In this captivating and harrowing book, Leonard Gross details the real-life stories of a dozen Jewish men and women who spent the final twenty-seven months of World War II underground, hiding in plain sight, defying both the Gestapo and, even worse, Jewish “catchers” ready to report them to the Nazis in order to avoid the gas chambers themselves. A teenage orphan, a black-market jewel trader, a stylish young designer, and a progressive intellectual were among the few who managed to survive. Through their own resourcefulness, bravery, and at times, sheer luck, these Jews managed to evade the tragic fates of so many others.
Gross has woven these true stories of perseverance into a heartbreaking, suspenseful, and moving account with the narrative force of a thriller. Compiled from extensive interviews, The Last Jews in Berlin reveals these individuals’ astounding determination, against all odds, to live each day knowing it could be their last.
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I enjoy learning more about the holocaust time period. This book really let me see what it was like for Jews in Berlin. How hard it was to survive and live in fear. Made me thankful for those who fought for our liberty and theirs.
This was a very well-written book, but due to the subject matter, very difficult to read. The author follows up on Jews who survived the war hiding in and around Berlin. The survivors provide great detail regarding how they lived through the holocaust in such a way that I felt like I could feel what they went through. I felt like I got good …
This is one of those books ever one should read.
Inspiring book about the Jews living underground in Berlin during WWII. Their true stories are brought to life in this fast-moving book about their day-to-day struggles living in the shadows of the Nazis. A soaring tribute to the human spirit.
This book was well written. It held my interest until the end. A lot of new information in this book
I have read a lot about this subject.
I didn’t like the way the book was organized. It told a little about one person, then another person, then another person and so on. Then it would go back to the first person and you barely remember the person. He organized it in a timeline which didn’t work. The book was very good other than that.
Books about Jews during WW2 seem very relevant n our times. Sadly.
Amazing story of people who were able to hide in plain sight of the Gestapo.
“The Last Jews in Berlin” shows courageous Germans hiding desperate Jews hunted down by Nazis. Impressive acts of bravery, ingenuity, decency. A memorable book.
These stories of bravery in the face of immeasurable dangers are both comforting and inspiring. This book helped me to bring my pandemic fears and frustrations into perspective. I wish the stories were organized differently, as I found myself having to page backwards to identify people and places, but it was well worth the effort.
Stark raw story of the few thousand Jews hiding in Berlin during the Nazi regime. These hunted people lived in fear and deprivation trying to survive. Haunted, homeless, scared, and starving, they lived in the shadows dependent on those who could betray them at any moment. Always on the run, the Jews survived day to day without a safety net. …
I liked the way the author set up the introduction to the characters. Each chapter dealt with a person or family, with the following chapters taking each person in turn through similar experiences. I felt like I was there, and so thankful that I wasn’t. The persons were based on real people and experiences, fleshed out by what was going on in …
It shows humans, regardless of nationality, for both the depths to which they will stoop and the morality they will stand by.
Anyone with an interest in World War II, and particularly in the Holocaust, should read Leonard Gross’s The Last Jews in Berlin, an absolutely fascinating recounting of how a handful of German Jews managed to go “underground” in Nazi Germany and survive the war right under Hitler’s nose.
Their methods are as varied as their backgrounds: a wealthy …
It was a deep story of what actually happened to many people that we never think
about or imagine their hardships and survival instincts.
I’ve read so much about WWII, but this book told the story of the Jews that stayed in Berlin during the war. For whatever reason they stayed, because they couldn’t get VISAs, stayed to be with an older relative, or could pass as Aran, it is compelling and heart wrenching to understand how they survived.
historical and informative about a little known aspect of the struggle of the Jews during the Hitler regime in one of Germany’s largest cities
A collection of fascinating stories about Jews who survived the Holocaust by a combination of ingenuity, luck, and help from Gentile friends.
This was eye opening to the Jews hiding in Berlin, sometimes in plain sight. This book covers several people and their trials during the war. It was a little hard to follow at first, as the author skipped from one person to another, but it made sense as the war went on and their situations changed.
It was very informative, sad, and inspirational as well. Couldn’t help but admire the courage and determination in the face of such overwhelming odds . Definitely a page Turner