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75th out of 166 books
—
57 voters
The Bielski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis, Built a Village in the Forest, and Saved 1,200 Jews
by
Peter Duffy
In 1941, three brothers witnessed their parents and two other siblingsbeing led away to their eventual murders. It was a grim scene that would, of course, be repeated endlessly throughout the war. Instead of running orgiving in to despair, these brothers -- Tuvia, Zus, and Asael Bielski -- foughtback, waging a guerrilla war of wits against the Nazis.
By using their intimate...more
By using their intimate...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
June 15th 2004
by Harper Perennial
(first published January 1st 2003)
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I have to say that I am quite embarrassed as to not fully appreciating the breadth and scope of the Holocaust atrocities. I wasn't aware of the scope of brutality as it related to extended efforts the Nazi regime took to attempt Jewish extermination in the relative far reaches of Nazi-occupied USSR. This occurred all the way into 1943, only ceasing as the Nazi' were routed by the Red Army in their retreat back to Germany from the eastern front.
I especially appreciated Duffy's apparently slavish...more
I especially appreciated Duffy's apparently slavish...more
Here's my recommendation: If you cannot get your hands on a copy from your local library immediately, go buy it. One of the most compelling stories of survival and heroic action by small groups of Jews hiding from vicious Nazi killers during WWII. Belarus, a small central European country, had a large Jewish population before the war. Like so many countries in the vicinity, when the war ended, there were nearly no Jews left. The Bielski brothers, a very tough trio, by dint of will and no small m...more
There is no doubt that this is a compelling story, but perhaps not for the reasons you might expect. These brothers were indeed heroes to some, but what of the several Jews summarily executed by them for not following them unquestionably? To those people and their families, these men were perhaps no better than the Nazis. This book did nothing but make me sad. Sad to see those who would aspire to saving their own so quickly turn to the tactics of their enemies in order to keep the order they des...more
An intensely fact-focused book, The Bielski Brothers narrates the fantastic, nearly reality-defying story of the Jewish Bielski brothers and their heroic actions during World War II. Unfortunately for the characters, the author who discovered their demeanors fails to qualify for the occupation of storyteller. Instead of telling a gripping tale, Duffy opts out of potential drama as he prefers to keep to the relative safety of fact; merely recounting what he had been told and read. Hence another v...more
Great book about 3 extraordinary brothers standing up to Nazi tyranny. If you've seen the movie "Defiance" read about their whole remarkable story here.
If you have any interest in the Partisan movement, the Jewish resistance, the Warsaw uprising, the White rose, Edelweiss Pirates, Oskar Schindler or anyone else that defied the nazi regime, you have to read this book. First off, this is not a bang bang shoot em up account of the Bielski brothers. This is more about the massive effort it took to m...more
If you have any interest in the Partisan movement, the Jewish resistance, the Warsaw uprising, the White rose, Edelweiss Pirates, Oskar Schindler or anyone else that defied the nazi regime, you have to read this book. First off, this is not a bang bang shoot em up account of the Bielski brothers. This is more about the massive effort it took to m...more
Feb 08, 2009
GraceH
added it
This book is a very fascinating book, and the author wrote it well. He keeps you interested even through the parts that should be boring.
It blows me away that they could pull something that huge off (don't want to say anything that might ruin the story). One thing that did bother me about the author is that he kept using phrases like "Luck was on their side..." " And luck was with them..." right after a miracle would happen.The part that bothered me the most was near the end (don't worry I'm not...more
It blows me away that they could pull something that huge off (don't want to say anything that might ruin the story). One thing that did bother me about the author is that he kept using phrases like "Luck was on their side..." " And luck was with them..." right after a miracle would happen.The part that bothered me the most was near the end (don't worry I'm not...more
This is the true story of 3 brothers who rescued their families by hiding them in the forests near their town, after the German invasion of Belarus. Eventually, they tried to rescue other Jews and begin to fight as partisans against the Germans. They set up a network to help Jews escape from the camps they were held in and to help feed the Jews already in their care. The brothers worked to keep the Jews together and free and to let the Germans know that Jews were fighting them. The brothers also...more
The movie Defiance is based on the true story of the Bielski Brothers, amazing men who saved over 1000 Jewish people during WW2. The book was written in a very simple style--but it was informative and direct. These men were so brave and skillful--they faced so much opposition--the Nazis of course, but there were internal threats to their authority, and they were also incorporated into the Soviet partisan movement and had to answer to the Russians, empahsizing to them that they were saving Soviet...more
This is a fascinating book and one that I think everyone should read. At the same time, it is very sad and had me quite depressed. Probably not the book I should have read Christmas day and the day after . . .but it was very compelling. It was well written but pretty dry, a recounting of fact after fact, after fact, etc. I guess that's why I am giving it three stars instead of four. Of course, it's non-fiction but I still think that the information could have been handled a bit differently. Stil...more
This is a story about three Jewish brothers whose parents are killed in the wake of World War II. They barely escape into the woods with their own lives where they would eventually establish a refugee camp--the second largest camp set up by Jews for Jews during the Nazi reign. It's a compelling story about the tribulations they faced such as the harsh winters, food shortages, and constant threat of the Nazi's uncovering them. Even though they escapped Nazi tyranny, many would still perish in the...more
In 1941, three brothers witnessed their parents and two other siblingsbeing led away to their eventual murders. It was a grim scene that would, of course, be repeated endlessly throughout the war. Instead of running orgiving in to despair, these brothers -- Tuvia, Zus, and Asael Bielski -- foughtback, waging a guerrilla war of wits against the Nazis.
By using their intimate knowledge of the dense forests surrounding theBelarusan towns of Novogrudek and Lida, the Bielskis evaded the Nazis andestab...more
By using their intimate knowledge of the dense forests surrounding theBelarusan towns of Novogrudek and Lida, the Bielskis evaded the Nazis andestab...more
This book really does read like a non-fiction thriller. It was life affirming and heart breaking at the same time. Given the knowledge of where the brothers settled in the later years of their lives, reaffirms my awe and wonder at how sometimes hidden among ordinary neighborhood, hidden behind ordinary jobs, there might just be an incredible hero. What I find wonderful about Duffy's account is that while some parts may be, out of admiration, recounted slightly fonder than they actually occurred,...more
I had seen the movie "Defiance" when it came out several years ago and was inspired to learn more about the Bielski brothers because of it. Obviously, it takes me a little while to get through my reading list, but this is an excellent account of their lives and the time they spent leading a group of Jews in hiding. Not only did they survive, but they also resisted their German occupiers and were very good at doing both. Tuvia, Zus, and Asael Bielski were not perfect - their flaws and mistakes ar...more
An excellent story, rendered a bit dry by all the focus on the party & group structure, I didn't appreciate the importance of this information until I saw the piece of garbage which was the movie version. The author also "spoils" the suspense by letting us know who lives through (at least of the major players). I would have liked so much more detail of the day to day life and persons involved. An amazing story of survival nonetheless, and it is so important for us to remember what happened,...more
A detailed description of the untold story of Zus, Asael and Tuvia Bielski, three Jewish brothers who, after having their families killed by the Nazis, decided to fight back. Their became a partisan fighting group in the forests of their homeland with a twofold goal: rescue as many Jews as they could, and kill as many Nazis as they could. Author Peter Duffy used personal interviews, written histories and memoirs from those who were part of this historical group of Jewish fighters to put together...more
I purchased this book long before the movie "Defiance" came out (I have not seen the film). The book covers a nightmarish time in human history, that of the Nazi "jewish solution" in WWII, and the extreme courage and dogged determination of three brothers who decided that they were not going to be herded like sheep and exterminated. Their bravery and yes, defiance, are amply detailed in this narrative as they doggedly carve out a village in the middle of the forests of Belarus and took in other...more
Wow! I cannot even begin to describe how amazing this book is! It is written in very simple, straightforward language that tells the true story of 3 Jewish brothers who escape the destruction of the Jews during WW II by taking their family and a few friends into the forest to hide. They build a small community there and take in anybody who wants to join them--sick, old, child--and take care of them. The story of their courage, dedication, compassion for others, and faith is inspiring. They have...more
Sometime in the middle of the first chapter I told myself to just go on and finish this book, after all it was my suggestion for reading group; but then I learned to enjoy the way it was written. It is almost clinical in its accuracy and time-line. Yet it is most definitely not a history book you'll read in school, at least not primary education. Filled with dates, facts, numbers, names, and details this story is interesting and provocative, bold and daring. Some very brave people lived to tell...more
What a great read! This book tells the amazing story of three Jewish brothers and their struggle to survive the Holocaust. These brothers saved more Jews from the Nazis then Oskar Schindler. This book serves as a good reminder of the anti-semitic tendencies of almost all of Europe. While the Holocaust was so extreme and evil, it didn't come out of nowhere. The family history of these brothers shows how the Jews had been fighting for survival for generations leading up to the Holocaust. This book...more
Having written so many reviews today, I am getting lazy and sloppy. Let me just summarize by saying that I really liked this book b/c it showed how some Jews fought against the Nazis. So many just say they dumbly put themselves on trains to the concentration camps. THAT IS FALSE! Their active attempts to fight against all odds must be made known. This book helps make clear the truth. Jews did fight for their ives. Secondly, Tuvia was a fighter. To be that you cannot at the same time expect him t...more
1 like · like · see review
Sep 08, 2008
Bythedeed
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Outlaws, Antifa, Anarchists, Partisans, Ambush, Saboteurs, Jews, Forest Dwellers
Shelves:
read-more-than-once
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The journey of three Jewish brothers that escape Nazi persecution then go on to form a small resistance unit that keeps growing throughout the war as more and more Jews escape the Ghettos and concentration camps.
When the war ended, about 1200 Jews came out of the woods.
The story, details the story of the Bielski brothers' journey, a sort of biography. It talks about their attempts at cooperation with the communists, their strategies, their warlord attitudes, but also their story after the war wa...more
When the war ended, about 1200 Jews came out of the woods.
The story, details the story of the Bielski brothers' journey, a sort of biography. It talks about their attempts at cooperation with the communists, their strategies, their warlord attitudes, but also their story after the war wa...more
If you like books about how it REALLY was during the war, this one has a lot of grit and detail that makes it both quick to read and difficult to comprehend. I enjoyed it very much, and know that it parallels other stories I've read about resistance fighters in various parts of Europe. It was a difficult existence for so many reasons, lack of ketchup being an inconvenience, not a hardship.
Following the defeat of the Nazi's in 1944 Russia, a group of 1200 people came out of hiding to return to civilization. That these people were alive (not to mention the literally thousands who are their descendants), was due to the actions of three brave brothers.
After witnessing the early stages of the Nazi's attacks against the Soviet Union, the three Bielski brothers launched a daring rescue of their fellow Jewish citizens, and began hiding people in the dense forests that surrounded their h...more
After witnessing the early stages of the Nazi's attacks against the Soviet Union, the three Bielski brothers launched a daring rescue of their fellow Jewish citizens, and began hiding people in the dense forests that surrounded their h...more
In the interest of honesty, I skimmed the majority of this book because, well, it wasn’t want I was expected. I had expected more insight into the Bielskis’ life inside the forest; however, The Bielski Brothers chose to focus on life around the forest, not in it. So much so that it gets bogged down in the details and the Bielski Brothers get the short end of the stick — their story isn’t being told; the story of Jews in Poland is.
And the writing is absolutely boring, except for the prologue, whi...more
And the writing is absolutely boring, except for the prologue, whi...more
Seen the movie Defiance? This is the true story of the Bielski brothers - mostly fact - some trimming round the edges. Three brothers starting their own Jewish partisan group in Belorussia. Largely unnoticed - except by the hundreds of people they managed to save. The facts are compelling in itself - some book that you pick up and never set down
A very thorough look at the life and adventures of the Bielski Brothers both before, during, and after World War II. I picked it up thinking it was a novel, it's not, it's like reading a documentary. It was not boring, however. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the brothers and their forest campaign, or a thorough look at how the Russins, Poles, and Germans viewed and treated the Jews before, during, and after the war.
I watched the movie, Defiance, and thought, "No way. WAAAAAY too Disney and everything makes way too much sense." So I picked up the bio, and yep, the movie was way sanitized. The brothers are in the wrong order. But the spirit of it is the same, carving a life when no one want you there. A good read.
A thorough and moving account of The Bielski Brothers. I cried at several points: out of anger, fear, sadness; at the incomprehensible evil. But also I cried out of gratitude: the integrity, generosity, and strength it took to fight the battles the Bielski's and those with them fought. There is no greater tribute to these men then to know that thousands of people are living their lives right now because of the Bielski's did.
A sobering account of Jewish resistance to Nazism and wider anti-Semitism from the forrests of Belarus. While most of the Jewish population of Central Europe were massacred by an alliance of Nazi's and local anti-Semites three brothers built a sanctury for their people and began to fight back against their oppressors against incredible odds and always needing to be wary of those who should have been their allies. While the brothers pulled off a brilliant struggle against incredible odds saving o...more
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