Out of Hitler's Reach: The Scattergood Hostel for European Refugees 1939-43

by Michael Luick-Thrams

From 1939 to 1943, 185 refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe found refuge at Scattergood, a temporary hostel in what had been a Quaker boarding school near West Branch, Iowa. Among them were Jews, political opponents of Hitler's regime, religious figures, professionals, merchants, journalists, artists, elderly women, single young men, students, and children. With the help of Iowa Quaker farmers and idealistic college kids, the refugees sought to overcome the trauma of their experiences in Europe, find a niche for themselves and build a new life in their New World. This book examines the refugees' backgrounds, their flight from Europe, and their attempt to integrate into America. This is a story of unimaginable loss and unexpected gain, of the rediscovery of hope and genuine kindness, of generosity of spirit, and of love freely given. It is a story that holds out an ideal to refresh world-weary post modems and restores our eroded faith in human decency.

321 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1997

Reviews

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book , for several reasons. First, I grew up in Iowa, not too far from where it was set - West Branch, at the Scattergood School, turned into a Hostel for World War II refugees. My home town and other familiar places were mentioned, which enriched my reading experience, and made it come alive for me. Second, the Quakers ran the board school before it was turned into this Hostel, and they organized and implemented this assistance for war-torn, mainly German Jews fleeing the Nazis. I attended a Quaker meeting for a number of years, so I understood and appreciated the wonderful thing they were doing, and how they did it. I also found the stories of the refugees very interesting in how their lives were before they left Europe, what happened at Scattergood to help them adjust to America, and what happened to them after they transitioned into jobs and acclimated American citizens. It opened my eyes to what it means to be a refugee - something very relevant to today's controversy over the refugee situation in Europe and the US related to the turmoil in the Middle East (Syria primarily).