Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust

by Marty Brounstein

Nestled in the hills on the western side of Jerusalem is a museum called Yad Vashem. There, people from around the world visit daily to learn about the tragic period of history from 1933 to 1945 known as the Holocaust. The museum serves as an education, research, and historical center in remembrance of the six million Jews across Europe who were murdered at the hands of the Nazi Party machine led by Adolf Hitler.
A special section of Yad Vashem is dedicated to those who carried out acts of courage to save the lives of Jews during the Holocaust. Remembered there is a couple from Dieden of the Netherlands, Frans and Mien Wijnakker. Two Among the Righteous A Story of Courage in the Holocaust is the remarkable tale of how Frans and his wife, Mien, saved the lives of at least two dozen Jews in southern Holland during World War II. They were Catholics who led a simple life in a small town, but they took risks and displayed bravery to help others in dire need, instilling hope during one of the most horrific points of history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, School

226 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2011

Reviews

[Joant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel this story was told in such a businesslike manner that the risks these people were taking were taking were diminished in this telling.

[Insomnio · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel is the definition of wasted potential. The story of Frans and Mien Wijnakker is truly one of courage and hardship, and could perfectly show how the morals of upstanding people are able to prevail in a disinterested society. However, what could have been an emotional, passionate, and unforgettable tale is cut down to what reads like a Wikipedia article written by an 8th grader. When I say that the writing in the book was atrocious, I mean it. In fact, this novel reads more like a rough draft than a finished product. The sheer amount of run on sentences, clunky dialogue, and misused words are perhaps the worst I've seen in any published novel concerning the Holocaust. Even more appalling were the stale, fragmented, and strangely nonlinear stories about the heroic acts of Frans and Mien. There were many parts of the novel where it seems obvious that the scene could've had emotion, caused panic, or brought the reader to tears. Instead, the words continue on blandly, page by page, filled with nothing but detached words and even worse storytelling. Perhaps the books I find the worst are the ones that could've been something great, and that truly seems to be the case here.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage during the Holocaust is by Marty Brounstein. This very interesting book is about two Righteous Gentiles from the Netherlands. A husband and wife who put themselves and their four young children in danger by hiding Jews in their own home as well as helping scores of others to hide in the area. What brings someone to the point where they will risk everything and every one they love to step up for someone they do not know. This quality is what sets these two people apart from the others in their small village.
Frans and Mien lived in a rented house next to a fallen Presbyterian church. They had gotten the Catholic priest to bless the house and hopefully getting all the bad vibes out of it. However, as Frans was concerned, there were no bad spirits there, only the spirits of people who had lived there, regardless of their religion. Although he was Catholic, he did not let that get in his way of helping others.
When the Nazis took over the Netherlands, Frans had to resort to selling eggs on the black market. He would take his products to Amsterdam and other large cities and there would trade them or sell them, getting needed supplies for his own family. On one of these visits, a doctor asked him to do a favor and take a young girl out of the city to feed her and get her well again. He said it would be for about three weeks. Frans could not refuse even when he learned she was Jewish. This young girl was destined to stay and become one of the “family”. She did not leave until after the war was over. Later she was joined by three of her six siblings and they were all helped by Frans.
The book makes the trials and tribulations that took place in the Netherlands during this time come to life. The deprivations they had to undergo and the threats and other devices used by Frans to get others to help come to life. The constant hovering of the police chief did not help matters at all. What makes this book so fascinating is the author’s connection to Frans’s family. The book would make a great group reading book for middle school and high school students who are studying the Holocaust. It would also make a fantastic Book Club book.

[Lloyd Russell]

A very interesting look at a historical chapter that I only first learned about when I saw Marty Brounstein at the JCC a couple of weeks ago. There are so many examples of non-Jews harboring Jews during WWII. This one takes place in The Netherlands. It was especially cool to learn about the Righteous Among the Nations department in the museum at Yad Vashem, in Israel. It celebrates those non-Jews who put themselves and their families at risk during the war by secreting Jews. This is just one story, but a heckuva fascinating one.

Here is the review that I just posted on my blog - booksage.blogspot.com:

On April 30, I gave you a lot of details about seeing Marty Brounstein at the JCC in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day. You can take a look at that to learn a lot about the Roman Catholic couple in The Netherlands who either harbored several dozen Jews during WWII or, if not, got them sequestered in other homes. But everything I told you back then was based on seeing Marty live. Now I have actually read the book. And I have come away with even more facts:

1. Of the 140,000 Jews living in The Netherlands at the time WWII started, 107,000 died!
2. Germany attacked The Netherlands on May 9, 1940. I read about that attack on May 9, 2016.
3. The 1st person to live with the Wijnakkers was a 14-year old girl named Shulamit Laub. "Shula" was a friend of Anne Frank.

Let me point out that for those of you who have not had a chance to see Marty in person (do it if the opportunity arises) you will be blown away by this book. I saw him, and I was still totally engrossed in the story. Do yourself a favor and get your hands on Two Among the Righteous Few. It's an important story well-told.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought there would be more about one person in particular. It was a bit dry to me. But I'm use to reading fiction books then non. I would recommend this book. We can't forget what happened during that time period. It was a pleasure meeting Marty and his wife Leah in person.

[Curtis Lillie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read, but there wasn't much in the book that I didn't get from the author's NPR interview. Fascinating lives, but the story-telling left me wanting a narrative that was a bit more engaging.

[Katie Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but this short book gets repetitive. As well, I was expecting some "story," but this was more like several anecdotes recounted with only the "narrator" in common.

[Karyn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage- Such an Inspiration
This is a true story of a Christian couple from the Netherlands who despite constant fear of death acted to save the lives of numerous Jews during the Nazi occupation. The remarkable couple Franciscus and Hermina Wijnakker’s journey is quite thought-provoking and author stumbled into by accident on a trip to the Netherlands with his wife in May 2009.
The Author’s wife felt a connection with the five children of Frans and Mien. The description of the tragic period of history from 1933 to 1945 known as Holocaust which is known as Yad Vashem and the contribution of these real-life heroes makes the story exceptional. Their grandparents had survived from the Holocaust because Franz and Mien’s grandfather had hidden them from the Nazis.
They belonged from a small isolated town of Haren which had the authority of a few powerful people controlling most of the decision. The book is interesting as it has a description of the powerful reign of Adolf Hitler. This is the most amazing book that I have read, especially regarding World Wars II and The Holocaust. It succeeds to catch the strength of Dutch couple during those periods.
I will suggest the book to be read by everyone as it inspires us to help others in need because our little action can have a shocking and positive impact on someone’s life.

[Tricia F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the novel, Marty Brounstein takes us back to Holland right before the start of World War II. We meet the newly married Frans and Mien Wijnakker. They are settling into married life and are excited in their new home that soon includes children.

Their ideal lives were shattered in 1940 when the war came to their country. Germany invaded Holland and soon the nation was under German command. Strict rules came with various commands - light out at certain times, no radios in private homes, no news except what was cleared by the Germans, and the rationing of food. The people of Holland made do with all of the rules and

But the one rule that Frans and Mein could not stand by and watch happen - those with Jewish blood were to be rounded up and send to "work camps" in Germany. Through the many stories that were being told, many people had their doubts about what was truly happening to these innocent people. Although many neighbors and friends complied with the authorities, Frans and Mein stood up and bravely defied this command.

This novel tells the Wijnakkers story from how they came to the house that would assist them in their mission to how the author has a secret connection to this inspiring story. Overall, the novel is a quick read as it is engrossing and is a hard book to put down.

[Avanthika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Among the Righteous Few is one of those books that everyone needs to wither know or read about at least once in their life time because it displays selflessness that may seem even god-like because our society is in need of more it more of it. The different values i personally learned from this book are kindness, hospitality, trust and serendipity (one good thing leading on to another good thing). Books from the WW2 era usually focus on the horrors of the holocaust but this is my first time reading about a special case where people supported and saved the lives of dozens on strangers without questioning their actions at that specific time period. To add on it is important to note the huge risk that Frans and Mien take while saving the Jews which was in itself was dangerous.
overall I definitely think it is was a great one time read.

[Jeff Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story illustrates the instrumental role that the Wijnakker couple played in helping save a portion of persecuted jewish people, as well as, constructing a plan to route to transfer some of the jewish refugees as a way to safeguard them from the government; This novel introduces many complex topics such as the conflict against their faith and their government in order to fight for what they believe was right. Overall, this book was an excellent read because it exemplified what it means to go above and beyond and be a hero.

[Spiros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two religious people, who dwelled during a historical lly fascist time of uncertainty, risk their lives by helping children to escape the cruel, fascist nazis. In a time when faith is regarded as a societal ill, it is good to read a book that exemplifies the compassionate humanity that many religions teach. The author, marty brounstein, accurately depicts a harsh, cruel period of time when compassion and humanity was at suffocated from much of the combative world. It is a great book that depicts regions that are not depicted enough during that time

[Meghna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is a great example of a story that explores an important historical event and relates it to universal themes like compassion and sacrifice. The characters depict the few acts of kindness that were performed during the time of the holocaust, making the novel very emotional and engaging to read.

[Therese Wiese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this story of courage. A Catholic couple in the Netherlands joins the resistance to harbor Jews during WWII. Written by the husband of a woman who was born while her parents were in hiding. The actions of the local priest are so appalling at times.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very inspiring and interesting to read and listen to how you wrote and thought of the mindset to create a great story! Thank you for coming into my class and teach us more about the Holocaust and connect to the story it was very fun to hear!

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the audible abridged version of the book.

[trin · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book had immense potential to be an intensely emotional novel, but instead was riddled with grammatical errors and nauseatingly bland story telling.

[Scot · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring story of the Dutch resistance to Nazis, specifically in the way Jews were protected and hidden in Dutch homes at a time when the dangers involved could lead to torture and death. This little book focuses particularly upon the actions and activities throughout the war of one Dutch couple who opened their home to more than a dozen Jews and regularly helped move others around the country, finding other safe homes to take them in and expand the effort. Particularly touching: the baby daughter of one couple that gave birth while in hiding grew up to be the wife of the fellow now researching and sharing this story.

Unfortunately, there is too much repetition, and the writing style is stark--it seems to be a recounting of oral histories and journals, transcribed to give as much historical detail of movement around as possible. Actual conversations recounted come across as stilted and simplistic, characters are either good or bad and usually very shallow in their presentation. The work gets high marks for nobility of intention and for the important message it shares, but I do think some editing and refocusing of organization and the expansion of some recollections, the deletion of others, would have helped make that message reach more readers in a more powerful and lasting way.

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

...

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is about a Dutch couple who saves a few dozen Jews during WWII. The couple's story is inspiring, but the writing could have been better. Perhaps there isn't detail that survived, but with the author being the husband of a baby born in this house, I would have thought we would have come to know her and her parents (at least) better. I never got a sense of the urgency and danger that the couple and their refugees undoubtedly faced.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

People can make a difference. The heroes of this book - Frans and Mien Wijnakker - saved the lives of two dozen and more Jews during WWII at great personal risk and constant danger of being discovered. There were others, too, who helped by making their homes available. An uplifting and altogether satisfying story, made the more poignant by the fact that the daughter of one of the couples they hid eventually became the wife of the book's author.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book and couldn't put it down once I had picked it up! Not only is it a magnificent recount of the lives of Frans, Mien, and those they saved in the Holocaust, it's also an amazing story that deserves to be shared with the world. (Also, the writing style is great! I never wanted to stop reading because of it.)

[Taynaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subject matter is critically important, and the book is well-written for younger audiences, and is still very good for older readers.

[Susan Besser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of courageous Dutch people helping save their Jewish neighbors during World II.

[Lisa Fairbanks Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story of courage and selflessness in the midst of the Holocaust. We were fortunate to meet the author (and his wife who is in the story)and hear him speak at CBT.

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing people with amazing stories...

[Luisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, for a school book. Simple writing.

[Karen]

Hit the wrong title