The Assisi Underground: The Priests Who Rescued Jews

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and inspiring for people of all faiths.
Review: It is unfortunate that this book is out of print, because it is an outstanding modern-day tale about being our brother's keeper. Set in the Italian town of Assisi during World War II, "The Assisi Underground" tells the true story of a network of Catholic clergy, nuns, and lay persons who secretly provided shelter and aid to Jewish refugees escaping from the ravages of the war, German pursuers, and Fascist loyalists. Narrating the story in the first person is Padre Rufino, an earthy Franciscan priest who lead the network on orders from his bishop. Through Rufino, author Alexander Ramati relates in fine detail the difficult logistics of the operation from the arrival of the refugees at their monastery shelters to their safe passage to Allied-occupied zones. The book is exciting as it is moving; the reader is treated to the cloak-and-dagger aspects of the operation as well as its desperate but ultimately triumphant moments. (A motion-picture adaptation written and directed by Mr. Ramati was released in 1985, yet it does no justice to the book). To those searching a copy through a library or second-hand bookstore, I will say it is worth the effort.