Escape Via Siberia: A Jewish Child's Odyssey of Survival

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Summary: PUTS A HUMAN FACE ON HISTORY!
Review: Escape Via Siberia: A Jewish Child's Odyssey Of Survival is the compelling story of Elliott "Lonek" Jaroslawicz and the dramatic escape of thousands of Polish Jews from the Nazi holocaust. A short-lived treaty between the Polish Government-in-Exile and the Soviet Governments allowed for the release of approximately one hundred thousand Polish citizens, including Lonek's family. They made their way from Siberia to Tashkent. Ten-year-old Lonek's father became ill and his distraught mother left him on the doorstep of an orphanage. Lonek became one of the more than 900 Jewish children (known as the "Teheran Children", who journeyed to Iran where they became stranded due to the vagaries of war and failed diplomacy. Henrietta Szold and the leadership of Hadassah relentlessly pressured the American and British governments to assure the children's safe passage. After eight months in Iran they left Tashkent on a route that took them through Indian and Egypt to final sanctuary in Palestine. In Escape Via Siberia, Dorit Bader Whiteman (herself having escaped from Nazi-occupied Vienna in 1939) has written a detailed account combining primary and secondary sources with information gathered through extensive interviews with Lonek. Escape Via Siberia is an invaluable contribution to 20th century Jewish history and an engaging account of tragedy and heroism.

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Summary: KEPT ME UP ALL NIGHT!
Review: I bought this book after talking to Dorit Whiteman at her book signing at the Holocaust Museum and seeing her engrossing presentation at a library. She is an utterly charming and thoroughly knowledgeable individual! Her book expertly weaves together history with the true story of a how a resourceful, clever boy repeatedly gave the slip to German and Russian forces. I stayed up all night reading this book even though I already knew the end!

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Summary: AN INSPIRING SURVIVAL TALE!
Review: This book expertly combines historical revelations and insights with an against-all-odds survival story!

Rating:
Summary: PUTS A HUMAN FACE ON HISTORY!
Review: This is a extremely engaging and informative book about a long overlooked aspect of the Holocaust. And it's a real page-turner. Whiteman's background as a Holocaust survivor and psychologist shines through her astute observations. Whiteman also gives wonderful presentations on Holocaust-related issues.