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Summary: Little-Known Polish Aid to Jews During World War II
Review: There is an unfortunate and unfair stereotype about Poles not doing enough for Jews during World War II. This book helps set the record straight by first showing that Poles were also victims of the Germans. In addition, unlike in other German-occupied countries, Poles were given the death penalty for the slightest aid to Jews. Despite all this, the heroine of this historical account risked her life every day to hide a group of Jews right under the nose of a German officer whom she was forced to serve. Absolutely thrilling!
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Summary: It is not what we say, but what we do that counts.
Review: This book is for all age groups. It was not just the Jews who were scheduled for removal by Germany during WWII. The Poles were destined to be eliminated as well under a policy called Lebersraum, or living space, as Germany needed more room for growth. Irene Gut was a young nursing student away from home when the Germans flooded into Poland. She survived to fight and try to find a way to get back to her family. She starts helping others by using a spoon to dig a hole under the fence of the Glinice ghetto to leave kitchen scraps for the Jews. Her job lets her hear the current German news, which she passes along to help warn the people in the ghetto. She is able to create jobs to get people out of the ghetto. She rescues ten people by hiding them in a cellar. She gets caught several times and is questioned. In turn, at the end of the war, she is helped by those she helped. This is a very well written story of the life of a young adult who acted on her convictions at a time when fear kept so many from lifting a hand to help another human. I wish more people of this caliber would write their personal stories. A must read!!
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Summary: Great Book!
Review: This book is one of the best books I have ever read. It tells the story of Irene Gutowna, who was seventeen at the beginning of WW Two, and chronicles her experiences as she is raped by Russian soldiers, begins a crusader for Jews, even going so far as to hide ten in the basement of a German Major she is housekeeper to's villa, and becoming his mistress in cooperation for his silence. This book shows the true duration of the human spirit.
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Summary: A True Hero
Review: This book is the most powerful, incredible, and moving book I have ever read. It starts out a little shaky, and looks as though the author is quite simplistic, but as you get into it, you can't put it down! I could never wait to find out what happens next! Bravo to Mrs. Opdyke for an incredible story, and even moreso, for an incredible life.
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Summary: An amazing book!
Review: This book tells the amazing story of a woman making many sacrifices to save Jews during the Holocaust. One really wonderful aspect of it is that after horrendous things happen to her, she does not stop helping Jews flee and hide from a camp in Ternopol. I really enjoyed this book, and it's based on a true story, which makes it even better. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
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Summary: AMAZING READ!
Review: This book was awesome! I've read it numerous times and each time it gets me hooked. The plot is heartwrenching and the bravery Irene shows is inspiring. Anyone interested in reading about WWII/Holocaust should read this book! You won't be disappointed!!
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Summary: AMAZING READ!
Review: This book was awesome! I've read it numerous times and each time it gets me hooked. The plot is heartwrenching and the bravery Irene shows is inspiring. Anyone interested in reading about WWII/Holocaust should read this book! You won't be disappointed!!
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Summary: A most compelling book!
Review: This is an inspiring story about a young girl named Irena Gutowna. She was fearless and brave as she hid the Jews from the Germans; she also set some free in the forest. Best of all, its a true Holocaust story. Everyone should read this book.
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Summary: --A Riveting and True Story--
Review: This is probably one of the most remarkable stories that I've ever encountered and I don't understand why it hasn't received more attention. My husband and I listened to the audio tape which was beautifully read by Hope David.IN MY HANDS is the autobiography of Irene Gut, a 17 year old Polish Catholic girl. The book begins with lovely recollections that Irene had of her early life in Czestochowa, Poland, where she was surrounded by her four sisters and loving parents. When the Nazi's invaded Poland in 1939, Irene was living away from her family in Radom where she was studying to become a nurse. When Radom was bombed, the Polish Army had to retreat and asked that some of the medical staff come with them to help take care of the wounded. Irene volunteered to go, and eventually ended up on the other side of Poland which was under Russian rule. Many miles away from her family, and eventually separated from the other hospital staff, Irene faced life alone, and saw the country that she loved controlled by brutes and killers. At first this young woman saw the worst in the Russian soldiers and later she also met the German invaders who showed her another side of brutality. Despite the threat to her own life, Irene risked everything so that many others had the chance to live. This very inspiring memoir compares to HIDING PLACE the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title
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Summary: An extraordinary display of heroism and courage in adversity
Review: This short book is one of the more remarkable books on the Holocaust I have ever read. It details the life of one seemingly ordinary nursing student, thrown into adversity, who demonstrates extraordinary courage and heroism and humanity responding to the needs of a group of Jewish prisoners in her care. Against extraordinary odds, she manages to harbor the group in the basement of a house occupied by a Wehrmacht officer for whom she serves as housekeeper. The book is an easy read, written in a warm and direct style, very personal, and at the same time very intense. Reading this book helps answer some of the eternal questions about the survival of humanity in Nazi-occupied Europe, and is a must-read for students of the subject.
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