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In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer
 
 

In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer (Paperback)

by Irene Gut Opdyke (Author), Jennifer Armstrong (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Corgi Childrens; New edition edition (1 Jan 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0552547166
  • ISBN-13: 978-0552547161
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 400,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Age range: 11 and over

Irene Gut Opdyke was just 17 when the Nazis invaded her native Poland. From that moment she was wrenched away from her family and forced --literally--to run for her life. Eventually, while bearing witness to and falling victim to the brutality of war, she was forced to work as housekeeper to a Nazi officer. It was there that she took her life in her hands and committed the most audacious of acts in the name of humanity: she hid 12 Jewish people in the basement of her Nazi employer's house.

In In My Hands Irene recounts her extraordinary history, leaving no stone unturned as she takes the reader through time from the moment of Nazi invasion to her eventual departure for America. But the most remarkable thing about this book is the matter-of-fact tone in which it is written, which somehow allows readers to observe the events of Irene's life without forcing them to wallow in any kind of sentimentality. And although there is no doubt as to how Irene thought, felt and reacted, readers are required only to observe and draw their own conclusions.

This is by no means an easy read: the effects of war on the lives of ordinary people are surfaced to the point where it is impossible to not feel pain, and although it is ultimately a story of hope and inspiration, the spoils of the human condition are laid bare in a no-holds-barred manner that sometimes takes the breath away.

Jennifer Armstrong, who interpreted Irene's story to form the narrative of In My Hands says: "I was afraid to write this book, to put my self into her past." Irene's past is indeed frightening, and being forced to confront evil in this way is certainly uncomfortable. But if nothing else, it serves as a reminder that there are some things we should never, ever forget. --Susan Harrison



Product Description

"I knew I could only be killed once. I might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb". Irene was a 17-year-old nursing student when the Nazis invaded Poland. They took over her country and her life. Nothing in her innocent girlhood could have prepared her for the horrors she was to witness. However, instinctively, Irene knew she had to resist the evil in any way possible. Standing by was not an option. Eventually forced to work as a housekeeper to a Nazi officer, Irene carried out her most audacious and heroic act. She hid twelve Jewish people in the basement of the officer's villa and protected them even through the loss of her own freedom, and at the risk of her life.

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (14)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars moving, excellent discription of the scenes and the charactr, 5 Feb 2002
By A Customer
I was moved by this book. The author managed to caputure the feelings and emotions excellently that I actually felt her pain and her terror. Every description was so powerfully written down that even readers of a younger age could understand to some extent, her sceniro.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and really outstanding, 23 Nov 2001
By A Customer
This book is about a 17 year old girl who lives through the 2nd world war hiding and helping jews through the loss of her own family and various other incidents even though knowing she could die for it. I really admire her and do not beleive that under her circumstances would do the same thing. It was very moving and made me cry in some parts because of the bad luck that she comes across. You have to read this book because it gives you a totally realistic, moving point of view.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Truth is Beauty, 19 Sep 2001
By A Customer
I have always wondered what life might have been like for a Gentile girl during the Second World War, and Irene Gut Opdyke's In My Hands answers the question splendidly.I find it to be an essential book, and I hope many schools adopt it into curriculm.Irene Gut Opdyke's faith is as present as Corrie Ten Boom's (The Hiding Place,) however, In My Hands is a far more satisfying book.In the States, this is being promoted as a book for teenagers, however, it is not too simple for adults.My one quibble is that I would have wished more post-war follow up.Jennifer Armstrong's contribution is seamless, Mrs. Opdyke's voice does not falter.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Find
I was a bit apprehensive about reading a book soley about the holocaust, that it would just be to sad but was amazed at how she managed such acts of humanity in amongst such... Read more
Published 6 months ago by E. H.

5.0 out of 5 stars in my hands
my parents brought me this book. i found it to be gripping i'm not really the sort to sit and read but when i started to read this book icouldnt put it down. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Njcrewe

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read
This book is about a young Polish girl and her experiences throughout the 2nd world war. I came across this book by accident and found it fascinating, amazing and horrifying. Read more
Published 16 months ago by BM

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book about a girl during the war
Irene is a girl during WW2 who lives in Poland and gets a job in a big Nazi household so that she can first of all give Jews food through the fence in the next-door concentration... Read more
Published on 16 Jul 2006 by Catherine

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a moving and brave novel about the Holocaust.
Irene is a sweet, Catholic girl, brought up in her quiet Polish home town. Suddenly, her eyes are opened to a world of cruel acts, and people just turning the other way. Read more
Published on 1 May 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable
I have recently read this book and found it truly amazing. It is unbeliveable what this girl went through and only at the age of 17. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars You have to read this book to beleive it!
This book will tell you the storey of a young girl of a strong catholic women who i beleive went to hell and back again. Read more
Published on 23 April 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbeleiveable
This book was truly amazing! I couldnt beleive one woman could go through all this and manage to survive. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Awe Inspiring !
This is THE most moving and awe inspiring book I have ever read. It tells of the hardship of thousands of ordinary people during the War years, but the main theme is the amazing... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and convincing
Irene Gut, a patriotic Polish girl of 17, was training to be a nurse when the war broke out. Caught behind the advancing Russian lines, she is raped and left for dead. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2001

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