Amazon.co.uk: Beyond Hitler's Grasp: The Heroic Rescue of Bulgaria's Jews: Michael Bar-Zohar: Books

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Synopsis
As the world moved towards WWII, King Boris III of Bulgaria strove to stay neutral. But by 1939, Bulgaria was an unwitting ally of Germany forced to follow Nazi dictates, including the deportation and execution of all 50,000 of it Jewish population. Beyond Hitler's grasp is the dramatic true account of the Bulgarians conspiracy to outwit the Germans - and keep every one of Bulgaria's Jews from ever being deported. This monumental work actually reads like a thriller, involving beautiful spies, the Church, a secret mole, and a compassionate king committed to his countrymen.

From the Publisher
In The Tradition Of Schindler's List
The dramatic true account of the Bulgarian conspiracy to outwit the Germans, and keep every one of Bulgaria's Jews from ever being deported. While true history, this magnificent story reads like an international thriller, involving beautiful spies, the Church, a secret mole, and a compassionate king committes to his countrymen. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

A must read for any serious Holocaust student., 15 Jun 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond Hitler's Grasp: The Heroic Rescue of Bulgaria's Jews (Hardcover)

This book takes the reader beyond the usual Poland-Western Russia Holocaust to a German ally,Bulgaria, and the actions of the citizens of Bulgaria in saving all the Jews in their country. Mr. Bar-Zohar details how an entire country from King Boris III to the various Metropolitans, working in unison, were able to stop Hitler's demand for the deportation of Bulgarian Jewry. This book is well written, well researched, and ranks as one of the very best stories dealing with the Holocaust. The heroic deeds presented in this book are a turn from the usual Holocaust writings in that they present the difference a people can make in preventing what so many other countries failed to do. The reader is left with a strong feel for the Bulgarian people, and with questions for the countries where large segments of the population cooperated with the Nazi plan for the extermination of the Jews. I strongly recommend this complete story of the Holocaust in Bulgaria as must reading for anyone with an interest in the Holocaust, as a comparison of where prejudice can lead or not lead if absent,and where real heroes take their actions for granted.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

A Unique Story About a Brave People, 25 Feb 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond Hitler's Grasp: The Heroic Rescue of Bulgaria's Jews (Hardcover)

From Anne and Roy Freed, Canton, Mass.

This book is an absolute must read. Although it unfolds as a gripping mystery tale, it tells the long overlooked unique, very positive, story of how the democratically-committed Bulgarian people saved their entire 50,000 Bulgarian Jews within their country's pre-WW II borders from efforts of pro-Nazi elements in their government to deport them to destruction in Treblinka. Credit is due particularly to the three leaders of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church who provided especially strong public leadership, 43 protesting pro-government party members of the Parliament, and many professional associations. The underlying real mystery left for readers to solve is why the Bulgarian people have been a small island of ethnic and religious civility in Europe notable for their freedom from significant anti-Semitism during their almost two millennial history of living comfortably with Jewish people. What is the faith that moves them? Is their moving force unique to Bulgarians or is it transportable to other people?

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A fascinating book, 1 Dec 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond Hitler's Grasp: The Heroic Rescue of Bulgaria's Jews (Hardcover)

'Beyond Hitler's Grasp' is certainly the best history book I have read on issues related to WW2 during the last 5-6 years. Hate to say it - the book is an absolute page turner: a powerful story about a nation within the German sphere of domination standing on high human and moral grounds despite all threats and war time exigencies.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

A Truly Unique Holocaust Story
This book is truly unique in Holocaust literature. To read a true story about an entire nation that actively resisted the Nazi pressure to transport Jews to the death camps is... Read more

Published on 18 May 1999

The best of the Bulgarian people
I am extremely grateful to the author for this book. Being a Bulgarian, I always wanted to read an independent study of how Bulgarian Jews were saved during Hitler's years. Read more

Published on 27 Dec 1998

Righteous People Do Exist. They are in Bulgaria.
Michael Bar-Zochar has written a well researched detailed account of the Bulgarian resistance to shipping off the 50,000 Bulgarian Jews to certain death in Eastern Europe... Read more

Published on 3 Dec 1998

Foiling Hitler
It is very difficult to read about the horrors of the Holocost. But this is a fascinating and uplifting story that gives one hope about human nature. Read more

Published on 24 Nov 1998

How one country sabotaged Hitler's plan to exterminate Jews
The retelling of the tragedy of the Holocost is always difficult to read. But to learn about the actions of many brave people in Bulgaria including the King, members of the... Read more

Published on 12 Nov 1998

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