The Last Jews in Berlin
by Leonard Gross
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New York Times Bestseller: The true story of twelve Jews who went underground in Nazi Berlin—and survived: "Consummately suspenseful" (Los Angeles Times).When Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, approximately one hundred sixty thousand Jews called Berlin home. By 1943 less than five thousand remained in the nation's capital, the epicenter of Nazism, and by the end of the war, that number had dwindled to one thousand. All the others had died in air raids, starved to death, committed show more suicide, or been shipped off to the death camps.
In this captivating and harrowing book, Leonard Gross details the real-life stories of a dozen Jewish men and women who spent the final twenty-seven months of World War II underground, hiding in plain sight, defying both the Gestapo and, even worse, Jewish "catchers" ready to report them to the Nazis in order to avoid the gas chambers themselves. A teenage orphan, a black-market jewel trader, a stylish young designer, and a progressive intellectual were among the few who managed to survive. Through their own resourcefulness, bravery, and at times, sheer luck, these Jews managed to evade the tragic fates of so many others.
Gross has woven these true stories of perseverance into a heartbreaking, suspenseful, and moving account with the narrative force of a thriller. Compiled from extensive interviews, The Last Jews in Berlin reveals these individuals' astounding determination, against all odds, to live each day knowing it could be their last.
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by meggyweg
Member Reviews
This book covers in detail the stories of a dozen or so Jewish individuals who managed to survive the Holocaust hiding in plain sight in Berlin, in the very heart of Nazism. The author conducted extensive interviews with his subjects and, I expect, those that helped hide them, and he covers their stories almost day by day. It's very well-written and at times almost reads like a suspense novel -- I didn't want to put it down. Highly recommended.
Very well researched and readable history of the heroic Jewish survivors of Berlin at the end of WWII. Their stories are gripping along with the German Gentiles and Swedish Church who helped hide and send them out of Berlin. Incredible stories of courage, fear and determination that was a literal life and death struggle. A very worthwhile book.
The Jews of Berlin were shipped to death camps, starved to death, worked to death, committed suicide or were outright murdered. Only a handful of Jews managed to survive the entire war in Berlin. Leonard Gross has interviewed these people and compiled a book about their life and survival.
I thought this was an interesting slice of history. It was fascinating to read about how these courageous men and women survived. At times the names did seem to run together, but that is more my fault than the author's. Overall, well worth reading.
I thought this was an interesting slice of history. It was fascinating to read about how these courageous men and women survived. At times the names did seem to run together, but that is more my fault than the author's. Overall, well worth reading.
Story of 12 Jews who survived WWII in Berlin, hidden by Germans or with disguises and false identities
NO OF PAGES: 263 SUB CAT I: Holocaust SUB CAT II: SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: The powerful true story of the men and women who lived and survived in the dark heart of the Nazi Holocaust.NOTES: SUBTITLE:
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Author Information
16 Works 473 Members
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Last Jews in Berlin
- Original title
- The Last Jews in Berlin
- Original publication date
- 1982
- People/Characters
- Maria von Maltzan
- Important places
- Germany; Berlin, Germany
- First words
- He was handsome: his face was full and smooth and stamped with self-acceptance.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)They walked from the building and into the street and then down the street, stepping around the bodies, Fritz on the right, Marlitt on the left, and Lane between them, holding onto their hands.
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 940.53 — History & geography History of Europe History of Europe 1918- World War II, 1939-1945
- LCC
- DS135 .G4 .B452 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Asia History of Asia Israel (Palestine). The Jews Jews outside of Palestine
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 360
- Popularity
- 86,610
- Reviews
- 6
- Rating
- (4.36)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 6
































































