Starting as early as 1939; disparate Jewish underground movements coalesced around the shared goal of liberating Poland from Nazi occupation. For the next six years; separately and in concert; they waged a heroic war of resistance against Hitler’s war machine that culminated in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. In Isaac’s Army; Matthew Brzezinski delivers the first-ever comprehensive narrative account of that struggle; following a group of dedicated young Jews—some barely out of their teens—whose individual acts of defiance helped rewrite the ending of World War II. Based on first-person accounts from diaries; interviews; and surviving relatives; Isaac’s Army chronicles the extraordinary triumphs and devastating setbacks that befell the Jewish underground from its earliest acts of defiance in 1939 to the exodus to Palestine in 1946. This is the remarkable true story of the Jewish resistance from the perspective of those who led it: Isaac Zuckerman; the confident and charismatic twenty-four-year-old founder of the Jewish Fighting Organization; Simha Ratheiser; Isaac’s fifteen-year-old bodyguard; whose boyish good looks and seeming immunity to danger made him an ideal courier; and Zivia Lubetkin; the warrior queen of the underground who; upon hearing the first intimations of the Holocaust; declared: “We are going to defend ourselves.†Joined by allies on the left and right; they survived Gestapo torture chambers; smuggled arms; ran covert printing presses; opened illegal schools; robbed banks; executed collaborators; and fought in the two largest rebellions of the war. Hunted by the Germans and bedeviled by the “Greasersâ€â€”roving bands of blackmailers who routinely turned in resistance fighters for profit—the movement was chronically short on firepower but long on ingenuity. Its members hatched plots in dank basements; never more than a door knock away from summary execution; and slogged through fetid sewers to escape the burning Ghetto to the forests surrounding the city. And after the initial uprising was ruthlessly put down by the SS; they gambled everything on a bold plan for a citywide revolt—of both Jews and Gentiles—that could end only in victory or total destruction. The money they raised helped thousands hide when the Ghetto was liquidated. The documents they forged offered lifelines to families desperate to escape the horror of the Holocaust. And when the war was over; they helped found the state of Israel. A story of secret alliances; internal rivalries; and undying commitment to a cause; Isaac’s Army is history at its most heart-wrenching. Driven by an unforgettable cast of characters; it’s a true-life tale with the pulse of a great novel; and a celebration of the indomitable spirit of resistance.Advance praise for Isaac’s Army “Told with care and compassion; Matthew Brzezinski’s Isaac’s Army is a riveting account of the Jewish resistance in wartime Poland. This is an intense story that transcends the horror of the time and finds real inspiration in the bravery of those who fought back—some of whom lived to tell their stories. Highly recommended.â€â€”Alan Furst; author of Mission to Paris
#329432 in Books Mariner Books 2012-04-10 2011-04-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.07 x 5.31l; .95 #File Name: 0547577486432 pagesMariner Books
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An Historical Chronicle of Epic ProportionsBy AvidReaderEarlier I reviewed this book based on having read 21% of the content; which remains embedded within this updated review. Now; with the entire book completed; I see more depth in the totality of letters exchanged between Julia Child and Avis DeVoto than was evident in the early letters.This is a "book of many colors". It is historical. It is political. It is about relationships. It contains elements of hope; frustration; despair; persistence; and;ultimately; triumph over what at times must have seemed like overwhelming odds.I am only 21% of the way through these fascinating letters be Julia Child and Avis DeVoto so this is but a very brief review of this work; however; it is also the only time I have been so engrossed in a book that I find it valuable to write a review as a "work in progress".As an amatuer cook given to experienting will numerous styles of cuisine; I am not sure what I expected when I ordered this book in Kindle format but I assure those who read this that what I received is far more than what I believed the book would be. I guess I expected; well; a cookbook. To this point in my reading I have come to see this work as something far more important and; for those interested in history and travel; something totally unexpected.If you are familiar with Julia Child through her cookbooks and PBS shows; then you; like I; don't know Julia as a person outside of her known field of expertise. Born in the mid-1940's; much of what is discussed in the letters relative to the political climate of the United States; post-World War II resonates with what I; and every other "Baby-Boomer" grew up with in the 50's and beyond. It provides an interesting perspective of what Julia and Avis (both obviously staunch Liberals) see as dangerous within the U.S.; Julia as an American living abroad with her husband working for the State Department; and Avis living in the U.S. married to a successful; if too liberal; author.Highly recommended for cooks and those who aspire to be cooks; historians and those who think history is boring.The preceding 4 paragraphs are from the original review.Throughout these letters and Reardon's commentaries; we see a progression as the "pen-pal" friendship blossoms. The letters become more intimate. Attitudes and prejudices surface revealing much about both Julia and Avis. Julia loves France but seems; at times. to dislike the French. Avis mentions friends with a "certain condition"; namely; that they are lesbians - revealing the deep-seated prejudice against gays and lesbians prevalent up until very recently (when viewed in the context of history). The use of the word "gay" in some of the letters is quickly explained to mean the true definition of the word as opposed to the sexual orientation it has come to represent.Nothing in these letters serves to diminish the accomplishments of Julia; Simca; and Avis in the authorship and publication of Julia's and Simca's recognized masterpiece; nor; Julia's success as a star on PBS. These letters show what life was like from the late 40's through Avis' death and; in the Epilogue; beyond to further discuss (in commentary) Julia's continued success as an author and television personality.Deserves more than 5-stars but that's all that are available.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Informative but fun!By Piepie BeuttelThis is the story of a beautiful friendship between iconic; larger-than-life "French Chef" Julia Child and her confidant Avis de Voto. These two women had corresponded by mail before ever meeting each other in person. In this unique series of letters they discuss politics; family (including their husbands!); friends; and of course... food. If you've read "My Life in France" or watched "Julie Julia;" you'll probably get more out of this book. It was a fun - albeit long - read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Nice historical friendship bookBy elibThough I doubt if I read it again; this was a thoroughly enjoyable book. I found the letters and recipes fascinating. I had caught a few of her cooking shows when I was a little girl; but was unaware of just how interesting her life was. I did not know about her husband's career nor of their travels; so it was very cool to read. The little story of the knives and how it bonded the two women as friends is just one small aspect of the book. This is entirely a correspondence book and if that kind of thing turns you off; then don't read this book. The letters are divided up into sections for each woman; instead of just chronologically inserting the letters... I wish they would have done that.
