The little-known story of the Sharps whose rescue and relief missions across Europe during World War II saved the lives of countless Jews; refugees; and political dissidents. Official companion to the Ken Burns PBS film.For readers captivated by the story of Antonina Zabinski as told in The Zookeeper's Wife and other stories of rescue missions during WWII; Defying the Nazis is an essential read.In 1939; the Reverend Waitstill Sharp; a young Unitarian minister; and his wife; Martha; a social worker; accepted a mission from the American Unitarian Association: they were to leave their home and young children in Wellesley; Massachusetts; and travel to Prague; Czechoslovakia; to help address the mounting refugee crisis. Seventeen ministers had been asked to undertake this mission and had declined; Rev. Sharp was the first to accept the call for volunteers in Europe.Armed with only $40;000; Waitstill and Martha quickly learned the art of spy craft and undertook dangerous rescue and relief missions across war-torn Europe; saving refugees; political dissidents; and Jews on the eve of World War II. After narrowly avoiding the Gestapo themselves; the Sharps returned to Europe in 1940 as representatives of the newly formed Unitarian Service Committee and continued their relief efforts in Vichy France.A fascinating portrait of resistance as told through the story of one courageous couple; Defying the Nazis offers a rare glimpse at high-stakes international relief efforts during WWII and tells the remarkable true story of a couple whose faith and commitment to social justice inspired them to risk their lives to save countless others.
#843532 in Books 2014-03-04 2014-03-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.74 x .74 x 5.79l; .85 #File Name: 080703326X264 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I quite enjoyed this book and had the pleasure of meeting the ...By Kindle CustomerI quite enjoyed this book and had the pleasure of meeting the author Nancy Rubin Stuart in june of this year..At the time of the book signing I had the the chance to ask her several questions. One in particular being how many years of research went into the completion of all the information she required to complete this wonderful "novel" 5 years of traveling to the places where the events took place ;that is why I suggest this book as a good read; in addition it was interesting to learn about the people and how they lived and how hard it was back in the revolutionary-era!after reading this book a person comes away with something that really happened to me that is an extra. we all could afford to learn new things.again I'm sure the reader will really find a book they can sink their teeth in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!v.a/.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great read...By John Paul SassoneA very interesting book about Lucy Knox and Peggy Arnold; and the contrast between them. Using the Revolution as the background Stuart shows how these women during the War showed strength; made do under very trying circumstances; and supported their husbands; whether patriot or traitor. An interesting read and the story is timeless.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Terrific History LessonBy Susan Trausch; BostonNancy Rubin Stuart gives readers nuanced; complex; and fascinating portraits of historical figures too often relegated to the stereotypes of "hero;" "villain;" or "wife of." Through meticulous research that includes extensive quotations from the letters of Henry and Lucy Knox; and Benedict and Peggy Arnold; the author lets her subjects speak for themselves. They challenge easy assumptions and loom larger than they ever did in my high school American history class. These brides of famous (and infamous) men were well matched to their mates in determination; intelligence; and passion; and they deserve to be much more than parentheticals in the story of the American Revolution. Thanks to Stuart they are now unforgettable.
