This is the dramatic story of two young Jews; Gene and Mrk Elsner; who were forced to flee their home in southern Poland in 1939; only to be arrested by Soviet authorities in Lwow the following year and transported to labor camps north of the Arctic Circle. Near death from starvation; they were released after 18 months and traveled thousands of miles across the Soviet Union; passing through Central Asia; before finding refuge in a Cossack village in the Caucasus. They survived six months of Nazi occupation and were later drafted by a Polish brigade attached to the Red Army and participated in the Soviet advance through Poland and into Germany; where Gene was seriously wounded and counted for dead.
#836628 in BooksColor: Other Grammaton Press; LLC 2000-04-15Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.22 x 1.30 x 6.44l; 2.12 #File Name: 0967936659418 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. This book is wonderful and well writtenBy Naiomi V. WeissThis book is wonderful and well written. Its the true story of a young girl who was separated from her parents during Nazi regime. Her parents were sent to concentration camps because they refused to renounce their faith as Jehovah's Witnesses and support the Hitler regime. She was taken away and experienced tests to her faith and integrity to denounce her faith and confirm. She remained faithful; thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses died in Nazi concentration camps for maintaining their faith.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Amazing example of faithBy Marisol M. HenriquezThis book is one of the most touching books that I have read in a long time! Simone's experience is remarkable in many ways. She was a little girl when she was faced with one of the most difficult situations a human being can experience. She was separated from both her parents and taken to a "re education" center where she was supposed to realize that her beliefs were wrong and accept that she could have a better life if only she rejected her faith. The way she faced that; is a testimony to the Bible education she received at home and a strong proof that even when you are that young you can remain loyal to your faith under the most excruciating circumstances.25 of 25 people found the following review helpful. Unflinching and Compelling Tale of IntegrityBy kjenfanI've read dozens of books on the Holocaust and you can rate Ms. Liebster's right up there among the best. 'Facing the Lion' is Simone Arnold Liebster's personal account of a long struggle to maintain her integrity in the face of unrelenting persecution by the Nazi state. As a young girl Simone makes a sincere decision to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses and in a few short years; the idyllic world she grew up in is turned upside down. Taken from her family in an attempt at 're-education' Simone endures several years of hardships; some of which moved me to tears. The author writes with tremendous feeling and her style of prose is outstanding. The thing I find most compelling is that 'Facing the Lion' is never 'sugar coated' and you never forget that Simone's struggle to remain faithful is exceedingly difficult. You never get the sense that Simone is a religious fanatic. Even as a young teenager; it is clear that her decision is made with complete soundness of mind. And when you find yourself sometimes wishing that she would just sign the papers that would have given her release; you are ultimately moved by the moral stand she takes. A marvelous book and well worth your time.
