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Summary: Not just for kids: In My Hands by Irene Gut Opdyke
Review: You can read any of the reviews already posted to Amazon.com for a good idea of the storyline of this amazing book. I have only this to say: adult readers, please do not be put off because In My Hands is categorized as Young Adult Fiction. It is outstanding reading for adults as well, and will give you a new perspective on courage. As echoed by others who have read In My Hands, I simply could not put it down, and yes, it would make a marvelous movie. I do have one suggestion: the authors have included two helpful guides--one about the Polish and German languages, and the other showing maps. Both are oddly located at the very end of the book. You might want to read this informative material before you start the book. I'm torn between sharing this book by donating it to my local library, and keeping it to cherish!
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Summary: A True "Profile of Courage"
Review: I am so grateful for having read this book. It was deeply moving. I am a seventeen year old girl, as Irene was when the war began, and I cannot even imagine having to experience all of things she did....being raped, a mistress, etc. I admire this woman so much, her courage and determination are one in a billion. It's incomprehensible to know what she went through during those dreadful years, yet through it all her faith is what helped her to survive. I will never forget this book for as long as live...I've read so many books, and I have to admit that I think this one has truly moved me the most. I've read many Holocaust stories as well, but this had a profound effect on me. Please read this book--you'll gain not only a better insight of World War II and the Holocaust, but also how to appreciate life more and realize how much you take for granted.
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Summary: Thrilling autobiography!
Review: In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke is a remarkable autobiography about the life of a Polish woman who risked her life in order to save her Jewish friends. When World War II began, Irene was only seventeen years old; she was a devoted nursing student and an innocent Catholic girl. As Germany took over her country Poland, Irene volunteered to accompany the Polish army as part of the Red Cross. Separated from her family, she was forced to endure harsh living conditions while aiding hundreds of wounded soldiers. A few weeks later, she was seized and raped by Russian soldiers who then left her for dead in the snow. Irene would have frozen to death if a kind woman named Dr. Miriam had not found her and nursed her back to health. When Irene had finally regained her strength, she was allowed to return to Poland, now a part of Germany, to be reunited with her family. It was a joyful reunion, but Irene was stunned by the changes in her hometown, Radom. The Jews had been forced to move into ghettos while the Poles had to live by strict rules. Only one week had passed since Irene had come to Poland when she and her sister were captured and transported to Germany to work for the Reich. She became a domestic worker in a Nazi hotel; there, she witnessed the cruel, monstrous acts that were being committed against the Jews in the nearby ghetto. Overwhelmed with horror, Irene began sneaking food and blankets to the ghetto, as well as transporting runaway Jews in a wagon to a nearby forest. She had also befriended the ten Jewish workers she supervised at the hotel. When she was released from her hotel duties to work in a German major's villa as a live-in housekeeper, she found a way to smuggle and hide her Jewish friends in the basement of the villa. When he discovered them, Irene became his mistress in cooperation for his silence; later, she and her friends managed to escape from him during the Germans' retreat. In 1949, through the acquaintance of an old rabbi, Irene was interviewed by a delegate from the United Nations, and she was accepted to be a citizen of the United States, which is where she lives to this day. Irene Gut Opdyke is the courageous hero of this amazing autobiography. She had started out as a seemingly ordinary nursing student, but she had been separated from her family at 17 and forced to work for her enemies. She was determined to do all that she could to help the Jews after she had witnessed the abominable suffering inflicted on the local Jews. Being sensitive to her Jewish friends' needs, she always put their safety ahead of her well being. She demonstrated extraordinary bravery and heroism throughout her life.
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Summary: In My Hands
Review: 5 stars is an understatement for this true-life page-turner. How "just a girl" mustered up the courage to fly in the face of monstrous evil, when mere survival was a full-time job, is an amazing story unusual in these character-free times. The words the author uses are simple, but the pictures she paints with them are vivid and unforgettable. You can't put this book down. It will fascinate all who read it.
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Summary: A must read
Review: Of all of the Holocaust books out there, this is one that should not be missed. Reading it gives new perspectives to everything, from saving lives to working for NAZI's. It also shows how in the midst of inhumane situations, compassion can shine through. It is truly inspiring, and everyone should read it.
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Summary: A most compelling book!
Review: This is an inspiring story about a young girl named Irena Gutowna. She was fearless and brave as she hid the Jews from the Germans; she also set some free in the forest. Best of all, its a true Holocaust story. Everyone should read this book.
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Summary: Little-Known Polish Aid to Jews During World War II
Review: There is an unfortunate and unfair stereotype about Poles not doing enough for Jews during World War II. This book helps set the record straight by first showing that Poles were also victims of the Germans. In addition, unlike in other German-occupied countries, Poles were given the death penalty for the slightest aid to Jews. Despite all this, the heroine of this historical account risked her life every day to hide a group of Jews right under the nose of a German officer whom she was forced to serve. Absolutely thrilling!
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Summary: Opdyke: In My Hands
Review: An excellent book that gives you some idea of the horrible living conditions of the victims of WW II. I hope that they will make a movie from this wonderful book. If you haven't read it, please do! It is a MUST.
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Summary: The most wonderful, sad book...
Review: I'm in eighth grade, and our teacher is reading this book to our class. It's the greatest book! You should hear our class plead with our teacher to read one more chapter--- Please! And it's not even because they want to miss class, either. You should hear the discussions we have about it later. Even though we are advanced students, Irene is a remarkable person. Her book is very sad. I started crying in the middle of one chapter when I thought Irene's friends would be discovered by the major, which was a bit embarrasing (in the least! ) It's a really great book to read, especially because it's from a different point of veiw. Those concentration camp stories do get a bit stale after a while. Even though it got a little mixed up in my mind with Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Macbeth, it was a fabulous book that almost everyone would enjoy. READ IT! Thanks!
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Summary: Good Book
Review: This was an amazing book, it was so vivid, I could see her rescuing the Jews
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