Bestseller book

Critically acclaimed

Already read? Rate it!

Born survivors

three young mothers and their extraordinary story of courage, defiance, and hope

byHolden, Wendy

Genres: History Biography Political Leaders Memoirs

Who is this book for? Readers interested in Holocaust narratives and biographies of survival.

Topics Jewish mothers in the holocaustSurvival against all oddsCourage in the face of crueltyMiraculous escapesBonds of sisterhoodActs of kindness in dark timesTriumph of the human spiritUnbreakable maternal loveResilience in adversityHistorical accounts of survivalSurvivalFamilyCourage

MoodHopeful, Melancholic

Female protagonist

ViolenceModerate

Among the millions of Holocaust victims sent to Auschwitz II-Birkenau in 1944, Priska, Rachel, and Anka each pass through its infamous gates with a secret. Strangers to one another, they are newly pregnant, and facing an uncertain fate without their husbands. Alone, scared, and with so many loved ones already lost to the Nazis, these young women are privately determined to hold on to all they have left: their lives and those of their unborn babies. That the gas chambers ran out of Zyklon B just after the babies were born, before they and their mothers could be exterminated, is just one of several miracles that allowed them all to survive and rebuild their lives after World War II. Born Survivors follows the mothers' incredible journey--first to Auschwitz, where they each came under the murderous scrutiny of Dr. Josef Mengele; then to a German slave-labor camp, where, half-starved and almost worked to death, they struggled to conceal their condition; and, finally, as the Allies closed in, their hellish seventeen-day train journey with thousands of other prisoners to the Mauthausen death camp in Austria. Biographer Wendy Holden details the courage and kindness of strangers, including guards and civilians, which helped save these women and their children. Sixty-five years later, the three "miracle babies" meet for the first time at Mauthausen for the anniversary of the American liberation. United by their remarkable experiences of survival against all odds, they come to consider each other "siblings of the heart." In Born Survivors, Holden brings all three stories together for the first time, to mark their seventieth birthdays and the seventieth anniversary of the ending of the war. A heart-stopping account of how three mothers and their newborns fought to survive the Holocaust, Born Survivors is also a life-affirming celebration of our capacity to care and love amid inconceivable cruelty.

Language

Published on

01/01/2015

Pages

385

Format

Hardcover

ISBN

9780062370259

Price Comparison

waterstones

Paperback

9.99 £

Books similar to “Born survivors”

If you enjoyed reading “Born survivors” by Holden, Wendy, you may also like some of the following books.

Anna ElloryRabbit Girls

Rabbit Girls

Anna Ellory

Lois LowryNumber the Stars

Number the Stars

Lois Lowry

Anita Lasker-WallfischIhr sollt die Wahrheit erben

Ihr sollt die Wahrheit erben

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch

Caroline MooreheadA Train in Winter

A Train in Winter

Caroline Moorehead

Affinity KonarMischling

Mischling

Affinity Konar

Monica HesseThey Went Left

They Went Left

Monica Hesse

Alicia Appleman-JurmanAlicia

Alicia

Alicia Appleman-Jurman

Heather Morris, Morris, Heather (Screenwriter)Three Sisters

Three Sisters

Heather Morris, Morris, Heather (Screenwriter)

Political Leaders

Delve into the lives of influential political figures who have shaped nations and policies. These biographies provide insights into the leadership styles and decisions that have impacted world history.

Jonn ElledgeA History of the World in 47 Borders

A History of the World in 47 Borders

by Jonn Elledge

James BaldwinNo Name in the Street

No Name in the Street

by James Baldwin

CrownThe Light We Carry

The Light We Carry

by Crown

Fei-Fei LeeThe Worlds I See

The Worlds I See

by Fei-Fei Lee

Katalin KarikóBreaking Through

Breaking Through

by Katalin Karikó

Primo Levi, Stuart WoolfIf This Is A Man/The Truce (50th Anniversary Edition): Surviving Auschwitz

If This Is A Man/The Truce (50th Anniversary Edition): Surviving Auschwitz

by Primo Levi, Stuart Woolf

Angela Y. Davis, Esther Donato, Juanita DevisAn Autobiography

An Autobiography

by Angela Y. Davis, Esther Donato et al.

Frederick DouglassLife and Times of Frederick Douglass

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

by Frederick Douglass

Kati MartonThe Chancellor

The Chancellor

by Kati Marton

Randy ShiltsThe Mayor of Castro Street

The Mayor of Castro Street

by Randy Shilts

Chris Kraus, Cookie Mueller, Olivia LaingWalking Through Clear Water in a Pool Painted Black, new edition

Walking Through Clear Water in a Pool Painted Black, new edition

by Chris Kraus, Cookie Mueller et al.

Frederick DouglassNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

by Frederick Douglass

Eddie JakuThe Happiest Man on Earth

The Happiest Man on Earth

by Eddie Jaku

Chris Mooney, Eversmann, Matt, James PattersonWalk in My Combat Boots

Walk in My Combat Boots

by Chris Mooney, Eversmann et al.

Kate MooreThe Woman They Could Not Silence

The Woman They Could Not Silence

by Kate Moore

Ariana NeumannWhen Time Stopped

When Time Stopped

by Ariana Neumann

Samantha PowerThe Education of an Idealist

The Education of an Idealist

by Samantha Power

Carlton Books Staff, Michelle ObamaBecoming

Becoming

by Carlton Books Staff, Michelle Obama

Simon Sebag-MontefioreYoung Stalin

Young Stalin

by Simon Sebag-Montefiore

Pete ButtigiegShortest Way Home

Shortest Way Home

by Pete Buttigieg

Viktor E. FranklMan's Search For Meaning

Man's Search For Meaning

by Viktor E. Frankl

Ana González Corcho, Kamala D. Harris, María Eugenia Santa Coloma, Pierre ReignierThe Truths We Hold

The Truths We Hold

by Ana González Corcho, Kamala D. Harris et al.

Aberdeen Press, Adam EVE, Carla Fonte Sánchez, Carme Manuel Cuenca, Carolyn L. Karcher, Francine L. Jacobs, Hans Murray, Harriet A. Jacobs, Harriet Jacobs, Jacobs, Karl Simrock, l. maria child, Lydia Maria Child, MontyIncidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

by Aberdeen Press, Adam EVE et al.

Andrés Barba Muñiz, Barack Obama, Carmen Mercedes Cáceres, Efrén del Valle Peñamil, Francisco José Ramos Mena, Marcos Pérez SánchezA Promised Land

A Promised Land

by Andrés Barba Muñiz, Barack Obama et al.

Alessio Cammardella, Andrew Roberts, Christophe Regnault, Vincent DelmasChurchill

Churchill

by Alessio Cammardella, Andrew Roberts et al.

Show all

Memoirs

Experience personal stories through memoirs that offer intimate glimpses into the lives of individuals. These books provide firsthand accounts of experiences, thoughts, and emotions.

Sloane CrosleyGrief is for People

Grief is for People

by Sloane Crosley

Patrick StewartMaking It So

Making It So

by Patrick Stewart

Anon9780062863102Cher: The Memoir, Part One

Cher: The Memoir, Part One

by Anon9780062863102

Atiba Hutchinson, Dan RobsonThe Beautiful Dream

The Beautiful Dream

by Atiba Hutchinson, Dan Robson

Anton Hur, Baek SeheeI Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki

I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki

by Anton Hur, Baek Sehee

Russell BrandRecovery

Recovery

by Russell Brand

Salman RushdieKnife

Knife

by Salman Rushdie

Rebecca SolnitRecollections of My Non-Existence

Recollections of My Non-Existence

by Rebecca Solnit

Stefan ZweigThe World of Yesterday

The World of Yesterday

by Stefan Zweig

Moon Unit ZappaEarth to Moon

Earth to Moon

by Moon Unit Zappa

Roald DahlGoing Solo

Going Solo

by Roald Dahl

Roald DahlBoy

Boy

by Roald Dahl

Cathy GlassDamaged

Damaged

by Cathy Glass

Suzanne ScanlonCommitted

Committed

by Suzanne Scanlon

Ray CappoFrom Punk to Monk

From Punk to Monk

by Ray Cappo

Lilly DancygerFirst Love

First Love

by Lilly Dancyger

Bryony GordonMad Girl

Mad Girl

by Bryony Gordon

Oprah WinfreyWhat I Know for Sure

What I Know for Sure

by Oprah Winfrey

Mark Manson, Will SmithWill

Will

by Mark Manson, Will Smith

Geddy LeeMy Effin' Life

My Effin' Life

by Geddy Lee

Show all

Award Winning Literature

Step into the world of **Award Winning Literature books**, where every page resonates with excellence and acclaim. These books have not only captured the hearts of readers but have also been recognized by prestigious literary awards.

J. K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

by J. K. Rowling

Veronica RothDivergent

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Delia OwensWhere the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

Where the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

by Delia Owens

Anthony DoerrAll the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr

Frank HerbertDune

Dune

by Frank Herbert

William GoldingLord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

Charlotte BrontëJane Eyre

Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Brontë

V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab, Victoria SchwabThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab et al.

E. B. White, Guillermo Solana AlonsoCharlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web

by E. B. White, Guillermo Solana Alonso

Madeline MillerCirce

Circe

by Madeline Miller

John SteinbeckOf Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck

Bram StokerDracula

Dracula

by Bram Stoker

Christopher PaoliniEragon

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini

Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Christina Lamb, Malala YousafzaiI Am Malala

I Am Malala

by Christina Lamb, Malala Yousafzai

Taylor Jenkins ReidDaisy Jones and The Six

Daisy Jones and The Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Jennifer L. ArmentroutFrom Blood and Ash

From Blood and Ash

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Erin MorgensternThe Night Circus

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

Kurt VonnegutSlaughterhouse 5

Slaughterhouse 5

by Kurt Vonnegut

Holly JacksonA Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

by Holly Jackson

Madeleine L'EngleA Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

André AcimanCall Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

by André Aciman

Charles Dixon, J.R.R. TolkienThe Hobbit

The Hobbit

by Charles Dixon, J.R.R. Tolkien

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . MontgomeryAnne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . Montgomery

Karen M. McManusOne of Us Is Lying

One of Us Is Lying

by Karen M. McManus

Patrick RothfussThe Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind

by Patrick Rothfuss

Alice OsemanHeartstopper Volume 1

Heartstopper Volume 1

by Alice Oseman

Sarah J. MaasCrown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight

by Sarah J. Maas

William ShakespeareHamlet

Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

Roald DahlCharlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Show all

History

Delve into the captivating world of history books that bring the past to life. From ancient civilizations to modern events, these narratives offer insights and lessons from bygone eras.

Maya AngelouI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou

ΌμηροςThe Iliad

The Iliad

by Όμηρος

Chris Van Wyk, Nelson Mandela, Paddy BoumaLong Walk To Freedom

Long Walk To Freedom

by Chris Van Wyk, Nelson Mandela et al.

Isabel AllendeThe House of the Spirits

The House of the Spirits

by Isabel Allende

Irène NémirovskySuite Francaise

Suite Francaise

by Irène Némirovsky

Kai Bird, Martin J. SherwinAmerican Prometheus

American Prometheus

by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin

Mildred D. TaylorRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

by Mildred D. Taylor

James HerriotThe Lord God Made Them All

The Lord God Made Them All

by James Herriot

David Grann, Luis Murillo FortKillers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon

by David Grann, Luis Murillo Fort

Fran LebowitzThe Fran Lebowitz Reader

The Fran Lebowitz Reader

by Fran Lebowitz

Robert K. MassiePeter the Great

Peter the Great

by Robert K. Massie

Kate MortonThe Secret Keeper

The Secret Keeper

by Kate Morton

Kate MortonThe Clockmaker's Daughter

The Clockmaker's Daughter

by Kate Morton

Lisa ScottolineEternal

Eternal

by Lisa Scottoline

Arthur MillerAll My Sons

All My Sons

by Arthur Miller

Julia KellyThe Last Garden in England

The Last Garden in England

by Julia Kelly

David GrannThe Wager

The Wager

by David Grann

Daniel James BrownFacing The Mountain

Facing The Mountain

by Daniel James Brown

Bret BaierTo Rescue the Republic

To Rescue the Republic

by Bret Baier

Marlon JamesA Brief History of Seven Killings

A Brief History of Seven Killings

by Marlon James

Bolton, JohnThe Room Where It Happened

The Room Where It Happened

by Bolton, John

Friedrich Engels, Karl MarxThe Communist Manifesto

The Communist Manifesto

by Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx

Rebecca TraisterGood and Mad

Good and Mad

by Rebecca Traister

Craig Whitlock, The Washington PostThe Afghanistan Papers

The Afghanistan Papers

by Craig Whitlock, The Washington Post

Sebastian FaulksCharlotte Gray

Charlotte Gray

by Sebastian Faulks

Susanna KearsleyThe Vanished Days

The Vanished Days

by Susanna Kearsley

Eric H. Cline1177 B.C.

1177 B.C.

by Eric H. Cline

Laurence LeamerCapote's Women

Capote's Women

by Laurence Leamer

Yuval Noah HarariSapiens

Sapiens

by Yuval Noah Harari

Nikole Hannah-JonesThe 1619 Project

The 1619 Project

by Nikole Hannah-Jones

Show all

Biography

Uncover the fascinating lives of influential figures with our extensive collection of biography books. Whether you're interested in the groundbreaking achievements of innovators or the compelling stories of political leaders, our selection offers a deep dive into real-life narratives that shape our world.