Customer Reviews

Inge: A Girl's Journey Through Nazi Europe

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Much has been written about the millions who were murdered during the Nazis' Holocaust bestiality yet we know less about the effect on thousands of child survivors who suffered separation from family, deprivation and often multiple escapes during World War II. In "Inge" author Gumpert vividly portrays the anxieties and trauma of an innocent young girl under the duress of separation, escape and living on the margin. Inge discovers herself and turns from introvert to courageous escape artist, outwitting adult persecutioners. We also learn about selfless and heroic rescuers. It is fascinating to discover her interactions with peers and even the advent of teenage love during her turbulent youth.

The book vividly presents the gripping dangers and escapades of Inge's teenage years. Even more important, the author reveals Inge's lifelong and unsuccessful struggle to cope with the memories. One feels the author has perhaps finally provided the peace and redemption which escaped Inge during her lifetime.

As a fellow teenage refugee with Inge in 1940-41 (her first love was my best friend Walter), I knew the facts, but I am deeply moved by the compelling story told by this book.

What a powerful and revealing insight this book lends to its readers! We learn so much, not simply of the details of a young girl's flight from death, but of her excrutiating struggles and mixed emotion as she is forced to abandon her family. The authors have courageously revealed themselves with great substance and depth in this part diary, part biography. As Inge matures, her ability to share her inner self grows consistently with her years. And nephew/co-author David Gumpert's extensive research is humbly stated, authenticating the tale even more.
This is a must read for students of history and the holocaust. It is brilliantly written and impossible to put down. I look forward to seeing this story on the big screen.

Inge Joseph lived in the ragged edge of the evolving Holocaust.
Escaping murderous fascism, she and a hundred other children first escaped to Belgium, and then to Switzerland. Her final months in Europe, at a fifteenth-century chateau, in the eye of the storm, tell a story of youth, hope and grief. I could not put it down. David Gumpert, in the words of his aunt Inge, allows us to live in a harrowing time, where safety and food were matters of day to day survival. The blooming Inge finds love and friendship, and eventual freedom, while longing for family and home.

This is a book you cannot put down, not the Ann Frank type of
story but of a young girl dealing all on her own with the abandonment of her family, the uncertainty of her family's whereabouts during the war, a love affair with an uncertain
outcome, and the unhappy misery that should not befall a
15- or 16-year old. Because of the tenacity of some kind-hearted
Swiss Red Cross workers she is restored to freedom in Switzerland
and is able to start her training in her life's ambition.
But how she gets there is a cliff-hanger and shows the misery
of the Holocaust in an entirely different light. A true story,
a sad one, but also eventually uplifting.

I have read a number of books about the Holocaust, but this one is different. It gets inside the mind of a teenage girl who is separated from her parents and grouped with 100 boys and girls in the same situation. They are on the run from the Nazis, first in Belgium and then in France. On one level this is an adventure story of the highest order as Inge moves from one dangerous situation to another. On another level, it is a psychological study of a survivor, and of the burdens that it brings. There is little in the way of sentimentality. Rather, it is about real feelings and inner conflicts. I couldn't put it down, and find myself thinking about it long after finishing it. I purchased six copies to give to family members.

Most books on the Holocaust reflect the horrible trials of those murdered or sent to Concentration Camps. This is a story of a young girl sent by her family to Belgium from Germany before the war. She is tossed into the whirlwind of war and her separation from her family is greatly traumatic for her. She faces her difficult teen years as a refugee in Southern France. The North of France is occupied by the Nazis, who ultimately control the French Government, both north and south. Each year she grows closer to her 18th birthday, she is painfully aware of the French laws will allow her to be turned over to the Nazis and deported. She is not alone in her travail. This story tells of the genuine goodness of those who helped shelter her and get her and many of her friends to Switzerland. There is love, loss and decency. A really different prospective. Should be read by all.

Unlike many books about the Holocaust this one is truly different in its ending. Suffuring a fate like the Jewish in WWII is not imaginable and this books takes you to a girl and the trials she faced trying to survive and stay connected with her family. This books is an inspiring story of a young girl who tries to survive the terrible fate of her people while trying to stay with her family and the repercussions of this horrible time will never be healed. Although Inge does not get to finish the book herself, her nephew does a great job finishing where she left off. If you like emotional stories that suck you in and you don't want to put the book down, you will love this book!

This book takes you into the life of Inge Joseph who lived threw the Holocaust, but ultimitly could not get past it.

Inge Joseph was born in Darmstadt, Germany in 1925. She had an older sister and loving parents. When she was young Hitler took power and her life changed. In 1936 her father got arrested and shortly afterwards her sister then 16 went to live in America eventually living in Chicago.

Inge and her mother remained in Darmstadt with the help of her father's wealthy cousin. During this time however Inge left Darmstadt and went to live with her cousin in Belgium. After only living with him a short time he and his wife sent her to live in a hostil run by Mr. and Mrs. Frank (no relation to Anne.) After living there a while, the Nazis invaded Belgium and the Franks sent the girls to France with a group of boys from another hostil in the town they lived in.

The 100 kids went to France and stayed in a barn for a while, until the Swiss Red Cross got involved helping them with food, and finding them a castle to live in.

Life was not easy in the barn or castle, but Inge and some of her friends found love. During the time in the castle the oldest of the children were arrested and sent to a concentration camp, but managed to go back to Chateau le Haille (the castle). Several months later the person in charge decided that the oldest ones needed to escape.

After a failed escape leading to the deaths of Inge's friend and boyfriend Inge made it to Switzerland and finally to the United States to reunite with her father and sister.

Inge tried to get over her experiences, married a Austrian Jew and adopted a daughter named Julie, and also became a nurse. Unfortunitly she was not able to and became addicted to medication that caused her to die in 1983.

A very interesting story, one can't forget

I won't go into a synopsis since the readers before me have very detailed ones.
I checked this one out from the local library. I could not put it down. I was able to finish in 2 days. I found myself following her on her journey. The book is very well written and really involves the reader in what life may have been like for her. I am purchasing this one to keep on my shelf. Definitely worth reading and rereading.