Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death [Paperback]

Sharon Linnea (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1994

In the last days of World War II a young Swedish architect was sent to Budapest. There he did what no other country or individual was able to do: he saved over 100,000 men women and children from certain death. This dramatic story is based upon interviews with survivors and Wallenberg's family. To this day no one knows his fate but his belief that one person can make a difference endures as a legacy for us all.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-12-Beginning with the Jewish "Legend of the Just," this biography eases readers into the life of the man who led efforts to save Hungarian Jews from Nazi extermination. Frequent dialogue and a few scenes (noted by the author) with characters that are composites of people who Wallenberg knew might arouse suspicions of the text's accuracy, especially since no bibliography is included, but comparisons with John Bierman's Righteous Gentile (Viking, 1981) and Frederick Werbell and Thurston Clarke's Lost Hero (McGraw-Hill, 1981; o.p.) reveal consistent depictions of events, although dialogue is mildly different in each version. Linnea's book, much shorter than the aforementioned two, flows with a storyteller's narration and quickly draws readers into the urgent and horrifying state of affairs in Hungary in 1944. The inclusion of photos by Wallenberg's photographer adds authority to the text. Younger readers might have an easier time with Anita Larsen's Raoul Wallenberg (Crestwood, 1992), but Linnea's title is excellent for YAs, who will surely be inspired to find out more.
Linda Tashbook, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

In 1944, a charismatic young Swede volunteered for a desperate mission to save Budapest's Jews, the last substantial population threatened by the Nazis. Posted to the Swedish Legation and provided with ample funds and authority to do whatever worked, Wallenberg issued documents verifying trumped-up links to Sweden, set up ``safe houses'' under the Swedish flag, organized support from other neutral legations, threatened Hungarian officials (caught between Eichmann's brutality and the war's imminent end) with records of their acts, and used his commanding presence and sheer willpower to whisk Jews from assembly points and loaded trains. Then, perhaps imagining he was a spy, the Soviets entrapped him; despite numerous alleged sightings, his fate is unknown. Acknowledging extensive use of archival materials and interviews with people who knew Wallenberg, Linn‚a laces the story with dialogue, noting that ``the thrust of each conversation...has been documented.'' Her style's undistinguished, but the events are truly compelling, and she does a good job of sorting out the complex dynamics of those terrible days. The b&w photos, many taken secretly at the time, are also of interest. Milton Meltzer's lucid and powerful 12-page view of these events in Rescue (1988) includes some telling facts omitted here; still, this dramatic longer account is welcome. Index. (Nonfiction. 11+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society (May 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827604483
• ISBN-13: 978-0827604483
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Reference & Collections
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > World > Jewish > Holocaust
  • #35 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Jewish

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History that is more exciting than the best-selling fiction, March 18, 2001

By 

K. Corn "reviewer" (midwest, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death (Paperback)

As a parent, I know how hard it is to find excellent, high-quality nonfiction books for older children who are at an in-between stage - not quite ready for adult books but too old for "juvenile" books. This true account of Raoul Wallenberg, a man who saved more than 100,000 Jewish men, women and children from extinction during the Holocaust, is gripping and well-written. My kids could NOT put it down and one of them is a reluctant reader, so that says a lot right there. Watching my reluctant reader with his eyes glued to the page compelled me to pick up the book myself and I was glad I did. The author has used actual archival materals and even interviewed Wallenberg's family and friends. There are also photographs included, a special touch that brings a sense of immediacy to the past. Perhaps most importantly, the author has not "talked down" to the older children who are most likely to read this book (although it could be read aloud to younger ones). Adults, too, would find this one fascinating to read. A strong recommendation for this one!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truth more exciting than fiction, January 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death (Paperback)

Although this book is based on carefully researched facts, it holds your interest like a spy novel. Schindler saved 1,000. (That's great.) Wallenberg saved 100,000 lives. That's spectacular! Read how he emptied trains headed for death camps, had face to face confrontations with German leaders, and dared to do what no one else would. The gripping story of one of the few real heroes of our day.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be on Everyones Must Read List, April 8, 2003

By 

T. Wade (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death (Paperback)

This book should be read by everyone. It is informative, well written, and provides information one one of the true heros in the history of mankind. If you read "Shindlers Ark" (or saw the movie) you'll really enjoy this book.