In Solitary Witness [Paperback]

Gordon Charles Zahn (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 277 pages
• Publisher: Templegate Pub; Revised edition (September 30, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087243141X
• ISBN-13: 978-0872431416
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #624,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book for those in search of heroes today., December 4, 1998

By 

Michael Hovey ([e-mail]) (New Rochelle, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Solitary Witness (Paperback)

Most of the well-known heroes of World War II are military figures. This book tells the story of another sort of hero, Franz Jaegerstaetter, an Austrian peasant farmer and husband and father of three daughters, who refused to perform his military service in the Nazi army on grounds of conscience. He was executed in Berlin on August 9, 1943 by the Nazis for his conscientious objection, "in solitary witness" to peace. The author, Gordon Zahn, an American conscientious objector during World War II and a sociologist, does a masterful job of capturing the social and religious context in which Jaegerstaetter's refusal to fight became possible. Zahn interviewed a number of villagers in St. Radegund -- including the widow and children of Jaegerstaetter -- to gain an understanding of the development of this uneducated farmer's faith in God and his convictions against war. The author is able to unravel the mystery of how such a simple man could have withstood the criticism and ostracization of his neighbors, the disapproval of his family, and the unwillingness of his Catholic church leaders (with the exception of his parish priest) to support his objection. In telling the story of a single brave man, the author is able to illustrate the possibility for any of us to stand against the social pressure citizens of every nation feel to support their government's involvement in wars, be they just or unjust. In the Preface, Zahn notes that Daniel Ellsberg has often acknowledged that it was the inspiration he felt after reading this book that led him to release the Pentagon Papers to the media in his effort to end the Vietnam War. It is also interesting to note that this book brought Jaegerstaetter's story to the attention of later Church authorities in Austria, who have begun an "investigation" of Franz's life and death in a first step toward his possible canonization as a saint in the Catholic Church. This story told in this book has moved government and church authorities to rethink their understanding and acceptance of war; it will move any reader to do the same.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When simple faith said no to oppression, November 2, 2005

By 

A. Calabrese "othernj" (NJ--United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In solitary witness: The life and death of Franz Jagerstatter

I first read In solitary witness: The life and death of Franz Jägerstätter by Gordon Charles Zahn about 15 years ago. In this fascinating biography of the Austrian peasant who refused to serve in the Nazi armies Gordon Zahn takes the reader into the heart of this Austrian peasant farmer who was the sexton of his small village Catholic church. Through his own spiritual conversion Jägerstätter learned that to be a radical Christian meant one could not cooperate with evil, even at its most innocuous level. We learn how Jägerstätter refused all Nazi family and farm aid that, by law, he was entitled. The author also explains how Jägerstätter inacted with those of other faiths, like Jehovah Witnesses, when he was finally arrested for refusing to be drafted into the German army. After being transferred from Nazi prison to prison Jägerstätter finally is sent to Berlin. And, even though Jägerstätter knew it would probably not make much of a difference like Christian martyrs before him he accepted execution quietly. Franz Jägerstätter is an inspiration to Catholics and non-Catholics. His life showed that with faith in Christ one can make the tough choices, even when those choice mean forfitting one's life. Finally, In solitary witness: The life and death of Franz Jägerstätter by Gordon Charles Zahn does a wonderful job of telling us the story of this almost forgotten Christian martyr. This is an inspiring and wonderful book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Witness Who Still Testifies, September 8, 2005

By 

K. Borsch (Lubbock, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In solitary witness: The life and death of Franz Jägerstätter (Paperback)

Zahn's meticulous investigation of the thoughts and conscience of an Austrian farmer over 60 years ago caused me to do some heavy thinking. I realized the basic ethical questions dealt with still apply today. The convictions of this simple man Jaegerstaetter have unexplainedly and very deeply stirred my heart. Whether you agree with him or not, you can't help but admire him for standing by what he believed in the face of the Nazi regime.