In the Garden of the Righteous

The Heroes Who Risked Their Lives to Save Jews During the Holocaust

By: Richard Hurowitz

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

“In the Garden of the Righteous brilliantly describes how in the midst of the brutality of the Holocaust and the collaboration, acquiescence and passivity of millions, there were people who risked their lives to save others out of a sense of shared humanity. This book is more timely than ever.”—Stuart E. Eizenstat, author of Imperfect Justice: Looted Assets, Slave Labor, and the Unfinished Business of World War II

These powerfully illuminating and inspiring profiles pay tribute to the incredible deeds of the Righteous Among the Nations, little-known heroes who saved countless lives during the Holocaust.

Less than a century ago, the Second World War took the lives of more than fifty million people; more than six million of them were systematically exterminated through crimes of such enormity that a new name to describe the horror was coined: the Holocaust. Yet amid such darkness, there were glimmers of light—courageous individuals who risked everything to save those hunted by the Nazis. Today, as bigotry and intolerance and the threats of fascism and authoritarianism are ascendent once again, these heroes’ little-known stories—among the most remarkable in human history—resonate powerfully. Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, has recognized more than 27,000 individuals as “Righteous Among the Nations”—non-Jewish people such as Raoul Wallenberg and Oskar Schindler who risked their lives to save their persecuted neighbors.

In the Garden of the Righteous chronicles extraordinary acts at a time when the moral choices were stark, the threat immense, and the passive apathy of millions predominated. Deeply researched and astonishingly moving, it focuses on ten remarkable stories, including that of the circus ringmaster Adolf Althoff and his wife Maria, the Portuguese diplomat Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Italian cycling champion Gino Bartali, the Polish social worker Irena Sendler, and the Japanese spy Chinue Sugihara, who provided hiding places, participated in underground networks, refused to betray their neighbors, and secured safe passage. They repeatedly defied authorities and risked their lives, their livelihoods, and their families to save the helpless and the persecuted. In the Garden of the Righteous is a testament to their kindness and courage.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Both Inspirational and Cautionary

We all know of the horrors of the Holocaust, but we're typically much less familiar with the largely unsung heroes who took it upon themselves to save many thousands of would-be casualties. This book highlights several such individuals, dedicating entire chapters for each one. Perhaps most importantly, however, the book concludes with not only an overview of the heroes, but a well thought out exploration of what may have differentiated the heroes from the complicit bystanders. Although it was ordinary people who stood up as rescuers, it was far more often the case the ordinary citizens took part in the horrors perpetrated on their neighbors. This is a mist read for anyone interested in the psychology and sociology of the Holocaust.

A must read for anyone interested in the topics of morality and courage

This book brought out so many emotions as I read it. Anger, fear, admiration, awe, and grief were constant companions. The stories outlined here are beautiful and breathtaking. While humanity faced an incredibly dark period, some were shining beacons of light. It is a privilege to learn about a few of these beautiful stories through this book.

Very important and moving

Great information about lesser known heroes of the war. Very moving and a great reminder that there is always goodness and light to be found in the world, even in the darkest of times.

Must read! Outstanding and compelling! Couldn’t stop until the end.

Uniquely presented, beautifully crafted, important.
I’m 2nd generation survivor & well read about the Holocaust. My mother survived Auschwitz. So I was born into this legacy. But this book of 10 mini novels is satisfying and unique with precise information. Compassionately presented. Every word was crafted to convey the messages with meaning and depth. Couldn’t put it down. Received the hard copy as gift. So I highlighted while listening. Loved the audible narrator’s style. Highly recommend this one!!

Everyone should read or listen to this book

The people and stories in this collection will inspire and move you. Should be required reading in every high school.

The reader isn’t bad but I wish he had just asked someone how to pronounce French words like Monsieur and Andre Gide and charge d’affaires.

But it’s hard to say anything negative about this incredibly moving and important book. Strong strong recommend.