Once We Were Brothers

By: Ronald H. Balson

Narrated by: Fred Berman

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

The gripping tale about two boys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust.

Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto Piatek, the Butcher of Zamosc. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser is convinced he is right and engages attorney Catherine Lockhart to bring Rosenzweig to justice. Solomon persuades attorney Catherine Lockhart to take his case, revealing that the true Piatek was abandoned as a child and raised by Solomon's own family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation. But has Solomon accused the right man?

Once We Were Brothers is Ronald H. Balson's compelling tale of two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland, and a young love that struggles to endure the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. Two lives, two worlds, and 60 years converge in an explosive race to redemption that makes for a moving and powerful tale of love, survival, and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit.

©2009 Ronald H. Balson (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Loved it!

best narrator I've heard so far! great story. felt like I really knew the characters!!!

A clunky, cardboard cutout mess.

And it's been done (so many many times over) better. This is a hackneyed cobbling of every tv holocaust docudrama, melodrama you have never seen. I feel bad for narrator, Fred Berman. He's a funny and talented narrator. But in this story? His gifts are wasted.
Listen to THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE. SARAH'S KEY, THE BOOK THIEF instead.

Fantastic book!

A heart-rending story, well written and narrated. I will look for more by this author and reader.

amazing

this is a great book , I absoultly enjoyed it and could not stop reading it.

Fantastic Book

This book was amazing. The author did a great job constructing what it was like for Jewish Families during WWII. Great narration and overarching story line with Catherine and Liam.

Great listening.

Wonderful plot and tremendous narration. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Compares favorably with All the Light We Cannot See.

Awesom

If you could sum up Once We Were Brothers in three words, what would they be?

Heartrendering, intense, gripping

What did you like best about this story?

That it was true to history. I could close my eyes and see the small Polish towns and countryside. And Buttermilk.

Which scene was your favorite?

That's tough; there were so many. Perhaps the scene in the Chief Judge's office. THe meeting between Otto and Ben in the attorney's office. Adele and Kathleen at Hana's grave.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES. I had my earbuds on all the time.

Gripping story, excellent narrator.

I was a bit hesitant when I read (the few) negative reviews calling the book corny and cliche. Well, I'm not a WWII buff or an expert on foreign accents, but I found the story--both the past and present day accounts--to be gripping (and educational too) and the narrator outstanding. I almost felt I was watching a movie. I listen to a lot of non-fiction, and sometimes need a break. This was a great choice.

Best narrator ever!

Fred Berman, you are an outstanding narrator, the best I have listened to. I have enjoyed audiobooks for a very long time and never have I experienced a narration like yours. The story is compelling and the performance top notch! Highly recommend this book.

Great WWII Novel

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were interesting and well developed. I felt like I knew them and was going through the events with them, like friends or family. There were times I was on the edge of my seat from the suspense. I would recommend it!