Rescue Board

Rescue Board chronicles the work of the War Refugee Board, a U.S. government agency created in 1944 to save Jews and other victims from Nazi persecution during World War II. The book follows the efforts of Treasury Department lawyer John Pehle and his team as they race against time to help those targeted for death in Europe. Through research drawn from documents and survivor accounts, author Rebecca Erbelding reconstructs the daily operations, challenges, and achievements of this little-known government organization. The narrative tracks the Board's urgent work to arrange escapes, provide funds, negotiate with neutral countries, and overcome bureaucratic resistance. The War Refugee Board's existence emerged from pressure by activists and government officials who pushed President Roosevelt to take concrete action in response to the Holocaust. Their mission represented America's first dedicated government response to the Nazi genocide. This account provides insights into questions of institutional response to humanitarian crisis and the tension between government constraints and moral imperatives. The story demonstrates how determined individuals within a bureaucracy can effect meaningful change despite significant obstacles.

Readers appreciate the depth of research and previously unknown details about the War Refugee Board's efforts to save Jews during WWII. Many note the book fills an important historical gap and brings attention to unsung heroes like John Pehle. Readers highlight the clear writing style and compelling personal stories that make complex bureaucratic history engaging. Multiple reviews mention learning new information about U.S. government responses to the Holocaust. Common criticisms include: - Too much focus on administrative details - Lack of broader historical context - Dense writing in certain sections - Limited coverage of refugee experiences Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (230 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (58 ratings) Sample reader comment: "Important history that deserves to be better known, but gets bogged down in organizational minutiae" - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "The personal stories of refugees and rescuers provide powerful moments amid the policy discussions" - Amazon reviewer

The Last Million by David Nasaw Documents the fate of displaced persons in Europe after World War II and the political battles surrounding their resettlement.

50 Children by Steven Pressman Chronicles the mission of Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus to rescue Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Vienna in 1939.

Village of Secrets by Caroline Moorehead Tells the story of a French mountain community that sheltered thousands of Jews during World War II through a network of rescuers.

The Unwanted by Michael Dobbs Traces the parallel stories of Jewish refugees attempting to flee Nazi Germany and the American government officials who determined their fate.

Conscience and Courage by Eva Fogelman Examines the motivations and actions of non-Jewish rescuers who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust through interviews and historical records.

🔸 The War Refugee Board, the subject of the book, helped save tens of thousands of Jews during WWII, yet remained largely unknown until Erbelding's extensive research brought its story to light. 🔸 Author Rebecca Erbelding discovered much of the material for this book while working as an archivist at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where she processed collections of Holocaust-era documents. 🔸 President Roosevelt only established the War Refugee Board in January 1944, after mounting pressure from Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr., who presented evidence that the State Department had been deliberately obstructing rescue opportunities. 🔸 The Board operated with a tiny staff of fewer than thirty people but managed to coordinate rescue operations across multiple continents, working with resistance groups, diplomats, and underground networks. 🔸 Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, whose heroic efforts saved thousands of Hungarian Jews, was actually hired and funded by the War Refugee Board, though this connection was kept secret for security reasons.