Righteous

Righteous follows the stories of individuals during World War II who risked their lives to rescue Jews from the Holocaust. Author Lauren Sandler focuses on the acts of rescue and resistance performed by everyday people, particularly in Eastern Europe. The book centers on the city of Vilna and its underground networks that helped Jews survive. Through extensive research and interviews with survivors and descendants, Sandler reconstructs the dangerous missions and secret operations that saved thousands of lives. Sandler interweaves historical documentation with personal narratives to examine what motivated these rescuers to act. The story traces both successful escapes and devastating failures, showing the intense pressures and moral choices faced by those who chose to help. The work raises questions about human nature and moral courage, exploring why certain people step forward to help others despite grave personal risk. It offers insights into how ordinary individuals can make extraordinary choices in times of crisis.

Readers commend Sandler's thorough reporting and research while exploring the experiences of homeless youth in Los Angeles. Multiple reviewers note the book puts faces and stories to statistics, making the crisis more tangible and personal. Positives: - Clear breakdown of systemic failures and policy decisions - Strong character narratives that follow subjects over time - Effective balance of data and human stories - Accessible writing style for complex topics Negatives: - Some readers found certain sections repetitive - A few note it can feel overwhelming and depressing - Several wanted more focus on potential solutions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (179 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 reviews) Notable reader quote: "She allows her subjects to speak for themselves while providing crucial context about how they ended up on the streets." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers described feeling more informed about youth homelessness but frustrated by the lack of clear paths forward.

Among the Righteous by Robert Satloff Documents the untold stories of Arabs who protected Jews in North Africa during the Holocaust.

The Pianist by Władysław Szpilman Presents a musician's first-hand account of survival in Warsaw during World War II through the assistance of both Jews and non-Jews.

Survival in Shanghai by Irene Eber Chronicles the experiences of Jewish refugees who found sanctuary in Shanghai during World War II with help from Chinese residents.

The Heart Has Reasons by Mark Klempner Tells the stories of Dutch rescuers who saved Jewish children during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

Rescue and Resistance by Maciej Siekierski Examines the networks of Polish citizens who worked to save Jews during the Holocaust through testimonies and historical records.

✦ The book profiles people who risked their lives during World War II to save Jews from the Holocaust, including a Muslim family in Albania who sheltered Jews despite great personal danger. ✦ Author Lauren Sandler spent several years traveling across Europe to interview descendants of rescuers and survivors, uncovering previously untold stories of heroism. ✦ While most European countries saw 90% or more of their Jewish population murdered during the Holocaust, Albania was the only Nazi-occupied country whose Jewish population increased during WWII due to its people's commitment to protecting refugees. ✦ Many of the rescuers chronicled in the book followed a moral code called "Besa," an Albanian cultural principle that obligates people to help those in need, especially by offering shelter to those seeking refuge. ✦ Sandler connects these historical acts of moral courage to modern refugee crises, drawing parallels between past and present-day humanitarian challenges and responses.