Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Amazing story of courage! December 28, 2007
I ordered this book because the homeschool curriculum we use recommended it. I was a little skeptical because I had never heard of Raoul Wallenberg before. I am very glad I went ahead and ordered it because I read it in two days (It only took that long because of Christmas parties). This is a story of a man who went above and beyond and did so in the face of Nazi controlled Hungary. I am sure that the people who stood up to Adolph Eichmann are few and far between. There is a very interesting chapter than describes the dinner that these two men shared. Chilling! My only regret is that they never found solid information on Raoul after the war. This book did, however, motivate me to search the web and do some further research of my own!
Fight for life June 25, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Raoul Wallenberg had a mission for his life from his youngest days. He was impressed with the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, and wanted to save people in a similar manner. During World War II, Raoul worked at the Swedish embassy in Poland, giving Swedish citizenship to thousands of Jews. These "new" Swedes were protected by Sweden, since the Nazis were not at war with Sweden, and had no wish to be. Raoul helped them out of the country, and gave others work there in his department. He provided ration cards to the starving Jews. Secretly employed by the United States government, he hired a photographer to document the activities in which he lived. Some of those photographs are in this book. Raoul fought with Adolph Eichmann with everything he had: money, wits, subtlety, threats and power, and he had plenty to work with. He escaped several attempts on his life, but in the end, fell into the hands of the Russians, who he had supposed would be friendly to him. No one really knows, or has made public, what happened to him after that. The Russian government claimed that he died, but many people reported sharing a cell with him after that.
This book was very easy to read. Linnea pulls her readers into the world of Raoul Wallenberg, and makes them care about his life. Certainly not a dry biography, it reads like a novel following an undercover agent. Even young children would be interested in his story. Read this biography, and learn of a daring and courageous man who defied the powers and authorities to save life.
 A great story that lost something in this telling.. August 1, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The writing is clear and manages to convey many of the important details of Wallenberg's life, yet it was written for a typical young-adult audience. To a sopisticated reader this text can come across as a bit hollow and wooden. These amazing human beings and the incredible times they lived in appear somewhat simplified and one-dimensional in this book. It was lacking a bit too much in feeling and deeper exploration of human nature for this adult reader. Still Wallenberg's life is a great story and worthy of being told many times over. It's just that this one alone fails to do it complete justice.
Should be on Everyones Must Read List April 9, 2003
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book should be read by everyone. It is informative, well written, and provides information one one of the true heros in the history of mankind. If you read "Shindlers Ark" (or saw the movie) you'll really enjoy this book.
History that is more exciting than the best-selling fiction March 19, 2001
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
As a parent, I know how hard it is to find excellent, high-quality nonfiction books for older children who are at an in-between stage - not quite ready for adult books but too old for "juvenile" books. This true account of Raoul Wallenberg, a man who saved more than 100,000 Jewish men, women and children from extinction during the Holocaust, is gripping and well-written. My kids could NOT put it down and one of them is a reluctant reader, so that says a lot right there. Watching my reluctant reader with his eyes glued to the page compelled me to pick up the book myself and I was glad I did. The author has used actual archival materals and even interviewed Wallenberg's family and friends. There are also photographs included, a special touch that brings a sense of immediacy to the past. Perhaps most importantly, the author has not "talked down" to the older children who are most likely to read this book (although it could be read aloud to younger ones). Adults, too, would find this one fascinating to read. A strong recommendation for this one!
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