personal narratives

The author shares her childhood growing up in Poland through the Holocaust, and surviving thanks to Oskar Schindler.

"One of the first unaccompanied refugee children to enter the United States in 2000, after South Sudan's second civil war took the lives of most of her family, Rebecca's story begins in the late 1980s when, at the age of four, her village was attacked and she had to escape. [This boo k] is the account of that . . . journey"--Amazon.

The author presents a comprehensive oral history of September 11, 2001, using interviews with government officials, first responders, survivors, friends, and family members.

An inspiring and powerful memoir of surviving the Jonestown massacre and becoming a fearless voice against injustice and inequality by California congresswoman Jackie Speier. Jackie Speier was twenty-eight when she joined Congressman Leo Ryan's delegation to rescue defectors from cult leader Jim Jones's Peoples Temple in Jonestown, Guyana. Ryan was killed on the airstrip tarmac. Jackie was shot five times at point-blank range. While recovering from what would become one of the most harrowing tragedies in recent history, Jackie had to choose: Would she become a victim or a fighter? The choice to survive against unfathomable odds empowered her with a resolve to become a vocal proponent for human rights. From the formative nightmare that radically molded her perspective and instincts to the devastating personal and professional challenges that would follow, Undaunted reveals the perseverance of a determined force in American politics. Deeply rooted in Jackie's experiences as a widow, a mother, a congresswoman, and a fighter, hers is a story of true resilience, one that will inspire other women to draw strength from adversity in order to do what is right--no matter the challenges ahead.

"As Adolf Hitler's control over Germany became absolute, those Jews who could not run from the Nazis were forced into hiding. In this book, readers will experience the harrowing first-hand narratives of those who concealed either themselves, in bunkers or attics or even the forest, or their Judaism, relying on Aryan looks to hide themselves in plain sight. Some people tried to plan in advance, constructing secret rooms in which they hid, silently, relying on the kindness of trusted friends. Others hid wherever possible, building bunkers into the dirt floor of barns, in the ghettos in order to avoid being shot or deported to death camps, and even in the rubble of bombed out cities as the war progressed" -- Provided by publisher.

"Nazi control of Germany was marked by the insidious escalation of anti-Semitic policies, as Jews were first forced to self-identify, then violently pushed to relocate from their apartments to the poorest areas of town, where their movements and livelihoods were tightly controlled by German soldiers. The ghettos were isolated from the rest of the city and subject to ever-increasingly restrictions the resulted in overcrowding, disease, and starvation. Readers will also learn the terrifying aftermath of the liquidation of the ghettos, as it was revealed that they were primarily meant as holding cells on the way to death camps. These stories will not only open conversation into the horrors of anti-Semitism in Germany, but will also lead to discussions of anti-Semitism and Jewish ghettos elsewhere in history" -- Provided by publisher.

"Offers readers a first-hand look at the stories of teens who managed to escape the Nazi regime, surviving only through a combination of gut instinct and luck. Readers will also see parallels between the plight of those fleeing Germany and the refugees from Syria and other countries facing similar crises today and will discover the complex reasons some people simply didn't leave before it was too late"--Provided by publisher.

"Naval aviator Jeremiah Denton was captured in North Vietnam in 1965. As a POW, Jerry Denton led a group of fellow American prisoners in withstanding gruesome conditions behind enemy lines. They developed a system of secret codes and covert communications to keep up their spirits. Later, he would endure long periods of solitary confinement. Always, Jerry told his fellow POWs that they would one day return home together. Although Jerry spent seven and a half years as a POW, he did finally return home in 1973 after the longest . . . deployment in U.S. history. Denton's story--including that of the men he led, and of his wife, who fought for prisoners' rights while he was held captive--is a . . . narrative of human resilience and endurance"--Provided by publisher.

The author shares his life and his role as a decorated medic during World War II. Exploring his actions that saved many soldiers on D-Day.

"The founder of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons program, aka 'TOPGUN,' shares the untold story of how he and eight other young pilots revolutionized the art of aerial combat and created the center for excellence and incubator of leadership that thrives to this day"--Provided by publisher.