personal narratives

"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.

"A memoir, in graphic novel format, of the author's emotions and the challenges and decisions she faces in raising a child with Down syndrome"--.

Read the true stories of some brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen who risked their lives on D-Day, June 6, 1944, including glider pilot Pete Buckley, Army medic "Woody" Woodson, and First Sergeant Leonard "Bud" Lomell and Staff Sergeant Jack Kuhn.

The author shares his story of becoming a Special Forces Operator and war hero after being shot in the head and continuing his mission, while also saving his war brothers.

Pavlichenko was World War II's best-scoring sniper and had a varied wartime career that included trips to England and America. In June 1941, when Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, she left her university studies, ignored the offer of a position as a nurse, to become one of Soviet Russia's 2000 female snipers. Less than a year later she had 309 recorded kills, including 29 enemy sniper kills. She was withdrawn from active duty after being injured: she was also regarded as a key heroic figure for the war effort.