In the Garden of the Righteous

The Heroes Who Risked Their Lives to Save Jews During the Holocaust

By: Richard Hurowitz

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

“In the Garden of the Righteous brilliantly describes how in the midst of the brutality of the Holocaust and the collaboration, acquiescence and passivity of millions, there were people who risked their lives to save others out of a sense of shared humanity. This book is more timely than ever.”—Stuart E. Eizenstat, author of Imperfect Justice: Looted Assets, Slave Labor, and the Unfinished Business of World War II

These powerfully illuminating and inspiring profiles pay tribute to the incredible deeds of the Righteous Among the Nations, little-known heroes who saved countless lives during the Holocaust.

Less than a century ago, the Second World War took the lives of more than fifty million people; more than six million of them were systematically exterminated through crimes of such enormity that a new name to describe the horror was coined: the Holocaust. Yet amid such darkness, there were glimmers of light—courageous individuals who risked everything to save those hunted by the Nazis. Today, as bigotry and intolerance and the threats of fascism and authoritarianism are ascendent once again, these heroes’ little-known stories—among the most remarkable in human history—resonate powerfully. Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, has recognized more than 27,000 individuals as “Righteous Among the Nations”—non-Jewish people such as Raoul Wallenberg and Oskar Schindler who risked their lives to save their persecuted neighbors.

In the Garden of the Righteous chronicles extraordinary acts at a time when the moral choices were stark, the threat immense, and the passive apathy of millions predominated. Deeply researched and astonishingly moving, it focuses on ten remarkable stories, including that of the circus ringmaster Adolf Althoff and his wife Maria, the Portuguese diplomat Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Italian cycling champion Gino Bartali, the Polish social worker Irena Sendler, and the Japanese spy Chinue Sugihara, who provided hiding places, participated in underground networks, refused to betray their neighbors, and secured safe passage. They repeatedly defied authorities and risked their lives, their livelihoods, and their families to save the helpless and the persecuted. In the Garden of the Righteous is a testament to their kindness and courage.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Richard Hurowitz (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Everyone should read or listen to this book

The people and stories in this collection will inspire and move you. Should be required reading in every high school.

The reader isn’t bad but I wish he had just asked someone how to pronounce French words like Monsieur and Andre Gide and charge d’affaires.

But it’s hard to say anything negative about this incredibly moving and important book. Strong strong recommend.

Very important and moving

Great information about lesser known heroes of the war. Very moving and a great reminder that there is always goodness and light to be found in the world, even in the darkest of times.

We all can make a difference

I am always astounded at the great acts of courage that we know nothing about. It gives me hope in the future. The people in this book are amazing and I hope you read it to learn more about them and about making a difference daily in the lives of others.

Must read! Outstanding and compelling! Couldn’t stop until the end.

Uniquely presented, beautifully crafted, important.
I’m 2nd generation survivor & well read about the Holocaust. My mother survived Auschwitz. So I was born into this legacy. But this book of 10 mini novels is satisfying and unique with precise information. Compassionately presented. Every word was crafted to convey the messages with meaning and depth. Couldn’t put it down. Received the hard copy as gift. So I highlighted while listening. Loved the audible narrator’s style. Highly recommend this one!!

Inspiring Read

Fascinating and very touching read. Very touching and shows what can be accomplished by people of great inner strength and courage, even in the absolute worst of circumstances.

Terrific narration of compelling stories

The ten stories of courageous rescue of Jews in world War II are each inspiring and insightful. The narration is excellent.