In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer

By: Irene Gut Opdyke, Jennifer Armstrong - contributor

Narrated by: Hope Davis

Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Irene Gut was just 17 in 1939, when the Germans and Russians devoured her native Poland. Just a girl, really. But a girl who saw evil and chose to defy it.

©2008 Irene Gut Opdyke (P)2015 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"No matter how many Holocaust stories one has read, this one is a must, for its impact is so powerful." (School Library Journal)

A Book Sense Top Ten Pick

A Publisher's Weekly Choice of the Year's Best Books

Gripping Memoir

I have read an endless number of books that cover people’s experiences through WW2 and the Holocaust, and I continue to be riveted by the experiences of the survivors and the tales they lived to tell.

Throughout them all, I notice 3 consistent themes:

1 - Luck. Be it cruel or merciful, there is a lot of luck involved. The good or bad luck of being able to speak German, having a limp, having blond hair, looking Arian, having connections in the community, playing an instrument, being rich, being poor … Random accidents of birth leading to so many outcomes, both positive and negative, are so often attributed to either serendipity or misfortune.

2 - Courage. If you are blessed with good luck and have the brains to recognise it, the courage to DO SOMETHING is astonishing. As opposed to being frozen in fear, they take action! Driven by an unseen force to take incredible risks in order to help others and improve their own circumstances - admirable doesn’t begin to cover it! Would you be so brave in the same conditions?

3 - Resilience. The sheer force of will to live through it all and survive is not to be overlooked. The temptation to just give up must be so strong when day after day you are losing those around you and are subject to unspeakable horrors, yet these people just keep going and living and surviving! It’s beyond impressive.

In My Hands

I could not quit listening. Hope Davis brought to life the struggles that the Jewish people faced.
As hard as it was to imagine the horrific atrocities they faced it is important that the story be told.
Thank you Ms Irene for telling your story and Jennifer Armstrong for bringing her history to life. I will listen to this book again and will make sure that my children listen as well. We should always be aware of what can happen when an evil dictator spoils the minds and hearts of people.

amazing, heartbreaking, inspitional

Absolutely a must. this book is such a brave story. Irena is a true hero.

By far one of the best books I have ever read!

hearing the book read out loud brought to life some of the most horrible atrocities we can imagine. But hearing from the author at the beginning in the end was such a gift. I will read this over and over again.

You won't want to turn it off.

I have read a number of books about, and by, survivors. This is the first by a member of the resistance. Just an "ordinary" young woman accomplishing extraordinary feats of heroism and bravery. Each of us may wonder, "what would I do?" under life threatening circumstances. This book isn't about what extraordinary lengths we might go to preserve our own lives or even those of our families. The fact that it was done for strangers is what truly makes her story indelible; indelible and inspiring. I am now off to find another story, hopefully equal to this one, which I will never forget.

AMAZING

This is a must read for anyone that loves history. We must learn so we will not repeat

Such Curage ,

To literally risk death daily to do the right thing.
Fantastic book , I highly recommend.

Excellent

This book is an incredible story of the indomitable human character. As she repeatedly states, it shows what one girl can do. It is clearly read and clearly written. It is not a fun or frivolous story. It is a harrowing true account.

A Compelling Account of Polish Occupation

This true story is remarkably written and read! I played sections for friends and could visualize whole sections of the book. Irene Gut’s quick thinking, compassion and courage provides an excellent example of moral courage under extreme duress! I am so glad she was honored in Israel as a Righteous One for her role in helping resist the atrocities of the Nazis!
This is a book that should be read by everyone and should be on a reading list for every high school and college student. It would be a rich source of moral, historical, and ethical discussions.

emotional eye opener

loved this story as a view from someone that survived this time. made it all too real and emotional!