In Defiance of Hitler

The Secret Mission of Varian Fry

De: Carla Killough McClafferty

Narrado por: Paul Hecht

On August 4, 1940, an unassuming American journalist named Varian Fry made his way to Marseilles, France, carrying in his pockets the names of approximately 200 artists and intellectuals - all enemies of the new Nazi regime. As a volunteer for the Emergency Rescue Committee, Fry’s mission was to help these refugees flee to safety, then return home two weeks later.

As more and more people came to him for assistance, however, he realized the situation was far worse than anyone in America had suspected - and his role far greater than he had imagined. He remained in France for over a year, refusing to leave until he was forcibly evicted. At a time when most Americans ignored the atrocities in Europe, Varian Fry engaged in covert operations, putting himself in great danger, to save strangers in a foreign land. He was instrumental in the rescue of over 2,000 refugees, including the novelist Heinrich Mann and the artist Marc Chagall.

©2008 Carla Killough McClafferty (P)2009 Recorded Books

Worthwhile No Frills Portrait of Varian Fry

I listened to this after listening to the fictionalized The Flight Portfolio. That long winded tome took tremendous liberties with the events and the man 's life who shaped them, and used the extraordinary circumstances as a back drop for a fictionalized homosexual love story. If you want to learn something about the time, and the events that shaped this complicated man's life and his heroic efforts during WWIi listen to this book. Written simply and clearly, this was an informative and engaging listen. Highly recommended.

Moral courage & integrity!

The author reveals the "moral goodness" of Varian Fry & friends. Grateful for their humanity!