The Envoy

The Epic Rescue of the Last Jews of Europe in the Desperate Closing Months of World War II

By: Alex Kershaw

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Hailed as “a master storyteller” (Booklist), Alex Kershaw routinely climbs best-seller lists with his narrative histories. In the waning months of World War II, SS Colonel Adolf Eichmann sent over half a million Hungarians to their deaths at Auschwitz. But one Jewish ghetto remained, and only one man - a Swedish diplomat named Raoul Wallenberg - could stop Eichmann.

©2010 Alex Kershaw (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A tense, fast-moving narrative that shows Wallenberg as a match for Eichmann in intelligence and determination as he utilized fake documents, safe houses, and a variety of other methods to save thousands of Jewish lives. This is an inspiring story that illustrates how one dedicated human can make an impact, even against a monstrous tyranny." ( Booklist)

Beautiful story, roughly narrated

This story was one I had not heard before and thoroughly enjoyed. The story of Wallenberg is an incredibly touching and brave one. My only struggle was the narration. It was monotone and hard to listen to sometimes and his voice never changed for the different characters. Overall though I highly enjoyed it.

Great book on saving some of the Jews

Would you consider the audio edition of The Envoy to be better than the print version?

Never read it.

What did you like best about this story?

All the ways Wallenberg went about saving people.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end

Any additional comments?

This is a really good book on someone who risked his own life many times to save as many victims as possible. A true hero!

Excellent

Excellent, important story. Well laid out. I appreciated the multiple storylines woven within, all tied to Wallenberg's story.

A man who could not stand by

This story of Raoll Wallenberg and the rescue of Hungarian Jews is a powerful reminder that just as "normal" people are capable of committing unspeakable acts of genocide like the Nazis did, so are "normal" people capable of enormous courage and heroism to save the lives of strangers. Wallenberg did not have a direct connection with the Jews he saved other than that they were people too and he could not tolerate standing by without doing all he could to see one saved. He must have been an angel to those he pulled from the death marches. His story has inspired me to believe again that even the normal among us can do such good that does indeed change the world.

A rare holocaust book

Any additional comments?

A rare holocaust book because it does not focus on "inside the camps" but rather on holocaust incidents and stories from outside the camps.
Good story.

Fabulous book

This is the most interesting and detailed account of the Hungarian program I've ever read. Very well done from all accounts. I highly recommend for all

Wallenburg v Eichman

His portrait of Eichman is so real I thought the book was about him and wondered how he could be called an envoy. And then we segued into the story of Raul Wallenburg which is the real story and one that fully demonstrates Soviet paranoia, antisemitism near as bad as Hitler's, intentional deceit of the west.

A Must-Listen

Why Raoul Wallenberg isn’t better known to the world is baffling. Perhaps I am only commenting on my own lack of knowledge, but Wallenberg is the stuff of movies and prior to this listen, I had no idea who he was. Please listen to this book; you will gain a new hero and a lasting hope that individuals can 100% make a difference in the world.

an amazing story

This is a moving, tragic story of Raol Wallenberg's efforts to rescue Jews of Hungary using his diplomat's status and strategy. It exposes the cruelty of the Nazi's the Hungarian Nazi party and the role of Eichman in the deportation. Such cruelty is hard to imagine, Also hard to imagine is the courage of Wallenberg. The tragic end of Wallenberg and the impact on his family, make this book an important addition to the history of WW2

STUNNING

An education about one of the lesser known tragedies of the second world war. Most have heard of Adolph Eichmann but few, I would venture, know how he went toe to toe with Raoul Wallenberg in his attempts to rid Budapest of Jews. What a sad commentary of humankind and the faint- hearted majority; those who stand by while tragedy befalls others. A celebration of the courage of the few but a general indictment of the pathetic, malleable majority.

Brilliantly told. An excellent performance by George Guidall.