The narrow strip of land now occupied by the modern state of Israel is where all paths from Europe; Asia; and Arabia must come together before they flow into Africa and has been the world's most hotly contested piece of territory for millennia. Occupied by Pompey the Great from 63 BC the region became the Roman province of Iudaea in AD 6. In AD 66 a local disturbance in Caesarea caused by Greeks sacrificing birds in front of a local synagogue exploded into a pan-Jewish revolt against their Roman overlords. Gaining momentum; the rebels successfully occupied Jerusalem and drove off an attack by the Roman legate of Syria; Cestus Gallius; who was defeated at the battle of Beth Horon.The emperor Nero dispatched the Roman general Vespasian along with reinforcements and; having crushed the revolt in Galilee he became embroiled in the events of the Year of the Four Emperors that would lead to his assumption of the Imperial throne. His son Titus was left to carry on the war which culminated in the dramatic siege of Jerusalem in AD 70. Remorselessly; the legions strangled the life out of the defense street by street; leaving nothing but rubble and ashes in their wake. The apotheosis of the conflict was the final stand of the last holdouts in the Temple precinct itself; and the utter annihilation of this; the physical manifestation of Judaism itself.The last remnants held out in the mountain fortress of Masada until AD 73 when with the Romans breaking down the walls the defenders committed mass suicide bringing the revolt to an end.
#1984355 in Books 2016-08-16Original language:English 8.50 x .48 x 5.50l; .59 #File Name: 1683524535226 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Fine Story About An Amazing CoupleBy John MichaelTwo Among the Righteous Few by Marty Brounstein is one of the best stories about heroism and courage during the Holocaust that I have ever read. The story is written with care and attention to all the little details about the courageous acts of Frans and Mien Wijnakker. Brounstein starts the book off by showing us an email/letter he wrote to his stepdaughters about the significance of meeting the Wijnakker’s and what their families acts of courage did not only for the lives of other Jews in Holland; but for his wife. This gives the reader proof that this story is one of great significance to the author; which in turn; shows the reader why we should care as well. The story of Frans and Mien Wijnakker is narrated extremely well by Brounstein. After reading the entire book; I honestly feel like I have a good idea of who Frans and Mien were and what their personalities were like. Every person the reader meets as Frans and Mien continue on with their dangerous journey adds depth to the story. Brounstein paints a beautiful and in-depth picture for the reader to clearly see how Frans and Mien impacted all of these people whether it be the Jews; the doubters; and the people who stood by and let it happen.What resonated the most with me is how Frans and Mien were able to save people under all that stress and fear. Hearing stories of what the Nazis would do to those hiding Jews was not a mere fantasy. They were real accounts that were meant to scare people from hiding the persecuted Jews. While I like to think that I could be as brave as Frans and Mien; I do not know if I could handle that pressure; or would have been a symbol of heroism like them. How Frans was able to keep his cool when questioned by the Police Chief; or how Mien found the strength within herself to take in Shula after Frans brought her in baffles me. I do not believe the average person could have done what they did. Housing Jewish adults and children in their homes; along with placing countless others in various locations shows the holiness of Frans and Mien Wijnakker. While many people still wait for Jesus; the Messiah; to come back from heaven; I believe he did through a Catholic couple named Frans and Mien Wijnakker.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Incredible Story on Courage and Selflessness!By WCHUReading Two Among the Righteous Few by Marty Brounstein was truly a remarkable experience for me. I believe that the author did an exceptional job of weaving together historical narratives alongside personal experiences. The novel itself was educational in providing factual events relating to the Holocaust but also intimate in the sense that it shared the story of multiple individuals and the emotions that they had throughout these events. In addition; the novel truly highlights the bravery and courage of the Wijnakker couple as they selflessly sacrificed their lives to help others.Personally; I felt that the author; Marty Brounstein; did an incredible job in relaying the intensity of the characters’ situations to me as the reader. The novel itself also allowed me to form an indirect relationship with the characters; as I feel that I have now joined into the union of those who share the same experiences under the shelter of the Wijnakker house. The accounts of the novel have allowed me to become a part of their lives; although unbeknownst to them; as their entire lives have been revealed to me so that I could learn and grow from their experiences. Overall; I feel that Brounstein’s novel was an experience that aided in my personal growth as it provided me with insight into something that I’ve always heard about and studied in history class but never truly understood since I was an outsider looking back at a situation that did not directly affect me. Previously; all I knew about the Holocaust were facts. I learned names and dates. Although I understand that I can never come to fully understand the gravity of these events; I feel that I have gotten closer to this narrative after reading this novel. Now I don’t just know names and dates. I can put faces to these names. Stories and emotions behind the events on these dates. I am able to sympathize and empathize as I gain deeper understanding of the emotions that occurred and not just the actions.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The truly amazing part; in my opinionBy LORI NEWMANTwo Among the Righteous Few is an extremely powerful book; that talks about a particular “Christian couple; commonly referred to as Frans and Mien; and the actions they took in the time of the Holocaust†(15) . The effort and time that Frans and Mien Wijnakker put towards their work is indescribable. The truly amazing part; in my opinion; is the effort of Frans especially. A man who would normally live off selling meats and eggs in Amsterdam steadily devotes his life’s work to hiding and saving Jewish people from the wrath of Hitler and his soldiers. Whether it was making various trips to pick up Jewish people and bring them back to his home; forging documents to prevent suspicion among babies that were born; doing construction in his house to make more room to accommodate Jews; or paying people to hid Jews in their homes Frans always battled through any adversity that got into his way. His story is inspiring; and displays a true sense of character and compassion towards others.Brounstein; Marty. Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust. Mustang; Tate; 2011.
