About the book
The official companion to the Ken Burns PBS film.
The little-known story of the Sharps, whose rescue missions across Europe during World War II saved the lives of countless Jews, refugees, and political dissidents—for readers of The Zookeeper’s Wife.
In 1939, the Reverend Waitstill Sharp, a young Unitarian minister, and his wife, Martha, a social worker, accepted a mission from the American Unitarian Association: they were to leave their home and young children in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and travel to Prague, Czechoslovakia, to help address the mounting refugee crisis. Seventeen ministers had been asked to undertake this mission and had declined; Rev. Sharp was the first to accept the call for volunteers in Europe.
Armed with only $40,000, Waitstill and Martha quickly learned the art of spy craft and undertook dangerous rescue and relief missions across war-torn Europe, saving refugees, political dissidents, and Jews on the eve of World War II. After narrowly avoiding the Gestapo themselves, the Sharps returned to Europe in 1940 as representatives of the newly formed Unitarian Service Committee and continued their relief efforts in Vichy France.
A fascinating portrait of resistance as told through the story of one courageous couple, Defying the Nazis offers a rare glimpse at high-stakes international relief efforts during WWII and tells the remarkable true story of a couple whose faith and commitment to social justice inspired them to risk their lives to save countless others.
Editions of Defying the Nazis
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807071823
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807013021
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807071830
Read an Excerpt
The official companion to the Ken Burns PBS film.
The little-known story of the Sharps, whose rescue missions across Europe during World War II saved the lives of countless Jews, refugees, and political dissidents—for readers of The Zookeeper’s Wife.
In 1939, the Reverend Waitstill Sharp, a young Unitarian minister, and his wife, Martha, a social worker, accepted a mission from the American Unitarian Association: they were to leave their home and young children in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and travel to Prague, Czechoslovakia, to help address the mounting refugee crisis. Seventeen ministers had been asked to undertake this mission and had declined; Rev. Sharp was the first to accept the call for volunteers in Europe.
Armed with only $40,000, Waitstill and Martha quickly learned the art of spy craft and undertook dangerous rescue and relief missions across war-torn Europe, saving refugees, political dissidents, and Jews on the eve of World War II. After narrowly avoiding the Gestapo themselves, the Sharps returned to Europe in 1940 as representatives of the newly formed Unitarian Service Committee and continued their relief efforts in Vichy France.
A fascinating portrait of resistance as told through the story of one courageous couple, Defying the Nazis offers a rare glimpse at high-stakes international relief efforts during WWII and tells the remarkable true story of a couple whose faith and commitment to social justice inspired them to risk their lives to save countless others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Defying the Nazis about?
The official companion to the Ken Burns PBS film.
The little-known story of the Sharps, whose rescue missions across Europe during World War II saved the lives of countless Jews, refugees, and political dissidents—for readers of The Zookeeper’s Wife.
In 1939, the Reverend Waitstill Sharp, a young Unitarian minister, and his wife, Martha, a social worker, accepted a mission from the American Unitarian Association: they were to leave their home and young children in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and travel to Prague, Czechoslovakia, to help address the mounting refugee crisis. Seventeen ministers had been asked to undertake this mission and had declined; Rev. Sharp was the first to accept the call for volunteers in Europe.
Armed with only $40,000, Waitstill and Martha quickly learned the art of spy craft and undertook dangerous rescue and relief missions across war-torn Europe, saving refugees, political dissidents, and Jews on the eve of World War II. After narrowly avoiding the Gestapo themselves, the Sharps returned to Europe in 1940 as representatives of the newly formed Unitarian Service Committee and continued their relief efforts in Vichy France.
A fascinating portrait of resistance as told through the story of one courageous couple, Defying the Nazis offers a rare glimpse at high-stakes international relief efforts during WWII and tells the remarkable true story of a couple whose faith and commitment to social justice inspired them to risk their lives to save countless others.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Defying the Nazis?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Genocide and ethnic cleansing > The Holocaust
Where can I read a sample of Defying the Nazis?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807071823
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Defying the Nazis?
Artemis Joukowsky
Who is the Publisher of the book Defying the Nazis?
Beacon Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Defying the Nazis is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807071823) and paperback(ISBN 9780807013021) and ebook(ISBN 9780807071830)
Where can I buy Defying the Nazis online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Defying the Nazis from below
Where can I buy Defying the Nazis?