Title: Survival: Hijacking Into Freedom
Author: M. Ben Yanay
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
World War II through the eyes of four exceptional heroes
Janus is a Hungarian Jew serving in the Hungarian Army. When his brigade is put to the service of the fleeing German forces, at end of the Second World War, Janus finds himself driving an SS truck under heavy soviet attacks in the Hungarian woods. With his wife and children on his mind, he tries to escape.
An engulfing human drama based on real historical events
In the woods, Janus meets Bob, an Afro-American pilot from the famous all black “Tuskegee Squadron” unit. Bob is shot down at war and captured by a group of Partisans, where he meets Ina, a Russian medical officer who dreams of a new life in America. Against all odds, and despite their different backgrounds, religions and languages, these three uncommon heroes manage to capture a German train locomotive and try to drive it to their freedom.
All the while, Janus’s wife, Terry, endures war with their three children, first in the city, and then at the Ghetto of Debrecen, their hometown. After her middle child is murdered, the family is sent to extermination in Auschwitz, but miraculously saved at the last moment.
A remarkable view of World War II read with bated breath
Towards the end of the war, these four stories converge into one unbelievable drama, providing a gripping and multidimensional view of a most significant period in the history of humanity.
Survival: Hijacking Into Freedom tells the story of Janus, a Hungarian Jew serving in the Hungarian Army during World War II. When his brigade is put to the servic of the fleeing German forces at the end of the war, Janus tries to escape while driving an SS truck, under heavy Soviet attacks in the woods of his homeland.
It’s in these woods he meets Bob, an Afro-American pilot from the Tuskegee Squadron unit. Bobv is shot and captured by a group of Partisans. There he meets Ina, a Russian medical officer who dreams of a new life in America.
These three unlikely heroes work together, despite their different backgrounds, religions and languages, to capture a German train locomotive and drive it to their freedom.
Then there’s a fourth character, Terry, Janus’ wife, who endures the war with their three children, and goes through perhaps even worse turmoil than Janus and his new friends.
This book is based on true stories, which makes it all the more intriguing. It’s obvious from the vast amount of historical facts included in this book that the author did a lot of research prior to writing this. It’s a dark, horrifying tale, but that’s natural for a book set during such a bleak period of history.
The author did a great job making the characters feel realistic, and the story feel real. Fans of books set during World War II, will enjoy reading this book.
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