In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer

By: Irene Gut Opdyke, Jennifer Armstrong - contributor

Narrated by: Hope Davis

Irene Gut was just 17 in 1939, when the Germans and Russians devoured her native Poland. Just a girl, really. But a girl who saw evil and chose to defy it.

©2008 Irene Gut Opdyke (P)2015 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"No matter how many Holocaust stories one has read, this one is a must, for its impact is so powerful." (School Library Journal)

A Book Sense Top Ten Pick

A Publisher's Weekly Choice of the Year's Best Books

emotional eye opener

loved this story as a view from someone that survived this time. made it all too real and emotional!

it did happen

it was a good listen
not to graphic but you knew what happened and how she felt

In My Hands

I am 75 and have met a lot of survivors most who would not tell their stories. This is an important book for the education of our young people who may be able to understand and prevent future repeat of WW II crimes. Well done and should be a must read for all schools.

Amazing Book

I couldn't stop listening. She was such an amazing and courageous woman. I am recommending this book to my family and friends. It's an incredible story of survival, bravery, faith, and perseverance.

Amazing!

I have read many holocaust stories and books about World War II. This one stands out as much as anything I have read. This is truly an amazing story and should be required reading in school.
What an incredible woman. The courage and sacrifices she made are astounding.

Great Story

I really loved this book. It took me a few chapters to get into it but it was worth it. It was an amazing story of an amazing young woman.

An Undiscovered Gem!

While there are as many stories of the Holocaust as the are/were survivors, this one is unusual and of particular interest. The narrative is done in first person, as she comes of age during the German invasion of Poland in September 1939. Poland was her home, and the only place she knew. As a Polish Catholic, she was not targeted for death as the Jews were, but was made into a slave housekeeper at a German military headquarters in Ternopol. She served a Nazi major as his personal housekeeper, while audaciously hiding 12 Jews in the basement of the major's estate, a house which was stolen from wealthy Polish Jews. She was "liberated" by the Red Army in 1945, suspected of being a spy, and held in a Soviet prison. She eventually made her way to the United States, and married the diplomat who offered her US asylum. She was honored as a "righteous among the nations" at Yad Vashem, in Jersusalem, Israel. I was honored to hear her daughter speak and tell her story at the Chabad of the Conjeo Center in Agoura Hills, CA in 2019.

If you are interested in the Holocaust, don't miss this one.

very moving story

it is not often that I have a chance to read for leisure, but I highly recommend this book. the narrator does a great job and I felt like I was there for some of the scenes because the author was so vivid in the details. heartbreaking but hopeful, this is a true story that needs to be heard.

Amazing book of faith and courage!

I am very inspired by Irene’s amazing courage and determination to do what she felt was right. Amidst the horrors of war she made a great difference for good. Her courage brought out the good in others

A Must Read For All

This is one of the best written and read recounts I have had the pleasure of reading. It is imperative all young adults and old read and understand the horror that humanity has survived lest we repeat them.