Escaping on the Danube River: A WW2 Historical Novel, Based on a True Story of a Jewish Holocaust Survivor: World War II Biographical Fiction, Book 1

This is a really heartbreaking story. The disappointments they went through time and time again was really horrifying. No one could have foreseen what was going to happen to those left behind. It was interesting to follow the story from present day back to that time and to know that Shmuel David would finally get the story together to bring all these people back to life. It absolutely amazes me how brave these people were that they were able to share with each other - many but not all, but still amazing to me! Never before had I heard of this debacle but I'm glad that I read it. Loved the story around Inge.

Escaping on the Danube River presents a lesser known facet of the Holocaust, the memory of which is already threatened by civilizational forgetfulness. Shmuel David recounts the story of the events and the people who lived through them in a novelization that avoids trivializing their memory with trite convention or pedestrian writing. The Holocaust took place over vast geographic spaces, as the methodical, plodding, ruthless German military machine carried out the purifying mission to exterminate Jews and Roma, symbolized here by the Danube River along which over eleven hundred Jews attempted to flee to safety and freedom. At one stage of the journey towering cliffs foreshadow difficulties ahead: Officialdom, bureaucracy, international relations, bad decisions.

I could never wrap my head around it, the horrors people went through during this war. Those kind of stories which tells you about the losses and triumphs that adolescence are capable of and the drive to survive, in order to take part in something greater then one's self. I never like to start reading those kind of books, I really need to be in a curtain kind of mood. with that being said, this story of Hanne aka Shlomo is written well and keeps you in it until you are done, feeling empowered. Thank you for making me feel those feelings Shmuel and for sharing your father's amazing story may he rest in peace.

Gut-wrenching history of a group of >1000 Jews who embarked on a journey to Israel. Three boats of Jewish immigrants meandered down the Danube, troubled by changes in destination required by continued movement by the German army. A stop was mandated in Yugoslavia and kindness of the Slovakian people was welcomed. The situation deteriorated. Two hundred or so young ppl were fortunate to be allowed to continue the journey and eventually arrived in Israel. The atrocities committed by the Nazi solders on the Jewish Ppl who were unable to continue the journey were unconscionable. Highly recommend this powerful book.

Amazing true story. I read the book in Hebrew and recently in English. The book is translated very well.As a child I heard bits and pieces of this tragic event at home from my mother. She was a teenager when she escaped in the last transport from Belgrade when it was still possible. I never understood the magnitude of this tragedy and the ways it affected so many lives of people who were trying to escape the inferno of hell. The historical facts are real, well described in a captivating novel which is well written. After reading this book, I have a much better understanding of the tragedy that took place in this dark age in our history.Although the subject matter is dark, the story is written as a captivating novel with very interesting characters. I highly recommend this book.Benny Bar-Shlomo

An amazing, thoughtful and deeply touching love story with beautiful demonstrations of heroism and altruism in the midst of the atrocities committed in WWII. Shmuel David weaves an intriguing and engaging story of his father’s family trials and tribulations in the context of this dark period in the life of our universe. He beautifully and artfully integrated the findings of extensive research on the historic fiasco that came to be called the Kladovo-Sabac Affair with very vivid stories of his father family and his father’s teen age lover who did not survive the journey. The book grabbed my imagination, touched my heart and I could not let go of it until I completed it from cover to cover. I have the privilege of knowing Shmuel David personally for more than 50 years and proud to be a friend of such thoughtful and creative person and author. Do not miss!!!

A very moving account of people fighting for survival. It never said but, I assume the Sauer were one of the famous gas vans. Mostly I understand that the deaths in them occured quickly most of the time. God bless these poor souls and grant them eternal peace and rest. This was an especially great book because it is a true story. Thank you to the author for sharing it with the world. This is a must read book!

So. very sad but informative. All Jews as well as Christians and Muslims should read it.And yet, look what a superior nation Israel has become and the accomplishments of the Jewish people in other nations as well.My only criticism is that the story was too drawn out in certain aspects of the telling.

Many accounts were written about people escaping on boats across the Mediterranean. This book gives us a picture of what life was on the way to the coast. It is written with feelings. It is hard not to get attached to the characters. Based on a true story, one cannot avoid wanting to know how things pan out for each of the characters. A definite must!

Incredibly detailed clearly not a work of fiction. This is the true story of the holocaust in Eastern Europe. Rich in detail about the lives of the victims both before and during WW 2. One keeps hoping for a happy ending but that would make it fiction! Hard to put down. Once you read it you may never forget it.

Although I have read many WWII stories, I had never heard of this terrible debacle. What a dreadful experience these people suffered. My heart goes out to them.

A great interesting story