Haven: The Dramatic Story of 1,000 World War II Refugees and How They Came to America

This is an excellent book. As I mentioned in my review of "I Shall Live," I read "Haven" after reading that book. These two books pair very well. The story covers the first little less than 1,000 WW II refugees brought to the US and the woman, the author, who went to Italy and guided, both actually and figuratively, them to Fort Ontario, a retired Army fort, in Oswego, New York, and supported them in their early years here.Ruth Guber was a special assistant to Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Interior under Roosevelt. Ickes gave her this assignment which completely changed her life. She became a counselor, confessor, and champion for the refugees who had been required to sign a contract that stated they would agree to be returned to their home country as soon as the war was over in Europe. This was a requirement that Roosevelt had stipulated before allowing this rescue to take place. Of course, there was no actual home to which these people could return.Through the dedicated efforts of Ruth, Harold Ickes and others, they, after Roosevelt's death, succeeded in convincing Harry Truman to allow these refugees to become permanent residents of the US. Ruth continued to stay in contact with the refugees as they dispersed throughout the country. It is amazing the high percentage of theses people that became very successful and productive members of our society.This is a very triumphant and endearing story. Please read it.

The files for this book have lain dormant for years and the author comes to the conclusion that it is time for America, indeed the world, to know about these 1,000 refugees and how they came to America. America and England were not taking in Jewish refugees during the war, but President Roosevelt had twinges of conscience about not helping the Jews. As a result a young woman is chosen to bring 1,000 refugees to America. She speaks several languages and has proven herself in various other endeavors, still the men who must sign off on her leadership of this event are quite skeptical. Once they are aboard ship coming to America, she begins hearing their frightening stories of survival and travel to get to the port of debarkation. These people are brought to a defunct Army base in Oswego, New York and they are appalled when they arrive only to see barbed wire fencing all around. They feel as if they've traded one prison for another. There are strict rules enforced, but once they settle down, they decide it's not quite so bad after all. These people have been told that they must return to their countries after the war is over. Many had nothing to return to and you will be incredibly amazed at the names and accomplishments of a number of these refugees as they assimilated themselves into American life. A great read. I couldn't put it down.

History can be dry and leave one untouched encountering it. And then there are books like this that draw you in, making it more real, almost tangible. Ruth takes the reader on a journey that begins with the 1000 war refugees, or displaced persons, America allowed into America during WWII. With the expertise of a seasoned reporter, Ruth recounts her involvement in the project, the pathos, passion, and persistence involved in obtaining the freedom desired by each of those escaping Hitler's death grip, crossing the Atlantic with such high hopes, only to experience months in a camp encircled by fencing that emotionally echoed many of the very camps in Europe from which they had been "rescued." As always, politics pushes history into a form sometimes attractive, sometimes sordid, sometimes with twists unforseen by those who create it--all reflected in Ruth's account. It's history, it's personalized, it's fascinating reading. In the end, Ruth is endeared to the reader for her impact for good--blessing many, including the reader with her warm, big-hearted embrace of those in need of need--need of home, need of significance, need for hope. I loved the book!

Ruth, aside from her deep love for humanity, is a courageous woman with high ideals. I read a part of history I did not know about; a part of history that took place in my day. Oswego, New York? I lived so near that area yet had never heard of the refugees who gathered there. I found it fascinating that these rescued folks had trouble getting along, once brought to this country and it saddened me. It also tells me of the complexity of rescuing folks from other cultures and lands and how difficult that can be. Now we are faced with similar issues and the answers are not as simple as I thought them to be. Before reading this book I thought, "Sure. Bring the refugees in and we will give them a home, jobs, schooling." Now I clearly see the challenges lying ahead for all of us. Integrating other cultures into our society is a huge challenge.

Ruth Gruber was such an amazing person who I want to be more like! Let me just say with all due respect that Oswego is such a random, weird place. I went to college there and spent a total of 7 years there, and just found out about Safe Haven towards the end of my time there. It is now sort of not mentioned that much I think because it was so few refugees that it was totally anticlimactic. Though it was a small token humanitarian gesture, it created great ripples in space time and changed the world. I hope we learn from this to help more and live up to our capacity to assist those in need. Syracuse is still a hub for refugees today thanks to religious based charities. I'm sure the winters are eye-opening. If you like this check out Lopez Lamont's Running for My Life.

One of the most interesting stories of ww2.

Seen the video, read the book, it is a bit of history which should never be lost and everyone should be taught and know. Would definitely recommend.

Compulsory reading for everyone who enjoys reading re WW2, This is also the story of a brave, gutsy woman who succeeded in a man's world in an era when it was almost impossible to do that. She is still living ithe U.S. aged 101! Highly recommend.

Hopefully we never forget the Holocaust, but also this Amazing woman, Dr. Ruth Gruber who passed away a few months ago at age 105. As a newly minted PhD, who spoke several languages, she was hired by the Roosevelt Administration to escort close to a 1,000 refugees from the Holocaust to Oswego's Fort Ontario.The story has it's poignant moments (when they arrived it was to fear and estrangement), but also joy and relief! THIS is their story, but also possibly the most important 'moment' in her life for Gruber.There is now a Safe Haven museum in Oswego dedicated to this story. But the book provides details that even a lengthy visit to the museum purchased through profits from this book over several decades made possible.IF you didn't know the story of the ONLY place in America to shelter refugees enmass from the Holocaust, you should definitely get this book!

An interesting book about the Jewish DP leaving Europe and traveling to America. Full of sadness and reminders of human failings and human strength.