Defiance

This book is the clear-cut, unembellished, source of the material that was incorporated into the dramatic movie bearing the same name. Contained within its chapters are the sobering details of the heroic and courageous fight for survival of a band of Jews during World War II. Under the leadership of the Bielski brothers these Jews stood against the contempt and hatred of both Nazis and Soviets alike, and survived destruction despite the odds stacked against them. This is an historic account, and it provides significant details of the personalities involved, their challenges, their hopes and disappointments, and their commitment and sacrifices for each other in the midst of this epic struggle for survival. The maps and photographs contained within help bring this tale to life. A must-read to discover the hidden treasure of this little known story!

This book is amazing. Extremely well researched and factual, the actual details of what transpired in the forests of Eastern Europe are eye-opening. If the research wasn't there, it would be hard to believe that a group of persecuted Jews could build a civilization in the midst of primitive forest and persecution by every known member of the populace - Nazis, Russion partisans, Polish partisans, and everyday peasants. It is inspirational and fascinating. I did find the numerous names, places, and detailed events at times a bit overwhelming and difficult to follow, but that goes along with the heavily and responsibly researched nature of the book.

This is an excellent book. The brothers were more focused on saving their fellow Jews than killing Germans. Other partisan groups tried to force them into raids on Germans at the expense of saving older Jews and children. They did their share of killing while assuring the safety of the group. It is truly amazing that the brothers were able to save over 1,000 Jews while living in the forest. The author shows them as both loving heroes as well as harsh taskmasters. This is one case where the end truly justified the means.

It's a wonderful book - and a great documentary of Jewish resistance to Nazis' mass slaughter of European Jews. I grew up with no knowledge of Jewish resistance, and it always troubled me, as well as made it hard to explain to our young people what really happened. Lack of this information also fed into the anti-semitic propaganda about Jews being unable to fight. What a fascinating and woefully missed story! I bought several copies and gave them to my son and family members. I know that one of my young relatives is so inspired by the book that he is planning a trip to Belarus to see the forests where the Belskies' "otryad" lived and fought the Nazi murderers.

This is the basic book that led to the making of the movie. The movie was great, but not true to all of the characterizations and chronology of events. But the point of the movie was to show the amazing accomplishments of the main characters. Also: Asael met Chaya before they were in the forest and she had a steady boyfriend. Tuvia spoke four languages fluently and as it turns out was the best choice for l#1 leader. [He spoke and read German among them.] Asael was older than Zus. Asael was #2 in command. The movie gives a different impression. But hints at Asael's abilities. Tuvia was interested in saving as many Jews as possible. He did this quite well. Killing Germans was not his top priority. I won't spoil anymore about the book. It's a "long read" because of all the notes and references explaining details about smaller and competing groups and other individuals. I found that a little annoying, but it is not meant to be a light novel. Read the book! It is worth the time you put in!!!! When you see the movie again you will see how it all really fit together.

I saw the movie "Defiance" and I was motivated to find out more about this unique and courageous group. I found this book on Amazon and eagerly read through. The author has done a fantastic job in her research and data collection. Interviews with the surviving members of the Bielski ortriad elegant substantial interest and credibility to the story. I am only giving 3 stars because of the way the book is organized. I would have preferred a chronological format. The author, in my opinion, arranged the chapters by topic or subject. As a result the chapters would deal with various periods of time and this made it difficult for me to put things in perspective as it pertained to how the group evolved and the political/military situation at the time. It would have been better for me to follow if it would have been formatted in a manner that chronologically described the events and situations as they occurred. I recommend this book and feel that you will not be disappointed.

I saw the movie 'Defiance' because it starred Daniel Craig and I thought the story was interesting. But what the movie did - good as it was, was to arouse my curiosity - there had to be more to the story than what they could put in a film. I was not disappointed. This book went into the detail that was missing in the movie and enlarged on the issues that the movie only touched on. How did the partisan's survive? How do you live it the woods for years and constantly face danger? The book is so enthralling that I read it in a weekend and felt my time was well spent. But - the question stays with me - why was Tuvia Bielski not better recognised for his outstanding role in saving so many Jews? Thank you Nechama Tec for this extraordinary book.

The movie made me aware of the extraordinary group of Jewish resistors that hid in the Belorussian forests. A really amazing story. Of course they had to Hollywood it up a bit but it was compelling none the less. After watching the movie I purchased this book and the story really is amazing. The author goes into much historic that can get a bit tedious but the story makes up for it.

Defiance as the name says is the story of resilience and perseverance in the face of insurmountable odds. I got interested in this topic with my arrival in Europe and interaction with the World War 2 Monuments and relics from that struggle. For a typical outsider, the awareness comes through published media and Movies. I watched the movie with the same name and remarkably well done acts of Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber drove me to know more about the Bielski Brothers and their heroism. This book covers much more than the movie. Its dark when it talks about the isolation and persecution of Jews in Belarussian Ghettos. It gives hope when it covers the commune culture and people's sacrifice. It inspires when it uncovers how Tuvia managed to keep accepting people while under pressure from anti semitism of Germans and Russians. Its a remarkable story of Jewish struggle much beyond the world known Oscar Schindler and his list.

I loved this book. An informative historical account that is written in a way that keeps you enthralled in the story. Although it is a 'depressing' subject, it's not a book that leaves you feeling blue, it focuses on the survival of the Jews, a truly amazing feat. A must read.

Un libro interessantissimo dal punto di vista storico (la storia vera delle brigate di partigiani ebrei è ancora molto poco conosciuta). Ho acquistato questo libro dopo aver visto il film "Defiance" e lo raccomando a chiunque voglia sapere di piu' sulla resistenza in Bielorussia, ma anche sul personaggio di Tuvia Bielski, un uomo semplice ma deciso a non piegarsi alla ferocia nazista.

An essential read for those who want the details behind survival in the forests of Belarus during WW II

A good true story, worth a read