No Road Leading Back
No Road Leading Back
No Road Leading Back
The true story of how 12 Jewish men escaped a Nazi killing pit in Ponar, Lithuania - and how the trauma lived with them in their later lives
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! DescriptionNo Road Leading Back by Chris Heath is a gripping historical narrative that immerses readers into the dark and harrowing events of Ponar, Lithuania, in 1944. Amidst the brutality of World War II, the Nazis force Jewish prisoners to undertake the macabre task of exhuming and incinerating the bodies of over 70,000 Jews previously murdered in the forest. Despite facing incessant cruelty and seemingly insurmountable odds, a group of these enslaved men muster unparalleled courage and resourcefulness to conceive an audacious escape.
Within this horrifying context, a group of prisoners guard a desperate hope. Against all odds and under constant surveillance, they begin to dig a tunnel with nothing more than their bare hands. Their efforts culminate in a miraculous escape by twelve men, a testament to human resilience and the indomitable will to survive.
Chris Heath meticulously reconstructs this extraordinary event using first-person accounts from the escapees and every piece of available evidence, whether documented, suppressed, or amplified over the years. His meticulous research shines a light on these twelve men's lives and their harrowing act of defiance. Heath's work not only recounts the escape in vivid detail but also delves into the broader implications of Holocaust testimony. He examines how narratives have been shaped and reshaped and argues for the necessity of confronting historical truths with authenticity and sincerity.
No Road Leading Back is more than just an escape narrative; it is a profound exploration of memory and history. It reflects on how societies recall and often overlook the specifics of the Holocaust, providing both a compelling story and a critical analysis of cultural memory. This heart-wrenching book stands as a powerful reminder of humanity's capacity for both evil and perseverance, urging readers to remember and confront the uncomfortable realities of the past.
Through Heath's exceptional storytelling, readers are invited to witness the profound strength and incredible bravery of those who dared to dream of freedom in the midst of absolute horror. This shattering and inspiring true story is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the depths of human endurance and the importance of remembering our history accurately.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780349136271
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 03 September 2024
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Little, Brown
Illustration: 81 integrated b&w pictures
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 38.0mm
Width: 152.0mm
Height: 232.0mm
Weight: 800g
Pages: 640
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About the Author
Chris Heath has been a contributing editor at GQ since 2003. He was previously contributing editor at Details Magazine and Rolling Stone. He has won the 2013 National Magazine Award for Reporting for the story '18 Tigers, 17 Lions, 8 Bears, 3 Cougars, 2 Wolves, 1 Baboon, 1 Macaque, and 1 Man Dead in Ohio'. His books include Pet Shop Boys, Literally and the 2004 number one UK bestseller Feel, about Robbie Williams. In recent years he has written about the aftermaths of the 2011 Japanese tsunami and of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans; Iraqi refugees in Syria; and a Colorado man traveling on repeated solo missions to kill Osama Bin Laden, among many other subjects. Currently based in London and New York, Chris grew up south of Birmingham.
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