Once We Were Brothers

By Ronald H. Balson

Once We Were Brothers - Ronald H. Balson
  • Release Date: 2013-10-08
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 674 Ratings

Description

The gripping tale about two boys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust.

"A novel of survival, justice and redemption...riveting." —Chicago Tribune, on Once We Were Brothers

Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and wealthy philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto Piatek, the Butcher of Zamosc. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser is convinced he is right and engages attorney Catherine Lockhart to bring Rosenzweig to justice. Solomon persuades attorney Catherine Lockhart to take his case, revealing that the true Piatek was abandoned as a child and raised by Solomon's own family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation. But has Solomon accused the right man?

Once We Were Brothers is Ronald H. Balson's compelling tale of two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland, and a young love that struggles to endure the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. Two lives, two worlds, and sixty years converge in an explosive race to redemption that makes for a moving and powerful tale of love, survival, and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit.

Reviews

  • Couldn’t stop readin

    5
    By Primadonna2
    Great novel that addresses loyalty, betrayal, sacrifices, and more. Interesting characters throughout. So happy to recommend it.
  • Heartbreaking journey seeking justice.

    5
    By avomaria
    Spellbinding story. Historically informative.
  • Forgettable

    2
    By tinbucktwo
    Overrated. The characters are thin. The subject matter is full of history on matters of the Holocaust you should have learned by the time you left high school. If you like a book completely absent of depth with nothing but dialogue then this is your book.
  • Riveting

    5
    By MrsShoobaby
    Outstanding story line and very well written. Spellbinding read.
  • Hardly suspenseful yet totally riveting

    5
    By Swooof
    I wasn’t sure what this book was going to be like, but I’d heard it described as mystery/suspense. I disagree. The storyline was pretty predictable. Nonetheless, I was spellbound from the first page to the last. I was invested in the characters from the beginning. Bottom line for me...Great fiction based on a deadly and horrifying time in world history.
  • wow!

    5
    By rainbowcat5
    Incredibly well written; I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
  • Once we were brothers

    5
    By Aunt meanie
    Great book. 5 stars
  • Once We WERE Brothers

    5
    By Carolinelew
    Excellent book..
  • We Were Brothers

    5
    By Mugs kate
    Gripping and heartbreaking. A study of moral and immoral life changing decisions.
  • Wonderful historical fiction

    5
    By Altmusic fan
    This book, although somewhat predictable, was a wonderful read. The story line was compelling and well researched. I felt true compassion for the main character, Ben, who lived through so much during WWII.