Finally we hear the true story of Miep Gies, who helped to hide the Frank family from the Nazis. In addition to the Franks, she hid and helped out many others. This is her story, as she risked her life each day to bring food and support to others. It's also the story of the Franks, and an intimate look at Anne. Her story is simple, never asking to be regarded as a hero. It rings simple and true, and is elegant in its telling. It is never outright gory, but at times horrifying as we see the slow clench of the Nazis on Amsterdam. Furthermore, I did not realise how bad things were for the "free" Dutch citizens. The winter of 1944, nearly everyone starved, and life did just turn to a struggle to eat and stay warm each day.

I'm sending this out on a limited bookring, then will release at the Museum of Tolerance.

This is being sent out on a limited bookring, and then ultimately sent back to me to be released at the LA Museum of Tolerance

Bookring order:

crrcookie
daidy
Stardustedangel
Pokpok

I hope you get as much out of this book as I did. WWII not only showed us how ugly humans can be, but also how beautiful, and the risks we will go to for others.

Released on Saturday, February 14, 2004 at Controlled Release in Controlled release, to another bookcrosser Controlled Releases.

Starting ring once I get crrcookie's address.

I just got this book in the mail from PokPok as part of the bookring. I am looking forward to reading it and I will definately get started within a day or two. I am going to PM the next person on the list now because this book should get to head out again around the beginning of next week.

Caught in Kaiserslautern, GERMANY!

What a truly moving piece of literature.

As I finish the book I am almost left speechless. This is not at all what I expected. Miep tells the story of the "other side" the hiding place.

There is quite a bit of story leading up to the war and German occupation of Holland and even some story after the return from the concentration camps. There is also quite a bit of heartbreak in Miep's own story ... and how she faced daily near starvation and other hardships because of the war.

Having never lived through a war it is hard for me to imagine the despair and frustration that all must have faced.

I am glad that I had the opportunity to read this enlightening piece of work. I am sure that others will enjoy it also.

C

This book got dropped in the mail on March 1, 2004 and is on it's way to "daidy".

C

Recently recieved in the mail, I hope to start this as soon as I finish another bookring I have right now. I will PM LadyGothic for her addy and send it out at the beginning of April.

LadyGothic has asked to be removed, so it will go to the next person on the list instead.

Amazing...sometimes we don't think that ordinary people would risk their lives for others, but that's exactly what she did. Pokpok, can you let me know please if/when you have more members for your bookring, or your address if you'd like me to send it back to you now. I'll hold on to it until I know where to send it.

I'm still waiting to hear from Stardustedangel for what address to send it to.

I rec'd the book back today...my first ring to return home!! It will stay here, until Secretariat and I release this and some other themed books, at the Museum of Tolerance.

Pokpok

Released on Sunday, June 20, 2004 at Controlled Release in Controlled release, to another bookcrosser Controlled Releases.

Gave to Secretariat, who will wild release this at the Museum of Tolerance.

I sincerely apologize. I didn't realize I hadn't journaled this book until this morning when I went to move it to "reserved" because I was reading it. So sorry, but it's been in good hands waiting patiently for me to pull it from Mt. TBR.

A well written and very moving account of the horrors of WW II for a young Dutch woman and her husband and their incredible daily bravery in helping to hide many Jews, including Anne Frank's family, whom she makes more human by her story. It was wonderful, too, to see how much Miep cared for the Franks and how, after the war, she and her husband welcomed Otto Frank into their home for many years. This would make an excellent companion to Things We Couldn't Say, another account of a Dutch resistance member who hid and supported Jews. This book will await my trip to The Museum of Tolerance in LA for release.