A Good Place to Hide

March 1, 2015

Australian publisher and author Grose (Power to People; Operation Rollback) tells the inspiring story of courageous villagers, determined church leaders, and persecuted refugees in a journalistic style that many readers will enjoy. Beginning during the Spanish Civil War and picking up considerably during the dark days of World War II, thousands of adults and children sought shelter in a region of France known as the Loire Valley. Geographically remote, the isolated area and its largely Protestant population had a tradition of hospitality. As the war and Germany's grip on Europe intensified, the small villages of the valley, and especially Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, organized themselves under the leadership of several pacifist pastors, eventually providing a safe, even if only momentarily, harbor to an estimated 3,500 people. The bravery and scale of the housing operations were remarkable and have been internationally recognized by the World Center for Holocaust Research. VERDICT Joining other recent books on the topic, including Caroline Moorehead's Village of Secrets, this title is recommended for general audiences with an interest in World War II history and narrative.--Linda Frederiksen, Washington State Univ. Lib., Vancouver

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Starred review from February 1, 2015
On the whole, the record of French authorities as well as the general population regarding their Jewish citizens during the German occupation was less than admirable. That record included active and sometimes enthusiastic rounding up of Jews for transportation to death camps. There were, of course, shining exceptions, by individuals, groups, and, in this particular case, virtually an entire community. The village of La Chamlon-sur-Lignon is located in east-central France. The inhabitants were mostly HuguenotsFrench Protestants with strong memories of the persecution of their ancestors. Over the course of the occupation, they hid and provided sustenance for several thousand Jews, often under the noses of German soldiers. Grose pays tribute to key individuals in the ruse, including a determined pastor, whose inflexible pacifism alienated some of his more militant allies, and a gifted, young Jewish forger, who provided vital documents that saved so many Jews. But, as Grose stresses, also heroic were the hundreds of ordinary citizens who knew about the presence of Jews but kept silent despite personal risk. This is a beautifully written tribute to their community and an outstanding contribution to Holocaust literature.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

December 15, 2014
In his American debut, Grose tells a little-known story of a pacifist pastor and the heroic Huguenot population of a plateau in France. These are the ordinary people of a handful of parishes who saved thousands from the Nazis. Word spread quickly that the villages around Le Chambon-sur-Lignon would help not only Jews, but also illegal aliens and young men avoiding deportation to Germany's factories. Perhaps it was the Huguenot background of persecution that fostered a people who kept secrets, minded their own business and helped their fellow sufferers. When Andre Trocme took over as pastor from Charles Guillon, he preached nonviolent resistance and love of one's enemies. The plateau was a popular summer vacation spot and had little other attraction. There were no minerals, agriculture or wine production, which a nation at war might requisition, so it was effectively a safe haven. As a vacation spot, it had a wealth of guesthouses and hotels. All the pieces fell into place for the plateau after Trocme met a Quaker who convinced him to take in children released from prison camps. Guillon moved to Geneva, where he was able to channel cash from American Quakers into the area. Oscar Rosowsky, an 18-year-old Latvian typewriter repairman, was a master forger, and Virginia Hall, an American spy, arranged for parachute supply drops after D-Day. In addition, some of the most important players in this operation were the Boy Scouts. Trocme and many of his guides were Scouts with survival skills, and they were able to lead escapees safely to Switzerland. Almost everyone in the region took in at least one refugee, and they were so discreet that few neighbors knew of the others' actions. The author ably narrates this inspiring story of "the courage and leadership of some remarkable men and women." In chronicling the daring activity that went on for years, Grose keeps readers on edge with a heartwarming story of ordinary heroes who just did what was required.

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