An incredible man who went personally up against Eichmann himself armed with nothing but charm, guile and a complete lack of fear.

I'd heard of Wallenberg, but didn't really know much about him.

This book certainly filled the gaps in my knowledge. While serving as Sweden's special envoy in Budapest between July and December 1944, Wallenberg issued protective passports and sheltered Jews in buildings designated as Swedish territory.

His lack of fear may have been the cause of his demise as shortly after the Soviets captured Budapest he disappeared into NKVD hands, never to be seen again.

Beirman reckons he saved more than 100,000 Jews in Budapest, and the book tells some amazing stories of his personal bravery and exploits.



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Thought-provoking, inspiring account of a Swedish diplomat who saved the lives of over 100, 000 Hungarian Jews during the Second World War, only to be swallowed by the Russian Gulag and declared 'dead' in 1947 (debate over this was still raging at the time this book was published in the early 1980s).

Wallenberg was a real-life Scarlet Pimpernel - indeed, was inspired by Leslie Howard's updated version of the story 'Pimpernel Smith' - who bravely and selflessly risked his life to save the Jewish community of Budapest from being deported and 'liquidated' by the Nazis. Charismatic and confident, his gentle image disguised a strong nerve and the firm authority which helped him to achieve his personal 'mission' by bluff, bluster and bribe. His bete noir Adolf Eichmann, Hitler's architect of the Final Solution, was challenged and defied many times by this one man's determination to rescue Jews from unimaginable suffering and inhuman killings.

Wallenberg's heroism, and the horrific acts that stirred him to action, are clearly dramatic and emotional, yet the personality of the man remains distant and slightly detached in this account by Bierman - like the Pimpernel, the real Raoul Wallenberg is an elusive figure, part legend and part controversy. Everyone should read about this largely forgotten hero, however - his singular pledge of sanctuary and salvation for humanity goes some way towards redressing the atrocities of Nazi Germany. ( )