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Samson ~ A Savior Will Rise by Shawn Hoffman





Have you ever glanced over a book's cover, quickly read it's description, and thought you understood what the book was about? But then as you read the book, you found it contained much more than you ever imagined? That's basically what happened to me with the book Samson ~ A Savior Will Rise by Shawn Hoffman.

The book is based on true events that took place in Auschwitz during WWII. In great, heart-breaking detail Samson describes life in the camp for a Jewish boxer who was "recruited" to participate in weekly entertainment for the officers at Auschwitz, including Rudolf Hoss and Josef Mengele. While the book contains facts about many different people who endured life (and death) at Auschwitz, the author compiles multiple true events into the life of one man, Samson Abrams, and his family. It is a riveting read, one of the best books I have ever read...but it is in no way an easy read. Think you know all about the Nazis? You don't. Certain you have a complete grasp on the extent of their evil? Think again. If you read this book, you will read about real events that happened to real people, many of them young children, that will haunt you. That's a warning, but it's also the reason Samson is such an important book. It's dangerous for us to forget what took place at the hands of crazed Germans. It's dangerous for us to simply look away when things are "too much" for us. It's dangerous to squeeze our eyes tightly shut, cover our ears with our hands, and say, "I don't want to know..." 

Shawn Hoffman is an author who paints a picture with words that draws you in. You can see the events play out in your mind as you read. As far as writer's go, he excels at his craft. I will keep an eye out for his books in the future, and look forward to seeing more of his words in print.

Carefully consider whether or not you will read this book - don't take the decision lightly. You won't be sorry if you choose to read it, and there's no shame in skim-reading or skipping chapter 14 entirely....but know that if you do read Samson, your eyes will be open to things that will break your heart. I am thankful the author wrote this book, and I am horribly saddened that it ever had need to be written at all.

On my "Page Turner Scale" of 1 to 5, I gave this book a 5.

Disclaimer ~ I received this book free of charge for review purposes from BookSneeze. All opinions shared here are solely my own.



Day 292 done :)

Jan L. Burt
author of The Homeschooling Mothers Bible Study

Comments

  1. SandraJanuary 22, 2014 at 1:33 PM

    That's exactly how felt when I read the book. Great review! I rather struggled finding the right words for mine actually...

    Best wishes from Germany!

    ReplyDelete

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