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The Envoy: The Epic Rescue of the Last Jews of Europe in the Desperate Closing Months of World War II Audiobook
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(4.04) - 174 listener ratings
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December 1944. Soviet and German troops fight from house to house in the shattered, corpse-strewn suburbs of Budapest. Crazed Hungarian fascists join with die-hard Nazis to slaughter Jews day and night, turning the Danube blood-red. In less than six months, thirty-eight-year-old SS Colonel Adolf Eichmann has sent over half a million Hungarians to the gas chambers in Auschwitz. Now all that prevents him from liquidating Europe's last Jewish ghetto is an unarmed Swedish diplomatic envoy named Raoul Wallenberg.
The Envoy is the stirring tale of how one man made the greatest difference in the face of untold evil. The legendary Oscar Schindler saved hundreds, but Raoul Wallenberg did what no other individual or nation managed to do: He saved more than 100,000 Jewish men, women, and children from extermination.
Written with Alex Kershaw's customary narrative verve, The Envoy is a fast-paced, nonfiction thriller that brings to life one of the darkest and yet most inspiring chapters of twentieth century history. It is an epic for the ages.
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"This book sets up two archrivals--the heroic Raoul Wallenberg and his nemesis, Final Solution master Adolph Eichmann, intertwined with the stories of several Jewish families in World War II Hungary and especially Budapest, then following them as much as possible after the war. Kershaw gives a little more information about the Wallenberg mystery than I've read in other sources. Overall this is a fine book on an aspect of World War II and Holocaust history,one of the better-written entries at this time when so little new or better-explained information is being published on this exhaustively investigated subject. Recommended as a good integration of information about Wallenberg, Eichmann, and the situation in Budapest during the last years of the war, giving that synergisitic whole a better treatment than the sum of its parts (such as biographies of Wallenberg or Eichmann alone)."
— Lisa (4 out of 5 stars)
The Envoy Listener Reviews
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" I rarely read fiction but this one read smoothly and easily. I admit I didn't know much about Raoul Wallenberg so was easily engrossed in his role in saving upwards of 100000 Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. The description of the seige of Budapest was very interesting and I was immersed in how Wallenberg used psychology and his understanding of Nazi thinking to outwit them in saving as many Jews as he could be giving them protection under Swedish citizenship. I also never knew that he disappeared upon the Russian liberation of Budapest and that his family tried with very little results until 2000 to ascertain his whereabouts. To this day no one knows his true fate. He was undoubtably one of the most selfless individuals and humanitarians of the 20th century. "
— Kate, 2/13/2014 -
" What an amazing story - can't believe I haven't heard of this before! It was an intense book to read, partly because of the horrific things that happened and the inhuman way some people acted, but also because it was so jam-packed full of detail. But although all the direct quotes and physical descriptions kind of bogged me down at times, I was impressed at how much the author really got to know this story. I wish there was a happier ending, but I think it's an account of history that is well-told and is very valuable to read. "
— Jennifer, 2/3/2014 -
" I highly recommend this book. Everybody should know about a hero like Raoul Wallenberg "
— Eva, 1/28/2014 -
" A quick read concerning Raoul Wallenberg -a Swedish diplomat who save thousands of Jews in Hungary at the end of WWII. He demonstrated incredible courage in many situations. "
— Michael, 1/18/2014 -
" I would recommend that you put down whatever book you are reading at the moment and start reading this incredible true story about one of the most touching and fascinating events in history that few people know about. At least I didn't know about it, which added an extra element of fascination to this gripping, tragic, and heroic tale. The book unravels the history of the Nazi capture of Budapest during WWII and the Swedish diplomat who made it his personal mission to save as many Jews as possible from the cruel Nazi death camps. Not only is there a central figure whose heroism still leaves me in awe, but his foil, the Nazi mastermind behind the Final Solution of the Holocaust, is equally haunting for his pure evilness. By far, one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read and a historical account that everyone needs to know about. "
— Cameron, 1/10/2014 -
" I am stunned by the events described in this book, both murderous and heroic. As Adolph Eichmann and his accomplices, the Hungarian government, set out to systemically destroy every Jewish person living in the country, a young Swedish diplomat, Raoul Wallenberg successfully saved thousands. As a backdrop to the historical events, Alex Kershaw highlights a group of individuals who personally lived through the events, adding the authenticity of their experiences. The brutality was nightmarish and should never be forgotten. Mr. Wallenberg disappeared into the Soviet Gulag after the Russians "liberated" Budapest. Despite the lifelong efforts of his relatives to discover his fate, it remains a mysery. His brave actions are an inspiration. It is a pity that Eichmann, after being tried in Israel for his crimes against humanity, could only be hung once. "
— Florence, 1/1/2014 -
" I learned about a whole chapter in Holocaust history that I knew very little about. A very good read! "
— Tami, 12/24/2013 -
" the bravery and resilience of humans never ceases to amaze me, and this story of Raoul Wallenberg is a prime example. loved this. "
— bethan, 11/18/2013 -
" Great book- reads like fiction and tells the story of Raoul Wallenberg in Hungary at the end of WW2. "
— Kate, 11/18/2013 -
" An amazing book! It's a MUST READ! Powerful, enlightening, moving, and much more. "
— Nikki, 10/28/2013 -
" very readable despite the subject. Did not know a thing about Wallenberg before. Remarkable man "
— Caroline, 8/23/2013 -
" This may very well be one of the best books you'll ever read. It's a true story, well researched and excellently written. I'll never forget it. "
— Augustin, 4/18/2013 -
" Read this along with The invisible Bridge by Orringer. Fascinating "
— Marilyn, 4/8/2013 -
" This was a very very informative and well written book "
— Robertjruttenberg, 2/15/2013 -
" Listened to it on CD in my car. I hate driving, but I found myself looking forward to going out so I could hear what happened next. "
— Dani, 12/10/2012 -
" Stunning and heartbreaking story of the courage and morals in Budapest in WWII. "
— Marti, 11/19/2012 -
" Just started reading this Kershaw book. I know it will be a 4 or 5 star when I finish. Alex Kershaw knows how to write nonfiction. Read most of his books and now I'll read another this week. "
— Charlie, 1/3/2012 -
" Amazing true story of the best and the worst of people. We are so very fortunate to be here now in this country. "
— Jim, 8/7/2011 -
" I learned about a whole chapter in Holocaust history that I knew very little about. A very good read! "
— Tami, 6/27/2011 -
" very readable despite the subject. Did not know a thing about Wallenberg before. Remarkable man "
— Caroline, 2/2/2011 -
" the bravery and resilience of humans never ceases to amaze me, and this story of Raoul Wallenberg is a prime example. loved this. "
— bethan, 1/2/2011 -
" Great book- reads like fiction and tells the story of Raoul Wallenberg in Hungary at the end of WW2. "
— Kate, 11/30/2010
About Alex Kershaw
Alex Kershaw is the British author of several popular books about World War II, most notably the New York Times bestsellers The Longest Winter and The Bedford Boys. Previously, Kershaw has been a writer at the Guardian, Independent, and Sunday Times and has worked in television, writing and producing an award-winning documentary on Bobby Kennedy. Along with his other nonfiction work, Kershaw is also an accomplished biographer. He currently lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
About Tim Campbell
Tim Campbell, winner of AudioFile Earphones Awards, is a narrator and actor based in Los Angeles, California. He studied at the University of California and earned a BA in music and theater and a certification from the prestigious Great Books program at Pepperdine University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He is also a classically trained singer and performs regularly with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Los Angeles Opera Chorus, as well as on studio soundtracks for film and television.