To Die Beautiful, Buzzy Jackson, author; Saaska Maarleveld, narrator
At the end of every audio, the narrator usually recites the words, “I hope you have enjoyed this unabridged production”. While this book is definitely compelling, and perhaps it is even a necessary read to educate the unaware, albeit with a novel, rather than a history book, it is hard to describe reading it as pleasure. Because it is very much based on facts, facts that are engrossing as the reader learns about a part of history that would be hard to even imagine, a part of history that some would wish to forget, and yet, it is a part of history that is very, very real and very, very shameful, it is also horrifying. It is a part of history that was recently repeated in the Middle East, an atrocious act of terrorism that took the lives of too many, perhaps because the very kind of perpetrators of such evil have been forgotten, ignored or even forgiven and supported, by a world eager to show compassion to those who should always be condemned.
In this book, the author shines a brilliant light on some very real heroes and heroines and contrasts them with the likes of the very real and evil, wicked and depraved perpetrators of World War II. Hannie Schatz was a part of that history that inspired others to fight with her against Hitler and his followers, who engaged in crimes against humanity that were beyond the imagination of those who were sane. Although not Jewish, she risked her life to save her country and the people that Hitler targeted. She risked her own family’s lives as well as her own, in order to do so, as all of the heroes and heroines often do.
Hannie Schaft did die beautiful, not physically, but certainly inspirationally and as an example. Just at the end of her teen years when Hitler invaded, she chose to try to save her friends, regardless of the danger to herself. The story of her effort, her bravery and willingness to expose herself to danger for the sake of others is inspirational. Her desire expanded into active resistance work. This story informs the reader about the Hebrew principle of Tikun Olam which often means to do no harm and to repair the world. It should be a universal effort.
In this book, the reader learns that there were those who wanted to rule the world, regardless of how much harm they caused or how barbaric were their methods. It is the story of good vs evil, and fortunately, though it took far too long, good eventually prevailed. Today, it feels like we are in danger of once again forgetting that principle, or of using it instead for our very own selfish needs, in other words, to repair the world according to our own wishes, which might very well cause harm to those who disagree.