The Rosenfelds were a loving family. They lived in Poland, and in World War II being Jewish in the shadow of Adolf Hitler was a very dangerous religion to practice. Jewish businesses were closed. People were required to wear bands on their arms to signify them as Jews. Then they were herded to concentration camps and used as labor, and then were horribly 'disposed of' in the gas chambers.

Alex Rosenfeld goes to Paris to find education. He wasn't into academics, and soon finds he is a natural mechanic. He has to make a decision...if he admits he is a Jew, his fate is sealed. If he doesn't perhaps he can live long enough to be able to help and fight back. With those thoughts, Alex identifies himself as a French Gentile. He finds work in German factories - many were bombed by Allied Forces.

Alex comes to a decision and joins the French Resistance and does his part to fight the Germans. He proves himself courageous and passionate to stop the atrocities in this hellish world.

Eventually Alex and his family migrate to Palestine, then settle in the US. He gave his family a life they couldn't have had elsewhere. Nathan tells his father's story with dignity and passion. He also peppers the wording with actual photos of documents, and photos of people in the book.

While we see what we think is craziness in our present day world, those of us who were not born during WWII need to be told and retold. To understand the past is not to repeat many of the actions of the past.

The world owes a debt of gratitude to the Resistance fighters of this time - and we must remember this war also killed many Jews and non-Jews alike - simply because they were different and not tolerated.

Rosenfeld does a fine job telling us this story and his love for his father and his part in the war.

ellen george

A Soldier of Chance by Nathan Rosenfeld, ISBN 10: 0-9800103-8-1, Triad Publishing Group, review by ellen george