What do you think?
Rate this book
My Mother's War: The Incredible True Story of How a Resistance Fighter Survived Three Concentration Camps
"A sad and beautiful book, shining a light on quiet heroism in dark times.” – Lucy Adlington, New York Times bestselling author of The Dressmakers of Auschwitz
The extraordinary story of Sabine Zuur, a beautiful, young Dutch resistance fighter who spent over two years in three concentration camps during World War Two, told by her daughter using an astonishing archive of personal letters
After her mother’s death, Eva Taylor discovered an astounding collection of documents, photos and letters from her time as a resistance fighter in Nazi-occupied Holland. Using the letters, she reconstructed her mother's experience in the underground resistance movement and then as a prisoner in the Amersfoort, Ravensbruck and Mauthausen concentration camps.
The letters reveal an amazing story of life during wartime, including declarations of love from her fiancé before his tragic death as a Spitfire pilot, prison notes smuggled out in her laundry, and passionate but sometimes terrifying messages from a German professional criminal who ultimately would save Sabine’s life.
A one-of-a-kind story of survival, My Mother’s War captures a remarkable life in the words of the young woman who lived it.
The extraordinary story of Sabine Zuur, a beautiful, young Dutch resistance fighter who spent over two years in three concentration camps during World War Two, told by her daughter using an astonishing archive of personal letters
After her mother’s death, Eva Taylor discovered an astounding collection of documents, photos and letters from her time as a resistance fighter in Nazi-occupied Holland. Using the letters, she reconstructed her mother's experience in the underground resistance movement and then as a prisoner in the Amersfoort, Ravensbruck and Mauthausen concentration camps.
The letters reveal an amazing story of life during wartime, including declarations of love from her fiancé before his tragic death as a Spitfire pilot, prison notes smuggled out in her laundry, and passionate but sometimes terrifying messages from a German professional criminal who ultimately would save Sabine’s life.
A one-of-a-kind story of survival, My Mother’s War captures a remarkable life in the words of the young woman who lived it.
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
June 20, 2023
At the end of My Mother's War: The Incredible True Story of How a Resistance Fighter Survived Three Concentration Camps, author Eva Taylor indicates that she was given the gift of her mother's story. Her mother, Sabine Zuur, was a Holocaust resistance fighter---a huge rarity for a woman. Her mother spent time in three different concentration camps and was often manacled to male prisoners during transportation and incarceration since there were very few women political prisoners.
Taylor discovered boxes of documents, primarily in German, and photos after her mother passed away. It took her over two years to find a person with expertise in formal, "old school" German who could translate the letters. The letters provided significant details into her mother's life during the war which included daily atrocities as well as finding love.
Taylor discovered boxes of documents, primarily in German, and photos after her mother passed away. It took her over two years to find a person with expertise in formal, "old school" German who could translate the letters. The letters provided significant details into her mother's life during the war which included daily atrocities as well as finding love.
May 2, 2022
3.5 Stars
With a book like this, I need to make clear that my rating does not reflect the bravery or pain of the survivor. The author's mother was clearly a person of incredible strength. However, I am here to review this book as a piece of narrative nonfiction.
There is a very strong story behind this book, but the execution of the narrative was not the strongest. The information for this book was primarily collected in letters read after the death of her mother which I think left the narrative a bit hollow of details. I think it's important for the survivors to be told, but unfortunately I don't think this particular piece of writing does justice to this woman's life.
If you are an avid reader of holocaust non fiction, this is one you may still want to check out. The actual life of the author's mother was remarkable.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
With a book like this, I need to make clear that my rating does not reflect the bravery or pain of the survivor. The author's mother was clearly a person of incredible strength. However, I am here to review this book as a piece of narrative nonfiction.
There is a very strong story behind this book, but the execution of the narrative was not the strongest. The information for this book was primarily collected in letters read after the death of her mother which I think left the narrative a bit hollow of details. I think it's important for the survivors to be told, but unfortunately I don't think this particular piece of writing does justice to this woman's life.
If you are an avid reader of holocaust non fiction, this is one you may still want to check out. The actual life of the author's mother was remarkable.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
March 2, 2022
Sabine, a Dutch woman, was involved in the local resistance after Germany invaded her country. She was captured, imprisoned, and survived, despite spending time in both local prisons and three concentration camps; she wore the red triangle as a political prisoner. Her daughter pieced together much of her story after finding a box of documents, and it is an amazing story. An intense and horrifying story, it is an essential book for anyone interested in the history of World War II. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this advance copy.
August 8, 2022
Daughter writing the book after going through her mother's papers/letters with some of her dealing in the Dutch resistance and her time in concentration camps and the aftermath. Found it very interesting
April 29, 2022
This was a quick listen and a story from a time period that we need to not forget and to learn from, everyone.
Sabine’s story is amazing and it’s sad that her daughter didn’t get to read the archive before her mother died so she could have really talked with her about it, to get the stories that weren’t written down, like how she felt about things, especially the German inmate who helped to keep her and a few of her friends alive in the final camp they were in.
It was heartbreaking to hear about how her first love was killed in a dogfight with a Spitfire in the beginning of the war. That happened to so many people, each time a tragedy.
The narrator’s voice was calm and clear and made listening easy, despite my evil commute and the sad nature of what was being read.
Definitely recommended if you like to read about WWII and like to read about that candle that won’t give in to the darkness, no matter what.
4 solid stars.
My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Libro.fm for an advanced copy of this book to listen to and review.
Sabine’s story is amazing and it’s sad that her daughter didn’t get to read the archive before her mother died so she could have really talked with her about it, to get the stories that weren’t written down, like how she felt about things, especially the German inmate who helped to keep her and a few of her friends alive in the final camp they were in.
It was heartbreaking to hear about how her first love was killed in a dogfight with a Spitfire in the beginning of the war. That happened to so many people, each time a tragedy.
The narrator’s voice was calm and clear and made listening easy, despite my evil commute and the sad nature of what was being read.
Definitely recommended if you like to read about WWII and like to read about that candle that won’t give in to the darkness, no matter what.
4 solid stars.
My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Libro.fm for an advanced copy of this book to listen to and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
I would never want to disparage a book about any person who lived through WWII in a concentration camp. Sabine Zuur was a hero who paid a high price for her contribution to the Dutch resistance. Her daughter, the author, Eva, has also spent her life dealing with the after-effects
It is a story worth reading but the production level; is sub-par. It really needs a better editor.
It is a story worth reading but the production level; is sub-par. It really needs a better editor.
April 18, 2022
Imagine growing up with a mother who was prone to mood swings, depression, and nightmares. A mother who also had an “aura” about her and attracted attention and assistance of others. Her daughter, Eva Taylor, is the author of My Mother's War: The Incredible True Story of How a Resistance Fighter Survived Three Concentration Camps, in which she chronicles her mother’s journey from Holland to Nazi internment camps during World War II.
Imagine being arrested as a young career woman for political crimes and imprisoned, not seeing family or friends, perhaps not ever again. Sabine Zuur was raised in The Hague and along with several friends, joined the Resistance as a “spy”. It’s not clear what exactly her role was; perhaps she was a courier. When she was arrested, the officers were interested in her list of contacts, which she deftly hid in her sofa as they were taking her away. She was interrogated. It didn’t matter that she was female; she was severely beaten numerous times. The prison conditions were crowded and inhumane, but they were nothing compared to some of the camps. According to the letters and other documents her daughter reviewed after Sabine’s death, her mother spent more than two years in three concentration camps. Her correspondence and notes from others details the overcrowded, filthy conditions at Ravensbrück Camp, where “medical experiments” were conducted, medical treatment was poor or lacking, and prisoners were forced to perform hard labor. Nutrition was poor, and living conditions were unbearable. Somehow, in this camp, and in the two subsequent camps, Sabine survived the cruelty, abuse, and eventual extermination that befell millions of other prisoners.
In addition, she was labeled Nacht und Nobel (night and fog) - invisible, non-existent because she was a political prisoner. Her mother and friends were not permitted to know her whereabouts. She simply “disappeared.” Interestingly, while in Mauthausen Camp, Sabine was befriended by a German prisoner, Franz Josef Gebele, who claimed to love her and want her for his wife. He arranged for have food and clothing sent to her, and he sent a letter to her mother. The author goes into some detail about this relationship, which apparently put Sabine between a rock and a hard place, for she did not have the same feelings for Franz as he claimed to have for her. Yet, although he himself was a prisoner, he seemed to have some pull with the authorities to get her released.
For those who hope for details of Sabine’s experiences as a spy, you may be disappointed. I found it understandable, however. I cannot imagine a spy keeping records that might be discovered, putting the entire network at risk. It also seems that Sabine spoke little of her experiences after her release. Her daughter’s record is very factual, although she recognizes how her mother must have felt to go through all these horrific events, to witness so much death and suffering and lose many loved ones. She herself expresses regret that she never knew that woman well. As a reader, I felt both detached at times but also abhorred at the cruelty of one group of humans toward others. What an overwhelming task to sort through all of those letters and clippings to learn her mother’s story! I admire Ms. Taylor’s courage and perseverance!
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and to Hanover Square Press for the ARC of My Mother's War: The Incredible True Story of How a Resistance Fighter Survived Three Concentration . Camps. My opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
Imagine being arrested as a young career woman for political crimes and imprisoned, not seeing family or friends, perhaps not ever again. Sabine Zuur was raised in The Hague and along with several friends, joined the Resistance as a “spy”. It’s not clear what exactly her role was; perhaps she was a courier. When she was arrested, the officers were interested in her list of contacts, which she deftly hid in her sofa as they were taking her away. She was interrogated. It didn’t matter that she was female; she was severely beaten numerous times. The prison conditions were crowded and inhumane, but they were nothing compared to some of the camps. According to the letters and other documents her daughter reviewed after Sabine’s death, her mother spent more than two years in three concentration camps. Her correspondence and notes from others details the overcrowded, filthy conditions at Ravensbrück Camp, where “medical experiments” were conducted, medical treatment was poor or lacking, and prisoners were forced to perform hard labor. Nutrition was poor, and living conditions were unbearable. Somehow, in this camp, and in the two subsequent camps, Sabine survived the cruelty, abuse, and eventual extermination that befell millions of other prisoners.
In addition, she was labeled Nacht und Nobel (night and fog) - invisible, non-existent because she was a political prisoner. Her mother and friends were not permitted to know her whereabouts. She simply “disappeared.” Interestingly, while in Mauthausen Camp, Sabine was befriended by a German prisoner, Franz Josef Gebele, who claimed to love her and want her for his wife. He arranged for have food and clothing sent to her, and he sent a letter to her mother. The author goes into some detail about this relationship, which apparently put Sabine between a rock and a hard place, for she did not have the same feelings for Franz as he claimed to have for her. Yet, although he himself was a prisoner, he seemed to have some pull with the authorities to get her released.
For those who hope for details of Sabine’s experiences as a spy, you may be disappointed. I found it understandable, however. I cannot imagine a spy keeping records that might be discovered, putting the entire network at risk. It also seems that Sabine spoke little of her experiences after her release. Her daughter’s record is very factual, although she recognizes how her mother must have felt to go through all these horrific events, to witness so much death and suffering and lose many loved ones. She herself expresses regret that she never knew that woman well. As a reader, I felt both detached at times but also abhorred at the cruelty of one group of humans toward others. What an overwhelming task to sort through all of those letters and clippings to learn her mother’s story! I admire Ms. Taylor’s courage and perseverance!
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and to Hanover Square Press for the ARC of My Mother's War: The Incredible True Story of How a Resistance Fighter Survived Three Concentration . Camps. My opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
April 22, 2022
The story of Sabine Zuur a resistance fighter during WW2 who was captured and survived three concentration camps.
My Mother's War shows many sides of the war that I've never read before. This is the first time I read the story of Holland during those terrible times. This was all new to me, even the concentration camps, I'd never heard of them, the conditions they were living in and how they were treated were so inhumane. Amersfoort, Ravensbruck, and Mauthausen are among the worst concentration camps I've ever read about.
Sabine Zuur, a very courageous woman who endured terrible things not to mention the psychological damage is just so sad to see how terrible and awful humans can be. it shows once again the level of ignorance of the people, between the Nazis, the Red Army, the SS, and the Gestapo they didn't have an ounce of intelligence, kindness, and empathy, I bet those words were also burnt and erased from the books.
in 1940 Sabine's country was invaded by the Germans, many left Holland in time but many didn't make it. Taro, Sabine's fiancé was shot and killed. others stayed behind losing their homes, their belongings everything they had. they couldn't trust anyone anymore everything was so unfair.
in My Mother's War, Eva Taylor shares the story of her mother, after finding several documents and photos that show the terrible situations she went through, a story Eva never heard before. In My Mother's war, the author also shares the love letters of Taro Sabine's first love, and Gerard her second love making this story even more heartbreaking but full of hope.
Gebel, a German criminal completely enamored by Sabine, tries to seduce her by correspondence, sharing his lies and favors in order to gain her trust and love. in the last few months of the War Gebel was able to help Sabine and a few others, we really don't get to know what he did exactly to be able to help them even though Sabine didn't have any desire for him, she was always cordial and respectful also putting her into a wall feeling often suffocated, nervous and fearful that he will do something irrational to hurt her and her family.
There're many things I could write about My Mothers war but without giving too much away it is heartbreaking but at the same time shows the strength, the love the resistance of sabine and many others who were determined to not let this evil machine destroy their life, their homes but most importantly their families their unity.
I cried so much with Sabine's story, it shocked me to learn more of the atrocities they endure such as the story of Dimitri Karbyshev the soviet general and his soldiers who were left for hours naked in the freezing cold and slowly froze to death, or the chaos the author describes while left in such small spaces with no were to seat or to breath, no light or food, the way she describes people going crazy and insane is just heartbreaking.
Sabine, you are a heroine with angel wings together with Taro, Gerard, Dr. Krediet, Broer, Jan, and many more heroes who did so much.
Overall this is a story that needs to be read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Hanover Square Press for the advanced copy of My Mother's War in exchange for my honest review.
My Mother's War shows many sides of the war that I've never read before. This is the first time I read the story of Holland during those terrible times. This was all new to me, even the concentration camps, I'd never heard of them, the conditions they were living in and how they were treated were so inhumane. Amersfoort, Ravensbruck, and Mauthausen are among the worst concentration camps I've ever read about.
Sabine Zuur, a very courageous woman who endured terrible things not to mention the psychological damage is just so sad to see how terrible and awful humans can be. it shows once again the level of ignorance of the people, between the Nazis, the Red Army, the SS, and the Gestapo they didn't have an ounce of intelligence, kindness, and empathy, I bet those words were also burnt and erased from the books.
in 1940 Sabine's country was invaded by the Germans, many left Holland in time but many didn't make it. Taro, Sabine's fiancé was shot and killed. others stayed behind losing their homes, their belongings everything they had. they couldn't trust anyone anymore everything was so unfair.
in My Mother's War, Eva Taylor shares the story of her mother, after finding several documents and photos that show the terrible situations she went through, a story Eva never heard before. In My Mother's war, the author also shares the love letters of Taro Sabine's first love, and Gerard her second love making this story even more heartbreaking but full of hope.
Gebel, a German criminal completely enamored by Sabine, tries to seduce her by correspondence, sharing his lies and favors in order to gain her trust and love. in the last few months of the War Gebel was able to help Sabine and a few others, we really don't get to know what he did exactly to be able to help them even though Sabine didn't have any desire for him, she was always cordial and respectful also putting her into a wall feeling often suffocated, nervous and fearful that he will do something irrational to hurt her and her family.
There're many things I could write about My Mothers war but without giving too much away it is heartbreaking but at the same time shows the strength, the love the resistance of sabine and many others who were determined to not let this evil machine destroy their life, their homes but most importantly their families their unity.
I cried so much with Sabine's story, it shocked me to learn more of the atrocities they endure such as the story of Dimitri Karbyshev the soviet general and his soldiers who were left for hours naked in the freezing cold and slowly froze to death, or the chaos the author describes while left in such small spaces with no were to seat or to breath, no light or food, the way she describes people going crazy and insane is just heartbreaking.
Sabine, you are a heroine with angel wings together with Taro, Gerard, Dr. Krediet, Broer, Jan, and many more heroes who did so much.
Overall this is a story that needs to be read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Hanover Square Press for the advanced copy of My Mother's War in exchange for my honest review.
December 27, 2021
I absolutely loved this amazing story of courage and survival. It's an emotional read and the fact it's a true story makes it even more so. Having grown up in the Soviet Union, I've always been fascinated with World War II and enjoyed reading about it from a different perspective. This book is heart-breaking and heart warming at the same time and I found it difficult to put it down. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys beautifully written war time memoirs.
May 6, 2024
The book I read yesterday is called Sabrine’s War by Eva Taylor. The author writes a story that is riveting and fascinating, thoroughly researched and unsparingly where she gives an insight of her mother’s experiences through letters and papers she found from the archives. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Her mother refused to write the story herself because it brings so much horrendous pain and memories. She described her mother was a free spirit, adventurous, intelligent and independent woman. She did tell her children a few years of her life. She was only 22 years old when she joined the resistance because she felt it was the right thing to do. She was arrested in 1943 and sent to prison first, then deported to Amersfoort, Ravensbrück and Mauthausen concentration camps. As a result, what had happened to her resistance people? Did they survive or not. You can decide.
Read
July 20, 2022The forward is why I kept reading, Eva, daughter and author, was unsure of much of her mother's story until after her death. Compiling histories and pairing it with translated letters completes this book as a cathartic healing while also adding new insight to many museums and histories unknown to many collections. Opting to leave unrated as it's hard to rate personal stories of struggle.
May 26, 2022
"After her mother’s death, Eva Taylor discovered an astounding collection of documents, photos and letters from her time as a resistance fighter in Nazi-occupied Holland."
This memoir compiles letters found after the author's mother's death and tells the story of the time she spent in concentration camps. There is no denying the absolute horror people who went through this lived and the true tenacity and will to survive they have. The story is definitely interesting for those who enjoy memoirs from this time period. However it did take me a bit to get into it as the flow of the story was missing and the narrative didn't feel fully developed. This may be from the letters obviously being incomplete and it being difficult to fill in the gaps. It also might be because the edition I read was translated from Dutch to English. Just a note to let readers know that it won't read quite the same as other memoirs they may have enjoyed.
Thank you to Harper Collins for the copy to read and review.
This memoir compiles letters found after the author's mother's death and tells the story of the time she spent in concentration camps. There is no denying the absolute horror people who went through this lived and the true tenacity and will to survive they have. The story is definitely interesting for those who enjoy memoirs from this time period. However it did take me a bit to get into it as the flow of the story was missing and the narrative didn't feel fully developed. This may be from the letters obviously being incomplete and it being difficult to fill in the gaps. It also might be because the edition I read was translated from Dutch to English. Just a note to let readers know that it won't read quite the same as other memoirs they may have enjoyed.
Thank you to Harper Collins for the copy to read and review.
March 28, 2022
I read a different edition under the title Sabine’s War by Eva Taylor, a book described as ‘an astonishing tale of romance, resistance and bravery’
Sabine’s War recounts the life of Dutch resistance fighter Sabine Zuur, as told by her daughter Eva Taylor. Growing up, Eva was very much in the dark about the extent of her mother’s involvement in the Second World War. It was only following her death that Eva discovered letters that provided her with a greater and very shocking insight into the secret life her mother, Sabine, had lived. Eva provides a background into Sabine’s early years but it is her experiences in the concentration camps that really impacted me.
After being betrayed while a member of the resistance, Sabine was sent to Amersfoort and then spent sixteen long months in Ravensbrook, before her final internment in Mauthausen.
“Mauthausen is situated on a high hill. After having walked for several hours, we finally arrived. Our first sight was of the big entrance gate, topped by a Hakenkreuz and a large eagle, lit up by searchlights. The oppressive fear I felt then will always stay with me. We were herded onto a large square and had to stand there till morning. Eventually a fierce-looking group of SS guards took us to the underground laundry. We knew what to expect: this was the moment we would be gassed.”
Reading Sabine’s actual words in various parts of this book sent shivers through my spine. Her courage and determination shines through, as she made a decision to keep her spirits up with the hope of eventual freedom. Sickly and injured, she came under the eye of a German prisoner, Franz Josef Gebele. His obsession with Sabine ultimately saved her life, providing her with clothing and foodstuff that enabled her to survive much of the horror that was taking place around her.
Eva Taylor provides details of the strange relationship that played out between her mother and Gebele, with extracts from the letters he wrote to her mother. His writing was odd, his attachment to Sabine was undoubtedly creepy but she was in no position to deny his infatuation if it kept her alive from day-to-day.
Sabine did survive the war but she lost many friends along the way. There was a restlessness within her for years that Eva was never able to pin down. After having read through historical records, and her mothers archive, Eva was able to appreciate her mother’s temperament better. Sabine’s War is a tribute from a proud daughter to her very much loved mother, a heroic and gutsy individual who refused to be broken. An important historical account of a heinous and barbaric war, as seen through the eyes of one individual, Sabine’s War is a testament to the fortitude of all who lived and died during these horrific years of our history.
Sabine’s War recounts the life of Dutch resistance fighter Sabine Zuur, as told by her daughter Eva Taylor. Growing up, Eva was very much in the dark about the extent of her mother’s involvement in the Second World War. It was only following her death that Eva discovered letters that provided her with a greater and very shocking insight into the secret life her mother, Sabine, had lived. Eva provides a background into Sabine’s early years but it is her experiences in the concentration camps that really impacted me.
After being betrayed while a member of the resistance, Sabine was sent to Amersfoort and then spent sixteen long months in Ravensbrook, before her final internment in Mauthausen.
“Mauthausen is situated on a high hill. After having walked for several hours, we finally arrived. Our first sight was of the big entrance gate, topped by a Hakenkreuz and a large eagle, lit up by searchlights. The oppressive fear I felt then will always stay with me. We were herded onto a large square and had to stand there till morning. Eventually a fierce-looking group of SS guards took us to the underground laundry. We knew what to expect: this was the moment we would be gassed.”
Reading Sabine’s actual words in various parts of this book sent shivers through my spine. Her courage and determination shines through, as she made a decision to keep her spirits up with the hope of eventual freedom. Sickly and injured, she came under the eye of a German prisoner, Franz Josef Gebele. His obsession with Sabine ultimately saved her life, providing her with clothing and foodstuff that enabled her to survive much of the horror that was taking place around her.
Eva Taylor provides details of the strange relationship that played out between her mother and Gebele, with extracts from the letters he wrote to her mother. His writing was odd, his attachment to Sabine was undoubtedly creepy but she was in no position to deny his infatuation if it kept her alive from day-to-day.
Sabine did survive the war but she lost many friends along the way. There was a restlessness within her for years that Eva was never able to pin down. After having read through historical records, and her mothers archive, Eva was able to appreciate her mother’s temperament better. Sabine’s War is a tribute from a proud daughter to her very much loved mother, a heroic and gutsy individual who refused to be broken. An important historical account of a heinous and barbaric war, as seen through the eyes of one individual, Sabine’s War is a testament to the fortitude of all who lived and died during these horrific years of our history.
January 7, 2023
This is a hard book to review, given the contents. What I liked about it was Eva Taylor didn't try to expand upon or add drama to her mother's experiences with information from other sources. She let the horror of the names of Ravensbruck and Mauthausen do that for her. (I am not familiar with Amersfoort, but given the camps it's associated with, it must have been horrible as well). She lets the story do the talking and you can feel the fear and tension without the nitty gritty details. For example, the letter exchange with Gebele, the German prisoner in Mauthausen, lets you feel Sabine's tension and paranoia as she tried to string Gebele along for the help he is providing without making promises she can't keep. Even without her side of the letters.
November 1, 2023
Takeaways from this include that this Dutch resistance fighter really just did rather mundane dogsbody work, and not for very long before being caught and sent to 3 concentration camps. She wouldn't have survived the last camp if a fellow prisoner (imprisoned for actual criminal activity) hadn't fallen in love with her and, with his connections, was able to provision her just enough to keep her from dying. The most interesting thing about this section, though, was about how his letters to her (they were in different parts of the camp) were written in an older German script that few people could read anymore, so she had to get other prisoners to translate it for her. It made me think of the uproar of "the older generation" here in the US who complain about the young not learning cursive. My answer is there is always change going on, and not having to learn cursive is one of them. Otherwise, we would all still be reading hieroglyphics...
April 1, 2022
Sabine's War is the story of Sabine Zuur a young woman who became involved in the Dutch resistance movement during World War II, and somehow managed to survive imprisonment in three Nazi concentration camps after being betrayed to the German authorities.
The truth about Sabine's life was discovered by her daughter Eva Taylor when she found a comprehensive archive of documents and letters left behind by her mother after her death. Eva's relationship with her mother had been a difficult one and Sabine had been reluctant to talk much about her wartime experiences, but what Eva discovered eventually convinced her that her mother's story deserved to be told to the world - especially since Eva's father, Peter Tazelaar, was a celebrated Dutch war hero whose life had already been written about.
This is Sabine's detailed and heartbreaking story. It tells of a young, vivacious woman who was compelled to join the Dutch resistance, after her country was invaded by Germany in 1940. Sabine's own fiancé Taro had been shot down in his Spitfire and killed after escaping to England, and helping to shelter those hiding from the authorities became a way for her to aid the war effort.
Unfortunately, Sabine was betrayed and subsequently subjected to brutal interrogations and imprisonment for her activities. Her wartime archive tells of the executions of many of her close friends, and of the years that follow when she is sent to three Nazi concentration camps Amersfoort, Ravensbrück and Mauthausen as a political prisoner, as she struggled desperately to survive the increasingly gruelling conditions that inmates were forced to endure.
Taylor has pieced together the details of her mother's life from the information she left behind, especially the intimate letters from her first love Taro, notes from her second love Gerard who was executed by the Germans for his role in the resistance, and from creepy correspondence from a German career criminal called Gebele who was able to help Sabine survive during the terrible final months of the war when concentration prisoners were being indiscriminately slaughtered in their thousands. The gaps between what she has been able to construct from these intriguing bundles of paper have been filled by detailed research into wartime events and the dreadful treatment and mass slaughter of prisoners, as well as visits to what remains of the camps themselves.
The resulting book, although relatively short at under 200 pages, is an impressive and informative account of not only one very brave woman's life, but of the strength of the human spirit during very dark times. Even as someone who has read many books about this period of history, including the incredible, and seriously hefty If This Is A Woman by Sarah Helm that Taylor references in these pages, there were many things I learned about Holland during its occupation, and some of the lesser known happenings during the dying days of the Second World War - such as the sheer scale of asset stripping from countries like Poland in the face of the Russian advance.
Taylor also manages to convey quite how much the previously untold events of Sabine's wartime experiences impacted her remaining years physically, mentally and emotionally, looking back on her own relationship with with her mother with understanding and forgiveness now she fully understands about the events that shaped her.
There is no denying that this book is full of heartbreak and loss, but it is also fascinating and strewn with touching moments of the kindness of strangers, of romance under the impending cloud of doom, of quiet and staunch resistance, and of admirable bravery. In addition, this is a book that is very accessible for anyone wanting to learn more about the terrible human toll of World War II, particularly for those who have previously only read fictional works about this period of history.
The truth about Sabine's life was discovered by her daughter Eva Taylor when she found a comprehensive archive of documents and letters left behind by her mother after her death. Eva's relationship with her mother had been a difficult one and Sabine had been reluctant to talk much about her wartime experiences, but what Eva discovered eventually convinced her that her mother's story deserved to be told to the world - especially since Eva's father, Peter Tazelaar, was a celebrated Dutch war hero whose life had already been written about.
This is Sabine's detailed and heartbreaking story. It tells of a young, vivacious woman who was compelled to join the Dutch resistance, after her country was invaded by Germany in 1940. Sabine's own fiancé Taro had been shot down in his Spitfire and killed after escaping to England, and helping to shelter those hiding from the authorities became a way for her to aid the war effort.
Unfortunately, Sabine was betrayed and subsequently subjected to brutal interrogations and imprisonment for her activities. Her wartime archive tells of the executions of many of her close friends, and of the years that follow when she is sent to three Nazi concentration camps Amersfoort, Ravensbrück and Mauthausen as a political prisoner, as she struggled desperately to survive the increasingly gruelling conditions that inmates were forced to endure.
Taylor has pieced together the details of her mother's life from the information she left behind, especially the intimate letters from her first love Taro, notes from her second love Gerard who was executed by the Germans for his role in the resistance, and from creepy correspondence from a German career criminal called Gebele who was able to help Sabine survive during the terrible final months of the war when concentration prisoners were being indiscriminately slaughtered in their thousands. The gaps between what she has been able to construct from these intriguing bundles of paper have been filled by detailed research into wartime events and the dreadful treatment and mass slaughter of prisoners, as well as visits to what remains of the camps themselves.
The resulting book, although relatively short at under 200 pages, is an impressive and informative account of not only one very brave woman's life, but of the strength of the human spirit during very dark times. Even as someone who has read many books about this period of history, including the incredible, and seriously hefty If This Is A Woman by Sarah Helm that Taylor references in these pages, there were many things I learned about Holland during its occupation, and some of the lesser known happenings during the dying days of the Second World War - such as the sheer scale of asset stripping from countries like Poland in the face of the Russian advance.
Taylor also manages to convey quite how much the previously untold events of Sabine's wartime experiences impacted her remaining years physically, mentally and emotionally, looking back on her own relationship with with her mother with understanding and forgiveness now she fully understands about the events that shaped her.
There is no denying that this book is full of heartbreak and loss, but it is also fascinating and strewn with touching moments of the kindness of strangers, of romance under the impending cloud of doom, of quiet and staunch resistance, and of admirable bravery. In addition, this is a book that is very accessible for anyone wanting to learn more about the terrible human toll of World War II, particularly for those who have previously only read fictional works about this period of history.
July 9, 2022
Incredible story dictating the life of a very brave woman who survived 3 camps in ww2. The book was a bit disjointed and did not have a good flow to it. As it was the daughter telling the mother’s story, there was a lot of guesswork and certain points seemed to be reiterated a lot.
March 22, 2022
Eva Taylor’s My Mother’s War is a competently written book that unfortunately does not hit the right emotional notes for the subject matter. The book describes her mother’s trials and tribulations during World War II as a Dutch resistance fighter and concentration camp survivor. The description of the book promises a harrowing tale of danger and near-death experiences. When someone survives multiple concentration camps then there will definitely be a lot of stories to tell. And there are, but that’s where the problem occurs.
Taylor’s writing style is very straight forward and often devoid of emotion. Her choice to rely heavily on her mother’s documents disconnects from the great story of World War II and often feels incomplete. Also, people are very often introduced and before we learn much about them, their ultimate fates are stated with little fanfare. The author’s mother was a spy, but we learn near nothing about those experiences. From reading other books on the subject, there is much more information which could have been mined to strengthen this story.
Taylor’s writing style is very straight forward and often devoid of emotion. Her choice to rely heavily on her mother’s documents disconnects from the great story of World War II and often feels incomplete. Also, people are very often introduced and before we learn much about them, their ultimate fates are stated with little fanfare. The author’s mother was a spy, but we learn near nothing about those experiences. From reading other books on the subject, there is much more information which could have been mined to strengthen this story.
May 20, 2022
The author made this piece of difficult history accessible for pretty much everyone. Given that WW2, especially the concentration camps, is difficult to put into words, Eva Taylor found a way to do it. Creating relatively short chapters (for the most part) probably helped. This kind of subject matter is best handled in small doses.
Her mother had some serious gumption. How she managed to walk the fine line on the side of survival is one hell of a feat. May no one ever have to endure what she did ever again. And keeping the letters is also admirable. I don't know if I'd want to have those reminders on hand, but thank the gods she did.
The only major issue I had with this book is it would have benefitted from another round of editing. But overall, it's clear, concise, and fairly simple to read.
Her mother had some serious gumption. How she managed to walk the fine line on the side of survival is one hell of a feat. May no one ever have to endure what she did ever again. And keeping the letters is also admirable. I don't know if I'd want to have those reminders on hand, but thank the gods she did.
The only major issue I had with this book is it would have benefitted from another round of editing. But overall, it's clear, concise, and fairly simple to read.
April 6, 2022
Really 2.5 ... Meh ... You hate to say this about a book about someone as brave and resilient as the author's mother. The story is not terribly well written, a little confusing in the beginning as so many names are mentioned and it is really uneven. For example, in about two paragraphs, Sabine goes from resistance volunteer to prison inmate. But in the second half of the book, we are treated to day-to-day updates of her life in a prison camp. I think the author is trying to tell too many stories. And to top it all off, she devotes one sentence to her father's work for the CIA.
May 16, 2022
I am conflicted. The book is yet another important real-life story describing the horrors of WW2. May it never be forgotten.
The book was a quick read and held my attention. But it lacked an editor. A lot of the narrative felt as though it was written in Dutch but used English words.
Since I know both languages, I hope to read the Dutch version in the future.
If you can get past the lack of editing, I still recommend it.
The book was a quick read and held my attention. But it lacked an editor. A lot of the narrative felt as though it was written in Dutch but used English words.
Since I know both languages, I hope to read the Dutch version in the future.
If you can get past the lack of editing, I still recommend it.
May 31, 2022
3.5 Stars
Eva Taylor pieces together the story of her mother's work in the resistance in Nazi-occupied Holland, & her time in 3 different concentration camps.
Taylor accomplishes this partly in epistolary style, from letters, photographs, & other documents she discovered after her mother's death.
This unique story of survival unfolds as Eva Taylor comes to a completely new understanding of who her mother was, & who she may have become were it not for the war.
Eva Taylor pieces together the story of her mother's work in the resistance in Nazi-occupied Holland, & her time in 3 different concentration camps.
Taylor accomplishes this partly in epistolary style, from letters, photographs, & other documents she discovered after her mother's death.
This unique story of survival unfolds as Eva Taylor comes to a completely new understanding of who her mother was, & who she may have become were it not for the war.
April 20, 2022
This story is told by the daughter but also by the mother -- through the amazing archives of information Sabine kept from her time as a resistance fighter AND in three concentration camps. It is fascinating to see how the daughter's view of her mother, who she was not close to, changed as she learned more and more about the struggles her mother endured.
September 2, 2022
While it was interesting to read, I did find it to be very clinical, which is somewhat expected seeing as it's a sort of secondhand account gleaned from papers & written posthumously. While factual, it being more clinical than other first hand accounts written about the camps made it harder to connect with Sabine for me, as you never really got to get a feeling of her as a person.
October 18, 2022
I was expecting so much more from this book. Her mother’s story was fascinating but I don’t feel this book did her justice. A lot of interesting people during her journey of “angels” that contributed to her survival. I do have to say the way the book ended perked me up. It’s amazing how things can come full circle.
May 22, 2022
After you get past the name dropping, it has some interesting insight .
June 3, 2022
2 1/2 stars
July 12, 2022
Before I begin my review, I just want to thank the author for mentioning her mother's current life in a memory care facility. It is almost a relief to think that what she lived through is forgotten...
*** *** ***
This is a story about Eva Taylor's mother, Sabine Zuur, who as a vibrant, beautiful young woman joined the Dutch Resistance during the second world war. This small book takes you from the excitement, "weirdly hilarious glamour (think two handsome young men wearing formal suits under their scuba wet suits so when they emerge from the sea, they will appear to just be men about town)," and breathtaking danger of working in the Dutch Resistance through the ruthless, exhausting, despairing survival of three Nazi concentration camps, each worse, each more unbearable than the last. Yes, we've read many books on the horrors of the Holocaust, and this book does nothing to soften those horrors, but what surprised me with this story was how Sabine's mother was able to send food, do her laundry, hiding notes in the pleats of her skirts, keeping her abreast of events at home and with her beloveds. I never realized how involved the families of the prisoners were allowed to be, at least first. How intertwined were all the lives of those in and out of prison. How hideous were the betrayals.. How the Nazis used the prisoners against each other. How slowly but surely Sabine's surroundings grew more and more restrictive, more hideous; her hunger grew, her body weakened. How could anyone avoid despair in such circumstances?
And all this is told from actual letters her mother saved...some on small pieces of tissue scribbled in haste; some about her first beloved; some long "love" letters from an enemy whose help of food, medicine, news of the outside world kept her alive, but whose adoration was stifling and fearsome; could betray her at any moment... And how the long frenetic letters came rapidly, day after day, as the occupation progressed, giving you events of each day until April 30, 1945, when she was liberated. How her mind must have been twisted between fear, exhaustion, anticipation waiting for the news that the war was over, amid reports that the Nazis were marching as many prisoners as possible to the gas chambers to kill evidence of the magnitude of their tortures, all while working to fix up the hospitals to show the world how good they were to their prisoners. Mind bending, terrifying...how evil were their tactics.
This book is written without dramatic finesse and flare. It is a quiet presentation of the author's mother's story. It offers no political analysis, nor moral judgment (the author shields the name of the man who betrayed her mother, so his family need not bear any angst about his deeds). It reads like an unblinking invitation to stand witness to the atrocities forced upon those who will not be cowed; to be privy to the drive to keep living, believing against all evidence to the contrary, life does and will push us forward. And, thankfully and kindly, the author ties up the loose ends about the souls about whom she has written throughout.
We all know we must never forget the horrors man can inflict on man. This great little book will not let you forget. Well done, Ms. Taylor. You are your mother's daughter! How lucky we all are to get to know bits and pieces of you both.
*** *** ***
This is a story about Eva Taylor's mother, Sabine Zuur, who as a vibrant, beautiful young woman joined the Dutch Resistance during the second world war. This small book takes you from the excitement, "weirdly hilarious glamour (think two handsome young men wearing formal suits under their scuba wet suits so when they emerge from the sea, they will appear to just be men about town)," and breathtaking danger of working in the Dutch Resistance through the ruthless, exhausting, despairing survival of three Nazi concentration camps, each worse, each more unbearable than the last. Yes, we've read many books on the horrors of the Holocaust, and this book does nothing to soften those horrors, but what surprised me with this story was how Sabine's mother was able to send food, do her laundry, hiding notes in the pleats of her skirts, keeping her abreast of events at home and with her beloveds. I never realized how involved the families of the prisoners were allowed to be, at least first. How intertwined were all the lives of those in and out of prison. How hideous were the betrayals.. How the Nazis used the prisoners against each other. How slowly but surely Sabine's surroundings grew more and more restrictive, more hideous; her hunger grew, her body weakened. How could anyone avoid despair in such circumstances?
And all this is told from actual letters her mother saved...some on small pieces of tissue scribbled in haste; some about her first beloved; some long "love" letters from an enemy whose help of food, medicine, news of the outside world kept her alive, but whose adoration was stifling and fearsome; could betray her at any moment... And how the long frenetic letters came rapidly, day after day, as the occupation progressed, giving you events of each day until April 30, 1945, when she was liberated. How her mind must have been twisted between fear, exhaustion, anticipation waiting for the news that the war was over, amid reports that the Nazis were marching as many prisoners as possible to the gas chambers to kill evidence of the magnitude of their tortures, all while working to fix up the hospitals to show the world how good they were to their prisoners. Mind bending, terrifying...how evil were their tactics.
This book is written without dramatic finesse and flare. It is a quiet presentation of the author's mother's story. It offers no political analysis, nor moral judgment (the author shields the name of the man who betrayed her mother, so his family need not bear any angst about his deeds). It reads like an unblinking invitation to stand witness to the atrocities forced upon those who will not be cowed; to be privy to the drive to keep living, believing against all evidence to the contrary, life does and will push us forward. And, thankfully and kindly, the author ties up the loose ends about the souls about whom she has written throughout.
We all know we must never forget the horrors man can inflict on man. This great little book will not let you forget. Well done, Ms. Taylor. You are your mother's daughter! How lucky we all are to get to know bits and pieces of you both.
June 14, 2022
3.5 Stars
This is a good book told from the perspective of a survivor’s daughter as she pieces together documents from her mother’s archive. Taylor tells the reader when she doesn’t know something and doesn’t create falsehoods to fill in any gaps that do come up. However, Taylor is not a historian nor ever been imprisoned in a concentration camp herself, which is why there are some aspects of this work that fall a little bit flat.
When analyzing the archives, Taylor makes personal connections and is able to imagine what her mother might have been thinking when writing, which she has the right to do as her daughter. It is also what makes this book so charming. However, sometimes there were opportunities to place the sources within wider historical contexts and further explain the situations that Sabine was placed in by the Nazis. (Particularly, I think the word “officer” shouldn’t have been used to describe Gebele who was imprisoned for criminal charges - only for the sake of clarity. There is also several histories which document the privileged positions criminals were in in concentration camps).
Taylor also lacked some perspective when it came to the situations that prisoners found themselves in in the concentration camps. Privileged prisoners are often discussed in memory-based texts written by survivors (Borowski, Levi, Birenbaum, Szmaglewska, Molnar-Hegedus, Lengyel, etc.), but as someone who was never imprisoned in a concentration camp, in her discussions about the kapos, Taylor expresses judgement about these women (for more on judgement and the Holocaust, Primo Levi’s essay “The Gray Zone” is essential reading). Taylor also borders on anti-Gypsyism in her discussion about the Roma prisoners and suggests they were all sex workers. Anti-Gypsyism in Holocaust literature has had detrimental impacts to the post-war experiences of Roma and Sinti and contemporary experiences (such as in Britain, where Taylor resides).
As for the writing in general, it was great. It was personable and as a reader, I was able to connect with the mother and daughter relationship. I think there were some issues with pacing. The chapters were all very short and ended abruptly - I think they would’ve been better put into sections - ie. one for Gebele’s letters, one for jail. Taylor (mostly) sticks to her lane. There are somethings that could be added (historical analysis) and others that should be taken away (judgement, anti-Gypsyism). This book is also the story of others who might otherwise be forgotten with the passage of time, like Taro. This is a great first-hand account of a woman part of the Dutch resistance during WW2.
This is a good book told from the perspective of a survivor’s daughter as she pieces together documents from her mother’s archive. Taylor tells the reader when she doesn’t know something and doesn’t create falsehoods to fill in any gaps that do come up. However, Taylor is not a historian nor ever been imprisoned in a concentration camp herself, which is why there are some aspects of this work that fall a little bit flat.
When analyzing the archives, Taylor makes personal connections and is able to imagine what her mother might have been thinking when writing, which she has the right to do as her daughter. It is also what makes this book so charming. However, sometimes there were opportunities to place the sources within wider historical contexts and further explain the situations that Sabine was placed in by the Nazis. (Particularly, I think the word “officer” shouldn’t have been used to describe Gebele who was imprisoned for criminal charges - only for the sake of clarity. There is also several histories which document the privileged positions criminals were in in concentration camps).
Taylor also lacked some perspective when it came to the situations that prisoners found themselves in in the concentration camps. Privileged prisoners are often discussed in memory-based texts written by survivors (Borowski, Levi, Birenbaum, Szmaglewska, Molnar-Hegedus, Lengyel, etc.), but as someone who was never imprisoned in a concentration camp, in her discussions about the kapos, Taylor expresses judgement about these women (for more on judgement and the Holocaust, Primo Levi’s essay “The Gray Zone” is essential reading). Taylor also borders on anti-Gypsyism in her discussion about the Roma prisoners and suggests they were all sex workers. Anti-Gypsyism in Holocaust literature has had detrimental impacts to the post-war experiences of Roma and Sinti and contemporary experiences (such as in Britain, where Taylor resides).
As for the writing in general, it was great. It was personable and as a reader, I was able to connect with the mother and daughter relationship. I think there were some issues with pacing. The chapters were all very short and ended abruptly - I think they would’ve been better put into sections - ie. one for Gebele’s letters, one for jail. Taylor (mostly) sticks to her lane. There are somethings that could be added (historical analysis) and others that should be taken away (judgement, anti-Gypsyism). This book is also the story of others who might otherwise be forgotten with the passage of time, like Taro. This is a great first-hand account of a woman part of the Dutch resistance during WW2.
January 18, 2024
There is no doubt this is a book about a very courageous woman who went through mistreatment in several concentration camps; however, if I would have known the book's focus was mostly on that and not what she did as a member of the Dutch Resistance, I would not have picked up the book. I find it very difficult reading about man's inhumanity to man in such a huge amount of detail, as in this book. I have read many books on the holocaust, and there's no doubt in my mind how important it is to know these stories, but I also know that the stories about the resistance number less , and I find so much inspiration in reading about what people did creatively to get out of the situations they were put into, rather than the consequences of being punished in the concentration camps. This type of reading is just not for me --- but I did learn a lot here about how the Germans took over Holland so quickly, how long it took to open up and free the concentration camps and how the Germans spent a huge amount of time trying to get rid of the evidence of what happened, including killing so many more people when the war was supposed to be all over. There was a huge amount of time spent on letters from a manipulative guy named Gebel who latched on to Sabine and stalked her, but because he was a German who was imprisoned by his own people for being a murderer, he had some German friends and could use those connections to help Sabine (he saved her life) and her Dr. friend, and others. So that was an interesting sidebar to Sabine's story, i.e. to know that people like that existed. It was too bad all of that was done through letters, which made it less interesting to follow --- I skipped a lot through those letters. Overall, there was a lot of repetition in the book, little amount of surety of the stories, a lot of letters, out of sequence action so hard to follow at times, many names that were tough to follow, so i guess I can say the style was not helpful here. It seemed a book her daughter wanted to write for the family, and then someone decided to publish it because of the courage of the main character and that she deserved a book --- and I totally agree with that. Sabine's story deserved to be told. But i wish the book was more about what she had done in the dutch resistance than the long years in the concentration camps.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews