Defiant, The

Fifty years ago, while recuperating in an Israeli hospital, a young Polish refugee wrote at length about his remarkable experiences in war-torn Europe. When done, his notes were set aside as he built a new life for himself, his wife, and their children. Then, in 1995, Shalom Yoran came across his own long-forgotten writings and, realizing their importance, completed his work. The Defiant is his extraordinary memoir. The Defiant is a true story of survival and courage in the darkest days of Nazi-occupied Poland. It is the personal account of a young man who refused to yield to the German onslaught, and instead chose to become a Jewish resistance fighter. The book chronicles the bravery of a group of men and women who carried on a forest war, using antiquated guns and living on instinct. From the brutal behavior of Polish peasants to the constant bombardment of German air raids, from the questionable orders of anti-Semitic commanders to direct confrontations with storm troopers, the author sheds light on events that few know of in this country.

Yoran has written a unique holocaust account that is fresh, powerful, and rich in detail. Here is the amazing story of a handful of courageous men and women who fought against incredible odds--and triumphed.

Shalom Yoran was born in Raciaz, Poland in 1922. In 1939, his life changed forever when his father and mother were killed by the Nazis. For the next six years, he and his brother, Musio, fought as partisans against the German war machine. In 1946, Mr. Yoran moved to Israel (then called Palestine), to begin a new life. For seven years, he served as an officer in the Israeli Air Force. For the next thirty years, he worked in the aircraft industry as both a top executive and a highly sought-after consultant. Today, the author and his wife, Varda, live in the United States.