The Boys in the Light

Praise for The Boys in the Light:“A powerful and eminently readable story of a concentration camp survivor and his American rescuers.“—Kirkus (starred)“In this beautifully braided story of heroic World War II tank crews and two remarkable Holocaust survivors, Nina Willner reveals the best and worst of humanity – and the best triumphs. The Boys in the Light is a magnificent work of narrative nonfiction, true to the past and essential for the present.”—Mitchell Zuckoff, New York Times bestselling author of Lost in Shangri-La and 13 Hours“In The Boys in the Light Nina Willner tells the extraordinary story of her father’s journey from scion of a middle-class German-Jewish family to teenage Auschwitz escapee to “little brother” of American tankers in the last year of World War II. Deeply researched and wonderfully written, it is a story of love, loss, courage and wartime friendships that ultimately spanned decades. It is also that all-too-rare literary accomplishment—history that is both engrossing and inspirational. Highly recommended.”—Stephen Harding, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Battle“Nina Willner tells the epic and heartfelt story of two Jewish boys—one of them her father—who miraculously escaped the horrors of a Nazi death camp and went on a desperate trek to freedom in a war-torn landscape. A rescue story for the ages.“—Bruce Henderson, New York Times bestselling author of Sons and Soldiers and Midnight Flyboys“With this beautifully composed drama of war-torn Europe, of U.S. soldiers rescuing Jews from the Holocaust, and of the post-war American dreams they all shared, Nina Willner has woven the personal story of a family with the history of global conflict to produce a work of faith and redemption.”—Craig Nelson, author of The First Heroes, Pearl Harbor, and V is for Victory“A gripping, deeply human story of resilience, brotherhood, and moral clarity, The Boys in the Light reminds us why the fight against hatred and indifference still matters today.”—David Chrisinger, author of The Soldier’s Truth“Quite simply, one of the finest World War II books I have ever read. The Boys in the Light is a remarkable story of depravity, inhumanity, perseverance, and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit, combined with the sheer altruistic common decency that shows America as it can and should be.“—John C. McManus Ph.D, author of Hell Before Their Very Eyes“Wordsmith Nina Willner has crafted a story of startling immediacy, almost as though she were an eyewitness to the horrors that took place at Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Blechhammer, and on World War II’s front lines. Like a fine novelist, she has created characters that are fully fleshed-out—yet the people she writes about are real, not fictitious, and the reader can feel the cold, the sting of battle, and the fear. The Boys In The Light is a remarkable achievement.”—Flint Whitlock, author of The Beasts of Buchenwald“The incredible, true story of her father, Eddie Willner, a German Jew who survived the horrors of the Holocaust. This gripping narrative intertwines a deeply human tale of resilience, unity, and moral strength with a timeless reflection on the fight against hatred…A powerful testament to humanity and perseverance, The Boys in the Light is an unmissable story for WWII–history enthusiasts.”—Booklist

Nina Willner is the author of Forty Autumns, which Publishers Weekly called “a thrilling and relevant read,” and which is still being feverishly read by book clubs eight years post-publication. Prior to her writing career, Nina was a U.S. Army intelligence officer who served in Berlin during the Cold War. Following her career in intelligence, Nina worked in Moscow, Minsk, Prague, Ottawa, and Istanbul promoting human rights, children’s causes, and the rule of law for the U.S. government, nonprofits, and a variety of charities. She is married, has three grown children, and after a life living abroad, has settled in Washington, DC. Her father, Eddie Willner, survived the Holocaust, and this is his story.