Judy Batalion

One of the most important stories of World War II, already optioned by Steven Spielberg for a major motion picture: a spectacular, searing history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who became resistance fighters--a group of unknown heroes whose exploits have never been chronicled in full, until now. Witnesses to the brutal murder of their families and neighbors and the violent destruction of their communities, a cadre of Jewish women in Poland--some still in their teens--helped transform the Jewish youth groups into resistance cells to fight the Nazis. With courage, guile, and nerves of steel, these "ghetto girls" paid off Gestapo guards, hid revolvers in loaves of bread and jars of marmalade, and helped build systems of underground bunkers. They flirted with German soldiers, bribed them with wine, whiskey, and home cooking, used their Aryan looks to seduce them, and shot and killed them. They bombed German train lines and blew up a town's water supply. They also nursed the sick and taught children. Yet the exploits of these courageous resistance fighters have remained virtually unknown. As propulsive and thrilling as Hidden Figures, In the Garden of Beasts, Band of Brothers, and A Train in Winter, The Light of Days at last tells the true story of these incredible women whose courageous yet little-known feats have been eclipsed by time. Judy Batalion--the granddaughter of Polish Holocaust survivors--takes us back to 1939 and introduces us to Renia Kukielka, a weapons smuggler and messenger who risked death traveling across occupied Poland on foot and by train. Joining Renia are other women who served as couriers, armed fighters, intelligence agents, and saboteurs, all who put their lives in mortal danger to carry out their missions. Batalion follows these women through the savage destruction of the ghettos, arrest and internment in Gestapo prisons and concentration camps, and for a lucky few--like Renia, who orchestrated her own audacious escape from a brutal Nazi jail--into the late 20th century and beyond. Powerful and inspiring, featuring twenty black-and-white photographs, The Light of Days is an unforgettable true tale of war, the fight for freedom, exceptional bravery, female friendship, and survival in the face of staggering odds.

The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos

The Light of Days

Judy Batalion grew up in a house filled with endless piles of junk, obsessively gathered and stored by her hoarder mother. The first chance she had, she escaped the clutter to create a new identity - one made of order, regimen and clean white walls. Until, one day, she found herself enmeshed in life's biggest chaos: motherhood. Told with heartbreaking honesty and humour, this is Judy's poignant account of her trials negotiating the messiness of motherhood and the indelible marks that mothers and daughters make on each other's lives.

A Memoir about Motherhood, Daughterhood, and the Mess in Between

White Walls

Light of Days Young Readers' Edition

«Una investigación excepcional, fascinante.» The Wall Street Journal «Vibra de orgullo y rabia.» The New York Times Book Review «Conmovedor, inquietante y magníficamente contado.» The Economist Varsovia, 1943. Testigos del brutal asesinato de sus familias y vecinos y de la destrucción violenta de sus comunidades, un grupo de mujeres judías en Polonia, algunas todavía en la adolescencia, ayudaron a transformar a los grupos de jóvenes judíos en células de resistencia para luchar contra los nazis. Con valor, astucia y nervios de acero, estas "chicas del gueto" sobornaron a los guardias de la Gestapo, escondieron revólveres en hogazas de pan y ayudaron a construir sistemas de búnkeres subterráneos. Actuaron como correos, combatientes y agentes de inteligencia. Sobornaron a los soldados alemanes con vino, whisky y cocina casera, usaron su aspecto ario para seducirlos, y les dispararon y los mataron. Esta obra finalmente saca a la luz la historia de estas increíbles mujeres cuyas hazañas han sido eclipsadas por el tiempo. Judy Batalion, nieta de supervivientes polacos, nos lleva de regreso a 1939 y nos presenta a la joven Renia Kukielka, una contrabandista de armas y mensajera que se juega la vida al cruzar la Polonia ocupada a pie y en tren, y a tantas otras mujeres que pusieron sus vidas en peligro para llevar a cabo sus misiones. Tan trepidante como inspiradora, Hijas de la Resistencia es una historia inolvidable sobre la lucha por la libertad, la amistad femenina y la supervivencia, y una investigación tan apasionante como necesaria.

La historia desconocida de las mujeres que lucharon contra los nazis

Hijas de la Resistencia

Uma das mais importantes histórias até agora não contadas da Segunda Guerra Mundial. As Resistentes traz para a luz do dia os feitos extraordinários e corajosos de um grupo de mulheres judias que se tornaram combatentes da Resistência. Testemunhas do brutal assassínio das suas famílias e da violenta destruição das suas comunidades, um grupo de mulheres judias na Polónia – algumas ainda adolescentes – tornaram-se o coração de uma vasta rede de resistência que lutou contra os nazis. Com coragem, astúcia e nervos de aço, estas "raparigas do gueto" esconderam revólveres dentro de pães, mensagens codificadas nos seus cabelos, ajudaram a construir sistemas de bunkers subterrâneos e esconderam milhares de judeus em refúgios seguros. Namoriscaram soldados alemães, subornaram-nos com vinho e uísque, usaram a sua aparência para os seduzir e matar. Dinamitaram vias férreas e sabotaram as linhas de abastecimento alemãs. Judy Batalion, neta de sobreviventes polacos do Holocausto, leva-nos até 1939 para nos apresentar Renia Kukielka, que arrisca a sua vida a viajar, a pé ou de comboio, pela Polónia ocupada. Batalion segue a vida de Renia e todas estas outras incríveis mulheres que foram contrabandistas, mulheres correio, lutadoras, espiãs, sabotadoras... Poderoso e inspirador, As Resistentes é um relato verdadeiro e inesquecível acerca da luta pela liberdade, da coragem excecional, da amizade entre mulheres e da sobrevivência perante a adversidade.

As Resistentes

This young readers’ edition tells the remarkable story, largely forgotten until now, of the young Jewish women who became resistance fighters against the Nazis during World War II. It has already been optioned by Steven Spielberg for a major motion picture. As their communities were being destroyed, groups of Jewish women and teenage girls across Poland began transforming Jewish youth groups into resistance factions. These “ghetto girls” helped build systems of underground bunkers, paid off the Gestapo, and bombed German train lines. At the center of the book is eighteen-year-old Renia Kukielka, who traveled across her war-torn country as a weapons smuggler and messenger. Other women who joined the cause served as armed fighters, spies, and saboteurs, all risking their lives for their missions. Never before chronicled in full, this is the incredible account of the strong Jewish women who fought back against the seemingly unstoppable Nazi regime. It follows the women through arrests, internment, and for a lucky few, into the late 20th century and beyond. It also includes a section of black-and-white photos, so that readers can see firsthand the extraordinary women who bravely fought for their freedom in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Light of Days Young Readers' Edition

This young readers' edition tells the remarkable story, largely forgotten until now, of the young Jewish women who became resistance fighters against the Nazis during World War II. It has already been optioned by Steven Spielberg for a major motion picture. As their communities were being destroyed, groups of Jewish women and teenage girls across Poland began transforming Jewish youth groups into resistance factions. These "ghetto girls" helped build systems of underground bunkers, paid off the Gestapo, and bombed German train lines. At the center of the book is eighteen-year-old Renia Kukielka, who traveled across her war-torn country as a weapons smuggler and messenger. Other women who joined the cause served as armed fighters, spies, and saboteurs, all risking their lives for their missions. Never before chronicled in full, this is the incredible account of the strong Jewish women who fought back against the seemingly unstoppable Nazi regime. It follows the women through arrests, internment, and for a lucky few, into the late 20th century and beyond. It also includes an eight-page insert of black-and-white photos, so that readers can see firsthand the extraordinary women who bravely fought for their freedom in the face of overwhelming odds.

A luz dos dias, traz a ainda desconhecida história das mulheres judias polonesas que lutaram contra nazistas durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial para proteger o seu povo. Na Polônia, durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, mulheres — algumas ainda adolescentes — ajudaram a transformar grupos juvenis judeus em células de resistência. O objetivo: combater os nazistas responsáveis pela destruição violenta da comunidade em que viviam. Em sua maioria, elas desempenhavam a função de "mensageiras", atividade essencial para a operação dos grupos. Mas o trabalho ia muito além da transmissão de informações: elas eram agentes de inteligência, envolvendo-se em missões extremamente arriscadas. Com coragem e astúcia, essas "mulheres do gueto" atuaram como verdadeiras combatentes durante o Holocausto. Disfarçadas de arianas, infiltraram-se em escritórios da Gestapo; ajudaram a construir bunkers subterrâneos e bombardearam linhas de trem alemãs. Resistiram a sessões de tortura e orquestraram fugas inacreditáveis. Contrabandearam documentos de identidade falsificados, dinheiro, publicações clandestinas e armas. Além disso, cuidaram dos doentes, acolheram as crianças e ajudaram a esconder e a proteger famílias inteiras. No entanto, as façanhas dessas guerrilheiras permaneceram praticamente desconhecidas ao longo dos anos. Agora, a história de vida delas é finalmente compartilhada com o grande público, neste best-seller do New York Times, vencedor dos prêmios National Jewish Book Award e Canadian Jewish Literary Award, entre outros. Por meio de uma escrita envolvente e emocionante, em A luz dos dias, Judy Batalion preenche uma lacuna histórica ao se comprometer com uma profunda pesquisa sobre as vivências de mulheres dignas de reconhecimento. Poderosa e inspiradora, esta é uma obra necessária, que honra a memória de combatentes da resistência judaica silenciadas por tantos anos. Um impactante relato de guerra, luta pela liberdade, bravura e sororidade. "Orgulho e intensidade pulsantes" – The New York Times "Bem pesquisado e fascinante" – The Wall Street Journal "Emocionante, assombroso e contado de amneira extraordinária" – The Economist "Escrito com paixão. (...) A pesquisa de Batalion é prodigiosa, e sua dedicação à História é certa e comovente." – Boston Globe "Uma pesquisa brilhante. (...) Uma grande celebração do espírito feminino." – Los Angeles Review of Books "Uma história contundente de judias que lutaram contra os invasores alemães na Segunda Guerra Mundial. Em uma narrativa vigorosa baseada em entrevistas, diários e outras fontes, Batalion oferece uma visão objetiva de eventos passados que estão sendo esquecidos muito rapidamente — e uma história que precisava muito ser contada." – Kirkus Review "Incrível. (...) Uma leitura profundamente comovente e de tirar o fôlego." – Haaretz

A luz dos dias

With contributions by leading scholars, writers and comedians in the USA, the UK and Canada, The Laughing Stalk: Live Comedy and Its Audiences focuses on the dynamics of audience behavior. Performers, writers, historians, producers, and theorists explore the practice and reception of live comedy performance, including cultural and historical variations in comedy audience conduct, the reception of “low” versus “high” comedy, and the differences between televised and live jokes. Contributors reflect on the subjectivity of audience members and the spread of affect, as well as the two-way relationship between joker and listener. They investigate race, sexuality and gender in humor, and contemplate the comedy club as a distinct spatial and emotional environment. The Laughing Stalk: Live Comedy and Its Audiences includes excerpts and scripts from Michael Frayne’s Audience and Andrea Fraser’s Inaugural Speech. Judy Batalion interviews noted comic writers, performers, and theater designers, including Iain Mackintosh, Shazia Mirza, Julia Chamberlain, Scott Jacobson, and Andrea Fraser. Sarah Boyes contributes a short photographic essay on comedy clubbers. Essay contributors include Alice Rayner, Matthew Daube, Lesley Harbidge, Gavin Butt, Diana Solomon, Rebecca Krefting, Kevin McCarron, Nile Seguin, Elizabeth Klaver, Frances Gray, AL Kennedy, Kélina Gotman, and Samuel Godin. The comedy duo of Sable & Batalion share their conclusions about audience responses to hip-hop theater.

Live Comedy and Its Audiences

The Laughing Stalk

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Also on the USA Today, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Globe and Mail, Publishers Weekly, and Indie bestseller lists. One of the most important stories of World War II, already optioned by Steven Spielberg for a major motion picture: a spectacular, searing history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who became resistance fighters—a group of unknown heroes whose exploits have never been chronicled in full, until now. Witnesses to the brutal murder of their families and neighbors and the violent destruction of their communities, a cadre of Jewish women in Poland—some still in their teens—helped transform the Jewish youth groups into resistance cells to fight the Nazis. With courage, guile, and nerves of steel, these “ghetto girls” paid off Gestapo guards, hid revolvers in loaves of bread and jars of marmalade, and helped build systems of underground bunkers. They flirted with German soldiers, bribed them with wine, whiskey, and home cooking, used their Aryan looks to seduce them, and shot and killed them. They bombed German train lines and blew up a town’s water supply. They also nursed the sick, taught children, and hid families. Yet the exploits of these courageous resistance fighters have remained virtually unknown. As propulsive and thrilling as Hidden Figures, In the Garden of Beasts, and Band of Brothers, The Light of Days at last tells the true story of these incredible women whose courageous yet little-known feats have been eclipsed by time. Judy Batalion—the granddaughter of Polish Holocaust survivors—takes us back to 1939 and introduces us to Renia Kukielka, a weapons smuggler and messenger who risked death traveling across occupied Poland on foot and by train. Joining Renia are other women who served as couriers, armed fighters, intelligence agents, and saboteurs, all who put their lives in mortal danger to carry out their missions. Batalion follows these women through the savage destruction of the ghettos, arrest and internment in Gestapo prisons and concentration camps, and for a lucky few—like Renia, who orchestrated her own audacious escape from a brutal Nazi jail—into the late 20th century and beyond. Powerful and inspiring, featuring twenty black-and-white photographs, The Light of Days is an unforgettable true tale of war, the fight for freedom, exceptional bravery, female friendship, and survival in the face of staggering odds.

Judy Batalion

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