BKMT READING GUIDES

Insightful,
Dramatic,
Inspiring

8 reviews

Once We Were Brothers

by Ronald H Balson

Published: 2010-02-15
Paperback : 384 pages

22 members reading this now
12 clubs reading this now
11 members have read this book

Recommended to book clubs by 8 of 8 members

No other editions available.

Jump to

Introduction

Elliot Rosenzweig, a wealthy Chicago philanthropist, is attending opening night at the opera. Ben Solomon, a retired Polish immigrant, makes his way through the crowd and shoves a gun in Rosenzweig's face, denouncing him as former SS officer, Otto Piatek. Solomon is blind-sided, knocked to the floor and taken away. Rosenzweig uses his enormous influence to get Solomon released from jail, but Solomon commences a relentless pursuit to bring Rosenzweig before the courts to answer for war crimes. Solomon finds a young attorney, Catherine Lockhart, to whom he recounts his family's struggles and heroisms during the war, revealing to her that he and Piatek grew up as brothers in the same household.

Once We Were Brothers is a contemporary legal thriller and a poignant look back into the lives of small town Poland during World War II.

The author, Ronald H. Balson, is a Chicago trial attorney, an educator and writer. His practice has taken him to several international venues, including villages in Poland which have inspired this novel.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

No Excerpt Currently Available

Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

How does this version of the Holocaust compare to other books you have read?

by teachgiftedkids (see profile) 01/21/13

Weblinks

There are no web links at this time.

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 8 of 8 members.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:

"Must read"by Miriam J. (see profile) 09/08/13

An excellent book. Well written. Informative. Couldn't put it down.

"Once We Were Brothers"by Tricia D. (see profile) 01/21/13

This story was creative and persuasive. However, after reading several other books on WWII and the Holocaust (Invisible Bridge, Suite Francaise, City of Thieves), I felt this novel lacked the writing... (read more)

"Beautiful written story"by Allison R. (see profile) 11/11/12

Loved it! Wonderfully written love story wrapped around the holocaust. Educational about what occurred in the part of Europe.

"Once We Were Brothers"by Diane C. (see profile) 10/22/12

Fabulous read! Loved it and couldn't put it down. We actually invited the author to our book club since we are also in Chicago. Very moving and engaging story and characters! Bravo.

"Once We Were Brothers"by Peggy H. (see profile) 08/25/12

From the first page to the very last this book was hard to put down. A legal thriller and a poignant look back into the lives of small town Poland during World War II. The descriptions of Europe and what... (read more)

"Good book"by Judi P. (see profile) 06/26/12

Disturbing but inspiring!

"Once We Were Brothers"by Laura G. (see profile) 06/01/12

A well written novel on another angle of the Holocaust. Our Book Club agreed that this was one of the best books we have written and we could not put it down.

"once we were brothers"by roseann s. (see profile) 06/01/12

well told story, beautifully written

Rate this book

MEMBER LOGIN

Forgot your login/password?

BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Now serving over 80,000 book clubs & ready to welcome yours. Join us and get the Top Book Club Picks of 2022 (so far).

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search

FEATURED EVENTS

PAST AUTHOR CHATS

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more

Please wait...

Member Login