Once We Were Brothers

A Novel

By: Ronald H. Balson

Narrated by: Fred Berman

The gripping tale about two boys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust.

Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and wealthy philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto Piatek, the Butcher of Zamosc. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser is convinced he is right and engages attorney Catherine Lockhart to bring Rosenzweig to justice. Solomon persuades attorney Catherine Lockhart to take his case, revealing that the true Piatek was abandoned as a child and raised by Solomon's own family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation. But has Solomon accused the right man?

Once We Were Brothers is Ronald H. Balson's compelling tale of two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland, and a young love that struggles to endure the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. Two lives, two worlds, and sixty years converge in an explosive race to redemption that makes for a moving and powerful tale of love, survival, and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit.

Critic reviews

“This is as compelling a story as you would ever want to read...This book is different in its passion and its presentation. It is worth your time and you won't be disappointed. Once We Were Brothers is a new look at an old story, and it will stay with you long after you have finished it.” —Jackie K Cooper, Huffington Post

“The phenomenal triumph of lawyer-author John Grisham's legal thrillers has spawned surprisingly few successful emulators; however, Chicago attorney Balson's first novel, while featuring a young lawyer heroine, Catherine Lockhart, who sees her bar admission as a license to further justice, is no simple imitation of Grisham's entertaining potboilers..., this novel is uplifting and moving, intelligently written and featuring historically accurate context and an unusual insight into human character and motivations. Highly recommended for all readers.” —Starred Library Journal Review

“Balson does a number of things superbly: he crafts a highly readable plotline and makes great use of the Chicago backdrop…many will enjoy this gripping novel for its narrative drive and its emotional storytelling.” —Booklist Review

“The author describes the atrocities of wartime Poland and the beautiful, eternal romance between Ben Solomon and his wife, Hannah. Balson's first novel is hard to put down.” —The Jewish Book World

“A legal thriller...a reader knows he's writing from the inside. ” —Chicago Jewish Star

I'm SOBBING, Absolutely Fantastic

I've been studying the Holocaust for 10 years, and this was brilliant historical fiction. Marvelous.

Great story.

This book has a great story to tell. I could not put it down. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Puts your feet right there among the family and neighbors.

Take any town USA, any average family; keep them in your mind while listening to this book. With that you will grasp first hand how Nazism overtook good common folk and twisted them into pliable, compliant sheeple.
We have the luxury of hind sight for this we know how it all turns out for the Nazis of course. I found myself cringe at decisions made, risks taken by the characters. Of course the characters don’t know, and that’s true to life.
The writer unfolds the drama slowly and builds it faster and faster until you aren’t sure what’s going to happen.
I was delighted and surprised how well written this story is. It’s near to an autobiographical of a survivors recant with richly full bodied supporting characters who bring forth a more complete picture.
I came away thinking of my own family and neighbors. How good those people are to me. It doesn’t seem possible anything like that as described in this story could ever happen to me or them. Then again, it did happen to people just like us exactly like us as described in history.

Inspiring and entertaining

The storyline was intriguing regarding the Identification of a Nazi. Although it is a bleak subject, the book is uplifting. It provides an interesting way to learn World War II history, as well as lessons of morality and standing up for good. The various voices made for an entertaining listening experience. As a daughter of two Holocaust survivors, I would recommend this book as an educational tool. Never forget.

Prepare your heart

Please listen to this book. It's beautifully written, beautifully narrated, simply beautiful. Entertaining, catchy. Excellent. But prepare your heart: some tears are very likely to come along. Very worthy, though.