The Boy in the Woods

A True Story of Survival During the Second World War

By: Maxwell Smart

Narrated by: Mack Gordon

The astonishing true story of a boy who survived the war by hiding in the Polish forest

Maxwell Smart was eleven years old when his entire family was killed before his eyes. He might have died along with them, but his mother selflessly ordered him to save himself. Alone in the forest, he dug a hole in the ground for shelter and foraged for food in farmers’ fields. His clothes in rags and close to starvation, he repeatedly escaped death at the hands of Nazis and Ukrainian thugs.

After months alone, Maxwell encountered a boy wandering in the forest looking for food. Janek was also alone; like Maxwell he had just become an orphan, and the two quickly became friends. They built a bunker in the ground to survive through the winter. One day, after a massacre took place nearby, the boys discovered a baby girl, still alive, lying in the arms of her dead mother. Maxwell and Janek rescued the baby, but this act came at a great cost.

Max’s epic tale of heroism will inspire with its proof of the enduring human spirit. From the brutality of war emerges a man who would become a celebrated artist, offering the world, in contrast to the horrors of his suffering, beautiful works of art. The Boy in the Woods is a remarkable historical document about a time that should never be forgotten.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Good listen

I listened to the entire book on my drive today. Was great listen, I urned to hear more about his time in the woods.

Remember the Past As Not To Repeat

This book is a quick read. Many years pass very quickly. I would have liked to hear more details of the many years the boy lived in the woods. I am happy to have read the book though. The hate being brought upon the Jewish again in 2022 is a reminder to look back at history and remember it can happen again so very easily.

Incredible and moving

Deeply powerful. Thank you for telling your story. It has left its mark on my heart.

True history

Boring at times, very interesting at times. The narration took away from it for me. I was very happy that the author found his "auntie", Janek's family, and the baby he and Janek had saved. it is truly amazing that this young boy survived the brutality of WW II. It is a sad account and yet a happy one too of a time when the world was a very dangerous place and this young boy/man put humanity into an inhumane world.