The Endless Steppe

Growing Up in Siberia

By: Esther Hautzig

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Poland, 1940. The Russian army invades the beautiful city streets of Vilna. Soldiers storm 10-year-old Esther Rudomin's house and arrest her entire family. The Rudomins, the soldiers say, are "capitalists - enemies of the people".

Forced from their home and friends, the Rudomins are herded onto crowded cattle cars. Their destination: the endless steppe of Siberia. For five years, Esther and her family live in exile, weeding potato fields and working in mines, fighting against all odds to stay alive. It is not an easy life. But through it all, Esther sustains the hope that one day she will return to Poland - and to freedom.

A National Book Award finalist, The Endless Steppe is the true story of Esther Rudomin Hautzig's girlhood in World War II Siberia. For over 25 years, this extraordinary book has touched the hearts of young people around the world with its vivid portrayal of life during World War II and its inspiring testament to the power of hope in the harshest conditions.

©1968 Esther Hautzig (P)1995 Recorded Books

What life is like on the stepps

This is a good book for all ages.
It is day today like in a gulag, forced labor camp.

Love true stories overcoming incredible hardships

What made the experience of listening to The Endless Steppe the most enjoyable?

Well written-fabulously interesting- warm characters and loved the speaker

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ester

Which scene was your favorite?

Description of Siberia as it was
Understanding the ominous beauty and silence of the Steppe

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A tragic blessing

Any additional comments?

Wonderful story full of heart and reality

Not just for children

I listed to this book before sharing with my kids and it should be heard by any 10+ and maybe even a listen again at different ages. (The things we see as a parent are different as a child.)

This should be required reading in schools, history that should not be forgotten.

Performance was spot on. The pace was slow and steady but felt right for the store and like I was hearing Esther herself tell it as a young girl.

great story

this is a great, however, the chapters are not according to recording. you may find 2 or 3 chapters recorded in 1.

An absolutely wonderful book!

An excellent true story of a family exiled to Siberia during WWII, told from the young girl's perspective. I thought it enjoyable narration.