Plot summary, “The Art of Resistance” by Justus Rosenberg in 3 Minutes - Book Review
0"The Art of Resistance" by Justus Rosenberg is a memoir that chronicles Rosenberg's remarkable experiences during World War II. Born in 1921 in Danzig, Rosenberg, a German-American Holocaust survivor and literature professor, shares the challenges he faced as a young man when his family, part of the integrated Jewish community in Danzig, became increasingly concerned about rising anti-Semitism with the ascent of the Nazis.
Sent to study abroad in France by his parents, Rosenberg found himself cut off from his family and penniless when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. Fleeing Paris just before its fall, he embarked on a journey to Toulouse but was confronted with the occupation of the country. Circumstances led him to Marseille, where he became involved with Varian Fry, an American aiding intellectuals in escaping Nazi-occupied Europe.
Rosenberg's role as a courier and his ability to blend in due to his appearance and fluency in French became instrumental in helping notable Europeans escape via Spain. However, with the situation becoming more dangerous, Rosenberg faced challenges crossing the border into Spain, leading to his arrest and return to France. Through a series of fortunate events and the assistance of the Resistance, he managed to escape from a transit camp, avoiding transport to a labor camp in Poland.
Joining the Resistance, Rosenberg played various roles, including gathering intelligence on German troops' insignia, recovering airdropped arms, and participating in guerrilla activities against German convoys. In 1944, he encountered American soldiers and eventually joined the 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion as a scout, guide, and translator.
After the war, Rosenberg returned to the Sorbonne and worked with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. He learned that his family had survived the Holocaust, having escaped Germany on an undocumented ship and been interned on Mauritius. The memoir reflects on Rosenberg's survival, attributing it to a "confluence of circumstance." It provides a gripping account of his journey, highlighting the resilience and resourcefulness that played a crucial role in his wartime experiences.