King's Ransom

History is so rich in lessons, yet so boring when presented incorrectly. (Or was I the only one who nodded off in Social Studies classes?) In "King's Ransom," the authors bring to life a little known section of WWII history. Bulgaria seems distant and exotic, even inaccessible, but this book clears all these hurdles and makes the country seem rich in character and color. The book opens and closes with thoughts of an old man, a former guard for WWII's King Boris of Bulgaria. The story itself unfolds through the years of Hitler's occupation. We get to see the internal struggles of the king as he tried to placate Hitler, while keeping his own people alive. Bulgaria, caught on all sides by extreme pressure, faced violence and death. Somehow, with political acumen, King Boris managed to walk a tightrope that, ultimately, protected thousands of Jews from extermination. The authors do a wonderful job of portraying the king's struggles, as well as the travails of the common people. You'll find suspense, romance, intrigue, and spiritual strength here. Although it starts off with a lot of information to assimilate, it quickly settles into a nicely paced tale of this oft-neglected country. I read the story while on a trip to Romania, and had the privilege of passing on the book to an actual Bulgarian woman. She was so impressed that her history was covered in this fashion. The joy on her face even surpassed the enjoyment I found between the pages.

Hitler returned to Bulgaria the farming and grazing lands of Dobrudja, which had been taken away from the country when the victors carved up Europe just after World War I. He also gave to Bulgaria's Tsar Boris III, Thracia and Macedonia to control. More to the point through diplomacy, Bulgaria avoided invasion although Boris understood the tightrope he walked on as he had to pacify his ally Hitler while not making an enemy of Russia. When the laws regarding the Jews were implemented, Tsar Boris was forced to apply them to maintain the peace with Hitler. Bulgarians in his government enthusiastically carried out the laws forcing Jews to wear the star. When Jews were rounded up to place in camps, Boris said no as he needed them to work in Bulgaria, saving lives. His final stand was refusing to join Germany in the war with Russia. Not long afterward Boris died, but to this day Eastern Europeans remember his courage and actions saved a beleaguered race at least in his nation. This is a wonderful fictionalized account of a ruler who balanced the threats of Fascist Germany and Communist Russia in order to keep the devastation of war from destroying his small nation. His courage surfaces when he refuses to send the Bulgarian Jews to the concentration camps in Poland. He died a beloved remembered hero. Harriet Klausner

Based on a true story, "King's Ransom" is set in Bulgaria during WWII. Tsar Boris III is in the midst of trying to save his country's fifty thousand Jews from Hitler's regime and to save his country from becoming crushed between the allies and the Third Reich. During this crisis, Tsar Boris III leads his country with wisdom and poise. Interwoven in his quest is the passionate love story of his personal body guard, Dobri, and the Queen's Jewish confidant, Daria. "King's Ransom" tells how individuals faced with unimaginable fear can use their faith to change history. ***** Remarkable story that is very well written. It does not take long for you to find yourself caught up in the lives of these courageous people. A MUST to read! ***** Reviewed by K. Blair for Huntress Reviews.