Unbroken Will: The Extraordinary Courage of an Ordinary Man

I had the privilege of meeting Leopold Engleitner in person at the Austrian Embassy in Washington DC last year. The Austrian government was belatedly honoring him for his stand against Nazi brutality over 60 years ago. Though in a wheelchair and nearly one hundred years old, he exuded an inner strength that compelled him to share his experiences, while he still had a chance to do so. This book does a nice job of letting you get to know Leopold without having to go to Austria to do so.

Leopold Engleitner was indeed an ordinary man who faced brutal persecution at the hands of the Nazi regime, and for what? Because he was a peaceable man who refused to kill anyone. He suffered interment in three concentration camps where he endured deprivation and abuse such as few have survived and emerged free of animosity toward his captors. How could he do this? He was sustained by his implicit faith in Jehovah God. I was spellbound by the fact that while I was growing up carefree and happy in this country, this man was being treated worse than any animal should be treated. This is a 'must read' for anyone who believes there's even a small chance that something like this could happen again. It shows what we must do to survive.

Leobold Engleitner is the greatest (besides Jesus himself) example of faith, strengh, and endurance. He certainly took to heart the scripture that states " You must Worship Jehovah your god with you whole heart, whole mind and whole soul". If only the whole world had his strengh to reject the devil and his "system of things"! Just think where we could be! A must read!

Faith, courage, honor - that is the essence of Unbroken Will. In the face of the worst brutality of the Nazi Third Reich, Leopold Engleitner kept his faith and principles intact. His experiences are accompanied by wit, a strongly positive view of his fellow man and even a sense of humor which win any reader over to love this powerful yet gentle man. Bernhard Rammerstorfer's biography is painstakingly and thoroughly researched to bring to light some otherwise unknown facts of history. Why would Himmler plan the release from camps of prisoners he had hitherto relentlessly tried to break of their allegiance to their God, Jehovah - a stand that was perceived as a serious threat to Nazi ideology? Rammerstorfer reveals a surprising secret found in Himmler's correspondence. Leopold Engleitner is one of the most compelling heroes of the concentration camps, and his story is a remarkable episode of bravery. Unbroken Will is best read in conjuction with viewing the documentary film of the same title available as a DVD. To see the actual character is very moving and rounds out the account. This story must be read.

Excellent portrayal of courage and faith, a living example for all to imitate.