I read a great deal of Holocaust literature - all my life I've tried to get my head around the great cruelties and crimes committed by the Nazis. I chose to read this book to try to find out how any Jews in Warsaw actually survived the entire war, and I gave it a 5-star rating because of its story - told in great detail. It is a true miracle that Leokadia Schmidt's Jewish family of husband, newborn child and self survived through all the years of the war in Warsaw, Poland. They had a strong will to survive and intelligence, a business that supported them and others throughout the war!, some help from friends and employees, a lot of (Providential) "luck". I found the book riveting - and marveled anew at the cruelties of the Nazis and the very occasional kindnesses they encountered in those hellish years, in that hellish situation. Always the author's humanity, her husband's love, and their foundational strength shines through. Very satisfying to think they went to have a good life and another child...the best revenge. ( )