The Memoirs of André Trocmé: The Pastor Who Rescued Jews

Silver Medal, 2026, IBPA Book AwardsDiscover the personal memoirs of the pastor that stood up to the Nazis, saved thousands of Jewish lives, and became a renowned peacemaker.“Teaches us how to act when we are sure of nothing. A unique addition to the literature of ethical action during the Holocaust.”—Kirkus ReviewsAndré Trocmé is famous for his role in saving thousands of Jews from the Nazis as pastor of the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, France, a story celebrated in literature and film. But who was the man behind the legend, and the how did he become an international hero and uncompromising advocate of nonviolent resistance?Appearing in English for the first time, his private memoirs give a colorful and honest account of a person determined to stay true to his faith and convictions, who despite his quirks was ready to stand his ground when world history came knocking.Written for his children in the 1950s and first published in French in 2020, these memoirs trace André Trocmé’s extraordinary life: a bourgeois childhood; teenage years as a World War I refugee; studies abroad in New York City, where he met his future wife, Magda, and tutored the Rockefeller children; military service in Algeria, which cemented his pacifist stance; postings as a pastor in depressed areas of France; resisting fascism and hiding Jews in Le Chambon; a brief imprisonment and a stint underground; and globetrotting leadership in the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. Trocmé also reveals the impact of personal tragedies: the untimely death of his mother in a car accident for which his father was responsible and, years later, his teenage son’s suicide.This detailed first-person account from an eyewitness to pivotal moments in history is sure to capture the attention of scholars of the Holocaust, World War II, and domestic resistance to fascism as well as anyone who wants to follow their conscience and the teachings of their faith in trying times.People who enjoyed Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, A Good Place to Hide, We Only Know Men, and the documentary, Weapons of the Spirit, will appreciate reading the story in Trocmé’s own words. Read more