Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson (English) Paperback Book

Description: Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson The gripping tale about two boys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and wealthy philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto Piatek, the Butcher of Zamosc. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser is convinced he is right and engages attorney Catherine Lockhart to bring Rosenzweig to justice. Solomon persuades attorney Catherine Lockhart to take his case, revealing that the true Piatek was abandoned as a child and raised by Solomons own family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation. But has Solomon accused the right man?Once We Were Brothers is Ronald H. Balsons compelling tale of two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland, and a young love that struggles to endure the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. Two lives, two worlds, and sixty years converge in an explosive race to redemption that makes for a moving and powerful tale of love, survival, and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit. Author Biography Ronald H. Balson is a Chicago trial attorney, an educator and a writer. His practice has taken him to several international venues, including villages in Poland that inspired this first novel. Review "This is as compelling a story as you would ever want to read...This book is different in its passion and its presentation. It is worth your time and you wont be disappointed. Once We Were Brothers is a new look at an old story, and it will stay with you long after you have finished it." --Jackie K Cooper, Huffington Post "A novel of survival, justice and redemption... riveting." --Chicago Tribune, on Once We Were Brothers "The phenomenal triumph of lawyer-author John Grishams legal thrillers has spawned surprisingly few successful emulators; however, Chicago attorney Balsons first novel, while featuring a young lawyer heroine, Catherine Lockhart, who sees her bar admission as a license to further justice, is no simple imitation of Grishams entertaining potboilers..., this novel is uplifting and moving, intelligently written and featuring historically accurate context and an unusual insight into human character and motivations. Highly recommended for all readers." --Library Journal (starred) "Balson does a number of things superbly: he crafts a highly readable plotline and makes great use of the Chicago backdrop...many will enjoy this gripping novel for its narrative drive and its emotional storytelling." --Booklist "The author describes the atrocities of wartime Poland and the beautiful, eternal romance between Ben Solomon and his wife, Hannah. Balsons first novel is hard to put down." --The Jewish Book World "A legal thriller...a reader knows hes writing from the inside. " --Chicago Jewish Star Promotional The gripping tale about two boys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust. Review Quote "This is as compelling a story as you would ever want to read...This book is different in its passion and its presentation. It is worth your time and you wont be disappointed. Once We Were Brothers is a new look at an old story, and it will stay with you long after you have finished it." -Jackie K Cooper, Huffington Post "The phenomenal triumph of lawyer-author John Grishams legal thrillers has spawned surprisingly few successful emulators; however, Chicago attorney Balsons first novel, while featuring a young lawyer heroine, Catherine Lockhart, who sees her bar admission as a license to further justice, is no simple imitation of Grishams entertaining potboilers..., this novel is uplifting and moving, intelligently written and featuring historically accurate context and an unusual insight into human character and motivations. Highly recommended for all readers." -Starred Library Journal Review "Balson does a number of things superbly: he crafts a highly readable plotline and makes great use of the Chicago backdrop…many will enjoy this gripping novel for its narrative drive and its emotional storytelling." - Booklist Review "The author describes the atrocities of wartime Poland and the beautiful, eternal romance between Ben Solomong and his life, Hannah. Balsons first novel is hard to put down." - The Jewish Book World "A legal thriller...a reader knows hes writing from the inside." -Chicago Jewish Star Promotional "Headline" The gripping tale about two boys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust. Excerpt from Book ONE Chicago, Illinois, September 2004 BEN SOLOMON STOOD BEFORE his bathroom mirror fumbling with his bow tie. He was eighty-three years old and getting dressed for Judgment Day. Years had come and gone since he had last worn his tuxedo, but then, Judgment Day was a black tie affair. He uttered a Polish phrase to the man in the mirror and reached into his pocket to reexamine his pricey ticket. Lyric Opera of Chicago. Opening Night Gala, September 26, 2004. La Forza del Destino . Main Floor, Aisle 2, Row kk, Seat 103- a seat he did not intend to occupy. Truth be told, he didnt care much for opera. The ticket had set him back five hundred dollars, a goodly sum for a pensioner. He pulled back the cuff of his shirtsleeve to check the time on his watch, a silver-band Citizen given to him when he retired from the Chicago Park District eight years ago. Four thirty-still two hours until the doors would open. He walked into his living room. The windows of his modest one-bedroom apartment faced east, toward Lake Michigan and the row of condominium towers that stretched north in a line from the Loop to Thorndale Avenue like a stand of Midwest corn. The late-afternoon sun laid a track of shadows across Lake Shore Drive and onto the lush grass of the Waveland Golf Course, where hed worked as a starter for almost fifty years. To his right, in the mirrored calm of Belmont Harbor, the luxury cruisers rested comfortably in their slips. He lingered. How he loved that view. He conceded that he might be looking at it for the last time. Once more he checked his appearance in the mirror. He asked Hannah if he looked all right. Was he dapper? He wished she were there to answer. Underneath his sweaters, in the bottom drawer of his bureau, lay a cardboard cigar box. Setting the box on the bureau top, he lifted the lid and removed a German P08 Luger, World War II vintage, in mint condition, purchased at an antique gun show for $1,250. Another hit to his savings account. He stuffed the pistol in his belt beneath his cummerbund. Five oclock. Time to walk to the corner, flag a southbound taxi, and join up with the glitterati at the "undisputed jewel of the social season." TWO IN HIS DRESSING ROOM on the second story of his Winnetka mansion, a generous four-acre estate set high on a bluff overlooking the lake, Elliot Rosenzweig stood fumbling with his cuff links. "Jennifer," he called out, "would you come help me, please?" The young medical student, sparkling in her formal evening gown, breezed into the master suite and to the side of her grandfather, who was grappling with his French cuffs. "Popi, were going to be late if we dont hurry." He watched her hands easily fasten the gold links. So supple, so young. Soon to be a surgeons hands, he thought. "There," she said. Beaming with profound adoration, he kissed her on the forehead. "Im so proud of you," he said. "For fastening your cuffs?" "For being my angel." "I love you, too, Popi." She twirled and headed for the closet door. "Thats a beautiful dress," he called after her. "I like it." "You should," she said over her shoulder, "it cost you a fortune. Nonna bought it for me at Giselles. Its an original. Is Nonna going tonight?" "No, Im afraid not. She has another one of her headaches." He winked. "She hates these public events." Jennifer lifted his Armani jacket from the hanger and held it for him as he slipped his arms through the sleeves. Smiling, she gave a short tug on his lapels and took a step back. "You look very handsome tonight." She kissed him on his cheek. "Now we need to go. All our friends are waiting." Together, hand in hand, they joined the rest of their entourage under the pink stone portico where the group filed into two limousines that would carry them downtown to the Civic Opera House. The iron security gates parted and the white limousines glided forward onto Sheridan Road and toward Chicagos Loop. THREE FESTIVAL BANNERS HUNG FROM the art deco columns of the Civic Opera Houses mezzanine and multicolored buntings looped from the balustrades, all gaily surrounding the opera celebrants gathered in the foyer below. Costumed servers carried champagne and hors doeuvres on silver platters. In the corner, a subgroup of the Lyric Orchestra played selections from Rossini overtures. Raising her voice to be heard above the din of conversations, Jennifer asked, "How many years have you been coming to opening night, Popi?" She smiled as she accepted a canapé from an Elizabethan palace guard. "Since 1958, angel. Although in those days they didnt pay so much attention to me." "You mean you werent a Platinum Grand Benefactor?" "I always gave what I could to support the arts, but…" His answer was interrupted by the approach of Chicagos mayor and first lady, who were being shuttled about by Lyrics artistic director. "Its nice to see you again, Elliot. Youre looking well." "Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think you know my granddaughter, Jennifer," he answered in the noisy hall. "It always brightens my day to see you and Edith." Rosenzweig flashed a congenial smile as he warmly took the hand of Chicagos first lady. "Quite an event, the Lyric opening, thanks to you and the board," said Mayor Burton. "The city owes you a great deal, Elliot. Youre a priceless resource." "Maybe not so priceless, John." And the two of them laughed. While they continued to exchange flatteries, Ben Solomon quietly wound his way through the crowd toward the Grand Benefactor. He was oblivious to the music. He heard no conversations. He saw only his target. Making his way across the floor, he declined a flute of champagne from a seventeenth-century Italian peasant girl and felt for the Luger in his belt. The Lyric quartet pizzicatoed through the delightful strains of La Gazza Ladra. He paused until the mayor and his wife had moved on to the next grouping and walked directly to Rosenzweig, his heart pounding like a pile driver. "What did you do with all that jewelry?" he said inches from Rosenzweigs face. "Excuse me, sir?" said the esteemed donor with a smile, unsure if this was part of a staged repertoire. Perhaps an opera joke? But there was no sign of frivolity. "Just curious," Solomon said. "I asked you what you did with the jewelry-you know, the watches, diamond bracelets, wedding bands. You had a whole chest full. Dont you remember?" Rosenzweig looked to his granddaughter and shrugged. "Im afraid I dont know what youre talking about, sir." In a flash, Solomon drew the polished Luger and pressed the barrel hard against Rosenzweigs forehead. A woman screamed. The crowd immediately backpedaled into a large ring. "Popi!" screamed Jennifer. "Recognize this gun, Otto? Should be real familiar to a Nazi officer," Solomon said, waving the crowd away with his left arm. "Look at me, Otto. Its Ben Solomon. Here we are, together again, just like when we were kids. Never thought youd see me again, did you, HauptscharfÜhrer Piatek?" Rosenzweig held up his hands in conciliation. The room was silent except for the words he delivered, slowly and evenly. "Youve made a mistake, sir. My name is Elliot Rosenzweig. Its not Otto. Or Piatek. Ive never been a Nazi. In fact, sir, I am a camp survivor." Very slowly, he held out his left arm. "Jennifer, undo my cuff link and roll up my sleeve." As she did, his forearm displayed the blackened tattoo: A93554. The gunman considered the offering, and then sneered. "Youre a lying Nazi murderer and I can see the fear in your eyes, HauptscharfÜhrer. Scream and cry and beg, Otto, like the innocent women and children who cowered before you. Mothers and fathers and grandparents. People who never hurt a soul. And the babies. All the children." He gestured wildly to the stunned crowd. "Tell them who you really are. Look at them all. Theyre listening. The masquerade is finished." From out of nowhere, Solomon was blindsided and knocked to the marble floor. The gun slid along the tiles and came to rest against the staircase. Tackled by a Chicago Bears linebacker in formal attire, Solomon lay curled on the floor, weeping, his head shuttered in his forearms. As he was pulled to his feet by security guards, Solomon screamed, "Hes a Nazi. Hes a murderer. Hes Otto Piatek. Hes Otto Piatek." The screams melted into sobs as they led the old man away. "Hes Otto Piatek." Copyright © 2010, 2013 by Ronald H. Balson Details ISBN1250046394 Author Ronald H. Balson Short Title ONCE WE WERE BROTHERS Language English ISBN-10 1250046394 ISBN-13 9781250046390 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY FIC Imprint St Martins Press Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Series Liam Taggart and Catherine Lockhart Series Number 1 Year 2013 Publication Date 2013-10-08 US Release Date 2013-10-08 Pages 400 Publisher St Martins Press Audience General UK Release Date 2013-10-08 AU Release Date 2016-10-10 NZ Release Date 2016-10-10 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:137280043;

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