Magda und André lernen sich 1926 in New York kennen. Sie sind beide im Jahr 1901 geboren. Magda kommt aus Florenz und hat russische Vorfahren, André aus Frankreich. Ihnen gemeinsam ist eine hingebungsvolle Liebe zu den Mitmenschen, koste es, was es wolle.

Dieses Buch erzählt recht ausführlich und in wunderschöner Sprache von Kindheit und Jugend der beiden, und diese Grundlage ist wichtig, um ihre Persönlichkeiten und späteren Entscheidungen zu verstehen. Es ist auch sehr interessant einen Einblick in das Leben am Anfang des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts zu bekommen.

Ab dem Jahr 1926 haben Magda und André eine gemeinsame Geschichte, auf der Suche nach einem Zuhause und einem Platz, an dem sie Gott dienen können. Es ist schwer eine Pfarrstelle zu finden, denn Andrés pazifistische Einstellung ist in der reformierten Kirche nicht gern gesehen. Als er ab dem Jahr 1934 eine kleine Gemeinde in einem entlegenen Dorf betreut, ahnt er nicht, wie Gott diesen Ort zur Rettung von vielen Menschen, vor allem Kindern, gebrauchen wird.

Beeindruckend ist, wie die Menschen in den Dörfern und Höfen dieser hugenottisch geprägten Gegend zusammenarbeiten, um im Verborgenen Widerstand zu leisten. Es entsteht ein fruchtbares Netzwerk. Menschen werden untergebracht, versorgt, mit falschen Papieren ausgestattet und schließlich ins Ausland geschmuggelt, wo sie in Sicherheit sind. Insgesamt werden so etwa 5000 Menschen vor dem Tod gerettet, darunter 3000 Juden. Bei der aufopfernden Hilfsbereitschaft der Dorfbewohner, spielen die Predigten von André und das Vorbild des Paares eine große Rolle.

Die Grundlage dieses Buchs sind Quellen, unter anderem Memoiren von Magda und André. Es ist nicht nur spannend geschrieben, sondern mit seinen vielen hilfreichen Zitaten und Gedankenanstößen, ist es berührend und inspirierend. Sehr schön ist die Einstellung dieser hilfsbereiten Menschen, dass es nicht auf Nationalität oder Herkunft ankommt. Wenn ein Mensch in Not ist, muss ihm geholfen werden!

Fazit: Eine wunderschön geschriebene Erzählung über Mut und Nächstenliebe in schweren Zeiten. Die wertvollen Gedanken und Einsichten regen zum Nachdenken an. Diese Geschichte über den Einfluss eines Paares auf ihre Kirchenmitglieder ist erstaunlich, inspirierend und sehr empfehlenswert! ( )

**I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Introduction
Love in a Time of Hate is the fascinating story of Andre and Magda Trocme. It is divided into six chronological parts, starting with the childhood of Magda (Part I), the childhood of Andre (Part II), young adulthood/marriage/early ministry of the Trocmes (Part III), the early days of the Trocme's ministry in Le Chambon before the Nazi invasion (Part IV), their ministry, pacifism, and involvement with the underground resistance during the Vichy government (Part V), and their final days as France was liberated and their ministry spread across the globe (Part VI).

The story
Although I was eager to get to the meat of the Trocme's work during World War II, I was pleasantly surprised by Parts I-III. As is true for most of us, the individual upbringing of Magda and Andre was crucial to shaping their personal beliefs later in life. Magda's childhood was strict, motherless, and fraught with inner spiritual turmoil all played out in northern Italy. In contrast, Andre's childhood was one of privilege and strict Protestantism in northern France, although his mother also died when he was ten. By the time they met in the U.S., Andre had been called into ministry as a Reformed Pastor, and Magda dreamed of becoming a social worker.

These roles complimented each other later as they ministered to the farming communities and desperate refugees in Southern France. Their ministry began in northern France, but family health issues took them to southern France, despite the distrust of the French Reformed church. Andre frequently butted heads with the church leadership due to his pacifist beliefs, which he had developed while serving in the military. He was passionate about pacifism and tried to influence his congregations, to the annoyance of the underground resistance movement during the War. Even after the war, both Magda and Andre traveled the world spreading the message of peace and pacifism. Andre died after complications from a surgery, but Magda continued his work until her death a decade later.

The most fascinating parts of the book detail the Trocme's courageous work hiding and moving Jewish refugees during World War II. Jewish children in particular found refuge on the high plateau of Le Chambon. Thousands of children and sometimes entire families filtered through, receiving care and education at the school founded by the Trocmes - Ecole Nouvelle Cevenole - which was the only school of its kind in the entire region. Andre and his ministerial staff were imprisoned for their work, but were released mere days before the prison at which they were interred was closed and the prisoners sent to their deaths in Poland. Andre eventually had to go into hiding as the Germans had put a bounty on his head. He narrowly escaped being caught at one point, and credited his escape to an incident with his son and God's timing. Le Chambon was ultimately liberated and Andre was able to return to his family, but not before they suffered several tragic losses.

Literary analysis
This book was well written and thoroughly researched. I did find numerous grammatical and typographical errors that may have been due to its translation (the author is German). I believe, however, that these would be easily corrected with one more quick editorial review. In no way did any of the errors detract from the story.

The language is concise but engaging. I was just as interested reading the early biographical information as I was engrossed by the details of their work during World War II. I felt that the tempo of the book was just right, easily following the chronology of their lives and not drawing out any particular period for longer than the reader could endure.

The only criticisms I have are that I would love to see photos (which, to be fair, may be included in the print copies; I only had a Kindle copy), and I wish that specific data was available as to the extent of the Trocme's impact during World War II. How many children did they help? How many families? How many lives were saved, families reunited? How many children attended the Ecole Nouvelle Cevenole by the time it closed in 2014? Perhaps specific data is not available, or the author determined it would not add value to the story itself. Still, it would be interesting to know the full extent of the global impact of these two extraordinary people.

Conclusion
I had never heard of the Trocme family before requesting this book through Netgalley. Now I will share their story as often as possible! I love reading the courageous stories that come out of times of extreme oppression. This is one such story, and it is amazing. I would definitely recommend this book! ( )

Magda and Andre Trocme led the French town of Chambon-sur-Lignon in hiding more than 3,000 Jews from the Nazi's. This book outlines their history and what led them to Chambon. Although this was a fast read, I felt that it included very few details about what they actually did during the war. That time frame seemed to be vague and only included the terrifying encounters they had with German soldiers. Overall, it was well written, I just wanted more. ( )

I don't know what I was expecting from the book but I can honestly say it definitely opened my eyes to what bearing your cross really means. This is the story of Magda and Andre's journey that led them to the village that said no to the Nazis. Andre had such faith that God would not fail him, that he would be taken care of if he obeyed God's commands.

The love they showed in helping others and what they went through left me with tears in my eyes. You have to admire such people as these who lived their lives the way true disciples of Christ should.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.​ ( )

I was given this book by NetGalley and Herald Press in exchange for my honest review.

When I started reading this book it was not what I expected. I thought it would pick up in the heat of the Holocaust and go from there. However, I enjoyed learning about the childhood Magda and Andre and how they ended up in "The Village That Said No To The Nazis". It pointed out how their faith truly lead them to help everyone that was in need, despite their religious difference. I could not put this book down and read it in a day. By the end of the book I was in tears and I can't remember the last time a book as made me cry.

Religion did play a heavy part in the book but it wasn't overbearing. Andre believed that God would care for him if he did as God wanted him to according to the scriptures. Mostly not to bear false witness, not to harm another person and to help those that are in need. However, he believed that if is was killed. he would go down with his beliefs and that fear would not change him.

There are so many historical connections in the book that support this story and yet it is hard to believe that this happened. There are so many times that Andre could have been killed and he is able to get out of the situation by being honest and holding fast to his beliefs. This is truly an encouraging story about sticking to your beliefs and helping those even if they are not the same as you.

I really feel that this is a book that we all need to read right now with the state of the world. We need to be reminded of what has happened in the past and what will happen again if we allow it. I am also ashamed that I have never heard of Magda and Andre Trocme prior to the book. It has made me want to seek out more information about them and others like them. ( )