Description
Book SynopsisFor three decades after the Second World War, the ‘Butcher of the Balkans’ lived an idyllic life with his family in a Los Angeles suburb. Andrija Artuković was a senior member of the Ustasha, a Croatian fascist and nationalist movement, and was responsible for the wartime murders of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children. Wanted in Yugoslavia to stand trial for war crimes, he had illegally entered and claimed political asylum in the United States – and his powerful supporters sought to keep him there.
Meanwhile, just 10 miles away, David Whitelaw lived with his mother, Judith, who fled Germany in 1938. Seventy-six of her relatives were killed in the Holocaust. When David learned Artuković was living comfortably nearby, he vowed to ensure his deportation to stand trial as a war criminal. But when a firebomb, thrown with the sole intention of causing fear, saw the young man sent to jail, a battle began for his own freedom, while the war criminal remained at large.
A true David-versus-Goliath battle, The Fierce is the story of the teenager who helped take down the worst mass murderer and war criminal in America.
Trade Review‘Los Angeles during the turbulent 1960s and ’70s is the perfect backdrop for this remarkable page turner. Filled with a cast of unbelievable characters I had to keep reminding myself this was a true story. Judy Piercey has unearthed one of the great untold stories of our time, this book is a must read!’ – Graham Neil, CTV News
-- Graham Neil * CTV News *
‘A groundbreaking portrayal of the trauma and burden imposed on the children of Holocaust survivors. Teenager David Whitelaw was a force of nature that inspired his government to seek justice for the unspeakable crimes unleashed against innocent people.’ – Phil Blazer, founder of Jewish Life Television
-- Phil Blazer
‘The Fierce forces us to ask ourselves if we’d have the courage and fearlessness to seek justice regardless of the personal consequences. It’s hard to fathom that a teenager was able to demand and help secure justice for the savage murders of so many. Truly one of the most heart wrenching, yet inspiring family stories of the twentieth century.’ – Liisa Jorgensen, author of Far Side of the Moon
-- Liisa Jorgensen
‘Judy Piercey expertly captures the remarkable and complicated relationship between David Whitelaw and his mother Judith. An inspiring story that reminds us what it means to be human and the responsibility we all have to make the world around us a better place.’ – Barbara Smith, bestselling author
-- Barbara Smith
‘It’s impossible to read this expertly told story and not ask yourself if you’re doing your part to make the world a better place. An unbelievable account that reminds us all that one person can change the world.' – Rabbi Mark Blazer, CEO of the Jewish Life Foundation
-- Rabbi Mark Blazer
‘Author Judy Piercey shines a brilliant light into this dark corner of post-war history, one that has been concealed for too long. You’ll find yourself cheering for the Jewish teenager who struggled to bring down one of the worst Nazi killers in history, sickened by the crimes this mass murderer committed, and aghast that he was protected by the United States government. Meticulously researched and skilfully written, this book provides a significant contribution to our body of historical knowledge about the Holocaust.’ – Elinor Florence, author of Bird’s Eye View
-- Elinor Florence
‘This is an exciting, adventurous book, based on an inspiring true story of courage and persistence resulting in the righting of an old wrong.’ – Bob Zellner, lifelong fighter for social justice and author of The Wrong Side of Murder Creek
-- Bob Zellner
