Reviews

What people are saying about “Determined!”

“An extraordinary and inspirational story. The reader cannot fail to be inspired by Avraham Perlmutter’s resolute belief in the goodness of his neighbors and the possibility of peaceful coexistence between people of different faiths–even as he lay in hiding from Nazis, concealed in a grave-like hole. Determined is radiant with the understanding that each human life is crucially important, and that, with perseverence and a little luck, it is possible to rebuild life even in the direst circumstances.” — Samara Hutman, Executive Director, Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

“Determined: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Avraham Perlmutter is true to its name. As a teenage boy Abraham escapes deportation and moves from place to place in German-occupied Netherlands determined not to be captured, not to be caught. When arrested, he is determined to escape and his determination to survive guides him throughout his ordeal. Avraham takes into the homes and parishes of non-Jews who are repulsed by Nazism and determined to do their part to save some Jews. He is the beneficiary of their generosity of spirit and simplicity of values – honoring the importance of a single life. His determination guides him to Israel where he is a soldier in the War of Independence before determining that it is time to resume his interrupted education. His accomplishment as a scientist and businessman, innovator and inventor are presented without self indulgence as the natural result of a life lived with determination and drive.

His story is unique both in content and in tone. It brought me to tears but also to laughter. Avraham Perlmutter’s story is moving. He is a force to be reckoned with.” — Prominent Holocaust scholar and Professor Michael Berenbaum, Director, Zigi Seigler Institute, American Jewish University

“Fast-paced and engrossing, Avraham’s story…is a story of human capacity and the astounding ability of a man to inspire and connect even in the face of a world going wrong.” — Santa Monica Star

Determined: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Avraham Perlmutter delivers everything you would expect from its title, and so much more. Doctor A. Avraham Perlmutter has crafted a no-holds-barred account of his life during World War II as an Austrian Jew who witnessed and survived many of the horrors that post-war children, such as myself, have grown up learning about in school. Though he was sent away for his own (albeit relative) safety to live in the Netherlands at the start of the war, Perlmutter recounts the horrific fate that befell almost all of his extended family in the Nazi concentration camps, and his own struggle to evade arrest by the Germans simply for being who he was. 

This beautifully crafted tale makes for compelling and exciting reading, even in the protagonist’s post-war struggle, which demonstrates the amazing things he was able to achieve after such a difficult childhood. With incredible visual additions such as genuine photographs and documentation from the wartime and beyond, Determined is a rich and fascinating read for anyone with a passionate interest in history. More than that, though, it’s a story about humanity and, as its title suggests, the basic human determination to survive whatever the odds. Those who are already avid fans of true wartime stories will revel in the meticulous detail that A. Avraham Perlmutter brings to his life story. However, I also think that anyone who wishes to be inspired by the sheer fortitude of the human spirit will come out of this book deeply saddened, but also satisfied that, sometimes at least, hope can prevail over the most unspeakable evils. 5 ***** — K.C. Finn, reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

Determined: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Avraham Perlmutter is an autobiographical account. As a boy, Perlmutter and his family lived in Vienna, Austria, until that country was united with Germany under Hitler. His parents were alarmed by the increasingly hostile environment and soon after Kristallnacht they arranged to have Avraham and his sister Thea sent to the Netherlands under the Kindertransport refugee operation. When the Netherlands was no longer safe for Jews, concerned Dutch families and resistance groups helped him evade the Nazis until liberation by the British Army in 1944. Perlmutter eventually was reunited with the survivors of his family in Israel, where he joined the army and later prepared for admission to college. 

Avraham Perlmutter’s autobiography, Determined: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Avraham Perlmutter, is fascinating reading. The first part of the text is interwoven with numerous pictures of the author’s family members, many of whom died in concentration camps. That was the hardest part of reading Determined for me — seeing those photographs and reading the dates and places of death. But Determined goes much farther than reciting numbers and showing the losses so many suffered during the Holocaust. It’s a triumphant story of a teen who had to put his education on hold after the sixth grade and survive on his wits and with the help of strangers. Perlmutter’s tale is remarkable, inspirational and very moving. In the second and third parts of the book, there are marvelous photographs of Avraham, his college friends and family, accompanied by his accounts of his studies, professional life and family. This autobiography is also very well-written, and it reads with the fluidity and dramatic tension of an action, against-all-odds adventure novel. Determined: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Avraham Perlmutter is most highly recommended. 5 ***** — Jack Magnus, reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

Determined: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Avraham Perlmutter by A. Avraham Perlmutter Ph.D. is the compelling story of the experiences of a Holocaust victim that takes readers on a heart-rending journey of danger, risks and perseverance. This book will inspire and motivate them to survive the adversities that they face and make a success of their lives. Avraham Perlmutter was separated from his family when he was sent to Holland, and he shares his adventurous yet horrifying story of survival, and also speaks about the families who helped him hide from the Nazis. The author’s story of survival is gripping and worth reading.

The author pulls readers into his personal journey with detailed descriptions of his childhood, the move to the Netherlands, his time in the refugee camps, life in Amsterdam and escaping from there, serving in the Israeli defense forces, and finally moving to Atlanta for education. The glimpses of the author’s life are adventurous, filled with danger and risks, but his miraculous endurance and perseverance is proof of the author’s indomitable and indestructible spirit. The story evokes feelings of compassion and is written with restraint and simplicity of expression.

The book is vivid and the author’s clear narrative voice along with the pictures help readers connect well with his personal moments of tragedy and triumph. It is a well written autobiography that exposes the ordeal suffered by the Jewish people during the time of Holocaust, their insecure lives, hardships and tragedies. 5 ***** — Manta Madhavan, reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

“Avraham Perlmutter’s detailed recounting of surviving the Holocaust as a teenager spans key Jewish experiences in the twentieth century. This personal account of a driven young man who refused to succumb to pessimism also reflects the panoply of socio-cultural forces that shaped the present Jewish landscape, from the demolished culture of Western European Jewry, to the dizzying dislocations engendered by the Second World War, through to the establishment of the State of Israel and the creation of a confident American Jewish community.”  — Dr. Tamar Marvin, Director of Education Programs and Research, Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Online Amazon reviews:

A Holocaust Memoir of the most unique form… this book is deeply touching, at times heartbreaking, at times exhilerating as you walk in the shoes of a wild, brilliant, & faithful young man determined to survive… completely infused with the love and wit of its author, Determined touches upon humorous in moments when you least expect it. To read through this book is to come in contact with an overflowing love and appreciation for life plus the sheer force of positive willpower and faith as it rises above the most horrific moments of human history like a powerful wave gathering momentum. I also love the way the book includes the triumph Dr. Perlmutter makes by living a life so fulfilling after the Holocaust and how it includes his scientific inventions and family portraits..This book is hard to put down!!! — Shira Teleshevsky

Amazing story of survival! Highly motivating for anybody thinking tey cannot get through a tough situation. When I read what this man had to endure, it made all my problems seem like a cake walk. It also made me realize I can take on so much more! Men like Av are who the modern day men should model themselves after…  — Bryan Visintin

As Avraham Perlmutter tells us early on, he was born a rebellious risk-taker, and this makes for a powerful, gripping adventure playing out over the backdrop of the tragedy that was the Holocaust and the tumultuous years that followed. It is no surprise that the child who snuck into his teacher’s classroom to break her caning rod would also cut an unconventional path through life. From his daring escapes from the Nazi war machine, to fighting on behalf of the fledgling state of Israel, to his later life as a great innovator, Determined dazzles us with the brilliance and ingenuity of its author. At times both moving and funny, thrilling and heart-rending, we are presented with a portrait of a man who not only survived hardship and tragedy, but flourished.  — Scott

DETERMINED is captivating and very well written. I read DETERMINED shortly after returning from a trip to Jerusalem. My visit to Yad Vashem, the Israel Holocaust museum and memorial, was fresh on my mind. Avraham Perlmutter’s autobiography brought reality to all that I had seen at Yad Vashem. Avraham’s path through adversity which eventually led him to success is amazingly inspiring. His courage, tenacity and innovation is encouraging. The chance opportunity and moment with Albert Einstein is particularly impressive. A must read!!! — C. Hayward, New Zealand

I loved this story. This breathtaking account of a young boy’s incredible quest for survival during WWII pays homage to his will to live, but also to those who risked their lives, sometimes to their demise, to help him. I felt “Determined” referred to those who aided in the boy’s survival as much as it refers to the boy himself. The photos and documentation that are included within the pages of the book help to complete the picture and Dr. Perlmutter’s personality seems to spill into the pages, and made me feel like I was hearing his story in first person. Such a humble account of such a remarkable story. What a tale. What a life. I just finished the book and now my daughter is reading it. I might read it again when she’s done.— Natasha E Swords

An edge of your seat, page-turning story about young Avraham beating all odds by repeatedly escaping and avoiding Nazi capture. When you think he’s met his last obstacle, there’s another one around the corner. It’s as though he has his own guardian angel. Avraham graciously credits the brave and loving families who risked their lives to hide him.

It was so wonderful to read a book from a real Holocaust survivor. I hope this book inspires other survivors to tell their stories as the years quickly pass. — MCSgal

Too good for only 5 stars. Regretfully I can only give this book 5 stars. It truly deserves 6 stars. His story is very moving and could be very educational to some people. The writing is excellent. The editing was very good. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes history and biography as well as anyone who likes a good read. — Leo B

I loved this story. It was such a great and easy read. The account of a young boy’s incredible quest for survival during WWII and his will to live is inspiring and relatable. I read it on the plane and I could not put it down! I recommend it, especially if you are interested in WWII stories. — Jacqueline Obispo