Facing the Lion (Abridged Edition): Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe

This book was truly amazing!! I enjoyed every word, and as a person who does not do a lot of "pleasure reading" I was amazed that I could not put it down, I finished it in 2 days!! Those who have accepted pure worship, and have come to understand the truth from God's word the bible will have appreciation for this little girl who at such a young age decided to accept Jehovah as the only true God, and to worship him to her death if necessary. The truth in the Gospels shone through when she and her mother aquired a bible of their own and realized that the teachings they were learning at church were not accurate. Her strength and conviction and complete trust in Jehovah is an example that we all do well to follow as the end of this system draws ever so close, we do well to keep examples like Sister Leibster in the front of our minds as we enter into our time of persecution. This book will strengthen any person no matter what religion or background you may be, I am glad that I had the chance to read about a fellow believer who stayed faithful, and I am reminded too, as we all should that African American decendents, Homosexuals, Gypsies, the mentally and physically disabled, Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses and many more suffered together as a human race. We hear so many accounts of certain religious groups being tortured under Hitlers regime, this book reminds us that not just one but many groups suffered, and we may feel inclined toward the suffering of one group over another, however, they were all people, strong people, and this book reminds us that the ones who suffered were mothers, fathers, someones sister or brother, child or grandparent!! That is what you should remember when you finish reading this book!!

I've read dozens of books on the Holocaust and you can rate Ms. Liebster's right up there among the best. 'Facing the Lion' is Simone Arnold Liebster's personal account of a long struggle to maintain her integrity in the face of unrelenting persecution by the Nazi state. As a young girl Simone makes a sincere decision to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses and in a few short years, the idyllic world she grew up in is turned upside down. Taken from her family in an attempt at 're-education' Simone endures several years of hardships, some of which moved me to tears. The author writes with tremendous feeling and her style of prose is outstanding. The thing I find most compelling is that 'Facing the Lion' is never 'sugar coated' and you never forget that Simone's struggle to remain faithful is exceedingly difficult. You never get the sense that Simone is a religious fanatic. Even as a young teenager, it is clear that her decision is made with complete soundness of mind. And when you find yourself sometimes wishing that she would just sign the papers that would have given her release, you are ultimately moved by the moral stand she takes. A marvelous book and well worth your time.

This book was well written and eye opening as to what opposition Jehovah’s Witnesses had ( and still have ) to face in order to maintain neutrality to all political governments. It is faith strengthening to see young ones can hold fast to their integrity to the Creator (Jehovah God) in the face of severe opposition. Because of the neutrality of Jehovah’s Witnesses, there are no political borders, and all nations enjoy a true brotherhood and peace.

Standing up to bullies, even as children. Spiritual upbringing can make a lot of difference. Thank- you

I highly recommend this book

Great story! A real-life account of a young girl's experiences with Nazi Germany. Her point of view was different from many of the other real-life accounts I have read. Each person's experiences are valuable as we look back to that very traumatic time in human history . I highly recommend this book, but take note there is both an unabridged and abridged version. Either is worth the read, but I did very much enjoy the extra details added to the unabridged version.

Important information that everyone should know about. True event’s that will open your eyes to the reality faced by a young person of courage and integrity.

Simone was a child when she stood up to Nazi bullies adults and peers alike and she was very brave! PLEASE read her story and enjoy a piece of history and get a seldom heard and often misunderstood culture of people who pursue peace not war.

“This brood will be exterminated in Germany!” Hitler’s hysterical rant in 1934 there directed at Jehovah’s Witnesses soon produced brainwashed pawns who were willing to carry out his aim, as this compelling and moving account of Simone Alphonse Liebster’s memoirs reveals. The absolute commitment on the part of ‘correctional’ school staff and those in positions of trust to carry out that aim and brutalize children like Simone who refused to ‘heil Hitler’ because of her Christian beliefs underscores the ugliness of the Nazi regime. Simone’s story wonderfully depicts how it is possible to “return evil for evil to no one” [Rom.12:17], and that despite the severe mistreatment that she and, even more so her mother and father, endured during the WWII years. Indeed, so ingrained was that noble principle in Simone’s parents’ demeanor that come war’s end, well…read the story. This book is well worth the read for those interested in gaining insight into what life was like for those possessing Christian ideals who found themselves assailed by the Nazi regime. Simone is now 91 years young. To her I echo the words of Numbers 6:24-26.

This was a wonderful and impressive story about faith and human resilience! She was a brilliant child with insight, sense of humour, courage and character!

Magnifique leçon de courage et d'endurance d'une petite fille restée fidèle à ses convictions

Lo recomiendo para adolescentes o padres de adolescentes que desean inculcar valores duraderos en sus hijos. Es un buen regalo para jóvenes lectores. Lo recomiendo 100%

Simplesmente incrível. Não tem como descrever esse livro em poucas palavras. Se tiver oportunidade compre e leia. Vale cada centavo.