In the Wake of Madness:

My Family’s Escape from the Nazis

Elsa and Sali Levi knew they were among the lucky ones – Jews who escaped the Nazi machine and the indifference of the world by a combination of savvy, timing, money, and pure chance. For years the young German couple found safety in neutral Belgium – until the bombs began to fall in May 1940. In the Wake of Madness: My Family’s Escape from the Nazis recounts their nail-biting escape, the desperate scramble to secure visas, and the devastating effects on loved ones scattered across the globe. Author Bettie Lennett Denny vividly recreates these stories against the backdrop of unfolding history, aided by a treasure trove of contemporaneous letters and documents.

Like many immigrants, Denny’s parents didn’t speak much of those dark days. But as Elsa neared the end of her life, the stories came tumbling out. Decades later, her daughter unearthed boxes of papers and embarked upon her own journey to learn the secrets of those indecipherable letters. The family odyssey takes the reader to such diverse places as Vichy France, Lisbon, Japan, Chile, Palestine, the Isle of Man, and New York City. Despite the inevitable heartaches, In the Wake of Madness shines a light on the courage born of necessity and the fierce desire for ordinary life. Parallels to these challenging political times are chilling – and the author includes a serious list of discussion questions that should keep any book group engaged.

The book has garnered praise from wildly different corners. #1NYT bestselling author Victoria Alexander says “I know this family survived but the writing was so vivid, I held my breath on every page.” Colonel Eric Knapp, Instructor at the U.S. National War College, says the book “illuminates the immense struggles and heartbreaking dilemmas faced by so many in response to the rising tide of totalitarianism and war.” Author Daniel Seymour writes, “Prepare for a stirring journey! Denny has offered a historian’s eye for detail of her own family’s escape from Nazi Germany.” From Robin Lawton, Linfield University Professor Emerita: “A cautionary tale for these fraught times, and an uplifting human story.”

Consider In the Wake of Madness for your book group! The author is available for interviews and presentations, especially those in the area of Portland, Oregon.

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