Cover image for If it's not impossible-- : the life of Sir Nicholas Winton
Title:
If it's not impossible-- : the life of Sir Nicholas Winton
Author:
Winton, Barbara, 1953- , author.
Publication Information:
Kibworth Beauchamp : Matador, [2014]
Physical Description:
xviii, 277 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Summary:
There are around 6000 people in the world today who owe their lives to Nicholas Winton. They are the descendants of a group of refugee children rescued by him from the Nazi threat in 1939. Some of them know of his existence and the part he played in their history, many others do not. It was a short event in his life but a critical one for those whose lives were saved. For him that intervention was over in a flash and other adventures supplanted it. Only much later did this episode re-emerge in his life and ever since has brought him visitors from all over the world anxious to learn his story. This book lays out that story in detail, exploring the motivation and early experiences that led to him acting to save young lives, while others looked the other way. His motto "If something is not impossible, then there must be a way to do it" led him to follow his own convictions and undertake an operation others had dismissed as unnecessary or too difficult. His life thereafter was full of exploits stimulated by similar motivation which, though not so consequential, remain testimony to his character. But what was his motivation? How had his life and background led to him being ready, willing and able to conduct a successful rescue operation of 669 children from Czechoslovakia at the age of 29? His daughter has painstakingly sifted through her father's papers and talked to family and friends to construct a detailed account of his whole life. It explores the influences on his character as well as the historical events he was caught up in. Taken from his historical letters and writings, Winton's own words are introduced to convey the atmosphere of many of his diverse experiences.
General Note:
"He saved 669 children from the Holocaust. 50 years later they discovered his identity."
Language:
English
Contents:
That's Life! -- The Kindertransport scrapbook -- A formative heritage -- School days -- From youth to adulthood -- Working in the City -- Refusing to fight -- Joining up -- The grim aftermath -- Romance in Paris -- A new family -- Work loses its shine -- "My real work" -- Recognition brings new adventures -- Who is Nicholas Winton?
ISBN:
9781783065202
Format :
Book