Published by Plough on September 23, 2025
Genres: Academic, Non-Fiction, Christian Life, Memoir, Social Justice
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
A unique addition to the literature of ethical action during the Holocaust. . . . Trocmé’s story, available in English here for the first time, teaches us how to act when we are sure of nothing. —Kirkus Reviews
André Trocmé is famous for his role in saving thousands of Jews from the Nazis as pastor of the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, France, a story celebrated in literature and film. But who was the man behind the legend, and the how did he become an international hero and uncompromising advocate of nonviolent resistance? Appearing in English for the first time, his private memoirs give a colorful and honest account of a person determined to stay true to his faith and convictions, who despite his quirks was ready to stand his ground when world history came knocking.
Written for his children in the 1950s and first published in French in 2020, these memoirs trace André Trocmé’s extraordinary life: a bourgeois childhood; teenage years as a World War I refugee; studies abroad in New York City, where he met his future wife, Magda, and tutored the Rockefeller children; military service in Algeria, which cemented his pacifist stance; postings as a pastor in depressed areas of France; resisting fascism and hiding Jews in Le Chambon; a brief imprisonment and a stint underground; and globetrotting leadership in the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. Trocmé also reveals the impact of personal tragedies: the untimely death of his mother in a car accident for which his father was responsible and, years later, his teenage son’s suicide.
This detailed first-person account from an eyewitness to pivotal moments in history will be of interest not just to scholars of the Holocaust, World War II, and domestic resistance to fascism, but also to all people who seek to follow their conscience and the teachings of their faith in trying times.
People who enjoyed Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, A Good Place to Hide, We Only Know Men, and the documentary, Weapons of the Spirit, will appreciate reading the story in Trocme’s own words.
This inspiring memoir was originally published in France in 2020, and is now available translated into English. André Trocmé was a French Protestant pastor who helped save thousands of Jews from the Nazis during World War II. This book tells that fascinating true story, positioning the author’s World War II heroism in the context of an ordinary, faithful Christian life.
The book begins with a description of Trocmé’s family background and some formative events from his privileged childhood, and the memoir goes on to cover topics like his experiences as a conscientious objector during wartime, his theological education, his work as a pastor, his family relationships, and his efforts to save Jewish lives during WWII. The memoir ends in the 1950s, since death prevented Trocmé from completing it. An epilogue fills in some additional biographical details.
Trocmé originally wrote this memoir for his children, so his voice here is very conversational, not academic in tone. Even though the book is lengthy and gets dense at times, it is readable and personable. I appreciated Trocmé thoughtful perspectives and self-reflection, and he offers nuanced takes on some theological disagreements and challenges that he faced with ministry partnerships. He provides a great example of what it looks like to balance an ecumenical outlook with strong personal convictions.
The Memoirs of André Trocmé: The Pastor Who Rescued Jews offers a unique first-person account of World War II resistance and mid-century religious movements. This has academic value for people who are studying these topics, and it also has enough general appeal to draw in World War II history buffs and readers who enjoy learning about heroes from church history.