Ronald Balson has written another excellent book. Balson shows great expertise in weaving together a detailed historical portrait of Nazi occupied Poland and post-war DP camps, with a story timeline that continues in Chicago during the 1960’s. Balson captures his main characters in an imaginative way that motivates the reader to want to fully understand their thoughts and feelings. The story focuses on the relationship between Eli Rosen, a Jewish man caught up in the horrors of Nazi occupied Poland and a Nazi collaborator, Maximilian Poleski. I strongly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction, and in particular the World War II period. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC.

This book shattered me and then put me back together again. Eli’s journey spans from Poland in the late 1930s to the United States in 1960s as Eli seeks to exact justice against Maximillian, a Nazi sympathizer who betrayed his family during World War II. As expected given the subject matter, the plot includes very bleak and depressing moments that made it difficult to get through at times; however, by breaking the story up into different time periods, the author allows the reader to experience some emotional relief between heart-wrenching events. Overall, the writing is beautiful and the characterization and plot are well-executed, making for an incredibly poignant read that is sure to rattle your soul. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eli Rosen was a successful brickmason and construction contractor before the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. Convinced that life would soon return to normal, Eli and his wife, Esther, stayed in their home and continued life as normal. When the Nazis moved in to control their city, Maximilian Poleski (former employee at the brickyard) arranged a deal between the Rosen family and the Nazi leaders. He promised to protect Eli and his family in exchange for ownership of the brickyard. Eli trusted Maximilian, but there was an ever-present risk of losing everything at the hand of the Nazis.

After the war, Eli and his son, Izaak, end up together in a Displaced Persons camp. While they wait for word of Esther, they learn two disturbing things: 1) tuberculosis is spreading through the crowded camps; and 2) a man named "Max" is illegally selling American visas to desperate Jews at high prices.

Twenty years later, Eli lives in Albany Park, Chicago. He meets the landlord's daughter, Mimi, who is best friends with the daughter of a powerful politician. He asks lots of pointed questions, especially after the friend and her new husband are found dead. Who could be behind it?

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OVERALL
Well written and thoroughly researched, "Eli's Promise" explores what one man's life could have been like in Poland during World War II, in Germany after the war, and in Chicago during the Vietnam War. The majority of Eli's actions are guided by love for his family, and the overall message is a positive one: following through on promises made and helping to improve the world around him. The three eras covered were not easy times, however. Much of the emotional tension, fear, and violence of those times is brought to life in a way that makes the circumstances feel close to home.

Language: varies from mild to extreme. Albany Park sections have lots of profanity, vulgarity and obscenity.
Adult Themes: References to violence and Holocaust executions. Crooked politicians. Tuberculosis.

Not a light read or a quick read. Readers sensitive to strong language may not be comfortable reading this book, especially the middle and final sections.

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I received a free advanced copy through #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Eli’s Promise is a well written historical fiction story. I was engaged in the story and found the references to historical places and characters intriguing. This book took place in multiple periods of time. The author bounced from one period to another, which I found to be difficult to follow at some points. It did frustrate me at times as a climatic point would end a chapter and the next chapter jumped back twenty years.
Overall I connected with the characters and would recommend this book.

A historical novel set in occupied Poland. Eli Rosen and his family hear of the coming invasion by the Nazis, but cannot believe it will change their lives. This part of the book is the strongest as it portrays the rationalization that allowed the Nazis to round up 6 million Jews with little opposition.
The book moves back and forth between 1941 and the post war period as the surviving Jews attempt to build lives in camps while awaiting visas to other countries. The author builds a story line that demonstrates the corruption that was rampant in the post war period.
Finally, the author takes us to the US during the escalation of the Vietnam War. Again, greed and profiteering is prevalent. While interesting, this part of the book seems a bit contrived.
The author uses dialogue to develop the storyline. It was hard to get used to the amount of conversation used in the book, but I did not find it offensive. The book moved quickly and I was compelled to return. I give it a solid 3 1/2 stars.
That is to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book for the most part but at the same time I was disappointed in it. I did feel like it got rather long though and frustrating because they kept putting their trust in a snake that continued to wrong them. At some point though, what choice did they have. They were caught between a rock and a hard place in trying to do their best to survive. Also, frustrating because Eli’s wife warned him from the beginning and he didn’t listen. She repeatedly tried to get them to flee but he kept putting it off. He kept realizing she was right about things but then didn’t listen to her the next time either. I think this took away from the overall story for me because I was distracted in wishing that he had listened to her & also distracted in wishing that he would stop trusting Max. I found that I struggled to get through it simply because it was so frustrating but I realize that may not be the case for everyone. Overall I liked the concept of the book and the topic but my frustration got in the way.

I would like to thank St Martin's Press and Net Galley for allowing me to read and give a review of the book. I have to admit: I read a lot of WW2 books. I don't know why but this is a genre I keep going back to. This book starts in Poland with Eli, his wife Esther and their son Isaak. The book travels through pre-occupation, post-occupation, post liberation and then twenty years in the future in Chicago. The book follows Eli's promise to take down the corrupt and two faced Maximillian. Max is the true epitome of the bad guy. The book jumping to the 1960s and what happened after the war was my favorite part. While I enjoyed this book, there were parts that were slow. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the genre.

enemy and they are out to remove you and your family? Can you truly trust anyone? The Rosen family of Lublin Poland put their trust in a gentile salesman who had worked for them. They pay the man numerous times o keep their family safe, protected and together. But can they really trust Maximilian, they don’t have much choice any more.

While this is historical fiction, it could very well have been the story of one Polish-Jewish family during World War II. The story follows Eli Rosen and Maximilian Poleski from right before the Germans invaded Poland to 20 years after the end of the war. All the time it took Eli to keep the promises he made to his family and loved ones.

I have read many books in this genre and this one stands out from many of the others. From the Rosen family’s story to the long path Eli takes seeking justice, you never forget what horrible times families went through during the Holocaust…and just how much it took for the survivors to move forward and live their lives afterwards. One of the best books I have read in awhile and I highly recommend it to every fan of historical fiction.

As a fan of Ronald Balson’s books I was delighted to get an ARC copy of Eli’s Promise, thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. As usual Mr Balson writes a story that travels across several time lines.
He tells the story of Eli Rosen and his family during the Holocaust and it’s aftermath. It was a beautiful and powerful written story. I only wish more was written about Eli and his son’s early life in the US and how they managed to get here and how he came to work for the government.

Wonderful story from an Author I have enjoyed other books from. I thought the premise and research was done well... a horrible slice of history and the means of survival was thoughtfully portrayed. I had some difficulty seeing some of the characters in my mind's eye and would have liked a bit more of a picture drawn of more than the despicable characters but I really enjoyed the drama, the courage and the kindnesses in this story. It was hard to put down, I really enjoyed the interwoven aspect and how well they came together. I would have liked more retribution. I was grateful to obtain a copy to read in advance and will certainly read more from this author in the future. This book would appeal to historical, suspense and crime readers.

This book started out so good but then it fell flat for me. The story alternates between 1939 Poland, 1946 DP Camp in Germany and 1965 Chicago. It seemed to be somewhat repetitious when it switched time frames and the constant change of time frames was somewhat confusing. I love World War II stories but this one disappointed me. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to receive this book, as an advanced reader copy, from Netgalley and the publisher, Before I read it, I decided to read “Once we were brothers” first. That book was incredible. Five stars. Having said this, I was disappointed in Eli’s Promise. The dialogue exchanges, in much of it, did not resonate with me. It seemed unnatural and often contrived. In my opinion, some of the events were not plausible. I thought the book was geared more to young adult reading. Lastly, it was quite a lengthy journey only to culminate so quickly with resolution at the end. I do not want to say more as I do not want to create any spoilers. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this opportunity.

Another great historical fiction by Ronald H. Balson. Eli’s Promise is the story about Eli and his family during Nazi Occupation in Poland. His struggles to protect his Jewish family force Eli to reluctantly trust his family fate to an employee, Max who has influence with the Nazi’s occupying his home town. He is ultimately betrayed by Max, who is only concerned about looking after himself. Eli’s Promise is to hunt down Max and make him pay for his deception.

Eli’s Promise is an in depth look at a Jewish family betrayed by Nazi Collaborator Maximilian Poleski who promises he will keep Eli Rosen’s wife Esther and son Isaac safe if Eli helped him build/run a shipping yard that’ll help the Nazi’s build barracks for concentration camps.
Eli’s Promise spans through three eras-1939, Nazi-occupied Poland, 1946 Föhrenwald the American Zone of post-war Germany, and 1965 Albany, Chicago where Eli’s seek justice to for family.
Ronald H. Balson’s is a National Jewish Book Award winter, I have read and enjoyed all of books. I jumped at the chance to read Eli’s Promise and give an honest review from NetGalley. I give Eli’s Promise 5 stars.

Eli's Promise by Ronald H. Balson is set in Nazi-occupied Poland, American post-war displaced persons camp in Bavaria, and the United States of America. The story revolves around the Polish Jew Eli Rosen and his family.

The story is spread across three timelines. The gist of it is the cat and mouse race between the protagonist and the chief perpetrator, a man by the name Maximilian Poleski.

The war struck Poland narrative was what I liked best, partly due to my fascination for World War II settings. The gruesome details of the oppression by the Nazis, and the poor living conditions in the post-war camps are vividly described.

The conclusion was far fetched and disappointing, to say the least.

Thanks to the author and the publisher for the ARC.

Eli's Promise follows Eli through 3 different time periods. In 1939, Eli, his wife , and son live in Poland. When the Nazi's take over his construction company the man they give the company to has zero idea what he is doing. Max offers to try and keep Eli's family safe if Eli helps him run the company. In 1946, Eli and his son are in a camp in Germany and Eli hasn't seen his wife Esther since the war started. In 1965, Eli is in Chicago trying to get evidence to convict Max for all his crimes. This tells an absolutely heartbreaking tale of one family's life. The characters are believable and you feel what they feel. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Ronald Balson is known for his WWII novels focusing on the Jewish experience. His newest is no exception. It features Eli Rosen, a brickmaker in Lublin, Poland and Maximilian Poleski, a Nazi collaborator and profiteer. Eli seeks revenge on his fellow Jew -- Max -- who did not keep his promise and instead betrayed the Rosen family. Upon release from Buchenwald, Eli sets out to find Max, settle the score, and learn what happened to his missing wife, Esther.

The struggle between the two men transpires across three settings: 1940s occupied Poland, the post-war camps for displaced persons, and 1960s Chicago. The scenes occurring in the DP camps were of greatest interest to me because not as many novels focus on the challenges of resettlement following the war.

I have enjoyed many of Balson’s earlier works, but for some reason, I had a hard time with this book. The language was simplistic and did not paint pictures for me; the dialog was stilted. Other than Eli and Max, the characters were two-dimensional and underdeveloped. I did not feel invested in them.

In full disclosure, I read the book during the COVID-19 shutdown. Perhaps a WWII story was just too heavy for me at this time. I also wondered what Eli’s life would have been like if he’d directed his energy toward forgiveness rather than confrontation with his nemesis. While I recommend this author, I suggest trying his other books first.

Eli’s Promise is a work of historical fiction that spans the period of 1939 to 1966. The main character, Eli, begins his journey in Lublin, Poland, the story moves to a displaced persons camp called, Forenwald, and then the story moves through Albany Park (a section of Chicago). The novel moves through these various places and time periods holding the reader’s interest while moving the story along. The characters are well-developed, and I cared very much about each person’s situation and what would happen to each one.
The novel was not so much about the horrors of the holocaust as much as it was each character’s personal motivation and strength that led to his or her survival or downfall. I’m glad I had a chance to read this book and I will recommend it to others.

This is another story of the horrors of WWII and beyond. We follow Eli through 3 different time periods beginning with occupied Poland and ending in the mid 60's as he tries to locate the man who said that he would help protect his (Eli's) business.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in September 2020.

Ronald H. Balson writes another great historical fiction book that makes for enjoyable reading. In this book, we follow the life of Eli Rozen and his family. The story is told in three time frames, prior to and during German occupation of his town, and following the War. This made for an interesting read, and I appreciated that the story of Eli did not follow him or others into the work camps, but instead focused on how he survived to stay out of the camp as long as he did. The main characters were well-developed throughout the story, and we see through Eli's eyes the importance of keeping his word and to follow through with that. promise, no matter the obstacles placed in front of him. It was heartbreaking to have him put so much trust in a person who continually let him down. Interesting turn of events to have Eli follow his promise to America, where he met a young woman who inadvertently was a part of his history. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review, which this has been. #NetGalley #Eli'sPromise