Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed: The Story of the Village of Le Chambon and How Goodness Happened There

Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, by Phillip Hallie, describes the kindness that was done in Le Chambon, a small French village, during WWII. Andre and Magda Trocme, Le Chambon's religious leaders, transformed the village into a place of refuge for all those fleeing from the Nazis' evil grip. Hallie focuses on the idea that although Le Chambon was surrounded by violence and inhumanity, it stood up for its beliefs and succeeded in saving many refugees. These were truly amazing people who not only gave material items in support of saving the refugees, but also gave of themselves.Hallie wrote this book as a eulogy for the leaders of Le Chambon. He expounds on the remarkable deeds they accomplished. I usually find it depressing to read about WWII because of all the hatred, violence, and atrocities that were committed during the war. It leaves me with a nagging question of "how could human beings have been so evil?" However, Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed is unique. Although it took place during WWII, it is tremendously uplifting and hopeful. It showed me how goodness can prevail and that there are people with high moral standards that help fellow human beings even though everyone around them is doing something different. For example, when Andre Trocme was asked about where the Jews were hiding within the village, he responded, "We do not know what a Jew is, we know only men." This truly exemplifies their unconditional love for their fellow man. It did not matter what religion they were or what language they spoke, the refugees were helped just because they were human beings.Another greatly inspiring aspect of the book was Le Chambon's strong belief in non-violence. The title, `Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed' clearly describes the villagers' belief that it is better to help refugees than to fight against their enemy. Instead of physically fighting against the Nazis, they indirectly opposed Nazism by saving refugees. This method exemplified their love for all humans. Le Chambon did not want to be responsible for shedding Nazi blood, even though the Nazis were murdering countless innocent people.This book gives incredible insights into the characteristics of a group of people who lived solely for others. Since there is a tremendous amount to be learned from their actions, we must remember all they accomplished and implement into our lives the ability to stay strong in one's beliefs and feel love for all other human beings. By doing so, we will become more sensitive people and ultimately change the way we live.Hallies's descriptive and original way of writing made the reader feel as if he or she was a villager in Le Chambon. I highly recommend Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed as it is a beautifully written book that expounds on the miraculous story of Le Chambon and how its leaders created a village of refuge, brought it to greatness, and ultimately made a difference in the lives of many.

Until I read this book, "Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed," I had not been aware of the heroic acts undertaken by the citizens of the French village of Le Chambon during WWII to save the lives of many Jews. Author Philip Hallie has meticulously researched what happened during the years of the German Occupation of France when Le Chambon transformed itself into an unlikely City of Refuge for those fleeing Nazi persecution.Pastor Andre Trocme was the pastor of the Protestant church in this village high in the Haute-Loire region of South Central France. Based on his faith and his interpretation of the teachings of Jesus, he was convinced of the value of each human life and of the importance of non-violence in fighting against evil. Through his teaching and sermons on Sundays, as well as his mentoring of thirteen small group leaders, called responsables, he inculcated his personal beliefs into the ethos of his church and his village.Using primary sources and many interviews with those who lived in Le Chambon during the years of Nazi Occupation, Professor Hallie leads the reader through an understanding of what happened, and an understanding of why it happened in Le Chambon and not in neighboring villages. Pastor Trocme and his wife, Magda Grilli Trocme, are at the center of this real life drama, along with Assistant Pastor Edouard Theis. The book is divided evenly between rehearsing the facts of what occurred in Le Chambon, balanced with discursive philosophical explorations of the ethics and theology behind the acts of kindness that were undertaken at great risk for strangers.The book is tremendously uplifting in that it highlights courageous acts that are little known outside of the small circle of those who study the history of the Holocaust or the German Occupation of France.

Superbly written account of amazing bravery in a small village in France during nazi occupation.

This book is a most interesting account of a French town which during the Nazi occupation sheltered and assisted Jewish refugees who needed to escape to Switzerland. It is a heartening tale of faith and courage. My husband and I, after seeing the Pierre Sauvage film, Weapons of the Spirit, about Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, visited the town. It was there I was given a chance to read this book, which gives additional details beyond the film. We want to be able to share this now with our grandchildren.

This is an excellent book showing what people can do to save the lives of the innocents with strong leadership and dedication to the principle of nonviolence. It was truly uplifting in the face of the horror of WW11. A great example to live by. Every life is precious.This review is by the wife of buggy bob.

Good service and good quality

Un témoignage à village qui a accueilli des Juifs dans un temps encore plus xénophobe que le nôtre.