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If It's Not Impossible...: The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton
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.
298 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 15, 2022
What is one major difference between a book and it's reader ?
There are no redo's once a book is published.
As for the reader, we can write reviews all day long with the power of "edit and delete".
I will continue until I get it right .
////
I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting Sir Nicholas Winton when he came to the United States before passing away at the age of 106.
During his stay, I along with a few others set up a reunion with some of the children touched by his extraordinary hand.
Surprisingly, it was easy to find many of his children located within a few states, but our concern was the unknown; how would they react to this invitation.
And so, standing in the back of the large ballroom, I watched 15-20 adult children in their early 60's' and 70's -accompanied by their own children and grandchildren walk into the room and proceeded to make a full circle around where "Nicholas" was seated.
Smiling, I recognized they also made a plan kept between themselves- just as Nicholas Winton had done with them and their parents.
With tears beginning to stream down their cheeks, they were extraordinarily grateful in having the opportunity to meet this compassionate gentleman who saved their lives.
One man. 669 children.
There are times when you focus on the end game putting emotions aside to rule the task; and there are times when you become paralyzed. A room of strangers to each other, yet all were connected by one common denominator.
Questions began pouring out.
Why us? How were we chosen? Why did you take on this responsibility? Were you afraid you would be caught?
Just as interesting were the questions that were not asked ... Do you have any recollection of your past? When were you told details of the war? Have you ever looked for your biological parents?
Now, over fifty years later Nicholas Winton humbly smiles with moist eyes to answer the question of "Why"
"One saw a problem there. The children needed a safe haven.
Why did I do this?
Why do people do different things?
Some people revel in taking risks, and some go through life taking no risks at all."
Today, Sir Nicholas Winton's name shines bright on a plaque at Yad Vashem. Just an incredible honor of "Righteous Gentiles" ...and by the way he was no stranger to honors.
In 2003, he was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his actions of humanity.
Because of the humane character of such special people as SNW, the "ripple effect" performed its magic to give these children a second chance to live a life.
There are no redo's once a book is published.
As for the reader, we can write reviews all day long with the power of "edit and delete".
I will continue until I get it right .
////
I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting Sir Nicholas Winton when he came to the United States before passing away at the age of 106.
During his stay, I along with a few others set up a reunion with some of the children touched by his extraordinary hand.
Surprisingly, it was easy to find many of his children located within a few states, but our concern was the unknown; how would they react to this invitation.
And so, standing in the back of the large ballroom, I watched 15-20 adult children in their early 60's' and 70's -accompanied by their own children and grandchildren walk into the room and proceeded to make a full circle around where "Nicholas" was seated.
Smiling, I recognized they also made a plan kept between themselves- just as Nicholas Winton had done with them and their parents.
With tears beginning to stream down their cheeks, they were extraordinarily grateful in having the opportunity to meet this compassionate gentleman who saved their lives.
One man. 669 children.
There are times when you focus on the end game putting emotions aside to rule the task; and there are times when you become paralyzed. A room of strangers to each other, yet all were connected by one common denominator.
Questions began pouring out.
Why us? How were we chosen? Why did you take on this responsibility? Were you afraid you would be caught?
Just as interesting were the questions that were not asked ... Do you have any recollection of your past? When were you told details of the war? Have you ever looked for your biological parents?
Now, over fifty years later Nicholas Winton humbly smiles with moist eyes to answer the question of "Why"
"One saw a problem there. The children needed a safe haven.
Why did I do this?
Why do people do different things?
Some people revel in taking risks, and some go through life taking no risks at all."
Today, Sir Nicholas Winton's name shines bright on a plaque at Yad Vashem. Just an incredible honor of "Righteous Gentiles" ...and by the way he was no stranger to honors.
In 2003, he was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his actions of humanity.
Because of the humane character of such special people as SNW, the "ripple effect" performed its magic to give these children a second chance to live a life.
February 5, 2025
This is the biography of the humanitarian who in 1939 along with other brave volunteers rescued 669 mostly Jewish Czechoslovakian children from Nazi persecution and the eventual death camps.
Most of the rescued children and in fact many people didn’t know the extent of Sir Winton’s involvement and accomplishment, until in 1988 when a scrapbook was found in his attic, in which along with photographs of each child, he had written the child’s and his or her parent’s names.
Later he met many of ‘his children’ as he liked to call them. But he could never get over the fact that he couldn’t save all the children.
After the war Sir Winton worked with the International Refugee Organization and later was a member of Humanists UK. In later life his business acumen and position helped him in helping those who were in financial difficulties.
In fact, Sir Winton never stopped his charitable works.
In 2003 he was knighted for services to humanity.
The 2023 film ‘One Life’ in which the brilliant Sir Anthony Hopkins plays as Sir Winton, focuses on the days before the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia and the hurried rescue of the children.
Most of the rescued children and in fact many people didn’t know the extent of Sir Winton’s involvement and accomplishment, until in 1988 when a scrapbook was found in his attic, in which along with photographs of each child, he had written the child’s and his or her parent’s names.
Later he met many of ‘his children’ as he liked to call them. But he could never get over the fact that he couldn’t save all the children.
After the war Sir Winton worked with the International Refugee Organization and later was a member of Humanists UK. In later life his business acumen and position helped him in helping those who were in financial difficulties.
In fact, Sir Winton never stopped his charitable works.
In 2003 he was knighted for services to humanity.
The 2023 film ‘One Life’ in which the brilliant Sir Anthony Hopkins plays as Sir Winton, focuses on the days before the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia and the hurried rescue of the children.
April 21, 2015
This is a very well written book about an interesting man - but to read it is to discover that he may not be interesting for the reasons you thought, or in the ways you thought.
Before reading this book, I thought Sir Nicholas Winton should be recognized by Yad Vashem as a Righteous Gentile in spite of the genetic technicality (he was actually born Jewish, rendering him ineligible for the title Righteous "Gentile"). However, having read the book and heard his own arguments with regard to this honor, I'm inclined to lean in favor of what he says himself: that he was not in danger when rescuing the children, that many others did more than he did, and that his intent was to rescue children - any children - and the fact that 85% of those children happened to be Jewish was incidental.
Do not misunderstand me: Sir Nicholas is a bonafide rescuer and humanitarian deserving of praise and gratitude. The honours he has been accorded are well earned and deserved. But he was also a rescuer unlike many others, perhaps even most others.
Particularly considering that he is her father and that she has no training in methodology, Ms. Winton has done an excellent job with this book. There isn't nearly as much bias as one might expect; Ms. Winton takes pains to be as objective as she can, and points out frequently the character traits that can (and have) made Sir Nicholas difficult to work with and at times rather unlikeable as a person. She refers to him more than once as self-centered, and gives many examples of it. She doesn't use the word, but I would even say that there is an arrogance about him that I'm sure many people could find difficult to deal with.
In some respects this is more of a study of the development of Sir Nicholas' ethics than a traditional biography. Since the period of time during which he rescued the children was a brief nine months in 1939, that wouldn't make much of a book, especially without the day-by-day details that this book does not have. Instead Ms. Winton examines Sir Nicholas' family life and childhood and his years at school, looking for influences in the shape of people, events, and ideas.
While I would have liked more detail about the period of the rescue, this is definitely worth reading. I like the fact that the blurb on the back includes the information that "there are around 6000 people who are alive today because of Nicholas Winton." It is, I think, very easy to forget that it was not only 6 million Jewish lives that were lost (in addition to other minority groups persecuted by the Nazis), but their subsequent generations as well. There's a reason that the Talmud says "he who saves one life, it is as if he has saved the entire world."
(with apologies for the poor paraphrasing). But even beyond the rescue of the children, Sir Nicholas is an interesting man and this book is worth reading for that as well.
Before reading this book, I thought Sir Nicholas Winton should be recognized by Yad Vashem as a Righteous Gentile in spite of the genetic technicality (he was actually born Jewish, rendering him ineligible for the title Righteous "Gentile"). However, having read the book and heard his own arguments with regard to this honor, I'm inclined to lean in favor of what he says himself: that he was not in danger when rescuing the children, that many others did more than he did, and that his intent was to rescue children - any children - and the fact that 85% of those children happened to be Jewish was incidental.
Do not misunderstand me: Sir Nicholas is a bonafide rescuer and humanitarian deserving of praise and gratitude. The honours he has been accorded are well earned and deserved. But he was also a rescuer unlike many others, perhaps even most others.
Particularly considering that he is her father and that she has no training in methodology, Ms. Winton has done an excellent job with this book. There isn't nearly as much bias as one might expect; Ms. Winton takes pains to be as objective as she can, and points out frequently the character traits that can (and have) made Sir Nicholas difficult to work with and at times rather unlikeable as a person. She refers to him more than once as self-centered, and gives many examples of it. She doesn't use the word, but I would even say that there is an arrogance about him that I'm sure many people could find difficult to deal with.
In some respects this is more of a study of the development of Sir Nicholas' ethics than a traditional biography. Since the period of time during which he rescued the children was a brief nine months in 1939, that wouldn't make much of a book, especially without the day-by-day details that this book does not have. Instead Ms. Winton examines Sir Nicholas' family life and childhood and his years at school, looking for influences in the shape of people, events, and ideas.
While I would have liked more detail about the period of the rescue, this is definitely worth reading. I like the fact that the blurb on the back includes the information that "there are around 6000 people who are alive today because of Nicholas Winton." It is, I think, very easy to forget that it was not only 6 million Jewish lives that were lost (in addition to other minority groups persecuted by the Nazis), but their subsequent generations as well. There's a reason that the Talmud says "he who saves one life, it is as if he has saved the entire world."
(with apologies for the poor paraphrasing). But even beyond the rescue of the children, Sir Nicholas is an interesting man and this book is worth reading for that as well.
April 2, 2024
"... há uma diferença entre a bondade passiva e a bondade activa, que, na minha opinião, é a doação do nosso tempo e das nossas energias para aliviar a dor e o sofrimento. Implica sair, encontrar e ajudar aqueles que sofrem e estão em perigo, e não apenas levar uma vida exemplar, na forma puramente passiva de não fazer nada de errado. E podem ajudar imenso."
Em 1939, Nicholas Winton, salvou 669 crianças da morte certa. Estas crianças eram refugiadas judias na sua maioria e os restantes membros das suas famílias já tinham sido deportados para os campos de concentração. Ao atender uma chamada telefónica do seu amigo Martin Blake que assistia à situação das crianças refugiadas em Praga, este pedia-lhe que em vez de ir de férias para a neve como tinha planeado, se juntasse a ele e o ajudasse a salvar as crianças.
Ao chegar a Praga, Nicholas conseguiu convencer alguns oficiais nazis a deixarem partir algumas das crianças para Inglaterra onde ele com a ajuda de amigos e da sua mãe Bárbara Winton, arranjariam famílias que as adoptassem.
Pela persuasão e trabalho árduo de Nicholas Winton quase 6000 pessoas estão vivas hoje, sendo elas algumas crianças que salvou e os seus descendentes. Nicholas nunca se vangloriou pelo seu feito, raramente falava sobre ele e nem se considerava um herói.
Bárbara Winton (1953 - 2022) escreveu este livro para contar a história da vida do seu pai e contar ao mundo que ele era um homem comum e não um deus.
Winton esteve sempre envolvido em acções humanitárias, sempre procurou ajudar os pobres, doentes e oprimidos criando associações para angariar fundos e assim proporcionar uma vida decente a todos.
O maior ensinamento que Nicholas Winton deixou a todas as pessoas que o conheceram era que todos nós podemos ajudar o próximo, basta querer, basta sair da nossa zona de conforto e lutar pelos mais indefesos activamente porque hoje são eles mas amanhã podemos ser nós.
"Uma ética e um compromisso comuns, é o que todos temos de aprender para tornar o mundo um lugar melhor. "
Nicholas Winton
Em 1939, Nicholas Winton, salvou 669 crianças da morte certa. Estas crianças eram refugiadas judias na sua maioria e os restantes membros das suas famílias já tinham sido deportados para os campos de concentração. Ao atender uma chamada telefónica do seu amigo Martin Blake que assistia à situação das crianças refugiadas em Praga, este pedia-lhe que em vez de ir de férias para a neve como tinha planeado, se juntasse a ele e o ajudasse a salvar as crianças.
Ao chegar a Praga, Nicholas conseguiu convencer alguns oficiais nazis a deixarem partir algumas das crianças para Inglaterra onde ele com a ajuda de amigos e da sua mãe Bárbara Winton, arranjariam famílias que as adoptassem.
Pela persuasão e trabalho árduo de Nicholas Winton quase 6000 pessoas estão vivas hoje, sendo elas algumas crianças que salvou e os seus descendentes. Nicholas nunca se vangloriou pelo seu feito, raramente falava sobre ele e nem se considerava um herói.
Bárbara Winton (1953 - 2022) escreveu este livro para contar a história da vida do seu pai e contar ao mundo que ele era um homem comum e não um deus.
Winton esteve sempre envolvido em acções humanitárias, sempre procurou ajudar os pobres, doentes e oprimidos criando associações para angariar fundos e assim proporcionar uma vida decente a todos.
O maior ensinamento que Nicholas Winton deixou a todas as pessoas que o conheceram era que todos nós podemos ajudar o próximo, basta querer, basta sair da nossa zona de conforto e lutar pelos mais indefesos activamente porque hoje são eles mas amanhã podemos ser nós.
"Uma ética e um compromisso comuns, é o que todos temos de aprender para tornar o mundo um lugar melhor. "
Nicholas Winton
August 17, 2025
One Life: The True Story of Sir Nicholas Winton and the Prague Kindertransport
is the story of a hero, a humanitarian pitted against Nazism and the cost it was exacting from families, from children - particularly of a certain set of people. This book, written by his daughter, while it tells the tale of the Kindertransport happening is more about Nicholas Winton's life and all the years and circumstances that led him to making the choices he did in helping to initiate and execute the life-saving operation. He was gutsy, organized and had a very clear sense of what was right and wrong. He understood he was perfectly placed in society to be able to access resources, make connections and had the guts to move forward with action toward securing the freedom of as many children as he could. A quintessential example of the right man at the right time.
Barbara Winton's book about her dad is inspiring and a timely reminder. It was just an odd chance that we even have this book to read about Nicky's amazing actions in the past - how many others have happened throughout time that never made it to the page? We are always standing on the shoulders of the people in our lives, families and nations of whose heroism we mostly never hear. Yet whether their acts and choices are known or unknown, it was done in the hope we'd make something of their gift and sacrifice. Hopefully we are, right? Working to be solution finders, to the best of our abilities. Like Sir Nicolas Winton.
*A sincere thank you to Barbara Winton, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #OneLife #NetGalley 25|52:42
Barbara Winton's book about her dad is inspiring and a timely reminder. It was just an odd chance that we even have this book to read about Nicky's amazing actions in the past - how many others have happened throughout time that never made it to the page? We are always standing on the shoulders of the people in our lives, families and nations of whose heroism we mostly never hear. Yet whether their acts and choices are known or unknown, it was done in the hope we'd make something of their gift and sacrifice. Hopefully we are, right? Working to be solution finders, to the best of our abilities. Like Sir Nicolas Winton.
*A sincere thank you to Barbara Winton, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #OneLife #NetGalley 25|52:42
January 28, 2024
Previously titled "If it's not impossible...", this book has been "re-packaged" to coincide with the release of the film "One Life".
Somewhat annoyingly, it has had no additional material added since it was first published in 2014. Therefore, there are a lot of references to what Nicky does now but he passed away 8 years ago (I am reading it in 2023), so it jars with me a little bit and feels kind of out of date.
I have great admiration for everything that Sir Nicholas Winton achieved with the Kindertransport, and his many charitable endeavours after that - which I was unaware of before reading the book. If I was rating a man and his contributions it would undoubtedly be a five star so I have found this a hard one to rate.
I may have misunderstood the purpose of the book (perhaps due to the newer cover pointing to the Kindertransport aspect of his life as the dominant story?), but a great deal of the book talks about other aspects of Nickys life pre and post-1938/1939 Kindertransport experience.
I understand that his daughter has included a full biography to give his actions context. However, I found that some of the minutae just wasn't as necessary, and it meant that the narrative would often digress or stray from the point with a sort of "oh and here's another little anecdote" discourse. While this is great within families, it does make the book a little mundane at times, and I did struggle to read right to the end.
That said, I learned a lot of little facts about post war rebuilding, how certain charities work, how the world has got to where it is today, and I gave a lot of thought to the role of an individual in creating a society that is aimed at the greater good.
With a subject who had so many experiences, interactions with many well known historical figures, and such a full life, I think this book could have had more depth of purpose. However, it sometimes tended towards the "and then this happened, and then this happened" style and was also sometimes repetitive. At times I felt like I was intruding upon a family get together where everyone has heard the stories told many times before.
I do still recommend the book - just be aware that what you are getting might not be what you expect.
Somewhat annoyingly, it has had no additional material added since it was first published in 2014. Therefore, there are a lot of references to what Nicky does now but he passed away 8 years ago (I am reading it in 2023), so it jars with me a little bit and feels kind of out of date.
I have great admiration for everything that Sir Nicholas Winton achieved with the Kindertransport, and his many charitable endeavours after that - which I was unaware of before reading the book. If I was rating a man and his contributions it would undoubtedly be a five star so I have found this a hard one to rate.
I may have misunderstood the purpose of the book (perhaps due to the newer cover pointing to the Kindertransport aspect of his life as the dominant story?), but a great deal of the book talks about other aspects of Nickys life pre and post-1938/1939 Kindertransport experience.
I understand that his daughter has included a full biography to give his actions context. However, I found that some of the minutae just wasn't as necessary, and it meant that the narrative would often digress or stray from the point with a sort of "oh and here's another little anecdote" discourse. While this is great within families, it does make the book a little mundane at times, and I did struggle to read right to the end.
That said, I learned a lot of little facts about post war rebuilding, how certain charities work, how the world has got to where it is today, and I gave a lot of thought to the role of an individual in creating a society that is aimed at the greater good.
With a subject who had so many experiences, interactions with many well known historical figures, and such a full life, I think this book could have had more depth of purpose. However, it sometimes tended towards the "and then this happened, and then this happened" style and was also sometimes repetitive. At times I felt like I was intruding upon a family get together where everyone has heard the stories told many times before.
I do still recommend the book - just be aware that what you are getting might not be what you expect.
October 21, 2024
What a magnificent movie based on a great book. A very touching story wort reading it.
November 14, 2024
Nicholas Winton (1909-2015) was a British banker who, in the months preceding the official start of World War II in 1939, led a heroic effort to marshall resources and evacuate 669 children (the majority of whom were Jewish) from Czechoslovakia to foster families in England. Given that the majority of these children's parents and families did not survive the war, the efforts of Winton and his colleagues likely saved the children's lives. While other contemporary operations were better known in the years following the war (i.e., the Kindertransport program), Winton's efforts came to light through a detailed record kept in a scrapbook that landed in the hands of a BBC producer of the television show That's Life, where Winton was reunited with dozens of the children he saved. Since then, several films and television shows have been made about Winton's efforts and life, including a 2023 movie based off of this book.
One Life is a biography of Nicholas Winton written by his daughter Barbara that aims to give a more complete picture of Winton's life and what compelled him to his act of heroism. The book reveals that Nicholas Winton was born Nicholas Wertheim to two Jewish German immigrants who, like many in their extended family and social circles, masked their German and Jewish heritage to fit in in. Winton attended Christian schools and later became an atheist. Barbara portrays her father as a politically active man who invested a lot in his community and in causes he believed were just, while maintaining the stereotypical British stiff upper lip, seldom engaging in introspection, and disliking calling attention to himself or bragging about his accomplishments. The explanation given for why Winton risked so much to evacuate Czech children is largely "he thought it was the right thing to do, so he did it, and then he moved on with his life."
Sometimes biographies suffer when the writer is not far removed from the subject. Unfortunately I think this book suffers from these perils. Barbara Winton tried to portray her father objectively and made it a point to tell plenty of mundane stories about him too, but they're all filtered through her perspective as a daughter who loves her father very much. The book's narrative structure is also discohesive -- the story opens with the events of 1939 in Czechoslovakia, then jumps back in time to the late 19th century to tell the story of Winton's grandparents and great-grandparents, then jumps ahead to the late 80s, 90s, and 2000s when Winton was being feted for his accomplishments, and back and forth and back and forth so many times that it made for a confusing audiobook listening experience. I also felt like there was an overemphasis on mundane details from Winton's later life -- probably because those are the years Barbara Winton remembers most.
Overall, an amazing life story that I wish was told in a more polished package.
Further reading: World War II and the Holocaust
The Children of Willesden Lane. Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival by Mona Golabek
The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger
The Counterfeit Countess: The Jewish Woman Who Rescued Thousands of Poles During the Holocaust by Elizabeth White
Hiding in the Spotlight by Greg Dawson
The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
My statistics:
Book 274 for 2024
Book 1877 cumulatively
One Life is a biography of Nicholas Winton written by his daughter Barbara that aims to give a more complete picture of Winton's life and what compelled him to his act of heroism. The book reveals that Nicholas Winton was born Nicholas Wertheim to two Jewish German immigrants who, like many in their extended family and social circles, masked their German and Jewish heritage to fit in in. Winton attended Christian schools and later became an atheist. Barbara portrays her father as a politically active man who invested a lot in his community and in causes he believed were just, while maintaining the stereotypical British stiff upper lip, seldom engaging in introspection, and disliking calling attention to himself or bragging about his accomplishments. The explanation given for why Winton risked so much to evacuate Czech children is largely "he thought it was the right thing to do, so he did it, and then he moved on with his life."
Sometimes biographies suffer when the writer is not far removed from the subject. Unfortunately I think this book suffers from these perils. Barbara Winton tried to portray her father objectively and made it a point to tell plenty of mundane stories about him too, but they're all filtered through her perspective as a daughter who loves her father very much. The book's narrative structure is also discohesive -- the story opens with the events of 1939 in Czechoslovakia, then jumps back in time to the late 19th century to tell the story of Winton's grandparents and great-grandparents, then jumps ahead to the late 80s, 90s, and 2000s when Winton was being feted for his accomplishments, and back and forth and back and forth so many times that it made for a confusing audiobook listening experience. I also felt like there was an overemphasis on mundane details from Winton's later life -- probably because those are the years Barbara Winton remembers most.
Overall, an amazing life story that I wish was told in a more polished package.
Further reading: World War II and the Holocaust
The Children of Willesden Lane. Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival by Mona Golabek
The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger
The Counterfeit Countess: The Jewish Woman Who Rescued Thousands of Poles During the Holocaust by Elizabeth White
Hiding in the Spotlight by Greg Dawson
The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
My statistics:
Book 274 for 2024
Book 1877 cumulatively
June 4, 2025
This was a good look at a remarkable man. Sir Nicholas Winton was a true humanitarian. He rescued hundreds of children from Czechoslovakia, mostly Jewish, just before the outbreak of WWII. But his accomplishments span his entire life. He helped establish an organization that supports children with Down's syndrome and their families. He worked for many other charitable organizations up until the end of his life at the age of 106 years. I liked his philosophy, stated several times in the book, that "If something is not impossible, then there must be a way to do it."
I actually discovered this book as a result of seeing the movie (One Life - starring Anthony Hopkins, an actor I admire) and perhaps that's why this book was a little disappointing. This book, written by his daughter several years prior to his death, covers a lot more than the kindertransport. In fact, that is just a small part; there is much more about his life before and after that. So if you are wanting more details about the man behind the Prague Kindertransport, this is a nice addition. If you were focusing on just the Kindertransport, there are probably other resources with more info. This was a lovely story about a remarkable man and well worth the read - just be aware that it is not *quite* what it purports to be.
I actually discovered this book as a result of seeing the movie (One Life - starring Anthony Hopkins, an actor I admire) and perhaps that's why this book was a little disappointing. This book, written by his daughter several years prior to his death, covers a lot more than the kindertransport. In fact, that is just a small part; there is much more about his life before and after that. So if you are wanting more details about the man behind the Prague Kindertransport, this is a nice addition. If you were focusing on just the Kindertransport, there are probably other resources with more info. This was a lovely story about a remarkable man and well worth the read - just be aware that it is not *quite* what it purports to be.
December 24, 2023
Author of her father’s biography, Barbara Winton confirmed that “the reason for writing this biography was to show the whole person and not just the myth described in articles about his bravery, heroism and humility.” Through this detailed journey from Nicky Winton’s childhood to the elder years of the 106-year-old British icon, readers are shown his “capacity to induce discomfort, irritation and even dislike” in those who did not share his same goals. However, these negative aspects did not diminish in any way Winton’s humanitarian side during his lifetime of charitable dedication.
However, the biography was far from what I had expected, most often overladen with detail about Winton’s working life, which took the focus away from what I had been most interested in: his incredible activity at the start of WWII to save nearly 700 children, mostly Jewish, from the Nazi occupation in Czechoslovakia. In organising the rescue of these children, Winton created a legacy that would outlive him and inspire others to choose action over indifference when met with injustice. Hard to admit, but at times I was bored by the side stories and distraction away from that initial motivation, which became the bulk of the content of the narrative.
However, the biography was far from what I had expected, most often overladen with detail about Winton’s working life, which took the focus away from what I had been most interested in: his incredible activity at the start of WWII to save nearly 700 children, mostly Jewish, from the Nazi occupation in Czechoslovakia. In organising the rescue of these children, Winton created a legacy that would outlive him and inspire others to choose action over indifference when met with injustice. Hard to admit, but at times I was bored by the side stories and distraction away from that initial motivation, which became the bulk of the content of the narrative.
August 6, 2024
I was a bit disappointed because I expected the book to focus more on the rescue aspect and how Sir Nicole rescued the children. Instead, it turned out to be more about his historical life, from his youth through to his later years.
March 28, 2025
Very interesting memoir by the daughter of a man who saved a number of Jewish children from Czechoslovakia. She covers his life to help us understand the full man.
February 8, 2025
This is not what I expected. I had hoped that it would cover his motivation and actions that resulted in the Prague Kindertransport, but instead it was a biography and family history. Written by his daughter, who had to piece together minimal documentation and add a lot of speculation about his childhood, adolescence, and family relationships, it provided an exhaustive and somewhat repetitive account of his LONG life. (He died at age 106). Yes, he was an admirable person, and he deserves a lot of praise (all of it noted in her descriptions of his various medals and awards), but most of his life was pretty run-of-the-mill. Maybe some additional anecdotes about the lives of some of his "children" who grew up and had families of their own would have tied more directly to his wartime achievements. Guess it shows that there may be opportunities for even unexceptional people to rise to an occasion and do the right thing.
July 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this in-depth account of Sir Nicholas Winton's life. The context of his life outside his rescue efforts was really fascinating, particularly his family's immigrant history and his work in the initial post World War Two period. I did think the last few chapters dragged a bit hence the slightly lower rating but still highly recommend for the majority of the book.
February 6, 2017
I have a mixed opinion of this novel. I really like its detail, especially when describing the main character of the novel, Nicholas Winton, as well as explaining the details of the children rescued by Nicholas Winton during the Holocaust. I feel that this novel is very unbiased because of the objective form that this narrative takes, and little room is left for personal opinion. However, its objectivity is detrimental to the novel's appeal-I feel that this novel lacks the most important writing tools of all: flow and rhythm. This novel stated facts like a history textbook and was extremely dull in points. In addition to being too objective, I felt that the novel contained points which were completely irrelevant to the main theme of the Holocaust, such as the descriptions of friends of Winton, some of whom whose relationships to the main theme are negligible.
One thing that really struck me about this novel was how well the theme of the Holocaust stood out. Through clear photos of documents, such as the identification papers of the Kindertransport children, I was able to realize the true devastation caused by the Holocaust, and how these children were separated from their families by this horrible time in history.
Overall, I think this is a good novel to use in a school curriculum because of the lack of bias and its detailed information. However, don't expect to be entertained by this novel, as one would be by any other narrative.
One thing that really struck me about this novel was how well the theme of the Holocaust stood out. Through clear photos of documents, such as the identification papers of the Kindertransport children, I was able to realize the true devastation caused by the Holocaust, and how these children were separated from their families by this horrible time in history.
Overall, I think this is a good novel to use in a school curriculum because of the lack of bias and its detailed information. However, don't expect to be entertained by this novel, as one would be by any other narrative.
March 20, 2025
What an amazing humanitarian! I had not known of his story before, and it was very interesting to learn about his life and his lifetime of creating change. I wish more of the story was devoted to his work rescuing the children, but overall, it was a great book. Very inspiring.
February 29, 2024
I stopped reading this for a while as it juxtaposed the normal working life of Nicholas Winton and the event that he is now rightly famous for - the rescue of 600 plus refugee children via Prague just before war broke out. It’s written by his daughter who of course knew him from the much later time but I found some of it a bit dry. I think she wanted to explain why he didn’t make so much of what he had done. He didn’t hide it but rather played it down- most people would have said it was too difficult to do but he said it’s not impossible so he would find a way. Anyway the style put me off but then I discovered that he wasn’t just a financial director/ banker but after the war had been part of the UN team (IRO) that sorted out the piles of Nazi loot including jewellery and gold from teeth. His job was to realise it as money to help the victims while making sure that none went to Germany. I actually found this the most interesting part of the book and worthy of another film!! The book is worth reading as the story of someone who was not willing to wait for others to do things!!
December 31, 2023
An ordinary life…
In the dictionary under modesty it should say, ‘See Nicholas Winton.’ To save 664 or 669 children at any time would be a most wonderful thing to have been part of, but to save them from the Nazis there is no description that would adequately sum up the magnitude of his actions. This is the story of a man’s life and it does not bear contemplating the consequences of him not being born to do this. Humanity has been the winner there. One life… save the world whole.
In the dictionary under modesty it should say, ‘See Nicholas Winton.’ To save 664 or 669 children at any time would be a most wonderful thing to have been part of, but to save them from the Nazis there is no description that would adequately sum up the magnitude of his actions. This is the story of a man’s life and it does not bear contemplating the consequences of him not being born to do this. Humanity has been the winner there. One life… save the world whole.
January 24, 2024
I give this book 4 stars, mainly because of the subject of the book: Sir Nicholas Winton, who was a selfless, modest, unassuming man, who did so much for so many.
The writing itself though isn’t brilliant and historically, there are no quotes for sources etc.
This book has been re-released to coincide with the film but there’s, sadly, no update to it. I know Sir Nicholas has died, but could have done with an update.
If you’re looking for more on the Kindertransport (I wasn’t) then it’s not the book for you. This focusses on the man behind some of it and his reasons for it.
The writing itself though isn’t brilliant and historically, there are no quotes for sources etc.
This book has been re-released to coincide with the film but there’s, sadly, no update to it. I know Sir Nicholas has died, but could have done with an update.
If you’re looking for more on the Kindertransport (I wasn’t) then it’s not the book for you. This focusses on the man behind some of it and his reasons for it.
August 3, 2024
A wonderfully written and very readable book about an amazing man
March 20, 2025
I knew I had to read this book after watching the DVD movie "One Life" which was based upon this book. Starring Anthony Hopkins, who played the part of Nicholas Winton. Tells the incredible, emotional true story of Nicholas 'Nicky' Winton, a young London broker who visits Prague in December 1938. In a race against time, Winton convinces the British Committee for Refugees in Czechoslovakia to rescue hundreds of predominantly Jewish children before Nazi occupation closes the borders.
This book is written by his daughter Barbara. His work to save the lives of over 600 children correlates directly to helping protect and preserve ideals of human rights. He was a consistently busy man as the reader learns and was determined to succeed at whatever it was through his busy life. For people looking to learn more about the Holocaust in a different area, this book is the perfect one. It is a remarkable story and differs from a lot of the other Holocaust stories written out there. It's told about a man saving children, rather than a Holocaust survivor dating the detailed moments through a concentration camp. The perspective that it comes from is truly a different view into the Holocaust and is interesting. This book is great for anyone who loves history or stories that have a positive outcome. While in the beginning there are some parts that are difficult to focus on because it gets a bit dry but keep reading because by halfway you start to become hooked when hearing the things Nicholas Winton had to do in order to save the children. The emotional part of the story is when the WWII ends and the BBC show "That's Life!" surprises him by reintroduces him to some of those he helped rescue that he finally begins to come to terms with the guilt and grief he carried all the while skyrocketing from anonymity to a national hero. Lot of dry tears in that episode.
There are some people that just stand out in history. Sir Nicholas Winton is one of them…. The story in these pages is not one that inspires observation, it is one that demands action… It is, indeed, a reminder that we can all regardless of our past or present make an impactful difference. Awesome book.
This book is written by his daughter Barbara. His work to save the lives of over 600 children correlates directly to helping protect and preserve ideals of human rights. He was a consistently busy man as the reader learns and was determined to succeed at whatever it was through his busy life. For people looking to learn more about the Holocaust in a different area, this book is the perfect one. It is a remarkable story and differs from a lot of the other Holocaust stories written out there. It's told about a man saving children, rather than a Holocaust survivor dating the detailed moments through a concentration camp. The perspective that it comes from is truly a different view into the Holocaust and is interesting. This book is great for anyone who loves history or stories that have a positive outcome. While in the beginning there are some parts that are difficult to focus on because it gets a bit dry but keep reading because by halfway you start to become hooked when hearing the things Nicholas Winton had to do in order to save the children. The emotional part of the story is when the WWII ends and the BBC show "That's Life!" surprises him by reintroduces him to some of those he helped rescue that he finally begins to come to terms with the guilt and grief he carried all the while skyrocketing from anonymity to a national hero. Lot of dry tears in that episode.
There are some people that just stand out in history. Sir Nicholas Winton is one of them…. The story in these pages is not one that inspires observation, it is one that demands action… It is, indeed, a reminder that we can all regardless of our past or present make an impactful difference. Awesome book.
May 10, 2025
Movie was a 5* which surpasses this book at barely a 2.5* due to its lack of cohesiveness, timeline confusion, irrelevant anecdotes, bland portrayal of Nicky & written without capturing the essence pf what the title of the book is truly about; the actual reason for this monumentally intense time in history!
It was a flip-flop book.
It lost my interest & if it was not for the movie, which evoked emotion, understanding and a true portrayal of why this man and his actions were so crucial, I would not have given it a second thought again…sadly.
Watch the movie!
It focusses upon the defining 9 mths to the outbreak of WW2 far more, the young Nicky, his mother, friends & colleagues, those who helped in Prague & London….the children, the extraordinary tasks & things that needed to be put in place for the trains to depart Prague full of children as they waved goodbye to parents, never to be seen again….arriving in London to new, temporary parents (as they thought), and then not heard of again until….
Fifty years later!
The movie uses this timeline as Nicky’s flashbacks to what he recalled & of course, the grand finale of a public TV show, using his well documented scrapbook, to find some of the children. It finished what he had begun…the underlying theme his mother had taught him.
It’s a tearjerker and highly emotional in comparison to the book. Why!?
First, the author was his daughter, not specifically an author which is obvious. Her attempts at putting it all down became a tedious read. Anecdotally told, within a mish-mash of timelines, the writing was laborious and probably it was indeed a trying task for her. You feel that throughout.
Unfortunately the negative aspects of her father’s character stood out more & along with many other snippets of detail, were extremely irrelevant.
But you have to give credit where credit’s due. And despite this, she did work with the movie’s production team successfully bringing it all together in a far more linear manner & no doubt, soon realised, the difference it has made.
The actors are superb & the setting, music etc certainly captured the frightening war era, and created an atmosphere of suspense & hope.
This man, Nicky Winton, had a strong, determined & committed obligation to help his fellow man in life; not just the 669 children saved, but later, his many charities etc he was involved in.
That he did not comprehend why others would not, or could not do likewise, is a lesson we should all take on board. His approach to ask organisations for help, was not via questioning but more akin to telling them what was going to happen. This is evident throughout. Nobody could decline; as frustrating as he was. It was true grit & determination on his part.
You have to take your hat off to this man….as he was an ordinary man who happened to do an extraordinary thing!
I don’t think his daughter really captured this phenomenal aspect enough in her rather confusing timeline which really did not highlight her father’s in-depth and positive extraordinariness prior to the war!
Merely mentioned it amidst his gardening, connections to Stow School (a lot of marketing!) etc … yet you feel she was trying to show what shaped this man, show his personality from a familial perspective etc. but somehow the essence was lost; the book was overwhelming to read & not linear enough which, thankfully, the film, rectified completely.
Great man, brilliant movie!!
It was a flip-flop book.
It lost my interest & if it was not for the movie, which evoked emotion, understanding and a true portrayal of why this man and his actions were so crucial, I would not have given it a second thought again…sadly.
Watch the movie!
It focusses upon the defining 9 mths to the outbreak of WW2 far more, the young Nicky, his mother, friends & colleagues, those who helped in Prague & London….the children, the extraordinary tasks & things that needed to be put in place for the trains to depart Prague full of children as they waved goodbye to parents, never to be seen again….arriving in London to new, temporary parents (as they thought), and then not heard of again until….
Fifty years later!
The movie uses this timeline as Nicky’s flashbacks to what he recalled & of course, the grand finale of a public TV show, using his well documented scrapbook, to find some of the children. It finished what he had begun…the underlying theme his mother had taught him.
It’s a tearjerker and highly emotional in comparison to the book. Why!?
First, the author was his daughter, not specifically an author which is obvious. Her attempts at putting it all down became a tedious read. Anecdotally told, within a mish-mash of timelines, the writing was laborious and probably it was indeed a trying task for her. You feel that throughout.
Unfortunately the negative aspects of her father’s character stood out more & along with many other snippets of detail, were extremely irrelevant.
But you have to give credit where credit’s due. And despite this, she did work with the movie’s production team successfully bringing it all together in a far more linear manner & no doubt, soon realised, the difference it has made.
The actors are superb & the setting, music etc certainly captured the frightening war era, and created an atmosphere of suspense & hope.
This man, Nicky Winton, had a strong, determined & committed obligation to help his fellow man in life; not just the 669 children saved, but later, his many charities etc he was involved in.
That he did not comprehend why others would not, or could not do likewise, is a lesson we should all take on board. His approach to ask organisations for help, was not via questioning but more akin to telling them what was going to happen. This is evident throughout. Nobody could decline; as frustrating as he was. It was true grit & determination on his part.
You have to take your hat off to this man….as he was an ordinary man who happened to do an extraordinary thing!
I don’t think his daughter really captured this phenomenal aspect enough in her rather confusing timeline which really did not highlight her father’s in-depth and positive extraordinariness prior to the war!
Merely mentioned it amidst his gardening, connections to Stow School (a lot of marketing!) etc … yet you feel she was trying to show what shaped this man, show his personality from a familial perspective etc. but somehow the essence was lost; the book was overwhelming to read & not linear enough which, thankfully, the film, rectified completely.
Great man, brilliant movie!!
December 19, 2024
I have read many books of survivors of the Holocaust, but none from a rescuer point of view. This book was written by Barbara Winton, daughter of Sir Nicholas Winton and gives his life story and his involvement with the Kindertransport which was only a small portion of his long life. He lived to 106!!!
Nicholas received many awards and I think that is because he was the only one left living of a group of people who saved many Czech children from the incoming Nazi army. It was a highly successful and well organised group of people who decided to act when the British govt had their heads in the sand about the threat of Adolf Hitler and his warped ideology. Nicholas Winton was a doer and a renowned problem solver. He was definitely a man of action and did a short stint in the RAF.
The difference with rescuers is that they return to a 'normal' life after war. Nicholas had a good life with a doting wife and 2 children in a lovely part of England. They entertained a lot and had a very wide and eclectic social life, including some famous people. A far cry from survival on the ground in war torn countries!
Nicholas Winton was a great humanitarian and did wonderful work in many areas. However, he didn't come across as a likeable character. Coming from a Victorian background, he had strong moral views, but no religion attached. He was arrogant, self-centred and controlling in dealing with others. If he had a solution to a problem, he expected that solution to be used. He didn't respect others point of view and trod over everyone's feelings. Even the daughter acknowledged that many people didn't like him and the emotional damage he did.
So this biography shows a flawed man who still managed to do incredible things for the disadvantaged. A lesson that we don't need to be perfect to help others and make a difference.
Nicholas received many awards and I think that is because he was the only one left living of a group of people who saved many Czech children from the incoming Nazi army. It was a highly successful and well organised group of people who decided to act when the British govt had their heads in the sand about the threat of Adolf Hitler and his warped ideology. Nicholas Winton was a doer and a renowned problem solver. He was definitely a man of action and did a short stint in the RAF.
The difference with rescuers is that they return to a 'normal' life after war. Nicholas had a good life with a doting wife and 2 children in a lovely part of England. They entertained a lot and had a very wide and eclectic social life, including some famous people. A far cry from survival on the ground in war torn countries!
Nicholas Winton was a great humanitarian and did wonderful work in many areas. However, he didn't come across as a likeable character. Coming from a Victorian background, he had strong moral views, but no religion attached. He was arrogant, self-centred and controlling in dealing with others. If he had a solution to a problem, he expected that solution to be used. He didn't respect others point of view and trod over everyone's feelings. Even the daughter acknowledged that many people didn't like him and the emotional damage he did.
So this biography shows a flawed man who still managed to do incredible things for the disadvantaged. A lesson that we don't need to be perfect to help others and make a difference.
February 22, 2021
I had seen the moving videos of Sir Nicholas Winton on YouTube showing him being surprised by the grown refugees he had arranged to be safely transported to from Czechoslovakia to England as children during WW2. What I love about this biography written by his sister is all the background about Nicholas and his family - including the extensive work conducted by his mother to bring the children to safety. Barbara shares details about all the other people who were dedicated, risking their lives and resources to make the evacuations possible. This gives the reader a bigger picture, seeing how they too might become upstanders, rather than putting Sir Winton on a pedestal with hero worship. Young adults can see the impact of networking - by making friends and staying in contact with associates, you can call upon all those people in time of crisis - many will have something valuable to contribute that you could never accomplish on your own. Also, another effective character trait of Nicholas's was his boldness. Rather than wait on bureaucracy to give its blessing at every necessary turn, Nicholas plowed ahead and assumed authority to get things done. Without his willingness to take risks and be upbraided for being presumptuous, these children would not have been taken out of country in time to be saved. He certainly acted upon the popular saying, "If not me, who? If not now, when?" I hope many will read and be inspired by this book to see how they can support the vulnerable among us now.
March 8, 2025
An amazing story of a man, Nicky, who helped rescue 6000 children from Czechoslovakia before WWII - Kindertransport (about 10,000 total from other groups).
Lived to be 106 and continued doing charitable work throughout his life. "The only thing we learn from history is that we never learn anything from history." and his favorite, "If it's not impossible, there must be a way to do it."
He was knighted for his work, received a letter from George W. Bush praising him (although when he reached out in 1938, America would not take any of the children.)
A tv. show "This is Your Life" brought his "children" together to meet the man who saved them. Documentary "Power of Good".
"He is a dangerous person to know; he can get you to do things you can't say no to."
Everyone should read this story of (an amazing) an ordinary man who saved one life at a time. He spent his life volunteering to help those who needed help. He did so very much that I couldn't possibly tell it all here. He does not like to be called a hero. Anyone can do it if they are put in a position to act.
WE ALL NEED TO learn how to help others. He said, "I think it should show my history with religion- from Jewish to Christian to agnostic, and the fact that I came to believe through my life that what is important is that we respect and honor others- and not worry about the aspects within religion that divide us.""Standard ethic and compromise, that's what we all have to learn to make the world a better place."
Lived to be 106 and continued doing charitable work throughout his life. "The only thing we learn from history is that we never learn anything from history." and his favorite, "If it's not impossible, there must be a way to do it."
He was knighted for his work, received a letter from George W. Bush praising him (although when he reached out in 1938, America would not take any of the children.)
A tv. show "This is Your Life" brought his "children" together to meet the man who saved them. Documentary "Power of Good".
"He is a dangerous person to know; he can get you to do things you can't say no to."
Everyone should read this story of (an amazing) an ordinary man who saved one life at a time. He spent his life volunteering to help those who needed help. He did so very much that I couldn't possibly tell it all here. He does not like to be called a hero. Anyone can do it if they are put in a position to act.
WE ALL NEED TO learn how to help others. He said, "I think it should show my history with religion- from Jewish to Christian to agnostic, and the fact that I came to believe through my life that what is important is that we respect and honor others- and not worry about the aspects within religion that divide us.""Standard ethic and compromise, that's what we all have to learn to make the world a better place."
April 19, 2025
Very inspiring!!! Sir Nicholas Winton saved 664-669 children from the Nazis. One Life………..that made all the difference.
The best part of this book was learning about the after, what happened to the children later in their life.
8 Inspirational Quotes by Sir Nicholas Winton
I have a motto that if something isn’t blatantly impossible, then there must be a way of doing it. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
Don’t be content in your life just to do no wrong, be prepared every day to try and do some good. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
There are some stories which we are not only an audience to, but may become their participants. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
There is nothing that can’t be done if it’s fundamentally reasonable. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
Anything that is not actually impossible can be done if one really sets one’s mind to do it and is determined that it shall be done. – Sir Nicholas Winton
I never thought what I did 70 years ago was going to have such a big impact as apparently it has. If it is now going to help people to live for the future, that would be an added bonus. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
There is a difference between passive goodness and active goodness, which is, in my opinion, the giving of one’s time and energy in the alleviation of pain and suffering. It entails going out, finding and helping those in suffering and danger, and not merely in leading an exemplary life, in a purely passive way of doing no wrong. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
The best part of this book was learning about the after, what happened to the children later in their life.
8 Inspirational Quotes by Sir Nicholas Winton
I have a motto that if something isn’t blatantly impossible, then there must be a way of doing it. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
Don’t be content in your life just to do no wrong, be prepared every day to try and do some good. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
There are some stories which we are not only an audience to, but may become their participants. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
There is nothing that can’t be done if it’s fundamentally reasonable. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
Anything that is not actually impossible can be done if one really sets one’s mind to do it and is determined that it shall be done. – Sir Nicholas Winton
I never thought what I did 70 years ago was going to have such a big impact as apparently it has. If it is now going to help people to live for the future, that would be an added bonus. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
There is a difference between passive goodness and active goodness, which is, in my opinion, the giving of one’s time and energy in the alleviation of pain and suffering. It entails going out, finding and helping those in suffering and danger, and not merely in leading an exemplary life, in a purely passive way of doing no wrong. ~ Sir Nicholas Winton
August 11, 2025
Barbara Winton’s If It's Not Impossible... is a deeply moving and meticulously researched biography that shines a light on one of the most quietly courageous figures of the 20th century. Through the lens of a daughter’s love and a historian’s rigor, the book chronicles the extraordinary life of Sir Nicholas Winton—the man who orchestrated the rescue of 669 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939.
What makes this biography so compelling is its balance: it doesn’t just glorify Winton’s heroic deeds, but also explores the roots of his moral compass, his personal complexities, and the understated humility that defined him. The title, drawn from his personal motto—“If something is not impossible, then there must be a way to do it”—perfectly encapsulates the spirit of a man who refused to be paralyzed by fear or bureaucracy when lives were at stake.
Barbara Winton’s writing is both heartfelt and objective. She weaves together letters, interviews, and historical context to paint a vivid portrait of a man who never sought recognition, yet whose legacy continues to ripple through generations. The book is not only a testament to Winton’s bravery but also a reminder of the power of individual action in the face of overwhelming odds.
This biography is essential reading for anyone interested in World War II history, humanitarianism, or the quiet strength of moral conviction. It’s a story that will stay with you long after the final page.
What makes this biography so compelling is its balance: it doesn’t just glorify Winton’s heroic deeds, but also explores the roots of his moral compass, his personal complexities, and the understated humility that defined him. The title, drawn from his personal motto—“If something is not impossible, then there must be a way to do it”—perfectly encapsulates the spirit of a man who refused to be paralyzed by fear or bureaucracy when lives were at stake.
Barbara Winton’s writing is both heartfelt and objective. She weaves together letters, interviews, and historical context to paint a vivid portrait of a man who never sought recognition, yet whose legacy continues to ripple through generations. The book is not only a testament to Winton’s bravery but also a reminder of the power of individual action in the face of overwhelming odds.
This biography is essential reading for anyone interested in World War II history, humanitarianism, or the quiet strength of moral conviction. It’s a story that will stay with you long after the final page.
December 7, 2020
Mixed feelings, and something like guilt to have given this book only 3 stars. I had decided very early on that books, movies, documentaries made on and about real people/noble achievers, however badly they are written or made will have my respect. This book though has made me think again. It has monotonous undertones throughout that give you the impression that they are nothing more than diary entries written down to record everything that happened, without emotion. I jumped over many sections, especially in the latter half of the book.
But again, a book that is not written well cannot make or break the person and all that he or she commands respect for. Sir Nicholas Winton's life isn't a dramatic rags to riches story, neither is it dotted with life endangering situations, pain or sacrifice. Which is what makes this book a not-so-good read, I guess. Yet, more people need to know about this man. He's a hero who stands for everything that is right and good about this world. People who help us teach our children that there is overwhelming kindness all around us. Only that I shed more tears when I saw the now famous TV snippets/features mentioned in the book. I still think they are the better alternative to get to know Sir Winton than reading this volume.
But again, a book that is not written well cannot make or break the person and all that he or she commands respect for. Sir Nicholas Winton's life isn't a dramatic rags to riches story, neither is it dotted with life endangering situations, pain or sacrifice. Which is what makes this book a not-so-good read, I guess. Yet, more people need to know about this man. He's a hero who stands for everything that is right and good about this world. People who help us teach our children that there is overwhelming kindness all around us. Only that I shed more tears when I saw the now famous TV snippets/features mentioned in the book. I still think they are the better alternative to get to know Sir Winton than reading this volume.
January 21, 2025
This story was clearly about a very unique and inspiring person and I love hearing the tales that come out of awful periods in our history, showing the brave people who defied the odds and the dangers to behave compassionately and help others. I was hoping this book would be like that but it was more of an objectively non-sentimental exploration of this man’s family tree and all the different jobs he had. Very little time was devoted to his heroic efforts that made him famous and beloved—saving over 600 children from the Nazis.
I understand that other people were involved and deserve credit but the way the author seemed to write off this courageous act rubbed me the wrong way. And it’s his daughter. She was not interested in portraying her father as a hero. Instead, she wanted to paint him as an ordinary man and highlight his faults. Just seemed odd to me. I appreciate the honesty, but not the harshness. I guess I was expecting something different.
I’m glad to know Nicholas Winton and his life and I’m excited to see the film and how they thought to tell his story.
I understand that other people were involved and deserve credit but the way the author seemed to write off this courageous act rubbed me the wrong way. And it’s his daughter. She was not interested in portraying her father as a hero. Instead, she wanted to paint him as an ordinary man and highlight his faults. Just seemed odd to me. I appreciate the honesty, but not the harshness. I guess I was expecting something different.
I’m glad to know Nicholas Winton and his life and I’m excited to see the film and how they thought to tell his story.
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