What do you think?
Rate this book
A Thousand Shall Fall: The Electrifying Story of a Soldier and His Family Who Dared to Practice Their Faith in Hitler's Germany
The electrifying story of an Adventist family who dared to practice their faith in Hitlers Germany.They saw God work miracle after miracle to save them from certain disaster. As thousands around them fell victim to the horrors of war, they were borne up on angels wingssometimes quite literally. This is the true story of one family who chose to be faithful whatever the cost, and found refuge in the shadow of the Almighty.
172 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2001
53 people are currently reading
917 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
April 10, 2022
Deși scrisă după povestea adevărată a familiei unui soldat german din timpul celui de-al doilea război mondial, cartea este tare nereușită.
Se citește ușor, dar este lipsită de stil și de emoție. Un lanț de evenimente grăbite, povestite pe jumătate, lipsite de cronologie și, pe alocuri, chiar ușor neverosimile.
Când reușești să scrii o carte despre război, despre puterea credinței si curajul pe care credința în Dumnezeu il sădește in inimile oamenilor, fără să rămâi în mintea cititorul tău, știi sigur că ai făcut-o de oaie.
" - Kurt, spuse mama, eu nu voi avea liniste până când nu știu cum stau lucrurile. Nu vrei să iei bicicleta tatălui tău, să te duci până in Frankfurt si să vezi dacă a mai rămas ceva din apartamentul nostru? "
Voi vedeți vreun motiv să nu se ducă?🙄 Uite unul prezentat două randuri mai jos:
" In jurul lui, bombele începuseră să explodeze una după alta, iar el sări de pe bicicletă si se culcă la pământ! (...) Dar imediat văzu avioane care zburau la o altitudine foarte joasă si care trăgeau în el."
Să vă mai spun că tânărul Kurt are 14 ani si că Frankfurt e la o distanță de 65 km?
Update : "blocul in care se afla și apartamentul lor stătea în picioare ca o săgeată spre cer."
Alt Update : la intoarcerea acasă, sub privirile mamei îngrijorate, un polonez sare din boscheți și-i fură bicicleta. Noroc cu mama curajoasă care face plângere, unde credeți? Dacă nu ați răspuns _la trupele americane ocupante_ sunteți lipsiți de imaginație.
Final de update: grație profesionalismului soldatului american Jim, bicicleta a fost restituită fiului proprietarului de drept :)))
Aș mai avea multe să vă spun, dar poate vreți totuși să citiți cartea.
Se citește ușor, dar este lipsită de stil și de emoție. Un lanț de evenimente grăbite, povestite pe jumătate, lipsite de cronologie și, pe alocuri, chiar ușor neverosimile.
Când reușești să scrii o carte despre război, despre puterea credinței si curajul pe care credința în Dumnezeu il sădește in inimile oamenilor, fără să rămâi în mintea cititorul tău, știi sigur că ai făcut-o de oaie.
" - Kurt, spuse mama, eu nu voi avea liniste până când nu știu cum stau lucrurile. Nu vrei să iei bicicleta tatălui tău, să te duci până in Frankfurt si să vezi dacă a mai rămas ceva din apartamentul nostru? "
Voi vedeți vreun motiv să nu se ducă?🙄 Uite unul prezentat două randuri mai jos:
" In jurul lui, bombele începuseră să explodeze una după alta, iar el sări de pe bicicletă si se culcă la pământ! (...) Dar imediat văzu avioane care zburau la o altitudine foarte joasă si care trăgeau în el."
Să vă mai spun că tânărul Kurt are 14 ani si că Frankfurt e la o distanță de 65 km?
Update : "blocul in care se afla și apartamentul lor stătea în picioare ca o săgeată spre cer."
Alt Update : la intoarcerea acasă, sub privirile mamei îngrijorate, un polonez sare din boscheți și-i fură bicicleta. Noroc cu mama curajoasă care face plângere, unde credeți? Dacă nu ați răspuns _la trupele americane ocupante_ sunteți lipsiți de imaginație.
Final de update: grație profesionalismului soldatului american Jim, bicicleta a fost restituită fiului proprietarului de drept :)))
Aș mai avea multe să vă spun, dar poate vreți totuși să citiți cartea.
October 30, 2021
One would be forgiven for thinking this is the German version of Hacksaw Ridge, and indeed there are similarities because both Franz Hasel and Desmond Doss are devout Adventists that refused out of conscientious objections to carry weapons and take lives during WWII whilst still serving in the Wehrmacht and the US Army respectively, the first as a bridge-building Pioneer and the second as a medic.
I admire the courage Hasel displayed, as the risk to himself was greater than for a fellow soldier in a democracy's armed forces. This is the Nazi dictatorship, for goodness' sake! He couldn't just tell them he wouldn't carry weapons or kill, not without getting shot for his troubles. He could find a way to keep the Sabbath and to stick to dietary rules thanks to understanding people in the Wehrmacht that appreciated him, but that was the extent of the exemptions he could openly request.
Sadly, this book isn't his memoir. It's told by his youngest daughter, Susi, conceived and born during the war. I would've vastly preferred Franz Hasel to have told his story himself, I'm sure it'd have been way better and he'd have added more. Doss left firsthand material for us to see for ourselves, and told his story in person to Booton Herndon for a book, but for the Hasel story, we're not told whether his daughter is getting the facts directly from her parents, or second-hand, or third-hand...
And that's the main reason I have reservations about this story. I would've appreciated it if Susi Hasel Mundy had added an Author's Note by the end in which she stated her sources, made it known what parts she got from her father, from her mother, from her siblings, and what parts she got from wartime records, witnesses, history books, and so on. It's a dubious practice to write a biography and not reveal at least that your source was conversations with your father, if there were any. And given that A Thousand Shall Fall has plenty of events and claims that people might find outlandish and hard to believe, this was much needed. How do I know Hasel Mundy isn't exaggerating or taking writerly licence with the facts when there's no sources listed? There are plenty of scenes she wasn't in and things that there's no way she could've known herself, but she never clarifies her sources.
The other thing that makes me wary of this book is complementary to the lack of sources. Susi Hasel Mundy has written A Thousand Shall Fall in a style that reads like a novelisation. There's dialogues, inner monologues, thoughts, and so on that she couldn't possibly know. Even if her father and her mother told her their story verbatim, there's still no way she could know exactly the words and thoughts they had in circumstances taking place before she was born and when she was still a baby. She doesn't state this book is a biographical novel, the book is advertised as non-fiction, so we are to assume it's all true, but the style Mundy writes in begs the question. How does she know? Who told her that? Is she being truthful? Is this hyperbole? Is that exaggerated for effect? No way to know.
The style is uncomfortably like the Jehovah's Witnesses do their biographies in their magazines. In the 90s, the Jehovah's Witnesses were printing lots and lots of WWII stories in which the organisation and their members came out looking good because they refused to go along with Nazism. All of that opposition to Hitler is very praiseworthy, but the sensation I got from those stories is that they were self-serving, preachy, self-righteous, sanctimonious, and told in a manner meant to ALWAYS make them look favourably, which meant less-than-glorious details weren't included. They used their tragically martyred and persecuted members' stories as propaganda for themselves, in order to get people interested in their cult, and to reinforce their image of themselves as "not like the other Christians."
This same deliberately preachy self-righteousness is present in A Thousand Shall Fall; it just leapt off the pages at me. In a way, it makes sense, since both sects have similarities, but it also goes to support my suspicion that the book's aim is proselitysing through using an exemplary person's experience. I liked Hacksaw Ridge because it lacked this self-laudatory preachiness, and also because Doss was a much humbler man than Susi Hasel makes Franz Hasel look here. As per his daughter's account, he comes across often as a man more interested in letting others know that his particular religious views are the right ones instead of actually doing the right thing. The case of the SS man that was going to be prosecuted for suspicions of war crimes is the most egregious example: that man was faking memory loss to avoid trial, Franz hears him faking it and is asked by the court to step in as a witness since he's the only one who knows the SS man is lying, but Franz says no, he won't testify because he's a Christian, thank you very much. What on Earth? You know this person is lying in court and that you can provide the truth, but you refuse to because... your religion? My jaw dropped at this. The obligation of a Christian is to tell the truth! More so when the truth means you won't let a war criminal walk away free! How can you possibly use Christian faith to justify this egotistical behaviour?
Now you get why I say this book is self-congratulatory and sanctimonious. Supposedly, Franz Hasel sneaked around in Russia to secretly warn Jews to run and hide before the SS came and got them, even tried to save one Jew straight from a massacre, but here he refuses to testify against a SS man suspected of participating in the genocide against the Jews. You have to question just what else this book is omitting, you have to question if Susi Hasel is telling the whole truth.
I, for one, am taking it with a bucketful of salt. And whilst I do think it has value and would tell people to read this to see a different side of WWII-era Germans, I would also say to keep in mind what this book is: essentially, a religious pamphlet in book form. You are reading an one-sided account that shows a story that's exactly what they want you to see, with no nuances and no sources to check for yourself.
I admire the courage Hasel displayed, as the risk to himself was greater than for a fellow soldier in a democracy's armed forces. This is the Nazi dictatorship, for goodness' sake! He couldn't just tell them he wouldn't carry weapons or kill, not without getting shot for his troubles. He could find a way to keep the Sabbath and to stick to dietary rules thanks to understanding people in the Wehrmacht that appreciated him, but that was the extent of the exemptions he could openly request.
Sadly, this book isn't his memoir. It's told by his youngest daughter, Susi, conceived and born during the war. I would've vastly preferred Franz Hasel to have told his story himself, I'm sure it'd have been way better and he'd have added more. Doss left firsthand material for us to see for ourselves, and told his story in person to Booton Herndon for a book, but for the Hasel story, we're not told whether his daughter is getting the facts directly from her parents, or second-hand, or third-hand...
And that's the main reason I have reservations about this story. I would've appreciated it if Susi Hasel Mundy had added an Author's Note by the end in which she stated her sources, made it known what parts she got from her father, from her mother, from her siblings, and what parts she got from wartime records, witnesses, history books, and so on. It's a dubious practice to write a biography and not reveal at least that your source was conversations with your father, if there were any. And given that A Thousand Shall Fall has plenty of events and claims that people might find outlandish and hard to believe, this was much needed. How do I know Hasel Mundy isn't exaggerating or taking writerly licence with the facts when there's no sources listed? There are plenty of scenes she wasn't in and things that there's no way she could've known herself, but she never clarifies her sources.
The other thing that makes me wary of this book is complementary to the lack of sources. Susi Hasel Mundy has written A Thousand Shall Fall in a style that reads like a novelisation. There's dialogues, inner monologues, thoughts, and so on that she couldn't possibly know. Even if her father and her mother told her their story verbatim, there's still no way she could know exactly the words and thoughts they had in circumstances taking place before she was born and when she was still a baby. She doesn't state this book is a biographical novel, the book is advertised as non-fiction, so we are to assume it's all true, but the style Mundy writes in begs the question. How does she know? Who told her that? Is she being truthful? Is this hyperbole? Is that exaggerated for effect? No way to know.
The style is uncomfortably like the Jehovah's Witnesses do their biographies in their magazines. In the 90s, the Jehovah's Witnesses were printing lots and lots of WWII stories in which the organisation and their members came out looking good because they refused to go along with Nazism. All of that opposition to Hitler is very praiseworthy, but the sensation I got from those stories is that they were self-serving, preachy, self-righteous, sanctimonious, and told in a manner meant to ALWAYS make them look favourably, which meant less-than-glorious details weren't included. They used their tragically martyred and persecuted members' stories as propaganda for themselves, in order to get people interested in their cult, and to reinforce their image of themselves as "not like the other Christians."
This same deliberately preachy self-righteousness is present in A Thousand Shall Fall; it just leapt off the pages at me. In a way, it makes sense, since both sects have similarities, but it also goes to support my suspicion that the book's aim is proselitysing through using an exemplary person's experience. I liked Hacksaw Ridge because it lacked this self-laudatory preachiness, and also because Doss was a much humbler man than Susi Hasel makes Franz Hasel look here. As per his daughter's account, he comes across often as a man more interested in letting others know that his particular religious views are the right ones instead of actually doing the right thing. The case of the SS man that was going to be prosecuted for suspicions of war crimes is the most egregious example: that man was faking memory loss to avoid trial, Franz hears him faking it and is asked by the court to step in as a witness since he's the only one who knows the SS man is lying, but Franz says no, he won't testify because he's a Christian, thank you very much. What on Earth? You know this person is lying in court and that you can provide the truth, but you refuse to because... your religion? My jaw dropped at this. The obligation of a Christian is to tell the truth! More so when the truth means you won't let a war criminal walk away free! How can you possibly use Christian faith to justify this egotistical behaviour?
Now you get why I say this book is self-congratulatory and sanctimonious. Supposedly, Franz Hasel sneaked around in Russia to secretly warn Jews to run and hide before the SS came and got them, even tried to save one Jew straight from a massacre, but here he refuses to testify against a SS man suspected of participating in the genocide against the Jews. You have to question just what else this book is omitting, you have to question if Susi Hasel is telling the whole truth.
I, for one, am taking it with a bucketful of salt. And whilst I do think it has value and would tell people to read this to see a different side of WWII-era Germans, I would also say to keep in mind what this book is: essentially, a religious pamphlet in book form. You are reading an one-sided account that shows a story that's exactly what they want you to see, with no nuances and no sources to check for yourself.
August 18, 2008
Want to know how a Seventh-day Adventist can be in the military and still keep the Sabbath? Want to know if God will honor someone who does so? Want to read an amazing story of faith, miracles, overcoming hardship, and a very real and personal God? Read this book!
February 27, 2013
“A Thousand Shall Fall” is an incredible, electrifying story that takes place during World War II. It was obvious that being an Adventist during the war would be extremely complicated, but the minute the war began, Franz Hasel and his family were determined to stay faithful, even to the point of death. However, it didn’t take long before a difficult, life-changing moment took place: Franz Hasel’s draft to the army. He was assigned to Pioneer Company 699, which meant he’d be building bridges at the front lines. Though it seemed impossible, God always opened a door for him, so that he could continue keeping the Sabbath and eating clean foods, without losing his life. However, that didn’t stop the other men from ridiculing him for being a “religious nut”. Just before going into dangerous territory, Franz made sure to discard his gun, so that he wouldn’t be tempted to kill another man.
When Franz was drafted to the army, he left behind his wife, Helene, and three children: Kurt, Lotte, and Gerd. At home in Frankfurt, they were fighting their own battles. They were constantly suffering from food shortages, being pressured to join the Nazi Party, threatened to attend school on Sabbath, and trying to survive from the Frankfurt bombings. Thankfully, twice through the war Franz was able to go back and visit his family for very short periods of time. Sometime during the war, baby Susi was born. Because of the bombing dangers, the family fled to Eschenrod, where they stayed with a kind elderly couple.
After Hitler’s sudden suicide, the war ended and Franz was finally allowed to go home! Out of the 1,200 men in his unit, only seven survived, including him.
He never killed a man.
He warned Jews to flee their towns before the SS soldiers came to savagely murder them.
He frequently snuck some food into a concentration camp.
Throughout all these events and many, many more, God watched over Franz.
However, the family’s struggles weren’t over after the war. They constantly suffered from food shortages, and Kurt was failing his high school classes due to the fact that he wasn’t attending school on Sabbath. Realizing that this wasn’t going to work, Kurt decided to learn a skill as an apprentice instead, remaining faithful to God’s commandments. Also, mysterious packages from America started appearing – with food! Whenever the family was about to starve, or desperately needed new clothes, “coincidentally” a package came a day or two later with exactly what they were lacking. All throughout the war, God protected his faithful followers, every step of the way.
This was the best book I’ve read this whole school year! With each passing chapter, I grew more and more inspired and intrigued by the family’s faith and courage to stand up for the right thing. I was fascinated by the multiple miracles God provided, and how he spared each of their lives.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs to strengthen their faith, and enjoys nonfictional history. This is no ordinary book – It’s life-changing!
March 12, 2015
This is an amazing true story of a Christian who kept true to his faith. A German soldier refused to take a life and in fact refused to carry a gun. God protected him through the war while thousands were killed around him. The story reminds me of the American soldier Desmond Doss who also refused to touch a gun.
August 22, 2023
A fascinating German perspective of war, separation and faith during WW2.
A reminder that no situation is outside of God’s control, and that by comparison, we have it incredibly easy as 21st century Christians living in the west.
A reminder that no situation is outside of God’s control, and that by comparison, we have it incredibly easy as 21st century Christians living in the west.
April 1, 2024
An inspiring faith building story of how a Christian family survived in Hitler’s Germany in WW II. The father served in the military and was in the terrible Eastern Front. They remained true to their Christian convictions even though they endured much hardship because of it. There were several instances of miraculous divine interventions on their behalf! We are facing an uncertain future in the USA. Christians are being censured and marginalized. Will we continue to have our freedoms? This story will help anyone understand that regardless of world conditions God is faithful to His promises!
April 5, 2013
This book is one of the best books I have ever read. Being a true story, it makes it even more amazing! It shows how hard it was for Christians to live in Germany during World War II. Especially when they are drafted into the army. A Thousand Shall Fall is a book about a family struggling to survive under Hitler’s harsh rule. A family torn apart by the war.
Franz Hasel is a Christian man with a family. A wife and kids and they live in Franfurt, Germany. One day, he is told that he is being drafted into the war. As he leaves his home and family for the war, he knew it would be tough. But God would protect them. When he gets to his camp, all the men in his company gives him nicknames and makes fun of him for being Christian. The lieutenants were especially upset that they had to deal with a “Bible boy” as they called him. As he went through basic training, he discovered he was a very accurate shooter. But he refused to use his gun, so once he was diploid, he discarded of his weapon. He fights on the side of God, praying that he would survive to get home to his family. As he is busy in the war, his family is having troubles of their own. Food is scarce and The Nazi woman of the town are pressing her and pressing her to join their group. They are forced to leave and live on what God gives them for years before the war is finally over. In the end, they make it back to each other and by God’s will, they live happily ever after.
After reading this book, it made me rethink how good my life is now. World War II was extremely hard on millions and millions of people all over the world, especially in Europe. I would suggest that everyone read this book. It is truly an incredible book and knowing that it really happened makes it that much more scary. I thank God that I didn’t have to go through it.
Franz Hasel is a Christian man with a family. A wife and kids and they live in Franfurt, Germany. One day, he is told that he is being drafted into the war. As he leaves his home and family for the war, he knew it would be tough. But God would protect them. When he gets to his camp, all the men in his company gives him nicknames and makes fun of him for being Christian. The lieutenants were especially upset that they had to deal with a “Bible boy” as they called him. As he went through basic training, he discovered he was a very accurate shooter. But he refused to use his gun, so once he was diploid, he discarded of his weapon. He fights on the side of God, praying that he would survive to get home to his family. As he is busy in the war, his family is having troubles of their own. Food is scarce and The Nazi woman of the town are pressing her and pressing her to join their group. They are forced to leave and live on what God gives them for years before the war is finally over. In the end, they make it back to each other and by God’s will, they live happily ever after.
After reading this book, it made me rethink how good my life is now. World War II was extremely hard on millions and millions of people all over the world, especially in Europe. I would suggest that everyone read this book. It is truly an incredible book and knowing that it really happened makes it that much more scary. I thank God that I didn’t have to go through it.
March 26, 2019
I love history novels, and when a biography or true-life happening is written well, I absolutely love it! This book was one I borrowed from my grandma a year and a half ago, and finally took the chance to read. What a great story! Although I know that there are many, many examples of when God did not step into people’s lives the way they wanted Him to, this book shows the side where He did step in to help a family. The story glorifies the Lord for what He did for this family’s life, and I must say—it’s a remarkable story. Our God is so big!
I loved the reality in these stories. Times were very tough, and we might not remember that so much when we read our American textbooks about the war. While most of our families lived in relative safety, perhaps not with as many earthly goods as they would have liked, but definitely still able to get enough essentials to survive, this family often had nothing. Yes, provision arrived just when the need was the greatest, but it took a good amount of faith and resourcefulness to see that provision come to pass. It’s an amazing story, really, the story of one family, their faith, and their God. It’s not the kind of thing you read very often, and for that reason I’d recommend every Christian history buff to take a chance on this one. It will stir your imagination, your faith, and your hope. And that, I believe, brings greater glory to the Lord.
I loved the reality in these stories. Times were very tough, and we might not remember that so much when we read our American textbooks about the war. While most of our families lived in relative safety, perhaps not with as many earthly goods as they would have liked, but definitely still able to get enough essentials to survive, this family often had nothing. Yes, provision arrived just when the need was the greatest, but it took a good amount of faith and resourcefulness to see that provision come to pass. It’s an amazing story, really, the story of one family, their faith, and their God. It’s not the kind of thing you read very often, and for that reason I’d recommend every Christian history buff to take a chance on this one. It will stir your imagination, your faith, and your hope. And that, I believe, brings greater glory to the Lord.
October 23, 2021
The way she writes is so bad, so boring, I WILL read anything but this one had me falling asleep. Side note: this was required reading for school and I am not a religious person sooooo LOL. The end was okay … they all lived ig
July 24, 2021
I read this book as a devotional because it is filled with miracles from beginning to end. During COVID I believe Christians got a small taste of what it's like to face state and popular opposition to our faith. Overnight it became socially unacceptable if not downright illegal to attend church. However this is something the Hasels faced on a regular basis for years. It was difficult enough to survive in Germany during WWII, but on top of that the Hasels faced the opposition of being Christians and being members of a very small church that shared some tenets with the officially proscribed Jews. AND refusing to countenance the Nazis by joining the party. They were an excellent example of nonviolent, passive resistance. Well, for the most part. Corporal Hasel was only human so at times couldn't help but point out when the emperor had no clothes, even when it offended true believers.
In the years-long struggle to stay alive the only help the Hasels could hope for was from individuals who recognized that they were personally good people and who could help them without being spotted by the Nazis. But at other times everything seemed against them, from teachers determined to fail students who refused to attend class on Saturday, to Corporal Hasel's determination to observe Sabbath in a combat zone(!). But the Hasels were determined to stay true to their faith, regardless of the consequences. It seems to me God brought them along. Meaning as they stood up for what they believed at the beginning, it became easier later on but also prepared them for the tougher tests of starvation or capture by the Russians. I believe this is a book for our time, and that every Christian will face opposition to our faith. Will we take strong stands for God even if it means a loss of social status or wealth?
I believe the author may have also, perhaps unintentionally, asked Americans to reexamine our position on the war. For example, it's part of the American myth that we were the good guys in WWII. But would good guys really bomb civilian populations? It was not a foregone conclusion that it was necessary or that it accomplished anything other than cause great pain and suffering in people who could do little one way or the other. Total war had not been practiced in Christendom for some time. I believe secularization pushed us back to it.
I've also concluded that miracles are most relevant for those who experience them. Could any of the dozens of miracles that sustained the Hasels be proven today, to a secular audience? Probably not. But to the Hasels they were a very real part of their existence. They were open to God's leading and to miracles, and they happened. All we today have is their testimony. So we have to ask ourselves: just how believable were the Hasels? Will you accept their testimony and put your life in God's hands?
I appreciated how the book is as much or even more about Mutti and the kids trying to survive on the home front. They had just a difficult time if not even more difficult, believe it or not, than Corporal Hasel had on the Eastern front.
So read the book. It's a very easy read as it is a children's book. I believe it illustrates that God can bring us through terrible situations if we believe in and stand up for Him. That couldn't be a timelier lesson.
In the years-long struggle to stay alive the only help the Hasels could hope for was from individuals who recognized that they were personally good people and who could help them without being spotted by the Nazis. But at other times everything seemed against them, from teachers determined to fail students who refused to attend class on Saturday, to Corporal Hasel's determination to observe Sabbath in a combat zone(!). But the Hasels were determined to stay true to their faith, regardless of the consequences. It seems to me God brought them along. Meaning as they stood up for what they believed at the beginning, it became easier later on but also prepared them for the tougher tests of starvation or capture by the Russians. I believe this is a book for our time, and that every Christian will face opposition to our faith. Will we take strong stands for God even if it means a loss of social status or wealth?
I believe the author may have also, perhaps unintentionally, asked Americans to reexamine our position on the war. For example, it's part of the American myth that we were the good guys in WWII. But would good guys really bomb civilian populations? It was not a foregone conclusion that it was necessary or that it accomplished anything other than cause great pain and suffering in people who could do little one way or the other. Total war had not been practiced in Christendom for some time. I believe secularization pushed us back to it.
I've also concluded that miracles are most relevant for those who experience them. Could any of the dozens of miracles that sustained the Hasels be proven today, to a secular audience? Probably not. But to the Hasels they were a very real part of their existence. They were open to God's leading and to miracles, and they happened. All we today have is their testimony. So we have to ask ourselves: just how believable were the Hasels? Will you accept their testimony and put your life in God's hands?
I appreciated how the book is as much or even more about Mutti and the kids trying to survive on the home front. They had just a difficult time if not even more difficult, believe it or not, than Corporal Hasel had on the Eastern front.
So read the book. It's a very easy read as it is a children's book. I believe it illustrates that God can bring us through terrible situations if we believe in and stand up for Him. That couldn't be a timelier lesson.
May 14, 2024
I enjoyed the German soldier and family perspective of this book. The faith and their sincere convictions that they adhered firmly to against all opposition and the way God protected them in that. They were 7th Day Adventists and that fact is a big part of this book. There was some doctrinal content in this books that I don't agree with that has to do with the observance of the law that they kept but I was inspired by the fact that God blesses sincere followers of Him.
June 2, 2024
Read this one with my 7-8th graders 4th quarter. They loved it, and especially enjoyed having Dr. Michael Hasel come share pictures and untold stories from his family’s experience. :)
April 10, 2025
3.5
Entertainment value: 3.5
Moral value: 5
Educational value: 5
Literary value: 3
Entertainment value: 3.5
Moral value: 5
Educational value: 5
Literary value: 3
January 23, 2021
Muy linda historia. Me sentí parte de la vida de cada uno de los personajes, y aprendí mucho acerca de la fidelidad y protección de Dios para con sus hijos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2014
A thousand shall fall is a heart warming and inspiring story of the struggles of a family to maintain their spiritual convictions against systematic opposition during WWII. I found interesting that the family was German which provided some insight into war time Germany. Often times author focus on the allies' perspective, but few stories touch on the German side. Also, I appreciated the cruel, but truthful portrayal of soldier behavior with regard to looting and raping. These things occurred for both sides the German and American which is sad but insightful. Definitely recommend.
December 7, 2015
A well written book that had me captivated from start to finish! This book gives the reader the privilege to travel through history, in a way that shows God's protecting hand amidst the most dark circumstances. The story of the Hasel family displays an encouraging drama that proves that faithfulness will be rewarded in the end.
I was very happy with the fact that I chose to pick this one up!
I was very happy with the fact that I chose to pick this one up!
December 8, 2018
Amazing true story of a Sabbath keeper forced into the Third Reich. This is a must-read. Miracles abound as one man and his family strive to keep the faith during the darkest days of WW2. Franz's grandson and his wife are personal friends of ours, sharing the same convictions, and have experienced God's hand in their lives too.
March 3, 2014
This book was so good! I enjoyed the suspenseful feeling of the story and how much emphasis the family had on their faith. I also really liked knowing that this was a true story. I love to read about the WWII era and will definitely read this book again.
February 14, 2021
Powerful testimony of how God comes through when you are faithful to Him in the little and big things. This book strengthened my faith and inspires me to stay faithful to God even through trialing times!
July 28, 2010
GERMANY -
October 12, 2019
Wonderful book about God's protection in Germany during WWII, for a family who keek the Sabbath, & the food laws throughout the war. Even serving in the German Army. A must read.
October 2, 2020
This is a wonderful testimony of the Lord’s sovereign hand of protection and provision to a family in the worst of times.
August 10, 2023
If you arent an adventist you WONT like this
I had to read this because school made me.
While I have experience reading this kind of stuff even though I dont like them I can end enjoying them sometimes.
I can assure you, this isnt one of those times.
The writing is boring as hell. It was sooooooo difficult to get through it, took me almost a month to finish (im one of those people that read books this lenght in two or three days)
Theres just no substance on it, its simple and direct to the point. While this may be a plus for others, its not for me. You just get what you expect. There isnt something poetic or charming in the writing to fell in love with. Basic writing, hell, I cant believe my school thinks this is the appropiate reading level for people that are almost adults.
The only interesting thing its the story itself.
And yeah, about the story.
As I said, you have to be christian to enjoy it, if not, you are constantly gonna be shouting to the character "CMON DONT DO THAT YOU ARE GONNA GET YOURSELF KILLED"
If you arent a person of faith Its not inspiring, its just annoying to see the lack of common sense.
Its always "oh no they are in great risk" *miracle happens* "thanks to the miracle, nothing happened!!!!" In a loop for idk, 300 pages, you just know what its gonna happen next and its not exciting anymore.
And oh god the anne frank cameo XDDDDDDD sorry but that felt so fanfic made, even if it was true its just so weird to put in. I was just expecting to see the boy in the stripped pajamas or the pianist next ngl
Wont read again.
I had to read this because school made me.
While I have experience reading this kind of stuff even though I dont like them I can end enjoying them sometimes.
I can assure you, this isnt one of those times.
The writing is boring as hell. It was sooooooo difficult to get through it, took me almost a month to finish (im one of those people that read books this lenght in two or three days)
Theres just no substance on it, its simple and direct to the point. While this may be a plus for others, its not for me. You just get what you expect. There isnt something poetic or charming in the writing to fell in love with. Basic writing, hell, I cant believe my school thinks this is the appropiate reading level for people that are almost adults.
The only interesting thing its the story itself.
And yeah, about the story.
As I said, you have to be christian to enjoy it, if not, you are constantly gonna be shouting to the character "CMON DONT DO THAT YOU ARE GONNA GET YOURSELF KILLED"
If you arent a person of faith Its not inspiring, its just annoying to see the lack of common sense.
Its always "oh no they are in great risk" *miracle happens* "thanks to the miracle, nothing happened!!!!" In a loop for idk, 300 pages, you just know what its gonna happen next and its not exciting anymore.
And oh god the anne frank cameo XDDDDDDD sorry but that felt so fanfic made, even if it was true its just so weird to put in. I was just expecting to see the boy in the stripped pajamas or the pianist next ngl
Wont read again.
May 31, 2023
Psalm 91:7
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
Germany in the middle of WW II. Pretty hard to keep your faith right? Especialy if you are Sevent day Adventist that has Saturday as sevent day. Same as Jewish people.
This book tells a real story about christian family in Nazi Germany. Franz (the main character) is drafted into the war right at the beginning. He needs to join the wehrmacht. But how will he keep his faith and celebrate Sabbath? He gives his problems to God and we see many miracles throughout this book. He manages not only survive the war but survive without a gun! And he is one of the first soldiers that come back home.
This book also tells a story how his wife and kids have to deal with their everyday lifes. They don’t have much food or money, they don’t go to school on Saturday and Helena refuses to join NSDAP. They live in Frankfurt. City that is constantly bombed. Houses and buildings are ruined everyday. But Helena and the kids survive and their house remains standing.
It is truly a miracle how this family survived and stayed together. Their faith was the only thing that they had left. This book paints a pretty good picture of Nazi Germany and horrors which they did.
It was very well written and really fast pasted. I read it in 3 days. It is for everyone. I am not a fan of history books but this one was amazing. I recommend it to everyone.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
Germany in the middle of WW II. Pretty hard to keep your faith right? Especialy if you are Sevent day Adventist that has Saturday as sevent day. Same as Jewish people.
This book tells a real story about christian family in Nazi Germany. Franz (the main character) is drafted into the war right at the beginning. He needs to join the wehrmacht. But how will he keep his faith and celebrate Sabbath? He gives his problems to God and we see many miracles throughout this book. He manages not only survive the war but survive without a gun! And he is one of the first soldiers that come back home.
This book also tells a story how his wife and kids have to deal with their everyday lifes. They don’t have much food or money, they don’t go to school on Saturday and Helena refuses to join NSDAP. They live in Frankfurt. City that is constantly bombed. Houses and buildings are ruined everyday. But Helena and the kids survive and their house remains standing.
It is truly a miracle how this family survived and stayed together. Their faith was the only thing that they had left. This book paints a pretty good picture of Nazi Germany and horrors which they did.
It was very well written and really fast pasted. I read it in 3 days. It is for everyone. I am not a fan of history books but this one was amazing. I recommend it to everyone.
April 22, 2021
This true story of Franz Hasel's commitment to his faith while drafted into Hitler's army is very inspiring, and you don't have to be a history-lover to follow the storyline in A Thousand Shall Fall. The book moved along at a good pace, and each chapter contained at least one miracle in which either Franz or his family were protected/provided for during such a tumultuous time. I believe that all Christians, and probably especially Sabbath-keepers (like Seventh Day Adventists, Messianic Jews, etc), will have a great appreciation for this book. Franz literally threw his Nazi gun into a lake and carried a fake in his holster so that he wouldn't be able to kill, he went out of his way to help the few Jews he could, and he worked hard to observe the Sabbath throughout his time in the army. All of these actions nearly cost him and his family their lives in many instances. I recommend this book for mature teens and adults, specifically Christians as mentioned above.
July 24, 2025
An inspiring story for our times.
I have been a seventh-day Adventist for about 3 years now.
My wife and I came out of Mormonism where I had passed her to church and held many different callings since my missionary years.
I found this story and that of Desmond Doss to be equally inspiring for different reasons.
I feel like with the state of world events that we are seeing around us today this confirms my belief that being in a small village or farm a farming village anywhere in the world is better than the cities.
I believe Ellen White mentioned something to that end as well a number of times.
As we have political nonsense like COVID and other calamities both real and political those that were least affected were those who were living on farms out in the country.
Reading about the ingenuity that they used in their commitment to God inspired me to be a better person and a better SDA.
I have been a seventh-day Adventist for about 3 years now.
My wife and I came out of Mormonism where I had passed her to church and held many different callings since my missionary years.
I found this story and that of Desmond Doss to be equally inspiring for different reasons.
I feel like with the state of world events that we are seeing around us today this confirms my belief that being in a small village or farm a farming village anywhere in the world is better than the cities.
I believe Ellen White mentioned something to that end as well a number of times.
As we have political nonsense like COVID and other calamities both real and political those that were least affected were those who were living on farms out in the country.
Reading about the ingenuity that they used in their commitment to God inspired me to be a better person and a better SDA.
January 14, 2019
The book "A Thousand shall fall" by, Maylan Schurch allows the reader to personally examine and view the effects of war on a 40-year-old pacifist and his family while mainly demonstrating how the protagonist Franz Hasel struggles to keep a close connection to god while in war. "The wheel touched his skull. Franz closed his eyes waiting for the final crushing impact. Just then, someone grabbed him by the collar of his uniform, wrenched him away from the wheel, and with a gigantic lifting movement, deposited him on the very top of the trailer... he lifted his head and looked around to find his rescuer and thank him. There was no one there... Franz thanked god... he remembered the words that had seemed so impersonal to him on Sabbath: "He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands" (Ps. 91:11, 12, NIV)." Personally, this quote demonstrates how god will honor his promises in protecting his followers in any given situation. I recommend this book to anyone intrusted in a thrilling and electrifying story.
December 13, 2019
This true story is pretty amazing to read. I’m not into fiction to much personally, sometimes reality is stranger than anything someone could make up. The book chapters alternate between Franz, who is at war in the German army, and his wife and children, who are on the receiving end of allied bombing. Added to this is the fact that they are regularly assumed to be Jews by their neighbours and friends because of their personal religious convictions about diet, Sabbath and reading the Old Testament prophets etc. There are many parallels here with the American soldier Desmond T Doss who also “fought” in the Second World War, but who also refused to kill the enemy. Ironically both Desmond and Franz saved many lives, but were initially seen as traitors to their own respective countries.
April 25, 2024
So wonderful how the Lord protected this family and heard their prayers (not that they still didn’t suffer). It encourages me to be going to the Lord more, all throughout the day. It’s also good to read, because I’m not so sure we aren’t heading for more difficult days ahead.
The only “down side” to the book was its ties to Seventh Day Adventism, which is not the same as the biblical gospel. (There are many resources on why, but check out the Cultish series on YouTube for a pretty in depth deep dive.) I did appreciate all the parts that DID have their root in scripture alone (& nothing to do with Ellen G White).
The only “down side” to the book was its ties to Seventh Day Adventism, which is not the same as the biblical gospel. (There are many resources on why, but check out the Cultish series on YouTube for a pretty in depth deep dive.) I did appreciate all the parts that DID have their root in scripture alone (& nothing to do with Ellen G White).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews