No Heil Hitler: A True Story of Faith, Courage, and Defiance in Nazi-Occupied Poland

(Paperback)

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Winner of the National Seniors Literary Prize (Australia) and the Philpott Prize.

I saw the flicker of flames as the first plane fired its guns and heard the trees above my head splintering as the stream of bullets hit them. Branches toppled down. Cattle panicked. The ricocheting bullets whined around the valley.

On September 1, 1939, ten-year-old Paul Cieslars peaceful childhood in the Polish countryside came to an end. German fighter planes roared overhead, and with them came the invasion of Poland and the chaos of war.

In No Heil Hitler, Paul recounts his extraordinary true story of survival, faith, and quiet resistance in Nazi-occupied Poland. As Seventh-day Adventists, Pauls family refused to give the Heil Hitler salute or work on Saturdaytheir Sabbath. These simple acts of faith became bold defiance under the watchful eyes of the Gestapo.

Through Pauls eyes, readers witness the fear, hunger, and moral choices that defined his formative years. In a time when conformity meant safety, the Cieslar familys courage to live by their beliefs stands as a powerful reminder of human resilience and spiritual conviction.

With moments of terror, glimpses of grace, and an unwavering commitment to truth, No Heil Hitler is both a riveting wartime memoir and a testament to the strength of faith in the face of evil.

Paul Cieslars story is also that of his family and his church, one of faithfulness and endurance in the face of grave threats and many hardships in occupied Poland. Their story should inspire our faithfulness and renew our trust in a God who is with us always.Geoff Youlden, presenter, Beyond the Search

I read Pauls book from cover to cover in the quiet safety of a hotel room, realising no-one can fully comprehend the depth of utter desperation and confusion unless one travels the journey. Pauls story comes from the depth of such an experience. It flows from a heart nurtured by a familys love, determined to stay faithful to God and to stand up with a boldness for what is just. - John Skrzypaszek, Avondale University News

Like The Hiding Place, this unforgettable memoir reveals how one family's quiet defiance and unshakable faith became a powerful stand for truth amid terror, persecution, and the darkness of war. - BigSkyPub

Author Bio

Jeff Steel is a child of World War Two. Shocked at the sight of bombed-out London as a child, he has grappled ever since with the simple but profound question what happened. His deep interest in the war has led to many heart-rending interviews with those who took part. He has undertaken endless reading. He has visited World War Two sites from Churchills War Rooms in London to Pearl Harbour via Dresden and the Burma Railway. His first book No Heil Hitler as ghost writer, told the compelling story a young boys Odyssey through the horrors of Nazi-occupied Poland. It won the Philpott Prize for a (then) unpublished manuscript. Jeff has written four books to date with plans to write many more. Paul Clieser is retired and lives near Melbourne, having served as a pastor and church leader in a number of countries around the world.