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The Fierce

The Untold Story of the Teenager Who Took On the Worst War Criminal Living in America

Judy Piercey

$59.99

Hardback

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English
The History Press Ltd
01 April 2023
Every Goliath has a David - the untold true story of teenager David Whitelaw, who declared war on unspeakable evil.

For three decades, the 'Butcher of the Balkans' lived an idyllic life with his family in a Los Angeles suburb. Wanted for war crimes involving the oversight of death camps and participation in the brutal murders of 700,000 men, women and children during World War II, Andrija Artukovic claimed political asylum after entering the US illegally in 1948.

Meanwhile, 10 miles away, David Whitelaw lived with his mother, who fled Germany in 1938 and lost 76 relatives to the Holocaust. Straight-A student David was a member of the Jewish Defense League, an organisation classified by the FBI as domestic terrorists and political extremists. When David learned Artukovic was living comfortably nearby, he vowed to ensure his deportation to stand trial as a war criminal. But when a firebomb, thrown with the sole intention of causing fear, saw the young man sent to jail, a battle began for his own freedom, while the war criminal remained at large.

A true David versus Goliath battle, Fierce is the story of the teenager who helped take down the worst mass murderer and war criminal in America.

AUTHOR: Judy Piercey is a Canadian journalist, writer and public speaker. She worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and won several awards, including Canada's top investigative award, retiring from CBC in 2014 after 10 years as senior journalist. As Managing Editor, she ran the Radio, TV and Digital newsroom. As Managing Director, she oversaw the 100-employee operation. Fierce is her first book.

30 b/w illustrations

By:  
Imprint:   The History Press Ltd
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 234mm,  Width: 156mm, 
ISBN:   9781803991153
ISBN 10:   1803991151
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Unspecified

Judy Piercey is a Canadian journalist, writer and public speaker. She reported for print and broadcast media, including The Canadian Press and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). After winning several awards – including Canada's top investigative award – she retired in 2014 after ten years as senior journalist. The Fierce is her first book.

Reviews for The Fierce: The Untold Story of the Teenager Who Took On the Worst War Criminal Living in America

'Los Angeles during the turbulent 1960s and '70s is the perfect backdrop for this remarkable page turner. Filled with a cast of unbelievable characters I had to keep reminding myself this was a true story. Judy Piercey has unearthed one of the great untold stories of our time, this book is a must read!' - Graham Neil, CTV News -- Graham Neil * CTV News * 'A groundbreaking portrayal of the trauma and burden imposed on the children of Holocaust survivors. Teenager David Whitelaw was a force of nature that inspired his government to seek justice for the unspeakable crimes unleashed against innocent people.' - Phil Blazer, founder of Jewish Life Television -- Phil Blazer 'The Fierce forces us to ask ourselves if we'd have the courage and fearlessness to seek justice regardless of the personal consequences. It's hard to fathom that a teenager was able to demand and help secure justice for the savage murders of so many. Truly one of the most heart wrenching, yet inspiring family stories of the twentieth century.' - Liisa Jorgensen, author of Far Side of the Moon -- Liisa Jorgensen 'Judy Piercey expertly captures the remarkable and complicated relationship between David Whitelaw and his mother Judith. An inspiring story that reminds us what it means to be human and the responsibility we all have to make the world around us a better place.' - Barbara Smith, bestselling author -- Barbara Smith 'It's impossible to read this expertly told story and not ask yourself if you're doing your part to make the world a better place. An unbelievable account that reminds us all that one person can change the world.' - Rabbi Mark Blazer, CEO of the Jewish Life Foundation -- Rabbi Mark Blazer 'Author Judy Piercey shines a brilliant light into this dark corner of post-war history, one that has been concealed for too long. You'll find yourself cheering for the Jewish teenager who struggled to bring down one of the worst Nazi killers in history, sickened by the crimes this mass murderer committed, and aghast that he was protected by the United States government. Meticulously researched and skilfully written, this book provides a significant contribution to our body of historical knowledge about the Holocaust.' - Elinor Florence, author of Bird's Eye View -- Elinor Florence 'This is an exciting, adventurous book, based on an inspiring true story of courage and persistence resulting in the righting of an old wrong.' - Bob Zellner, lifelong fighter for social justice and author of The Wrong Side of Murder Creek -- Bob Zellner


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