REBECCA FRANKEL
Author, Editor, Journalist
IN THE PRESS
Selected mentions.
"Here Are September’s Best Reviewed Books in History and Politics," Literary Hub
Keeping track of the fall books via the site's Book Marks, along with "Nathaniel Philbrick’s Travels with George, Fernando Cervantes’ Conquistadores, Ada Ferrer’s Cuba, and Joseph J. Ellis’ The Cause [which] all feature among the best reviewed history and politics books of the month," LitHub notes that Rebecca Frankel's Into the Forest has "4 Rave & 3 Positive" reviews.
September 28, 2021
"10 Books to Read: The Best Reviews of September," The Wall Street Journal
Along with Colson Whitehead's new novel, Harlem Shuffle, Nathaniel Philbrick's Travels with George, and Christopher Clarey's The Master, Into The Forest makes The Wall Street Journal's selection of the month's most noteworthy books, as discussed by its reviewers.
Sept. 21, 2021
"Deep in the woods, where a terrifying real-life Holocaust fairy tale unfolded," The Forward
In her review for The Forward, Julia M. Klein calls Into the Forest:"Page-turning... an even more improbable fairy tale about rescue, reunion and romantic love."
September 13, 2021
"Travel “Into the Forest” With a Remarkable Story of Holocaust Survival," BookTrib
"An excellent choice for serious book clubs that have previously chosen challenging titles like Tatiana de Rosnay’s Sarah’s Key and Irène Némirovsky’s Suite Française... May we come away from reading Into the Forest with a renewed determination to remember and honor the past by celebrating life," says reviewer Linda Hitchcock.
September 10, 2021
"'Into The Forest' Tells Story Of One Family's Escape From Nazi-Created Zhetel Ghetto," NPR
J.P. O'Malley says in his review of Into the Forest that,"Frankel skillfully retells this complex story in a gripping narrative that reads like a page turning thriller novel."
September 7, 2021
"‘Into the Forest’ Review: Evading the Hounds of Hell," The Wall Street Journal
In his in-depth and glowing review of Into the Forest, reviewer Tunku Varadarajan writes, "Ms. Frankel ... knows how to spin a saga expertly. And she does so here with just the right infusion of sentiment, careful to steer clear of mawkishness and exaggeration—excesses to which a lesser writer could so easily have fallen prey. ... [her] chronicle of their fugitive life in the forest is gripping, a master class in conveying tension."
September 3, 2021
"Holocaust book tells of childhood of West Hartford woman," Hartford Courant.
In her piece, the Courant's Susan Dunne interviews Rebecca Frankel about the Rabinowitz family's experiences during World war II and their local connection. She writes: "Years before Morris and Miriam Rabinowitz, and their two daughters Ruth and Toby, settled in West Hartford, they lived a nightmare that they were lucky to survive."
September 3, 2021
"8 Jewish Books You Should Read This September," Alma.
Alma’s deputy managing editor, Sarah Burack, placed Into the Forest as No. 1 on her list of must-read books debuting in September.
September 1, 2021
Library Journal
In a starred review, Jacqueline Parascandola writes:" Frankel draws on primary source materials, including interviews with members of the Rabinowitz family, to create a beautifully written account of escape and survival that will engage readers from the start. She shares her subjects’ stories with sensitivity and care."
September 1, 2021
"Into the Forest: A Holocaust Survival Story," BookList
Library Association reviewer, Anne Foley, writes: “Frankel tells the extraordinary story of Miriam and Morris Rabinowitz’s enduring love and their determined struggle to survive in eastern Poland during the Holocaust.” Foley went on to note: "Young adults studying the Holocaust will be inspired by the stories of many young refugees and resistance fighters."
August 1, 2021
Kirkus
Into The Forest receives a rare starred review from Kirkus. "Full of telling details ... A gripping story of one family’s courage and resourcefulness under life-threatening conditions."
July 2021
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly gives Into The Forest a rave early review. “Journalist Frankel (War Dogs) recounts in this gut-wrenching yet inspirational history how a Polish Jewish family survived the Holocaust by hiding in the Bialowieza Forest in eastern Poland for almost two years. … Readers will be on the edge of their seats."
May 2021
The Washington Post, Outlook
Washington Post book critic Jonathan Yardley gives War Dogs a tremendous review, calling it an, "exceptionally interesting and surprisingly moving book."
Oct. 19, 2014
The New York Times, Book Review
Brownwen Dickey reviews a crop of newly published books on canines, and highlights War Dogs in the "short list."
Oct. 19, 2014
The Christian Science Monitor
10 best books of October: The Monitor's picks. "In War Dogs, [Frankel] takes an up-close look at military dog handlers and their canines. The stories she tells are compelling, enlightening, and downright touching."
October 2014
The Washington Post, Book Review
In her review of War Dogs, Becky Krystal writes: At the beginning of [this book], Rebecca Frankel presents us with an uncomfortable truth: “There is something less complicated (and ironically more human) about relating to war through the story of a dog.” By the end of her heart-warming and heart-wrenching book, you’ll know what she means — if you don’t already.
Nov. 4, 2014
Publishers Weekly
In their early look at War Dogs, PW said: "[Frankel's] passion for her subject matter and deep appreciation for the dogs is heartwarming and inspiring throughout. Military aficionados as well as dog lovers will learn from and enjoy from this study of canine commandos and the service people who count on them."
October 2014
Kirkus
Previewing War Dogs, Kirkus concluded that the book offered: "engaging accounts of dogs working in war zones and aiding their handlers despite the imminent dangers."
October 2014