Welcome

At a time when Jews are freshly embattled and the taboo against antisemitism dissolves as the Holocaust moves further away in time, Ninette’s War provides urgent context and details we must not forget, alongside a compassionate, elegant tribute to one brave woman’s life in time.”

Zoe Strimpel, Sunday Telegraph columnist and author of Seeking Love in Modern Britain: Gender, Dating and the Rise of the ‘Single’.

John Jay’s reclaiming of the wartime odyssey in France of Ninette Dreyfus … is spellbinding. A worthy recalling of the past in the dark times of the present.”

Colin Shindler, Emeritus Professor, University of London.

…a brilliant mélange of haute-couture clothes, golf and foie gras mixed with false identity papers, cyanide powder and courage.”

Anne Sebba, author of Ethel Rosenberg – The Short Life and Great Betrayal of an American Wife and Mother.

John Jay … skilfully weaves extracts from [Ninette’s] diary into a wider account of what happened to French Jews … Ninette’s War is not an easy read, but at a time of rising anti-Semitism across the world, it is chillingly relevant. Can we really say with confidence, ‘Never again’?”

Constance Craig Smith, Daily Mail.

“Ninette’s … family were rich and privileged, part of a Jewish high society that appeared settled within the French establishment. Many weren’t particularly religious … Some believed these things would save them, even after the Nazis occupied France. Ninette’s War is as much as dissection of the tragic failure of that belief, as it is a family’s story of precarious survival.”

Emily Hourican, Irish Independent.

[Ninette’s immediate family’s] … survival is told in strong detail, as are the many stories of other family members and friends rounded up by the French police, Jew hunters and Gestapo … Among these are extraordinary cases of escape and bravery.”

Francesca Angelini, The Sunday Times

a unique text with an inimitable richness, depth and, at times, levity … ”

Zoë Huxford, The New Statesman

Passages of Ninette’s diary are reminiscent of Anne Frank’s musings about growing up in her attic in Amsterdam.”

Caroline Moorehead, Times Literary Supplement

Mr Jay manages to tell [Ninette’s] story with understanding, as well as detailing the wider context.”

Henrietta Bredin, Country Life

Facing Fearful Odds is well written … The most moving part of the book is the epilogue, where the author discusses a father always beyond his reach…”

Nigel Perrin, author of Spirit of Resistance – The Life of SOE Agent Harry Peulevé, The Times Literary Supplement.

…a vivid and engaging description of [Alec Jay’s] war experience…”

Bridget Galton, Features Editor and Associate Editor, Hampstead & Highgate Express.