More Than a Teardrop in the Ocean: Vol. II, More of the Tempestuous History of the War Refugee Board — Occult Philosophy

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More Than a Teardrop in the Ocean: Vol. II, More of the Tempestuous History of the War Refugee Board

Name: More Than a Teardrop in the Ocean: Vol. II, More of the Tempestuous History of the War Refugee Board
Price: 16.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781882190768

✍️ Rolde, Neil

Reader Score

4.5

(4 reviews)

$16.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Neil Rolde’s sequel delves deeper into the War Refugee Board’s complex narrative, moving beyond the initial exposure of Breckinridge Long’s failures. This volume chronicles the intertwined journeys of perseverance and escape, tracing paths from occupied Europe through North Africa, the United States, and the Middle East. Rolde highlights the dramatic shift from bureaucratic obstruction to active salvation, documenting how a small group managed to save approximately two hundred thousand lives against overwhelming odds. It is a detailed, two-part saga that honors the resilience of those who fled persecution and the officials who, albeit late, acted to preserve them.

Rolde, Neil

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Occult Philosophy

🏛 Polar Bear & Company 📖 228 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781882190768

Fun Fact

Rolde delivers a meticulous, dual-volume account that balances bureaucratic critique with humanitarian triumph. It excels in mapping the complex logistics of escape and the moral weight of late intervention. However, readers seeking a straightforward hero narrative may find the dense administrative details challenging. It stands as a vital, nuanced contribution to WWII historiography, essential for understanding the intersection of policy and survival.

📝 Description: More Than a Teardrop in the Ocean: Vol. II, More of the Tempestuous History of the War Refugee Board

Neil Rolde's biography of Breckinridge Long exposed the tragic reality that the U. S. appointed the wrong man for the job. Ninety percent of the quota places available to immigrants from countries under German and Italian control were never filled. In 1944 President Roosevelt established the War Refugee Board with Executive Order 9417 that declared: "It is the policy of this Government to take all measures within its power to rescue the victims of enemy oppression who are in imminent danger of death and otherwise to afford such victims all possible relief and assistance consistent with the successful prosecution of the war." This is Volume I. Volume II, More of the Tempestuous History of the War Refugee Board, continues the intertwined stories of heroism, perseverance and escape across changing borders and personal relationships, from the worst to the best, from Europe to North Africa, the U. S. and the Middle East. "The War Refugee Board's feat of saving some 200,000 targeted innocents condemned to die out of six million slaughtered, while seemingly puny, is surely worthy of respect. The saga of the Board is a story worthy of being told in detailed entirety, in two volumes." --Neil Rolde

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While Rolde provides a compelling account of the War Refugee Board’s shift from obstruction to salvation, this volume may not suit readers seeking a straightforward military chronicle or those who prefer unvarnished political triumphalism. The focus on bureaucratic intricacies and the specific geography of escape might feel slow to those wanting immediate action. However, for those willing to engage with the nuanced journey of approximately two hundred thousand lives saved, the text offers a rich, respectful tribute to resilience. It is best approached as a detailed saga of perseverance rather than a rapid-fire historical thriller.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers deeply interested in the hidden mechanisms of WWII diplomacy and the intricate dance between bureaucratic failure and heroic intervention will find this sequel profoundly rewarding. Neil Rolde offers a vital expansion on the initial exposure of obstruction, detailing how perseverance transcended borders from occupied Europe to the Middle East. It is essential for those who appreciate narratives where small groups defy overwhelming odds to preserve life. The book honors both the resilience of refugees and the late-acting officials, providing a nuanced perspective on salvation amidst persecution that goes beyond simple hero worship to explore complex moral landscapes.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Readers interested in WWII diplomatic history, Jewish studies, and moral accountability within government institutions. Ideal for those seeking nuanced accounts of humanitarian efforts amidst global conflict.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 4 reviews

Kevin D.

August 28, 2025

Decent

First purchase from this shop. Some chapters demand a slow, careful read, and that's exactly the point. Still worth having on the shelf.

Rachel C.

August 18, 2025

Essential reading

This exceeded my expectations. It connects ideas I'd only seen treated separately elsewhere. Solid binding, decent paper — holds up to heavy use.

Caleb C.

January 18, 2025

Deep and rewarding

Perfect companion for my morning study sessions. The language takes some getting used to, but it becomes part of the charm. Plenty of passages worth underlining; my copy is already full of margin notes. My only regret is not ordering it sooner.

Esoterica Books editorial team

While Rolde provides a compelling account of the War Refugee Board’s shift from obstruction to salvation, this volume may not suit readers seeking a straightforward military chronicle or those who prefer unvarnished political triumphalism. The focus on bureaucratic intricacies and the specific geography of escape might feel slow to those wanting immediate action. However, for those willing to engage with the nuanced journey of approximately two hundred thousand lives saved, the text offers a rich, respectful tribute to resilience. It is best approached as a detailed saga of perseverance rather than a rapid-fire historical thriller.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it heavily features the experiences of refugees, resistance fighters, and international collaborators across multiple continents, not just U.S. policymakers.

Yes, it serves as the second volume to Neil Rolde’s earlier biography of Breckinridge Long, continuing the detailed history of the War Refugee Board.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Bureaucratic resistance

Humanitarian rescue

Geopolitical escape routes

📜 Historical context

Published against the backdrop of renewed interest in Holocaust historiography, this work examines the often-overlooked War Refugee Board established by Roosevelt in 1944. It challenges the narrative of total American inaction, revealing how internal state department conflicts and external pressures shaped the timeline of rescue operations during the war's final years.

📚 Glossary

War Refugee Board
Breckinridge Long
Executive Order 9417

📔 Questions to reflect on

How do institutional inertia and moral urgency clash in times of crisis?
What role did individual agency play in overcoming systemic barriers to rescue?
How does the geography of escape routes reflect the political realities of the era?