My book was reviewed in the 2010 Spring issue of Jewish Book World. The reviewer was Marcia Weiss Posner, Ph.D, board member of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County, NY.

One Step Ahead of Hitler is a flight not remembered by the author, who was only three when he experienced it. Because of his talent in interviewing members of his family, researching, and writing, it is an adventure you will not soon forget. Although Gross knew much about the Holocaust because of his family history, he didn’t know precisely what his immediate family, including himself, had experienced. Two decades ago, he tried to query his mother, asking her to tell him the story of the family’s flight from Belgium as the Nazis invaded. He learned a bit, but his stiff-necked mother was uncommunicative, and not until he began to query his older brothers did he learn about what had happened. Then, he too, began to remember some incidents. He remembered his cold, non-demonstrative mother pressing her body over his to protect him, as they tried to escape the strafing by German planes of the refugees streaming toward the coast. Most of the family’s flight took place in occupied France, where the French police helped the Nazis round up more than 75,000 Jews for deportation to the death camps. How was this canny family, interred in the Gurs camp, the way station to Auschwitz, able to free itself? It was through the cleverness and courage of father and son. Read how they ran from place to place, believing that they had found safety in the south of France, only to have the Nazis come there, as well. The brothers and father used their ingenuity, fortitude, courage, and the help of Righteous Christians along the way who risked their own lives on behalf of these desperate refugees as they made their way through France. What makes the book come alive are the many conversations, colorful descriptions, and narrative talent. It could be a novel, but is true. This is a tale worth telling, and here it is told particularly well.

One Step Ahead of Hitler - ‘A tale worth telling’

Reviews from Readers

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Gross at a book fair, which is when I picked up his book. He was a small boy when the Nazis invaded Belgium, forcing his family to begin their trek across France and Switzerland that would last until the war ended. He admits that he did not quite understand the gravity of his family's situation so his story is fleshed out with the recollections of his mother and two older brothers, many years after these events occurred. The family's adventures make for a fascinating read. I was amazed how many times the family's luck held out, allowing for their escape. I especially recommend this book for anyone interested in memoirs of Jews during the War, but I also recommend it for anyone with an interest in amazing personal stories.

                                                                                                                                    Goodreads.com

I'll preface this review by revealing that the author is my father's first cousin. Which makes it all the more surprising to me that this fascinating account of a family's successful flight from Hitler during World War II is beautifully written. It's a suspenseful voyage that is stranger than fiction, and a testament to the value of family and the determination of the oppressed to reach freedom. It's entirely appropriate for younger readers, and a rare Holocaust story with a happy ending. An inspiring true story that you will want to finish in one reading.                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                    Bernard Gross, Highland Park NJ

Full disclosure: I met the Gross family in the late 40s when they became our neighbors in The Bronx. In time, Leo, the middle brother, became my dearest and closest friend. I recall having a superficial knowledge of the family's escape from the Nazis but after reading Fred Gross' enthralling account of their situation it only further confirms that truth is far more stranger - and intriguing - than fiction. This mile-a-minute retelling of how the family split up - then reunited - is a compelling, can't-put-down thriller of a book. Fred Gross' work is a heartfelt tribute to all those who made it - and those who didn't. It is living, vibrant history played out by a normal family who wouldn't be destroyed.

                                                                                                                                     Sheldon Roskin,  Scotch Plain NJ

This book shares the holocaust experience of a very young, sensitive child. It's a fast read & fascinating. Well worth reading.

                                                                                                                                     Vivian NJ

I finished reading your book last night. It is good to know your story, and learn about your family's experiences. It is so much more meaningful to learn about history from people who experienced it firsthand. I will ask my daughters to read it when they are older. I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed the book.

                                                                                                                                      Jeanne L.

I have read many books about the Holocaust throughout the years, but this was the first that dealt completely with one person’s intimate memories. It was very touching and moving.

                                                                                                                                      ASK, Toledo OH

This book tells the story of a Jewish family being persecuted by Germany's dictator (Hitler) who wished to control not only the religious affiliations but also determine who would be fit to live and who should die based on their heritage. It is a "must read," as many of the younger generation haven't been taught the true meaning of the Holocaust. America has lived in freedom and tolerance for generations and many of the individuals who actually experienced the threat of Hitler are no longer alive. By giving a face to the Jewish experience Mr. Gross brings the story of the holocaust to life. I would recommend this book for school age to adult readers as "those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it." Thank you, Mr. Gross, for sharing your personal experience.

                                                                                                                                       rlf55

I just can’t imagine the danger as well as the emotional upheavals and separations. The book was meaningful to me since I know you, and also since I never looked at the Holocaust through a child’s eyes. It makes me very grateful for my carefree childhood growing up in sheltered little Seymour.

                                                                                                                                      Nancy, Fort Wayne IN

Mr. Gross is my brother-in-law and I knew his story before I read the book. The book brings out all the emotion and importance of a world at war with a mad tyrant. It is an excellent heart warming recollection of events of Adolph Hitler's conquest of western Europe. A view of the horrors of war and fear through the innocent eyes of a young boy. You become the little boy as you experience his fear and his desire to help his family during a number of suspenseful and intriguing events. Fate and divine intervention must have worked together to save the family. This book can be easily read and understood by anyone from 7th grade and up. Great family project with factual explanation due to the extensive research by Mr. Gross.

                                                                                                                                     Frank Salisbury, Ashland KY

Throughout the presentation (at the Ethnic Heritage Center at Southern Connecticut State University), I was quite literally, at the edge of my seat.....I must tell you how much of a treat it was to relive your story again (upon reading the book) and to learn so many more interesting details about your harrowing flight from the Nazi war machine and the betrayal of the Jews by the Vichy government. I am a retired social studies teacher and I taught about this period in some of my classes at Hamden High School, but I learned many new facts about the situation for Jews during the Occupation by reading your book.

                                                                                                                                     Richard E. Brewer, Hamden, CT

I have read many novels of fiction and nonfiction about WWII and the Holocaust over the years, and I found your family's story to be riveting.  I shed tears as your mother stoically stood by her husband and protected her children in any way she could.  The humanity of each of your family members showed through in every page of your writing.  I thank God that he brought you and many of your family members to the United States of America. I am thankful that you wrote this book.  The world must never, never forget what happened in Europe during the Holocaust, because it could so easily happen again.  I am ashamed for my country in those dark days when they refused to admit so many Jewish people who were suffering such persecution.  And, yes,

you are a Holocaust survivor in my opinion.  It stole your childhood and affected your whole life.

                                                                                                                                     Ethel Stafford, Ashland, KY

I've read many books on World War II, preferring the non-fiction, of course. This book was different in that, although told by Fred Gross, it had so many quotes from his brothers and mother. It was fascinating to know that I was reading a true account of the horrific events that took place in Europe during that time. What probably affected me the most was how those events had an effect on them much later in life. It made it so real to read at the end what happened to other members of his family. To me, this was excellent reading, although I am biased by non-fiction. I felt the need to write a review, which hasn't happened before! I wish I could contact the author to tell him what a profound effect his story had on me. Excellent!!

                                                                                                                                    Lois Raitt, Michigan

This tale enthralls from the first page and captivates until the last! Fred Gross is a beautiful writer and his talent for weaving living, breathing images with his words is enviable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book--devoured is maybe a more appropriate word--and then had the great honor to meet Mr. Gross at one of his lectures. This is a beautiful and terrible tale of one of the darkest times in world history. A tale of survivorship, it shares the heart-wrenching journey of one Jewish family on the run for years, with the Nazis on their heels. I am so grateful to Mr. Gross for adding this important testimony to the collection of Holocaust survivor histories. Furthermore, Mr. Gross did his research well and I learned things about the situation in Europe during WWII that I never knew. Lastly, I feel that it is important to note that this book transcends the genre of Holocaust Literature in that it is a fascinating read for anyone simply looking to hear a good story, not just those of us with an interest in Hitler's murderous scheme to eradicate the Jews. Thank you for enriching the world with your gift, Mr. Gross.

                                                                                                                                   Michelle M. Kasten, Louisville, KY

An essential must read! Had the pleasure of hearing the author speak at my university, he is an amazing speaker and writer. Love this book.

                                                                                                                                    lsg2680

One Step Ahead of Hitler: A Jewish Child's Journey Through France begins with the author's recollections as a small boy. When his memory develops, so does his perception of the horrors visited upon his Jewish family. Fred Gross builds upon recall and supplements his account with research and interviews with his mother, brothers, friends and other relatives to get an accurate viewpoint of events that followed the German invasion of his native Belgium in 1940. The story is recounted earnestly, with the author's insights of family motivations and emotional conclusions. Throughout the book there is an unquenchable spirit manifest along with a love of humanity that was never destroyed. Fred Gross is a most remarkable man and explains an historical atrocity that must never be forgotten.

                                                                                                                                  Mary Popham, Louisville, KY

As Elie Wiesel once remarked: "Each [Holocaust] story retains its own identity, its own voice." One Step Ahead of Hitler is another story of a refugee family fleeing from the War's vicissitudes. As related by Fred Gross, it is a story of chance, courage, good fortune, narrow escapes, and a family's desire to survive and endure together against all odds. Gross has done a masterful job of illuminating the story of just one family that was able to escape Hitler's clutches. We readers are the better for the telling. A gripping story.

                                                                                                                                   Mr. B, Charlotte, NC