Winner of the National Seniors Literary Prize (Australia) and the Philpott Prize.
"I saw the flicker of flames as the first plane fired its guns and heard the trees above my head splintering as the stream of bullets hit them. Branches toppled down. Cattle panicked. The ricocheting bullets whined around the valley."
On September 1, 1939, ten-year-old Paul Cieslar's peaceful childhood in the Polish countryside came to an end. German fighter planes roared overhead, and with them came the invasion of Poland and the chaos of war.
In No Heil Hitler, Paul recounts his extraordinary true story of survival, faith, and quiet resistance in Nazi-occupied Poland. As Seventh-day Adventists, Paul's family refused to give the "Heil Hitler" salute or work on Saturday-their Sabbath. These simple acts of faith became bold defiance under the watchful eyes of the Gestapo.
Through Paul's eyes, readers witness the fear, hunger, and moral choices that defined his formative years. In a time when conformity meant safety, the Cieslar family's courage to live by their beliefs stands as a powerful reminder of human resilience and spiritual conviction.
With moments of terror, glimpses of grace, and an unwavering commitment to truth, No Heil Hitler is both a riveting wartime memoir and a testament to the strength of faith in the face of evil.
"Paul Cieslar's story is also that of his family and his church, one of faithfulness and endurance in the face of grave threats and many hardships in occupied Poland. Their story should inspire our faithfulness and renew our trust in a God who is with us always."-Geoff Youlden, presenter, Beyond the Search
'I read Paul's book from cover to cover in the quiet safety of a hotel room, realising no-one can fully comprehend the depth of utter desperation and confusion unless one travels the journey. Paul's story comes from the depth of such an experience. It flows from a heart nurtured by a family's love, determined to stay faithful to God and to stand up with a boldness for what is just.' - John Skrzypaszek, Avondale University News
'Like 'The Hiding Place', this unforgettable memoir reveals how one family's quiet defiance and unshakable faith became a powerful stand for truth amid terror, persecution, and the darkness of war.' - BigSkyPub
