The heroic story of Jewish resistance and survival during the Second World War.

Allan Levine is an award-winning author and historian who has written thirteen books, including King (Douglas & McIntyre, 2011), the critically acclaimed biography of Mackenzie King that won the Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction. He is a historical consultant on the documentary Jewish Partisans, currently under production by Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Julia Mintz. A versatile author who moves easily between popular non-fiction and fiction, Levine has written four historical mysteries. His first mystery, The Blood Libel, won the Margaret McWilliams Award for historical fiction and was nominated for the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel. He lives in Winnipeg, MB.

Allan Levine's profile page

“For those of us who participated in the events detailed in this book, its significance lies in the author’s ability to chronicle our thoughts, our moods, our objectives, our tragedies, and our sufferings, as well as our hopes, dreams, and victories.”
—Peter Silverman, a former resistance fighter

“Allan Levine’s ambitious chronicle…meticulously researched…is a must read for those who wonder about organized Jewish resistance to the Holocaust.”
—Globe and Mail

“[This] book justifies itself historically and morally. Levine’s sober tone is, after all, a retort to the livid obscenity of history."
—Toronto Star

“Allan Levine has written an important book…He tells the story of Jewish armed resistance in Eastern Europe very well. He weaves personal vignettes, often poignant into his narrative…His graphic and gripping account should ensure a wide readership.”
—Winnipeg Free Press

“I hope that Defiance will inspire [people] to learn more about the true story. They can read about it in Allan Levine's amazing book, Fugitives of the Forest. I couldn't believe these people's will to survive.” —Actress Alexa Davalos, who plays Lilka Ticktin, the love and future wife of Tuvia Bielski. (buzzine.com)

“This is a story told just in time, for the many eye witnesses are dying every year now. But Levine carefully documents their accounts and reconstructs a powerful moment of triumph in the middle of the modern world's greatest catastrophe.” —Doug Wead, U.S. presidential historian, philanthropist, and Special Assistant to U.S. President George H. W. Bush