A Miracle at Dachau: My Opa's Story

In her new book, A Miracle at Dachau, Laurin Haupt tells the riveting story of her grandfather (her Opa) and his time in the Dachau prison camp. A French gentile, Simon Johann Haupt lived a happy life in Germany with his wife and daughters, the loves of his life. But in 1933, he and some friends dared to resist the terrorism of the Third Reich that was destroying the fabric of their peaceful community.

His subsequent arrest and imprisonment and the miracle that saved his life make one of the most compelling stories of that awful period in history.

Most of us were taught of the atrocities of Hitler and his force against the Jews of Germany but little is talked about regarding the way members of the Third Reich turned against anyone that dared defy them, regardless of religious beliefs. Those that joined with Hitler went up against friends, neighbors, shopkeepers, even Catholic priests they had known their whole lives for having the courage to stand up for what was right.

Opa slowly unfolds his unique story to his beloved granddaughter Laurin as they travel through the German countryside by train many, many years after his time at Dachau. This is a book that everyone should read, and Simon’s story is a cautionary tale for us all.