opposite lions den
No of Pages: 252
RRP: 21.95
ISBN Print: 1 876040 00 9

Opposite the Lion's Den

In 1942, after the German occupation of Holland, Daniel and Lydia converted the upper storey of their house as a hiding place for their five Jewish friends. Their hairdressing salon underneath was frequently visited by German and Dutch fascists and opposite their house was the SS headquarters. This autobiography details the day to day hardships and dangers faced by the Huygens family over almost three years.

Australian historian, Suzanne D. Rutland, creates a powerful context for the Huygens’ story in her preface.

“Mr Huygens’ book, a graphic and inspiring account, deserves to stand beside Anne Frank’s diary as a companion testament to that devastating period.” Canberra Times

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About the Author

Daniel Johannes Huygens

Daniel Johannes Huygens was born in Utrecht, Holland, in 1908. He was one of the unsung heroes of World War II. Small of statue, he was large in courage and compassion. His experiences during the war are the subject of his autobiography, Opposite the Lion’s Den. In 1950 he migrated to Australia with his wife, Lydia and two daughters. He died in Sydney in 1995.

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