Love in a Time of Hate

This is a very good brief biography about two amazing people. Schott introduces them to us by telling about their childhoods, both Magda’s lonely one, and Andre’s rather austere and traumatic one, then their courtship, early married life, and eventual move to Le Chambon. Telling their life stories worked very well. It set the background for their heroic stance during WW2. You could see how the events of WW1, their upbringing, and religious studies helped shape their response.
The style is very engaging almost conversational but avoided sounding like fiction. Nor does it try to delve too deeply into their private thoughts and motives. It’s just a very well written biography. I appreciated the large sections quoted directly from their letters and speeches.
It would have been nice if more time had been spent on their doctrinal beliefs. That was the only point that left me confused. Early in the book, Andre states that the only truly important thing is the Gospel; but in the last part of the book, it seems his focus was more on non-violence and various peace movements than Biblical preaching or teaching. For a biography of a Pastor, it leaves a lot of questions about his beliefs. Were they saved? Did Magda believe in the Biblical God?
I would still recommend it as a very good biography.
I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley and Herald Press. No review was required, but it was my pleasure to write it.

If you have any doubts about the huge difference just a few dedicated people can make, please read this well-researched, well-written book. Many stood up for truth, morality and human rights during WWII--when making a stand could (and often did) lead to torture and death. I was moved by the story of André Trocmé (he was a parson in the French village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon) and his wife Martha who enlisted the help of parishioners (mostly farmers and small-town merchants) to make room in their homes and their hearts for German Jews and displaced children. Feeding them. Hiding them. Schooling the children. It is an amazing testament of hope over fear. I highly recommend this book. Thank you, Hanna Schott.