What Readers Say
Sander holding the first copy of the first printing.
Bravery on the Front Lines in the Face of Fascism
Writer Sander Feinberg and artist Summer McClinton … have collaborated on a revealing capsule history of those who resisted Nazi occupiers in Hungary. Their efforts to protect Hungarian Jews from capture took many forms, including forged documents and underground hiding places to harbor people as they attempted to flee the country. Despite their efforts, more than 400,000 Hungarian Jews were captured and deported to Auschwitz, where most were murdered. Even so, a few brave resisters continued to forge documents and bribe Nazi and Hungarian collaborationist officials to remove some people from danger.
Peter N. Vonblum, “Bravery on the Front Lines in the Face of Fascism,” The Progressive, October 15, 2025, https://progressive.org/latest/bravery-on-the-front-lines-in-the-face-of-fascism-vonblum-20251015/
Testament to the Resilience of the Human Spirit.
More than a history lesson, this book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It bears witness to the unimaginable human cost of hatred while illuminating the quiet and extraordinary acts of bravery that emerged in humanity’s darkest hours. Even when heroism could not prevail, it was powerfully exhibited. Its message feels especially relevant today, reminding us that remembering the past is essential if we hope to protect our shared humanity in the future.
Work of Art
The envelope arrived last night. I opened and read the book this morning. It is masterful and a beautiful work of art.
Forgotten History
In this wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated graphic publication, Sander Feinberg writes about, and Summer McClinton illustrates, a series of events from a historical era, now almost forgotten, when courageous people, many of them Mr. Feinberg’s Hungarian forbearers, risked torture and even death to resist Fascism and rescue those in danger from oppression and even death. It is a chapter in history that has almost disappeared into the mists of time, but it carries a lesson for us all today. And the amazing artwork of Summer McClinton makes the story truly “come alive”. I feel that somehow I would know the real-life people who make up this story if I were to meet them. Their character shines through Ms. McClinton’s amazing photo-realistic illustrations.
Beautifully Written and Designed
I am amazed at how you captured the entire 20th century Hungarian antisemitism in just 13 pages. Your comic book is not only beautifully written and designed—the portraits, including yours, are so perfectly suited to the dark theme—but I personally learned so much about a country and a tragedy I knew nothing about. The fact that your book opens with you taking your granddaughter to the Holocaust Memorial is so profound and moving. You know how to tell a story and grab your readers by the heart. I was completely captivated. And I was devastated learning that 70% of all Hungarian Jews died in a single year. There are no words strong enough to describe it.
Lessons of History
The lessons of history have proved to be a brutal taskmaster for those who have chosen to ignore them. The lessons so forcefully presented in The Hungarian Resistance by Sander Feinberg represents yet another critical lesson that history has proffered, shedding light on anti-Fascist opposition by Hungarians, whose efforts extended far beyond the confines of the country itself.
It is an inspiring story of a lesser-known but worldwide resistance movement that unfolds told in a dramatic and concise manner as a graphic novel with stunning illustrations by artist Summer McClinton. The Hungarian Resistance could not be more relevant to the world in which we live today, given the resurgence of totalitarianism that once again threatens the very foundation of democratic governance around the world. A must-read for all who want to ensure that history does not repeat itself!
Brilliant, Moving
The comic book…graphic novel in fact, well written, brilliant, moving, a historical reminder of brave heroes fighting the worst of evils. The art work by Summer McClinton brings your story and “their” stories to life! Your book will be most interesting to anyone with heart, humanity, bravery, and devotion to freedom. This is an opportunity for anyone who can dare connect with the past sorrows of injustice, and mass genocidal loss.
Startingly Successful Graphic Novel
Startingly successful as a short stand-alone graphic novel that revolves around the saving of increasingly imperiled Jewish lives as Fascist Hungary enters into the last belated chapter of European Holocaust genocide. Meet actor Bela Lugosi of Dracula fame, underground smugglers, Jewish organizations, and the Jewish and non-Jewish individuals who all worked to save the lives of Hungary’s most vulnerable.
I teach Timothy Cole’s Holocaust City about Buda and Pest, and the creation of its ghettos. You’ve taken that history and made it literally come alive in telling its story to your granddaughter. Given the timing, I think of it as the last major episode of European genocide against Jews, and as we know all too sadly, it’s not just Nazis who should be blamed.
Clear History of Nearly Forgotten Heroes
Sander Feinberg offers a clear history of nearly forgotten heroes in The Hungarian Resistance, with the role of anti-fascists in Hungary and the U.S. ranging from homeowners smuggling Jewish and oppressed immigrantsto the activism of a surprising Hollywood legend – all playing a role in saving the lives of thousands. Summer McClinton’s delicate linework is detailed and adept at capturing a horrific reality and undaunted bravery.
Great writing. Great art.
It would take more words than a blurb allows to extol all of the virtues of Sander Feinberg’s The Hungarian Resistance. Excellent research, storytelling, artwork, and production design not only bring the narrative to life, but also give it the justice it deserves. Great writing; great art; great production values.
Educational and Inspirational
An educational and inspirational illustrated deep dive into understanding anti-fascist efforts during World War II.
Feels Like an Engaging Short Film
The Hungarian Resistance is a poignant and beautifully told story that honors both those who perished and those who risked their lives to help others in Hungary. Presented in comic book form, it feels like an engaging short film, making it accessible and impactful. High school and college students would greatly benefit from reading it, as it can inspire meaningful discussions about this overlooked part of history and the unsung heroes who acted selflessly for the greater good.
Illustrations like Dorothea Lange’s Photographs
The artwork is powerful pen & ink, almost woodcut in style; the story personal, capturing the various major figures in the Hungarian resistance as memories of Sander’s relatives and extended family members – people he knew growing up and stories he was raised with. The story starts with Sander and his granddaughter, Sarah, visiting the Holocaust Memorial Center in Budapest, with Sander telling her their family’s story. The scene changes to the US and the Hungarian activists who were trying to raise awareness of the dangers of Fascism. As the scenes switch back to Hungary, Summer’s illustrations take on a quality of Dorothea Lange’s photographs of the 1930s Dust Bowl migrants, as Sander’s story continues the tale.
Insightful Telling of Resistance
Trying to grasp the horrors of family lost in Auschwitz, Sarah asks her grandfather if anyone tried to save them. This opens an insightful telling of the resistance effort in Hungary during WW lI. The story and heroes are brought to life through inspired illustrations that carry the reader from the past to the present. This is a story that must be told.
Living History
For me, and I suspect many other Americans, Hungary seemed peripheral. Germany was World War II; U.S.S.R was the Cold War. Hungary was somewhere in Central Europe, somewhere on the outskirts of history. The Hungarian Resistance centers the tumult and courage of Hungarians in the underground who tried to stop fascism and rescue its victims. The aftermath of the Holocaust and division of Europe that followed are mostly painted in broad strokes now. This graphic telling brings to life, on a personal and understandable level, the hard choices that real people in Hungary faced and what those choices cost. This living history is a fantastic way to make people today aware of what choices they may need to make and how their values and courage can make a difference to the world.
Must Read
In my opinion, The Hungarian Resistance is immensely important. The main thing is to get this book out there and read by as many as possible!
Reading and re-reading this book, every time I am moved to tears. Tears of shock, sorrow and rage. The story is brilliantly produced in the form of a graphic novel. The heartfelt illustrations make the lessons all the more personal, gripping and unavoidable. How I wish I could disbelieve the story, but that’s impossible. The first-hand research is too compelling, the history is too important.
This is a book that must be read by every single person. It must be read to appreciate the valor of the Hungarian resistors. It must read to understand what unspeakable depravity humans are capable of. It must be read so this cannot happen again.
Powerful, Personal, Political and Close to the Heart
There are millions of stories from the Holocaust, its buildup and aftermath. Each story is one of tragedy; personal, national, political. The most horrific chapter in human history can be looked at from many angles.
In his new book The Hungarian Resistance along with artist Summer McClinton Feinberg tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of Feinberg’s Hungarian family beginning in 1919, through family and political history. Feinberg’s story and McClinton’s art allow the reader into an important history of the Holocaust in a way that is easy to understand; powerful, personal, political and close to the heart.
Real-life Historical Figures Come Alive
To begin with, the illustrations in The Hungarian Resistance are outstanding. They’re part of a comic book, or two dimensional. But they make the real-life historical figures-as well as those poor anonymous souls caught up in a nightmare of unimaginable proportions-come alive even as so many of them ultimately were killed or died in the course of the nightmare. My sense is that this work will be a valuable source of information for those unfamiliar with the history-the plight of Hungarian Jews in the twentieth century and the resistance movements that arose in response both in Hungary itself and in America.
Rich Historical Story
A rare treasure that should be in schools across the nation. A rich historical story in a compact digestible package, that can be comprehended by young teens to adults alike. The art is engaging, the story is compelling yet simply told -sharing a historically accurate and extensively researched pivotal piece of history. It’s a very important story that has finally been told but must now be heard by as many as possible.
True Story
Sander Feinberg and Summer McClinton’s new historical comic, The Hungarian Resistance, Anti-fascists in Hungary and the U.S. during WWII, tells the true story of the more than half million Jews in Hungary who perished under the Nazis. More specifically, it focuses on the resistance movement, both in Hungary and in the U.S. which drew worldwide attention to the atrocities being committed.
More specifically, it focuses on the resistance movement, both in Hungary and in the U.S. which drew worldwide attention to the atrocities being committed. In the U.S. and elsewhere, Hungarian refugees (including some of Feinberg’s relatives and prominent figures including actor Bella Lugosi and artist Hugo Gellert) came to the aid of their friends and family by raising awareness and soliciting funds to provide assistance to the resistance movement.
