The Last Transport: The Holocaust in the Eastern Aegean

The Last Transport

The Last Transport: The Holocaust in the Eastern Aegean is a powerful and meticulously researched account that sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of the Holocaust—the fate of the Jewish communities of the Eastern Aegean islands during World War II. Through a compelling narrative, the book explores the tragic experiences of Jews from the islands of Rhodes and Kos, offering both historical clarity and emotional resonance.

The book opens with an exploration of Jewish life on the island of Rhodes before the Nazi occupation, capturing the richness of Sephardic culture, traditions, and daily life. Readers are transported to a world that thrived for centuries, shaped by Ottoman influence, Italian identity, and the resilience of its Sephardic Jewish inhabitants. This vibrant picture makes the subsequent events even more heartbreaking.

The author’s careful attention to detail stands out as the book documents the German occupation of Rhodes in 1944, when Jewish communities were systematically deported in what would become the “last transport” to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Archival material, survivor testimonies, and personal letters are woven seamlessly into the narrative, offering both a factual record and deeply human accounts of loss, courage, and survival.

What makes The Last Transport particularly significant is its focus on the Eastern Aegean— namely the island of Rhodes, a region often overlooked in broader Holocaust historiography. By shining a spotlight on these communities, the book fills a critical gap in Holocaust scholarship, honoring the memory of those who perished while preserving the stories of survivors.

With its balance of rigorous research and poignant storytelling, The Last Transport is an essential read for anyone interested in Jewish history, Holocaust studies, or the legacy of Sephardic communities. It not only educates but also reminds readers of the fragility of cultural continuity in times of darkness.

A profound and moving work, The Last Transport ensures that the voices of the Jewish communities of Rhodes and Kos will not be forgotten.