A gripping history that plumbs the extraordinary stories of American relief and rescue workers during World War II.

"Long before their country officially joined the war, American aid workers were active in rescue efforts across Europe. Two such Americans were Martha and Waitstill Sharp, who were originally sent to Prague as part of a relief effort but turned immediately to helping Jews and dissidents after the 1939 invasion by Germany. They were not the only ones. Renowned historian Debórah Dwork follows the story of rescue workers in five major cities as the refugee crisis expanded to Vilna, Shanghai, Marseille, and Lisbon. Followed by Nazi agents, spiriting people across borders, they learned secrecy. Others negotiated with government representatives, like Laura Margolis, who worked with the Japanese, to get enough food and warm shelter for the refugees in Shanghai. Yet, the women also often faced lack of support from their agencies; if part of a couple, they fought to get paid even at a low salary despite working as long and hard as their husbands. Moving and revelatory, Saints and Liars illuminates the unpredictable circumstances and often fast-changing historical events with which these aid workers contended, while revealing the moral questions they encountered and the devastating decisions they had to make. Drawing on a multitude of archival documents, from letters to diaries and memos, Dwork offers us a rare glimpse into the lives of individuals who--at times with their organizations' backing, but sometimes against their directives--sought to help people find safe haven from persecution." -- Provided by publisher.

Before the United States officially entered the war, American aid workers were already involved in rescue operations across Europe. Among them were Martha and Waitstill Sharp, who were initially sent to Prague for a relief mission but shifted their focus to helping Jews and dissidents following Germany's invasion in 1939. They were part of a larger group of individuals working in various European cities. Historian Debórah Dwork examines the efforts of rescue workers in cities like Vilna, Shanghai, Marseille, and Lisbon, as the refugee crisis grew. These workers, often pursued by Nazi agents, used secrecy to move people across borders. Some, like Laura Margolis, negotiated with government officials to secure food and shelter for refugees, as she did in Shanghai with Japanese authorities. Women in these efforts also faced challenges such as limited support from their organizations and struggles over pay, particularly if they were part of a couple, despite working long hours like their male counterparts. In Saints and Liars, Dwork explores the complex and ever-changing circumstances these aid workers navigated. Through archival materials such as letters, diaries, and memos, the book provides insight into the moral dilemmas and tough choices they faced while trying to help people escape persecution.