The history of a Jewish partisan group, a forest community established by Tuvia Bielsk in 1942 in western Belorussia, that would number more than 1,200 by 1944--the largest armed rescue of Jews by Jews in World War II.

"First published in 1993 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Before the war -- The Russian occupation -- The German invasion -- The beginning of the Bielski Otriad -- Escapes from the Ghetto -- The Partisan network -- Rescue or resistance -- Eluding the enemy -- The "big hunt" -- Building a forest community -- The emergence of new social arrangements -- The fate of women -- Keeping order -- The end of the Otriad -- From self-preservation to rescue.