Mario Escobar – författare

Un corazón puro puede iluminar aun la noche más oscura.

Y en el más terrible de los momentos de la historia.

Jocelyn es la guardiana de la Biblioteca de Saint-Malo, una mujer huérfana que se aferra a la literatura y a su marido Antoine. Pero ambos corren peligro: la llegada de las tropas alemanas a la ciudad, en especial aquella del comandante Adolf Bauman, empeñado en robar algunos de los incunables que tan celosamente guarda la bibliotecaria, quiere acabar con su felicidad.

El capitán Hermann von Choltitz, amante de los libros, es enviado por las autoridades alemanas para expurgar las bibliotecas de la región, pero se resiste a destruirlos. Jocelyn y Hermann comenzarán una amistad imposible: los libros les unen, pero la violencia y la guerra los separa.

Destinados a ser enemigos y obligados a vivir en un mundo en el que se ha desatado la locura, los inolvidables protagonistas de esta hermosa y emocionante historia se convertirán en héroes cuyo amor vencerá incluso a la guerra.

Los lectores que disfrutaron con La luz que nos puedes ver, de Anthony Doerr o El Ruiseñor, de Kristin Hannah, no podrán perderse esta historia de amor, pasión y suspense. 

«[Escobar] escribe historias que llegan al corazón».

—Jesús Alejo Santiago, Revista Milenio

MARIO ESCOBAR es novelista, historiador y colaborador habitual de National Geographic Historia, ha dedicado su vida a la investigación de los grandes conflictos humanos. Sus libros han sido traducidos a más de doce idiomas, convirtiéndose en bestsellers en países como los Estados Unidos, Brasil, China, Rusia, Italia, México, Argentina y Japón. Es el autor más vendido en formato digital en español en Amazon y fue otorgado el Premio de Novela Empik (Polonia, 2020).

El maestro narra la vida de Janusz Korczak, una exitosa educadora y autora que dedicó su vida a los huérfanos polacos. Un hombre que dirigía dos orfanatos en el gueto de Varsovia y se inspiró para crear la Declaración de los Derechos del Niño de 1959.

Combinando ficción con datos históricos y testimonios personales de una manera magistral, Mario Escobar lleva al lector a un poderoso viaje que describe con gran detalle a los judíos polacos que sufren y su lucha por la supervivencia en el gueto de Varsovia. Los nombres anónimos de miles de ellos no son los que aparecen en los libros de historia, pero lo ocurrido resuena en nuestras mentes con el drama de un pasado que no debemos olvidar.

Agnieszka Ignaciuk, una joven viuda que había sido maestra en el orfanato Dom Sierot, acude a un conocido editor polaco con un grueso diario en la mano: la mujer le dice al editor que, durante la ocupación nazi, un conocido Un médico y pedagogo polaco visitó un orfanato en medio de un gueto de Varsovia. Ella, Michal Wroblewski y tres niños lograron escapar antes de que el gueto comenzara a vaciarse. Le entregaron el diario a un viejo amigo llamado Igor Newerly quien lo escondió en una pared y cuando luego fue arrestado por la Gestapo, permaneció oculto durante años. Angiieszka ahora quiere que lo publique.

El editor queda cautivado por la historia y decide leerla.

Este es Mario Escobar en su mejor momento, tomando una pequeña nota histórica olvidada y creando una novela maravillosa y conmovedora que no olvidará pronto.

La agenda del nuevo Papa está cargada de cambios urgentes y necesarios para la Iglesia Católica. En este primer año se han producido algunos de esas transformaciones. ¿Cuáles son esos cambios y cómo se han producido? ¿Qué cambios quedan aún por realizar? En La revolución pacífica se exploran estas preguntas y más.

Las reformas del papa Francisco están destinadas a la democratización de la institución, dejando más poder de decisión a los cardenales y fomentando la transparencia, para que los casos de corrupción salgan a la luz.

El papa Francisco está comprometido a construir una Iglesia Católica más humilde, que sirva de ejemplo a los gobernantes del mundo no es tarea fácil, por eso veremos algunos avances del Papa en este sentido.

In this first year, the catholic church has seen some of these transformations. What are these changes and how they are produced? What changes are yet to be realized?

Pope Francis reforms are aimed at the democratization of the institution, leaving more power of decision to the Cardinals and promoting transparency, so that cases of corruption come to light.

Pope Francis is committed to build a more humble Catholic Church to serve as an example for the world leaders, is no an easy task, so we will see some progress of the Pope in this regard.

Hay muchos líderes solitarios, marcados por la dureza del ministerio, pero sobre todo por la imposibilidad de compartir con la gente que les rodea sus alegrías y sus penas.

Los líderes necesitan momentos de soledad con Dios, pero también necesitan una comunicación fluida con su familia, sus colaboradores, su congregación, con otros pastores y con sus mentores. Cuando los puentes de comunicación se rompen, surgen el aislamiento, la depresión, el sentimiento de culpa, frustración, desánimo y soledad. ¿Quién cuida al cuidador? Muchas veces nadie. Cada día cientos de líderes abandonan el ministerio, son expulsados de sus denominaciones o quedan rotos por el peso de su soledad.

La soledad del liderazgo aborda este difícil tema con sencillez, sin prejuicios y ofrece una guía práctica mostrando personajes bíblicos que tuvieron estos mismas retos y cómo los superaron.  

There are many lonely leaders, marked by the ministry harshness, but especially by the inability to share  their joys and sorrows with people around them.

Leaders need time alone with God, but they also need good communication with their families and colleagues, with the congregation and other pastors and with their mentors. When communication bridges are broken, there are isolation, depression, guilt, frustration, discouragement and loneliness.

Based on the true story of a brave German nurse tasked with caring for Auschwitz’s youngest prisoners, Auschwitz Lullaby brings to life the story of Helene Hannemann—a woman who sacrificed everything for family and fought furiously for the children she hoped to save.  

On an otherwise ordinary morning in 1943, Helene Hannemann is preparing her five children for the day when the German police arrive at her home. Helene’s worst fears come true when the police, under strict orders from the SS, demand that her children and husband, all of Romani heritage, be taken into custody. Though Helene is German and safe from the forces invading her home, she refuses to leave her family—sealing her fate in a way she never could have imagined. 

After a terrifying trek across the continent, Helene and her family arrive at Auschwitz and are thrown into the chaos of the camp. Her husband, Johann, is separated from them, but Helene remains fiercely protective of her children and those around her. When the powers-that-be discover that Helene is not only a German but also a trained nurse, she is forced into service at the camp hospital, which is overseen by the notorious Dr. Mengele himself. 

Helene is under no illusions in terms of Dr. Mengele’s intentions, but she agrees to cooperate when he asks her to organize a day care and school for the Romani children in the camp. Though physically and emotionally brutalized by the conditions at Auschwitz, Helene musters the strength to protect the children in her care at any cost. Through sheer force of will, Helene provides a haven for the children of Auschwitz—an act of kindness and selflessness so great that it illuminates the darkest night of human history.  

Based on a true story, Mario Escobar’s Auschwitz Lullaby demonstrates the power of sacrifice and the strength of human dignity—even when all hope seems lost.  

Praise for Auschwitz Lullaby:

"Auschwitz Lullaby grabbed my heart and drew me in. A great choice for readers of historical fiction."—Irma Joubert, author of The Girl from the Train

From international bestselling author Mario Escobar comes a story of escape, sacrifice, and hope amid the perils of the Second World War. 

August 1942. Jacob and Moses Stein, two young Jewish brothers, are staying with their aunt in Paris amid the Nazi occupation. The boys’ parents, well-known German playwrights, have left the brothers in their aunt’s care until they can find safe harbor for their family. But before the Steins can reunite, a great and terrifying roundup occurs. The French gendarmes, under Nazi order, arrest the boys and take them to the Vélodrome d’Hiver—a massive, bleak structure in Paris where thousands of France’s Jews are being forcibly detained. 

Jacob and Moses know they must flee in order to survive, but they only have a set of letters sent from the South of France to guide them to their parents. Danger lurks around every corner as the boys, with nothing but each other, trek across the occupied country. Along their remarkable journey, they meet strangers and brave souls who put themselves at risk to protect the children—some of whom pay the ultimate price for helping these young refugees of war. 

This inspiring novel, now available for the first time in English, demonstrates the power of family and the endurance of the human spirit—even through the darkest moments of human history. 

“A poignant telling of the tragedies of war and the sacrificing kindness of others seen through the innocent eyes of children.” —J’nell Ciesielski, bestselling author of The Socialite and Beauty Among Ruins

Amid the shadows of war, one family faces an impossible choice that will change their lives forever. From bestseller Mario Escobar comes a 20th-century historical novel of sacrifice and resilience inspired by Spain''s famed Children of Morelia and the true events that shaped their lives.

Madrid, 1934. Though the Spanish Civil War has not yet begun, the streets of Madrid have become dangerous for thirteen-year-old Marco Alcalde and his two younger sisters. Marco''s parents align themselves against the new fascist regime, unaware that their choice will endanger the entire family--nor do they predict the violence that is to come.

In a desperate bid for safety, the Alcaldes join many other Spanish families in making an impossible choice to send their unaccompanied children across the ocean to the city of Morelia, Mexico--a place they''ve never seen or imagined, but whose government promises their children protection. Young Marco promises to look after his sisters in Mexico until their family can be reunited in Spain, but a harrowing journey ensues.

As the growing children work to care for themselves and each other, they feel their sense of home, family, and identity slipping further and further away. As their memories of Spain fade, they begin to wonder if they will ever see their parents again or the glittering streets of the home they once loved.

Based upon the true stories of the Children of Morelia, Mario Escobar''s Remember Me--now available for the first time in English--paints a poignant portrait of an immigrant family''s sacrificial love and endurance, detailing just how far we go for those we love. This captivating historical novel, perfect for book clubs, includes discussion questions, research notes from the author, and a historical timeline, providing a comprehensive reading experience.

"Luminous and beautifully researched, Remember Me is a study of displacement, belonging, compassion, and forged family amid a heart- wrenching escape from the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War. Fans of Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Chanel Cleeton, and Lisa Wingate will be mesmerized." --Rachel McMillan, author of The London Restoration

From the bestselling author of Auschwitz Lullaby and The Teacher of Warsaw, Mario Escobar''s "powerful portrait of a woman fighting to preserve knowledge in a crumbling world" (Publishers Weekly) is based on a true story of an inspiring librarian who risked everything to save her community and their history. For fans of The Keeper of Hidden Books.

Libraries are being ransacked. France is torn apart by war. A French librarian is determined to resist. Told through smuggled letters to an author, an ordinary librarian describes the brutal Nazi occupation of her small coastal village and the extraordinary measures she takes to fight back.

Saint-Malo, France: August, 1939. Jocelyn and Antoine are childhood sweethearts, but just after they marry, Antoine is drafted to fight against Germany. As World War II rages, Jocelyn uses her position as a librarian in her town of Saint-Malo to comfort and encourage her community with books. Jocelyn begins to write secret letters smuggled to a famous Parisian author, telling her story in the hope that it will someday reach the outside world.

France falls and the Nazis occupy Jocelyn''s town, turning it into a fortress. The townspeople try passive resistance, but the German commander ruthlessly begins to destroy part of the city''s libraries. Books deemed unsuitable by the Nazis are burnt or stolen, and priceless knowledge is lost.

Risking arrest and even her life, Jocelyn manages to hide some of the books while desperately waiting to receive news from her husband Antoine, now a prisoner in a German camp.

Jocelyn''s mission unfolds in her letters: to protect the people of Saint-Malo and the books they hold so dear. Mario Escobar brings to life the occupied city in sweeping and romantic prose, re-creating the history of those who sacrificed all to care for the people they loved.

"I want everyone I know to read this book." --Kelly Rimmer, New York Times bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say

For fans of The Warsaw Orphan and The Tattooist of Auschwitz. The start of WWII changed everything in Poland irrevocably--except for one man''s capacity to love.

September 1, 1939: Sixty-year-old Janusz Korczak and the students and teachers at his Dom Sierot Jewish orphanage are outside enjoying a beautiful day in Warsaw. Hours later, their lives are altered forever when the Nazis invade. Suddenly treated as an outcast in his own city, Janusz--a respected leader known for his heroism and teaching--is determined to do whatever it takes to protect the children from the horrors to come.

When over four hundred thousand Jewish people are rounded up and forced to live in the 1.3-square-mile walled compound of the Warsaw ghetto, Janusz and his friends take drastic measures to shield the children from disease and starvation. With dignity and courage, the teachers and students of Dom Sierot create their own tiny army of love and bravely prepare to march toward the future--whatever it may hold.

Unforgettable, devastating, and inspired by a real-life hero of the Holocaust, The Teacher of Warsaw reminds the world that one single person can incite meaning, hope, and love.

For fans of The Goddess of Warsaw, this gripping WWII novel offers a unique perspective on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. With its powerful storytelling and poignant characters, The Teacher of Warsaw is a perfect book club pick. Delve deeper into the history and themes of the novel with the included timeline, author notes, and discussion questions.

And don''t miss Mario''s other books: Auschwitz Lullaby, Children of the Stars, Remember Me, The Librarian of Saint-Malo, and The Forgotten Names

"A beautifully written, deeply emotional story of hope, love, and courage in the face of unspeakable horrors. That such self-sacrifice, dedication and goodness existed restores faith in humankind. Escobar''s heart-rending yet uplifting tale is made all the more poignant by its authenticity. Bravo!" --Tea Cooper, award-winning and bestselling author of The Cartographer''s Secret

First Jesuit. First Latin American. And a new pope who chose as his first act a simple request: please pray for me.

The recent resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took the world by surprise and for good reason. More than 600 years had passed since a pope last left his post.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, is a man of prayer, a man of action, and a humble man who has always promoted others over himself. In fact, it was Bergoglio who bowed out of the running in the papal election of 2005 to facilitate the rise of Benedict XVI.

However, the new pope faces a Catholic Church in crisis—a church that has lost the media pull of John Paul II and is still hounded by pedophile scandals and the filtration of documents from former papal administrations. His first year may not be an easy one, but neither this man nor the church itself has ever shied away from the challenges thrust upon them.

Pope Francis is austere and simple but has vast theological training. He is a man of his time but one who also travels by subway and bus just like any other citizen. Tirelessly fighting poverty and marginalization, he is a beacon of hope for the poor, persecuted sectors of the church. Has a Catholic spring finally arrived after a very long winter?

Francis is the complete biography of a humble man who has suddenly become one of the most powerful and influential men on the planet.