In “Out of the Sky,” Matti Friedman explores a peculiar World War II episode where Holocaust survivors parachuted into Nazi-occupied Europe in 1944 as part of a British operation. Despite their bravery, the mission resulted in no harm to Nazis or salvation of Jews, and many parachutists perished. Among them, Hannah Senesh, known for her song “Eli, Eli,” became legendary. Friedman uses extensive original documents to trace the journey of four parachutists, revealing a story that blends myth and reality. His narrative highlights the enduring power of storytelling, questioning the nature of heroism and futility in history.