1 comments about A Stranger and Afraid.

1. This book takes you back to Arthur's life when he was 8 years old and evacuated from London to the country for his safety in World War 2. It has many highs and lows and you wonder how any of the evacuess coped with such a drastic change in their young lives. It is thoroughly captivating to see how he survives his new school, religion and way of life.
   A story which should be told to all and every generation.

No comments about Defying the Fates: The Remarkable Story of a Jew Who Survived in Nazi Europe.

No comments about Témoignages de l'après-Auschwitz dans la littérature juive-française d'aujourd'hui: Enfants de survivants et survivants-enfants..

2 comments about Condemned Without Judgement: The Three Lives of a Holocaust Survivor.

1. This book made me cry, how is it possible to survive does losses the pain the hunger and then not be hostile but teaching students never to hate.Mr Linder must be a very special man.I never will forget this book.Thank you for your sharing your pain with us.JW



2. About how many books can you say they have changed your life? This book certainly changed mine. I have read many accounts of the holocaust,but this one stands out. Mr linder describes his life before and during the war and describes his experiences in the death camp with brutal honesy. He did what he could to stay alive. He has no self pity and doesnt see himself as a vitim .I was asking my self throughout the book what has helped him to survive when so many others didnt? My own answers helped me look at life in a way I never did before.

   I can only imagine how painful it was for Mr Linder to write this book. This is a special gift to al of us.Mr Linder, you will always be my hero!

No comments about The Oxymoron Factor.

1 comments about Memories of Kreisau and the German Resistance.

1. Sixty years ago the Gestapo and S.S. were seeking to destroy the members of the Kreisau Circle in Germany. Helmuth James Count von Moltke, Freya's husband, was co-founder and leader of this group. Freya von Moltke was intimately involved in the creation and work of the Kreisau Circle. In this thin book she recalls those days in Nazi Germany as the group prepared for the downfall of Hitler and the rebuilding of post-war Germany. With the arrest of her husband she carried on the work of the group and the preservation of their documents.
   The final chapter recalls her life in Poland and Germany as the Russians and Poles took over goverance. Here we come to know a truly creative woman who persevered in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
   Questions raised by members of the Kreisau Circle are totally relevant today. Helmuth James von Moltke was hung in January 1945 for thinking the "wrong thoughts." When judged by Roland Freisler of the People's Court, he was informed that those who were not for Hitler were enemies of the State! How relevant to our world where the same theme is constantly spouted by those in power. We have much to learn from the Kreisau Circle in the preservation of Freedom and Democracy.

2 comments about A Soldier Of Chance.

1. Nathan Rosenfeld has written a book that chronicles his father's experiences in WWII. While the war had effected everyone, it especially was devastating to the Jewish people. Alex Rosenfeld and his family were Jewish. This was a time of hatred not only what nationality you were but what religion you worshipped. The Jewish people were stripped of their businesses, their dignity, their lives. Many went to concentration camps. So many millions died there.
   Alex goes to Paris to find education. As things got more critical, Alex creates a new persona not as a Jew, but a French Gentile. He avoids concentration camps, and works in factories.
   He finally joins the French Resistance and does his part to fight Hitler's forces.
   He marries and goes to Palestine, and then to America. There his children prosper.
   A Soldier of Chance is Nathan Rosenfeld's homage to his father. It is also a rare chance of seeing parts of the war through the eyes of Alex. Nathan includes photos and documents of his father's that add to the experience. It is a powerful book.
   What would we do in a similar situation? Jump in a fight a losing battle, or step back and see what can be done when the time arose to fight the enemy?
   Some of the prologue of the book would have been better placed at the ending of the book - it seems it would have flowed a little better at the end. But the message is powerful. That perserverance and determination succeed.
   What we do not remember we are doomed to repeat.
   I hope we never forget the atrocities Hitler started. Millions of innocent lives lost. Not only in concentration camps but in other countries too - And we of this generation can't get our minds to comprehend that massive an occurrance. But the reality is it happened. And it is up to us not to have another like it.



2. After reading "A Soldier of Chance" I realized that not only did I not know much about the Holocaust, I didn't really understand what it meant to have to live through this horrific time, and the trials and tribulations that many individuals had to go through not only to survive, but to keep their sanity as well.
   This book is written by the son of holocaust survivor, Alex Rosenfeld. Alex came from a family of extremely hard workers. He wasn't booksmart as some of his siblings were but preferred to learn a trade, something that may have had an integral part in his survival during the Nazi takeover.
   Alex certainly had luck on his side, as you will see repeatedly when you read this book. He is able to disguise his identity as a Polish Jew not once, but numerous times, and is able to convince the people in his life that he is a Frenchman who lost his family at birth and was adopted by a family with the last name Rosenfeld. Unfortunately, truth be told, he does end up losing his parents and sisters to the holocaust.
   Instead of being sentenced to a concentration camp he is called to the police station where he is served his working papers. Upon receiving these he volunteers to work in Germany in their factories (something he would have been eventually ordered to do anyway). He has not choice as he is almost out of ration cards and will starve if he doesn't leave. He ends up excelling at his work and even becomes friendly to some of the Germans including his bosses. They have nothing bad to say about him and even award him a plaque commending him on being an exemplary employee, something else that may have attributed to his survival at a later point.
   Working in Germany eventually takes its toll, so on one of his vacations he decides it is time to stay in France and "do the right thing" by joining the French Resistance. This also almost costs him his life numerous times, as the Germans continued to try and keep their reign of terror at an all time high, even though it appeared they were starting to weaken and lose their power.
   One of the things I liked most about this book is you felt like you were there walking along the path that Alex followed. Nathan adds wonderful historical documentation through photographs to help blend the historical aspects with his fathers personal experiences to truly give you an understanding of all this man went through to survive.
   This book is a true eye-opener and a refreshing view on how it is possible to overcome and survive anything as long as you don't give up and fight for what you believe in.
   For more information on the holocaust, please visit The Holocaust Cybrary - it is a fascinating site.

1 comments about Night of the Mist.

1. Eugene Heimler was friend of mine as we grew up together and his account of the Holocaust is worth reading not only to understand facts upon which then you can base your opinion, but more importantly it is an accurate picture what happens to a normal, intelligent human being exposed to the cruelty, inhumanity of oppression and mass murder. Eugene was a poet, a man of deep feelings who was eventually able to put into meaningful words his reaction to a world that all of us survivors experienced but could not find words to describe. Your world will be a better place after sharing Eugene's world.

No comments about Jewish Lists.

1 comments about I Never Saw My Face.

1. This is a beautifully written memoir by Dr. Goetz. He leads the reader through events of his life with dignity and clear recollection. Although facts of painful events are revealed, Dr. Goetz is always considerate of the reader. His words are carefully chosen, not to horrify, but to promote reflection and thought. I was especially touched by his ability to always be aware of goodness and natural beauty in the most adverse conditions. I found this book to be enlightening and thought provoking. From one who has always been shy of this topic, I find myself wanting to read this book again.