No comments about Amy Levy: Her Life & Letters.

No comments about Ways & issues retraced.

No comments about A History and Guide to Judaic Encyclopedias and Lexicons (Bibliographica Judaica).

No comments about Ruin's Wheel: A Father on War, a Son on Genocide.

3 comments about Remember.

1. The Holocaust needs to be remembered and should be mandatory for the school children of today. This book would be a great way to introduce the Holocaust to people of all ages, even the very young, without ever coming across as simplistic. The author's quality of writing shines through and the artwork by Chellie and Joan have wonderfully illustrates this very moving story.
   
   The artwork really complements the narrative, and I like the use of graphite and charcoal, as it reminds me of the great German artist Kathe Kollwitz, who died in 1945. Though Joan and Chell don't render with the edginess of Kollwitz, their softer style seems more appropriate for the tone of the book. My favorite illustrations are Chell's Train to Nowhere (p. viii & p. 70), Joan's In the Army Now (p. 7), and her interpretations of photos from the Warsaw Ghetto, p. 65 through 66. Usually I prefer to see drawings done directly from life, because working from photos taken by other people often means we're seeing the photographer's composition and visual choices, not the sketcher's, so an important element in the artistic process is missing. There's also a tendency for drawings made from photos to be over-worked, and to lose certain freshness in translation. But Joan's photo-inspired work avoids those pitfalls and is truly INSPIRED. Her drawings reflect her individual style as an artist, and her passion for her subject matter makes them particularly expressive and vibrant. Well done!!



2. I just finished reading it, and what a poignant experience it was! Joan is both articulate and eloquent, and her narrative flows naturally and gracefully. That's no small accomplishment, and her easy style makes Paul's story accessible to people of all ages, even the very young, without ever coming across as simplistic. I think Holocaust education is mandatory in most public schools today, and this book could be a great introduction for young readers. It's appropriately somber without being scary or hopeless, and the young GI, Paul, is not only a real person, but an appealing personality and role model. Although forced to deal with mind-boggling evil, he doesn't despair, and finds an even greater resolve to do the right thing because of his experience with the dark side of human nature. "Remember..." is an important book in many ways, and I believe it could have a very wide readership and attract the interest of a major publisher.



3. This book reminds us what it's like to be a young solider in the mist of a horrible war. You can relate Paul's experience to the young men of war today. The illustration are a work of art but my favorite photo is of Paul sitting on the grass holding 2 bottles of wine with this big mischievous smile. We are letting our history slip away, need to show our children the horrors of war, concnetration camps, death camps,and that the holocaust was real not only for the Jews but for many.

2 comments about Once a Doctor, Always a Doctor: The Memoirs of a German-Jewish Immigrant Physician.

1. This book is perhaps the best kept secret of it's genra, yet classifing this book under just one subject matter would be rather difficult. Many subject matters are discussed hear, mostly centering around conflicts between, Christianity, and Judiasm. In between these 2 largest religions of the world are funny anectdotes, personal experiences of a Holocaust survivor, life with a handicapp in family, more funny anecdotes, charm, wit, lightheartedness, things from Jesus to Cathy Lee Gifford, from being a doctor, to being a human, to most importantly FORGIVE. Believe me the list could go on, and on and on. If you are a deep thinker, this book is for you. If you are in the medical feild, this book is for you. If you are a philospher, this book is for you. If you are interested in the Holocaust from the perspective of a surviver, this book is for you. If you are a rabbi or priest, athiest or humanist, this book is DEFINATLY for you. If you are a compasionate person, this book is for your heart. If you are an intellectual, this book if for your mind. This wonderful book is written in a conversational mode. Dr. Hartman is speaking to you, the reader, such as a Grampa in a cushiony recliner, telling stories, and sharing wisdom with his grandchild. This is how this book makes you feel. The simple yet witty language is so acessable that you don't actually feel that you are reading it, but that it is being read to you. A breaze of book, windy and easy to read, yet deep and effective as a low gust of wind. I am sure if you read this book, it will affect you. A book that stimulates the mind and the heart.



2. This is a wonderful book about Dr. Hartmann and his life and tribulations. He talks about his life in Germany, his life in Syracuse NY and about his family and friends. One can empathise with his pains and be lifted up by his accomplishments.

No comments about Honi's Circle of Trees.

No comments about Too Small to Matter.

4 comments about My Friend Anne Frank.

1. Expertly translated from the original Dutch by Debra F. Onkenhout, My Friend Anne Frank is the personal reminiscences of Jacqueline ("Jopie") van Maarsen, the best friend of Anne Frank, who corresponded regularly until the Holocaust destroyed Anne among its many millions of victims. A powerful tribute to Anne as a person, remembering her for who she was and the good times spent together, rather than simply dwelling upon her suffering and pain, My Friend Anne Frank is a deeply emotional and moving testimony of a remarkable young life and a very special friendship.



2. This is an extraordinary little book. Anyone with an interest in Anne Frank would be foolish not to read this. Written by a real friend of Anne's (who is referred to in the diary as "Jopie"), we are offered something in this book that cannot be underestimated--a different point of view on some of the experiences Anne describes by someone who really experienced them with her. Quotes from the diary are expanded upon and explained and some minor mysteries are resolved by the woman who, as a girl, was with Anne when these things happened.

   Some readers might be disappointed that this book is so brief. I, on the other hand, was sympathetic to Van Maarsen's shyness, desire for privacy and reticence to speak so as not to appear as someone taking advantage of Anne's fame. In fact, I think this makes her book even more compelling. Van Maarsen speaks strictly to things she knows and experiences. She does not try to pad the book with her own personal details and agenda. She seems to have written this book for us--the people interested in knowing more about Anne--and not for herself.

   As the years pass, there is the growing risk that Anne will become so sainted as to go beyond reality. Additionally, the readers of the diary often forget that we are hearing a story entirely from the perspective of a young girl. This does not diminish Anne's achievement but I think it is important to keep in mind that Anne was a real person with faults as well as great talent. Plaster saints do not inspire as well as true human beings in whom we can find a reflection of ourselves. Van Maarsen reminds us of Anne's humanity by giving us a different point of view of Anne's experiences. It is an invaluable resource.




3. May 26,2001:
   
   

   If you love the Diary of Anne Frank, you will want to have this book. It raises intriguing questions such as if you had been Anne's friend, would you now want to stay out of the limelight? How would you like it if people only wanted to know you because you were her friend? That it took the author ("Jopie" in the Diary) so long to write this (published in Dutch, 1990), is an indication of the painful struggles she has had with these and related issues. The spirit of candor in the Diary is present in this book also. So much so that ironically, some readers will be disappointed in the ending. We want Anne's friend to carry the torch of her legacy. That our image of how she does this may differ from the author's--hopefully will not lessen our ability to appreciate the author for sharing her unique experiences.
   
   

   Update of August 28, 2001:
   
   

   After seeing this review, the author wrote to me that she continues public speaking. Examples of such speeches are described in fascinating detail in the book. As her note to me eloquently stated:
   
   

   "Anne's diary conveys a very strong message, a message against discrimination and prejudice. By telling about my friendship with Anne and the circumstances during the war, I can give authenticity to her story. So, after having hesitated for years, I now 'carry the torch of Anne's legacy.' I speak for my friend, who cannot speak any more, and I feel quite satisfied to do so."
   
   

   Some might wonder how or why the author could "give authenticity to Anne's story" which speaks so directly to their heart. It is apparent that this comment is meant for people who have denied Anne wrote the Diary. The book explains that the author provided samples of Anne's handwriting to the Dutch Institute For War Documentation after the war. This was used to confirm the Diary was written by Anne. Too, there are incidents described in the Diary that only Anne and the author witnessed. In Anne's 1942 poem to the author, which contained a personal twist to a common verse, she wrote:
   
   

   "Dear Jackie,
   
   

   Always show your sunny side
   
   And be a nice girl at school
   
   Remain my dearest little friend
   
   And everyone will love you.
   
   

   In remembrance of your friend,
   
   
   Anne Frank
   
   

   The last two lines of this verse have proven prophetic. It is clear that Anne would love her dear Jackie even more for having written this book and speaking where Anne's voice trails into silence. The world is indeed fortunate that Anne continues to have such a lovely friend.




4. this book is a beautiful report about a teener's friendship that became exceptional by the events that took place at the time, and about the influence these events had on "jopie's" life in the years that followed.

No comments about Jews of Kopcheve.