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Books matching: holocaust survivor narrative

8 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 8 of 8 
  1. The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal is a poignant narrative that delves into the complexities of forgiveness in the aftermath of the Holocaust. Wiesenthal, a Holocaust survivor, recounts his encounter with a dying Nazi SS officer who seeks forgiveness for his heinous crimes. The book poses a thought-provoking ethical question - could you forgive a Nazi? Through a collection of responses from intellectuals, theologians, and survivors, the book explores themes of regret, loss, and the moral dilemmas surrounding forgiveness. Wiesenthal's writing style is concise yet powerful, offering psychological and philosophical insights that challenge readers to reflect on the possibilities and limits of forgiveness.

    I was standing on the parade ground, where the prisoners were slowly assembling. They had just had their “breakfast”—a dark, bitter brew which the camp cooks had the nerve to call coffee. The men were...

  2. #2

    But You Did Not Come Back by Sandra Smith, Marceline Loridan-Ivens
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    'But You Did Not Come Back' by Sandra Smith and Marceline Loridan-Ivens is a poignant and heart-wrenching epistolary memoir written by Marceline to her father who perished in the German concentration camps during WWII. The narrative delves into Marceline's experiences as a Holocaust survivor, touching upon her harrowing time in Auschwitz and Birkenau, the enduring pain of losing her father, and the challenges of rebuilding her life post-war. The writing style is raw, honest, and evocative, capturing the profound impact of the atrocities faced by Marceline and her unwavering longing for her father.

    I was quite a cheerful person, you know, in spite of what happened to us. We were happy in our own way, as a revenge against sadness, so we could still laugh. People liked that about me. But I’m chang...

  3. #3

    The Drowned and the Saved by Primo Levi
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    The Drowned and the Saved by Primo Levi is a collection of essays that delve into the author's experiences as a survivor of Auschwitz. Levi reflects on the fallibility of memory, the techniques used by the Nazis, the nature of violence, and the moral gray zones faced by individuals. Through thought-provoking analysis, Levi attempts to understand the rationale behind the concentration camps and the mindset of both oppressors and oppressed. His writing style is described as passionate, intellectual, and filled with a fragile sense of hope.


  4. #4

    Auschwitz: A Doctor's Eyewitness Account by Miklos Nyiszli
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    "Auschwitz: A Doctor's Eyewitness Account" by Miklos Nyiszli is a harrowing and heartbreaking firsthand account of the atrocities witnessed by the author during his time at Auschwitz. Nyiszli's writing style is described as bare bones and concise, providing a detached and almost emotionless account of the horrors he experienced, which serves to highlight the brutal reality of the concentration camps. details Nyiszli's role as a doctor working with Dr. Josef Mengele, his experiences in the crematoriums, and the moral dilemmas he faced while trying to survive in the midst of unimaginable cruelty.

    The narrative in the book is said to be compelling and engaging, offering a unique perspective on the Holocaust through Nyiszli's clinical and observational approach. Despite the difficult subject matter, readers find the book to be a must-read for its honest portrayal of the events at Auschwitz and the ethical questions it raises about human nature and survival in the face of extreme adversity.

    The train of the deportees. For four days, forty identical cars had been rolling endlessly on, first across Slovakia, then across the territory of the Central Government, bearing us towards an unknown...

  5. #5
    Day
    Book 3 in the series:The Night Trilogy

    Day - The Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel
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    "Day" by Elie Wiesel is a profound exploration of life after surviving the Holocaust. The novel delves into themes of guilt, despair, and the struggle to find meaning and love amidst the horrors of the past. Through the story of a man recovering from a car accident, the reader is taken on a journey of introspection, questioning whether it is possible to truly live again after experiencing such trauma. Wiesel's writing style is described as powerful, harrowing, and nuanced, seamlessly blending large themes like God, the Holocaust, suffering, and love with a conversational tone.

    The heat was heavy, suffocating: it penetrated your bones, your veins, your lungs. It was difficult to speak, even to breathe. Everything was covered with an enormous, wet sheet of air. The heat stuck...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Night Trilogy )

  6. 'The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust' by Tom Segev delves into the history of Palestinian Zionist Jewry before, during, and after World War II. It provides a dense and engrossing account of the attempt to purchase Jews from the German government and the Nazis in order to bring them to Israel. is described as a fantastic history that is well explained, intelligent, insightful, and deep, offering a valuable perspective on how the Jews of Palestine and Israel reacted to the Holocaust.

    Early in 1987, I telephoned the writer Yehiel De-Nur to ask what he thought about the John Demjanjuk trial, which was then in progress in Jerusalem. Demjanjuk, a Ukrainian extradited to Israel from th...

  7. In "Kingdom of Olives and Ash: Writers Confront the Occupation," a collection of essays by renowned writers, the book sheds light on the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the plight of the Palestinian people. The essays provide a less publicized perspective on the history, effects of the occupation, and the lives of those living under these circumstances. The writing style is described as informative, important, and heartbreaking, offering insights into the devastating effects of the occupation on both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

    The book delves into the human face of the situation in Gaza, aiming to counter false impressions created by biased media coverage and government narratives. It brings forth personal experiences, detailing the daily dangers faced by individuals in occupied territories, the struggles for basic human rights and dignities, and the overall impact on their lives. Through a collaboration with the Israeli NGO Breaking the Silence and a team of talented writers, the book captures the voices of those directly affected by the ongoing conflict, presenting a multi-faceted view of the contested territories.

    We didn’t want to edit this book. We didn’t want to write or even think, in any kind of sustained way, about Israel and Palestine, about the nature and meaning of occupation, about intifadas and settl...

  8. #8

    The Holocaust: A New History by Laurence Rees
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    Laurence Rees' book, 'The Holocaust: A New History', delves into the origins and evolution of the Holocaust, tracing it back to the rise of the Nazis in Germany. The book focuses on Hitler's rise to power, the horrors within the camps, and the personal stories of individuals affected by the genocide. Rees combines archival histories, oral testimonies, and newly available material to provide a comprehensive account of the Holocaust, shedding new light on the Nazi industrialization of death.

    Rees explores the complexities of the Holocaust, examining the societal and political factors that allowed such atrocities to occur. The book addresses the systemic anti-Semitic program adopted by the Nazis, the psychological wiring of Adolf Hitler, and the evolution of the Final Solution. Through detailed analysis and personal accounts, Rees uncovers the cost of looking the other way and emphasizes the importance of understanding the past to shape the present and future.

    In September 1919 Adolf Hitler wrote a letter of immense historical importance. But at the time no one realized its significance. That’s because the Adolf Hitler who composed the letter was a nobody. ...

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