January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau
On this annual day of commemoration here are a few associated books:
These are two wonderful gifts I received last Christmas.
“The Holocaust Museum In Washington” This book was written by Jeshajahu Weinberg, the founding director of the museum. There are hundreds of color and black-and-white photographs throughout the book–photos of kitchen utensils, hair, shoes, forged documents, artificial limbs, and luggage and prayer shawls confiscated from the victims. Haunting and terrifying are photos showing charred corpses of concentration camp inmates, a starved prisoner in Buchenwald, a young Jewish partisan woman being hanged in Minsk in 1941, Danish Jews escaping to Sweden on a small boat, and Hungarian Jews arriving in Auschwitz in 1944. The book provides a well-rounded history of the Holocaust, but I would still really love to visit this museum in person!
“Once We Were Brothers” a fictional novel by Ronald H. Balson (a Chicago attorney.)
His travels to Warsaw and southern Poland in connection with a complex telecommunications case, inspired this book. It is a story about two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland. I have not read it yet, but I have a feeling I will really enjoy it!
Rated 4.6 on amazon.com
Here are a couple books on my wishlist and tbr list:
(click pictures and titles for more info.)
From A Name to A Number:
A Holocaust Survivor’s Autobiography
A deeply personal story about one man’s lovely childhood that turned into a nightmare at the age of 15. He survives 5 camps and a multitude of atrocities. He is one of few survivors, and resides in my hometown of Portland, OR. I plan to read this book soon, I am fascinated by the prospect of it.
Rated 4.9 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Jewish Traditional Apple Tea
In a saucepan, bring a cup of water and allspice (4whole) just to a boil; add 2 black-tea bags. Remove from the heat; cover and steep for 3 minutes. Discard allspice and tea bags. Stir in a cup of apple juice and honey to taste.
The Boy on the Wooden Box:
How the Impossible Became Possible . . . on Schindler’s List
This, the only memoir published by a former Schindler’s list child, perfectly captures the innocence of a small boy who goes through the unthinkable. My watching the movie Schindler’s list is one of a series of events that sparked my intrigue and constant curiosity about the Holocaust. I am looking forward to this book.
Rated 4.8 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Turkish coffee
A method of preparing coffee using finely powdered roast coffee beans and roasting them in a small pot. Add in a little Cardamon spice for a nice aroma and taste. It is also known as “Jewish coffee” or “Israeli Turkish coffee” or “Arabic coffee”
Fun Fact: It’s a tradition in Israel to bring coffee to a friend’s house for Shabbat or send coffee in a gift basket for a birthday. Coffee is also an excellent addition to a Mishloach Manot basket for the Jewish holiday of Purim.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Albert Einstein
What related book have you read, that really moved/impact you?
Reblogged this on Of A Life Less Ordinary.
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Great post. I need to try out the apple tea. I have had it from cafes. But not made it at home
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As I live in Poland, and grew up not so faraway from Oświęcim, in 8th grade all schools in my region are taking trips to Auschwitz – as a history lesson. I have to say it is hard to describe how you feel seeing all this up close…
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I’m sure that would be a very
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Hard experience.
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I took my father’s letters when he was in France and Germany during WW II and used them in a novel called “Hard Times in the Heartland.” I call it faction because it’s based on fact. It’s just come out. Available on Amazon in paperback and e-reader It’s gotten some great reviews.
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Abbie Lu – I am an old guy, a Jew who believes Jesus is the Messiah, so WWII, Holocaust, and Israel are special interests of mine. Here are 3 must see movies for you. 2 with Helen Mirren and the other a Dutch movie, all of which are excellent about these topics. (Always enjoy your blog!)
Woman in Gold (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman_in_Gold_(film))
The Debt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Debt_(2010_film))
Black Book (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Book_(film))
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Wow, thank you for those suggestions 😀
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Thank you so much for these book recommendations on the terrible time in history. I have read Primo Levi’s books and visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. A memory I will never forget. When my children my small I was in Jerusalem and I just couldn’t go inside their their museum at that time
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Great post on this subject!
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Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is probably one of the most powerful Holocaust survivor books I’ve read. I agree with aslaff too, Woman in a Gold is an incredible movie. Thanks for your suggested books! I look forward to reading them for myself.
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I love Man’s Search for Meaning, it is very powerful!
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Reblogged this on M. Matheson and commented:
Quote from this wonderful blog post:
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Albert Einstein
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72 years, and everybody’s forgotten the lessons…
And ready to raise tempers and get into fights…
Sad, very sad indeed.
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Thought provoking, your descriptions put hard edged images in the mind, of a time we should never forget
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We must never forget! Thank you for this post!
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