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Living a Life That Matters: from Nazi Nightmare to American Dream
In his highly readable, educational, and inspiring memoir, Holocaust Survivor Ben Lesser’s warm, grandfatherly tone invites the reader to do more than just visit a time when the world went mad. He also shows how this madness came to be–and the lessons that the world still needs to learn.
In this true story, the reader will see how an ordinary human being–an innocent child–not only survived the Nazi Nightmare, but achieved the American Dream–and how you can achieve it too.
In this true story, the reader will see how an ordinary human being–an innocent child–not only survived the Nazi Nightmare, but achieved the American Dream–and how you can achieve it too.
350 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 14, 2014
I listened to the audiobook for free through YA Sync available August 7 - 13, 2014. This audiobook was paired with The Shawl and although the two are quite different in outlook they are both incredibly powerful tales of survival during horrific times.
Ben Lesser, just a kid at the time at age 10-16 during 1939-1945, was one of the only members of his family to live through the unspeakable events of the Holocaust. Not only did he just barely make it out with his life by the time of the American liberation, but this ordinary man also went on to achieve his American Dream. He managed to overcome the horror of his past and moved on to flourish in the U.S.
As I mentioned above, the pairing of Living a Life That Matters and The Shawl is a very interesting one indeed. While both the characters of The Shawl and Ben Lesser faced an absolutely horrifying reality in concentration camps, the way they deal with the aftermath and what it means to be a survivor in very different ways.
The audiobook edition adds an extra level of power with an introduction and a conclusion read by the author while the rest of the memoir is read by actor Jonathan Silverman.
I highly recommend Ben Lesser's inspiring tale of survival. It's not be be missed.
Ben Lesser, just a kid at the time at age 10-16 during 1939-1945, was one of the only members of his family to live through the unspeakable events of the Holocaust. Not only did he just barely make it out with his life by the time of the American liberation, but this ordinary man also went on to achieve his American Dream. He managed to overcome the horror of his past and moved on to flourish in the U.S.
As I mentioned above, the pairing of Living a Life That Matters and The Shawl is a very interesting one indeed. While both the characters of The Shawl and Ben Lesser faced an absolutely horrifying reality in concentration camps, the way they deal with the aftermath and what it means to be a survivor in very different ways.
The audiobook edition adds an extra level of power with an introduction and a conclusion read by the author while the rest of the memoir is read by actor Jonathan Silverman.
I highly recommend Ben Lesser's inspiring tale of survival. It's not be be missed.
November 18, 2014
"Despite our differences, we share a common humanity, and it is better for all of us to honor our shared humanity rather than to despise our differences." Ben Lesser. What an incredible life this man has lived, and what an incredible optimism he has maintained through the unspeakable horrors, tortures, and indignities he survived. His message is so much more than "never forget." So much more.
I enjoyed hearing the parts Lesser narrated himself the most. Actor Jonathan Silverman was very good, but the pacing was off for me: listening to him at regular speed was too slow, and the next notch up (at 1.25x) made him sound really anxious? excited? I think this book would be better read anyhow, in order to let the subject matter sink in more. Lesser's memories are brutally honest and raw and real, making his story scarier and more evil than any fiction story could be.
Lesser does an excellent job of putting everything in context, so that younger readers (or older readers who don't know their history) have a broader understanding of what was happening. Sadly, tragically, there are no good answers to Lesser's repeated question: how did the rest of the world let the Holocaust happen?
I enjoyed hearing the parts Lesser narrated himself the most. Actor Jonathan Silverman was very good, but the pacing was off for me: listening to him at regular speed was too slow, and the next notch up (at 1.25x) made him sound really anxious? excited? I think this book would be better read anyhow, in order to let the subject matter sink in more. Lesser's memories are brutally honest and raw and real, making his story scarier and more evil than any fiction story could be.
Lesser does an excellent job of putting everything in context, so that younger readers (or older readers who don't know their history) have a broader understanding of what was happening. Sadly, tragically, there are no good answers to Lesser's repeated question: how did the rest of the world let the Holocaust happen?
April 14, 2015
This was a 2014 selection from the SYNC YA Audiobook series. I have always had a kind of fascination with survivor tales from the Holocaust, so I downloaded it.
Ben's story is truly amazing. He had a rather prosperous childhood with a very loving family. Then, like so many, his world was turned upside down by the Nazi invasion. His harrowing tale was truly heartbreaking, and yet heartwarming as well. He lost so much, but his attitude of knowing what had to be done, then simply doing it, was never stripped from him. To say that I enjoyed hearing about his sorrows and strife at the hands of the Nazis sounds callous; but I did like his perspective on the world around him and his experiences.
I also really enjoyed his tales of life after the war. His outlook on life is so positive! He approaches each time of his life with determination, appreciation and humor. Oh, and the hard work he put in to achieve his goals! If that's not to be admired, I don't know what is. I feel like his tenacity and drive are sorely lacking in so many in today's society.
Another cool thing I liked about this book was how Ben wove little facts and informational tidbits throughout the story. The quotes were also moving and fit perfectly with each chapter/section.
I can only think of two "criticisms," except that's far too harsh of a word.
1. I wish Ben had narrated the whole audiobook. I immensely enjoyed hearing him at the opening and closing of the book. That being said, I did enjoy Jonathan Silverman's reading of the tale.
2. I wish Ben had mentioned more of the other groups that were persecuted by and often slaughtered by the Nazis. This isn't a huge deal, since Ben was not part of those groups, I just would have like to heard more about it in his little snippets of facts and information.
I truly loved this memoir. I experienced such a range of emotions during the course of his story: fear, sorrow, joy, amusement, curiosity, and, above all, admiration.
Ben's story is truly amazing. He had a rather prosperous childhood with a very loving family. Then, like so many, his world was turned upside down by the Nazi invasion. His harrowing tale was truly heartbreaking, and yet heartwarming as well. He lost so much, but his attitude of knowing what had to be done, then simply doing it, was never stripped from him. To say that I enjoyed hearing about his sorrows and strife at the hands of the Nazis sounds callous; but I did like his perspective on the world around him and his experiences.
I also really enjoyed his tales of life after the war. His outlook on life is so positive! He approaches each time of his life with determination, appreciation and humor. Oh, and the hard work he put in to achieve his goals! If that's not to be admired, I don't know what is. I feel like his tenacity and drive are sorely lacking in so many in today's society.
Another cool thing I liked about this book was how Ben wove little facts and informational tidbits throughout the story. The quotes were also moving and fit perfectly with each chapter/section.
I can only think of two "criticisms," except that's far too harsh of a word.
1. I wish Ben had narrated the whole audiobook. I immensely enjoyed hearing him at the opening and closing of the book. That being said, I did enjoy Jonathan Silverman's reading of the tale.
2. I wish Ben had mentioned more of the other groups that were persecuted by and often slaughtered by the Nazis. This isn't a huge deal, since Ben was not part of those groups, I just would have like to heard more about it in his little snippets of facts and information.
I truly loved this memoir. I experienced such a range of emotions during the course of his story: fear, sorrow, joy, amusement, curiosity, and, above all, admiration.
February 17, 2013
Great book! I am always facinated that the holocaust could have happened. Just like the author, Ben Lesser, I ask the question where was the world? How could such a thing have been allowed to happen? How did good people sit back and do nothing? Did they know? As he talks about the American's coming to liberate them he comments on the shock in their faces and the fact that years later when he met some of those soldiers speaking at a conference they said that they didn't come on purpose to liberate Dachau. "The war was almost over, and their job had been to "occupy" Germany - a relatively routine process. They'd had no idea of the unspeakable horrors that they were about to see and experience. When they unexpectedly came across the Death Train outside of Dachau's gates, they were shocked and traumatized to see the horror within each car. As they ventured inside the camp gates and were confronted with the dead-eyed, living skeletons, any illusions of human decency they might hav epossessed were instantly destroyed. Even now, all these years later, their pain could still be seen on their faces."
The author of this book lives here in Las Vegas, NV and is a friend of my brother-in-law who says Ben Lesser is a great man. After reading this book I certainly agree. He overcame horrific experiences and survived and flourished living the American Dream.
The author of this book lives here in Las Vegas, NV and is a friend of my brother-in-law who says Ben Lesser is a great man. After reading this book I certainly agree. He overcame horrific experiences and survived and flourished living the American Dream.
November 4, 2014
This is an excellent book review that I found through Pinterest. I hope you take the time to read it. (http://www.ladylux.com/articles/remem...)
May 5, 2025
3.5 stars. I started listening to this audiobook with my young teen. It became too intense for her so I finished it on my own. The first part of this book is very moving and worthy of 5 stars. I think the latter half, with so many business details and school trips, could have been condensed more.
January 23, 2015
Not as poetic as Elie Wiesel's Night, but still an amazing account of a Holocaust survivor and his drive to not only survive but thrive when he comes to America after World War II.
This one is definitely written for students, so some of the explanations are a little repetitive, but the audio is really wonderful with Lesser reading the opening and closing sections and actor Jonathan Silverman reading the rest. This is a thorough and well-produced affair.
This one is definitely written for students, so some of the explanations are a little repetitive, but the audio is really wonderful with Lesser reading the opening and closing sections and actor Jonathan Silverman reading the rest. This is a thorough and well-produced affair.
September 15, 2014
Lots of great life lessons are shared here, and I can't help but feel like he's addressing a YA audience, though what he shares is certainly relevant and/or applicable to anyone. I have read an awful lot of holocaust biographies, and each one is extremely painful, but I am glad to have their experiences recorded and accessible. It is incredible what a human being can tolerate, survive, inflict, conquer, overcome, and accomplish.
October 13, 2014
This was one of the YA Sync free audiobook downloads this summer, and I am grateful to them for introducing me to this amazing man. It is a powerful story of Ben Lesser's survival in a Nazi concentration camp and his success in America as a business man and living what he calls "the American dream".
It is so important to honor these survivor stories and to never forget the world's darkest days. An amazing story.
It is so important to honor these survivor stories and to never forget the world's darkest days. An amazing story.
July 27, 2015
This book is somewhat unique in that it has three separate sections: one when Lesser was a child/teenager during the time of WWII, one when he was recovering after the Holocaust and where in the world he ended up, and the third for his life after that point as he started his own family and career.
Although the first section is very sad, the rest of the book is much more positive and upbeat as Lesser shares bits of wisdom learned from his own life experience.
Although the first section is very sad, the rest of the book is much more positive and upbeat as Lesser shares bits of wisdom learned from his own life experience.
August 17, 2014
This is a wonderful Holocaust survivor's life story. Although he experienced atrocities, he tells of the valuable lessons he learned through his experiences. This was one of the books available on YA Sync that provided free audiobooks to teens and librarians during the summer of 2014. It was great!
July 12, 2016
This book took me through a huge range of emotion. It would rip my heart out and I'd shake my head in complete disbelief, then have me cheering and feeling overwhelmed with the goodness of man and God. One of the many things I loved was the broad picture of how God works in our lives to bring about good even from extreme horror.
January 19, 2013
I thought is was an important book to have out in the reading community. We can never take genocide lightly. Reading Mr. Lesser's book is just like he was sitting here talking to me. It was presented in a very personal manner.
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August 7, 20148/7/14 Sync audio free download week of 8/7/14 - 8/14/14. www.audiobooksync.com
August 14, 2014
A memoir about surviving the holocaust and how hard work led to the "American Dream."
July 8, 2019
Living a Life That Matters: From Nazi Nightmare to American Dream by Ben Lesser initially sounds like so many other Holocaust memoirs that I have read. But this one stands out as something different. As a teenager the author was caught up in the insanity that was the Holocaust and WWII. But he was able to survive the cruelty of the death camps by using his wits and instincts until liberation came. But he didn't stop with mere survival. He decided there was nothing for him to return to in Europe and, after getting his approval for a visa, he emigrated to the United States to start a new life by finding work, learning English, and truly becoming an American. He provides information on the beginnings of the madness that engulfed Europe as he saw it happening and how he managed to survive. He eventually got his license to sell real estate, became good at it, and opened his own brokerage becoming one of the largest and most successful in the area. He wanted to leave the past behind but his grandchildren asked him questions that forced him to revisit the past including a family trip to Auschwitz and other places he had buried in his memory. He soon became vocal in his community and beyond with the message for younger generations to never forget what had happened with the Holocaust and other acts of genocide in places around the world even today! One of the best books I've read by a Holocaust survivor. We listened to it as an audio book and when we arrived at our destination I was disappointed that I had to stop listening. Highly highly recommended read for everyone!!
September 2, 2022
I highly recommend this book. It is an incredible account of Ben’s life from childhood through adulthood. His account of World War II the holocaust Auschwitz being a survivor and life afterwards are in stark contrast. As he spoke of his time in the concentration camps I was horrified and sick and as the description was unlike any one I’ve ever heard in other books. An account like his is important for generations after that we know and understand what can happen and why prejudice can be so awful. So thankful for his account, for his life well lived, and the way he is helping other people understand and bring meaning to their own lives.
September 18, 2019
Such a heartwrenching and tender autobiography. I was fortunate enough to hear Mr. Lesser speak a few years ago at a school event and it was incredible. I waited to read the book because I knew it would be an emotional one to get through. It doesn't seem humanly possible to survive that much and still come out optimistic and hopeful for humanity. I definitely admire not only what he survived but his hard work, determination and mindset that lead the rest of his life. A book everyone should read. Zachor!
December 18, 2025
wow. what an amazing man whose story is a true inspiration.
April 2, 2015
This is an amazing book. Ben Lesser, a Jewish man born in Poland in 1928, managed to escape the ghetto of Bochnia, Poland and fled to Hungary, that had not yet been occupied. The war however would still catch up with him as Hungary was also invaded by the Nazi's.
The first part of the book describes mister Lessers short pre-war childhood, life in Poland after the occupation, his escape to Hungary and his time in Auschwitz concentration camp. This part of the book is a pretty heavy read, obviously. Unimaginable that people can act out against one and other like this, and reading all this from the perspective of a child makes it even more horrible.
The second part of the book tells about mister Lesser's life after the war, and his life in the United States, the country he moved to after the war. This part of the book a lot easier to read. Mister Lesser has an amazing uplifting spirit, seeing chances and beauty everywhere, even when life isn't going exactly like one would hope.
Living a Life that Matters tells about one of the darkest times in history and also gives out a great message of hope for better days. If you'd like to know more about Ben Lesser's story look here: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments... I found the book trough this amazing AMA on Reddit, worth a read!
The first part of the book describes mister Lessers short pre-war childhood, life in Poland after the occupation, his escape to Hungary and his time in Auschwitz concentration camp. This part of the book is a pretty heavy read, obviously. Unimaginable that people can act out against one and other like this, and reading all this from the perspective of a child makes it even more horrible.
The second part of the book tells about mister Lesser's life after the war, and his life in the United States, the country he moved to after the war. This part of the book a lot easier to read. Mister Lesser has an amazing uplifting spirit, seeing chances and beauty everywhere, even when life isn't going exactly like one would hope.
Living a Life that Matters tells about one of the darkest times in history and also gives out a great message of hope for better days. If you'd like to know more about Ben Lesser's story look here: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments... I found the book trough this amazing AMA on Reddit, worth a read!
June 7, 2015
I listened to the end of this book first, and then then again at the right time once I got to the end of the book. So, this confused me a little bit, but, didn't really diminish the book once I figured out what happened with the mix up. Of course there are many heart breaking moments in this memoir, being written by a survivor of concentration camps. After Ben comes to America though, he seems to have pretty exceptional "luck", except it's probably not luck-it's probably that he's a very hard working, motivated person. I did occasionally think there was a little too much emphasis put on all that-about EVERYTHING he was working on and dividing his time up with trying to accomplish. This mean must have never slept and hardly ever spent time with his daughters-but he seems to have a deep love and appreciation of his family, so I hope that's not true.
It's hard to believe he was able to keep his life so together, taking into account all the traumatic experiences he had. I think I wanted to her a bit more about that struggle, and how he overcame it, then just all the positive things he did with his life. There were brief mentions of nightmares, and a more in depth explanation of being able to travel back to places of the past, but not a lot more. Regardless of any of that, this is an important book that would do any person well to experience and understand.
It's hard to believe he was able to keep his life so together, taking into account all the traumatic experiences he had. I think I wanted to her a bit more about that struggle, and how he overcame it, then just all the positive things he did with his life. There were brief mentions of nightmares, and a more in depth explanation of being able to travel back to places of the past, but not a lot more. Regardless of any of that, this is an important book that would do any person well to experience and understand.
March 21, 2015
Remember.
It's hard to hear stories like this, but very important. The story of Ben Lesser's life, from childhood, through WWII and the Holocaust, being liberated and then reunited with his sister before moving to the U.S., and then the life he made for himself as he built his own American dream, was very engaging and hard to put down.
One of the other reviews on here said, "This was a little hard to read in some parts. It was almost too much." Well, of course it was hard to read. Of course it was too much. But guess what? This is what happened. This was Ben Lesser's life, and we should all think it is hard to read, hard to know, and just too much. How could something like this have been allowed to happen? As Ben asked repeatedly - where was the world while this was happening?
If we don't read this - however hard it may be - if we don't learn firsthand from people who were there, there is the possibility that this could happen again. And it could affect us and our loved ones. Would we care then?
I loved hearing the author read the first and last chapters of his book. It made it even more real and personal. I would have loved if he had been able to read the entire thing.
http://zachorfoundation.org/
It's hard to hear stories like this, but very important. The story of Ben Lesser's life, from childhood, through WWII and the Holocaust, being liberated and then reunited with his sister before moving to the U.S., and then the life he made for himself as he built his own American dream, was very engaging and hard to put down.
One of the other reviews on here said, "This was a little hard to read in some parts. It was almost too much." Well, of course it was hard to read. Of course it was too much. But guess what? This is what happened. This was Ben Lesser's life, and we should all think it is hard to read, hard to know, and just too much. How could something like this have been allowed to happen? As Ben asked repeatedly - where was the world while this was happening?
If we don't read this - however hard it may be - if we don't learn firsthand from people who were there, there is the possibility that this could happen again. And it could affect us and our loved ones. Would we care then?
I loved hearing the author read the first and last chapters of his book. It made it even more real and personal. I would have loved if he had been able to read the entire thing.
http://zachorfoundation.org/
October 30, 2013
This Book was so moving and so Amazing. I cannot get over how this great young man experienced every horror that the Holocaust had put forth. It is so amazing how he survived at such a young age. It is amazing how he thought about others during his ordeal. It was heartbreaking to hear how all the other countries let this atrocity happen. Now we would not let such a thing happen. The fact that Ben then came to America and shined at everything he did. Ben was a Jew, human being, hero, father, husband, and an all-around great man. I gladly recommend this book.
July 19, 2015
What a powerful memoir! The storytelling is great but often very painful. This is more than a survival story. It is a story of strength, perseverance, and the importance of living a good life, a life that matters! Ben Lesser, himself narrates the beginning and the end. Jonathan Silverman narrates the rest. The audio version is well done and moving. This is a book not to be missed and would make a great book to use with any Holocaust unit or course.
August 12, 2015
Living a Life That Matters: from Nazi Nightmare to American Dream, by Benjamin Lesser
This is a story that had to be written. This is a story that must be read. Ben’s story is astonishing in its simplicity and in its power. He shows us how to triumph over evil with perseverance and a positive attitude, and with this well written account of his experiences, Benjamin Lesser is an inspiration to us all.
- Faye Beyeler, 8-12-15
This is a story that had to be written. This is a story that must be read. Ben’s story is astonishing in its simplicity and in its power. He shows us how to triumph over evil with perseverance and a positive attitude, and with this well written account of his experiences, Benjamin Lesser is an inspiration to us all.
- Faye Beyeler, 8-12-15
February 26, 2016
I'm obsessed with real-life stories of Holocaust survivors. I've read so many, but with each one it's still difficult to believe such horrors were committed and such heroes lived on to overcome the nightmare. Ben Lesser's life is an inspiration. Every young person ought to read his story and learn from this exceptional human being.
June 23, 2015
Perseverance is the one word that would describe Ben Lesser's life. When all hope is loss, Ben and his family found the opportunities to survive. Sadly, the Nazi were beyond evil. Thank you Ben for sharing your life.
February 21, 2015
3.5 / 5
August 11, 2014
This was a little hard to read in some parts. It was almost too much.
August 12, 2015
Paired with The Shawl for the 2014 Sync Audiobook giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews