Y: A Holocaust Narrative

by Jack Adler, W.F. Aspenwall

Auschwitz/Birkenau, Kaufering, Dachau ... In 1945, Yacob (Jack) Adler was sixteen years old-the average age of an American high school student-yet weighed only sixty-five pounds and could barely stand. Stories of the Holocaust have been told numerous times, but Jack's candid narrative and firsthand account take us deep into the psyche of Nazi foot soldiers, their brutality, [add the Oxford comma here] and insatiable appetite for the vicious treatment of innocent citizens. Jack was only a boy when Nazi soldiers occupied his home of Pabianice, Poland. Plunged into a world of extremism, he witnessed the death and decay of humanity while enduring the tortures of concentration camps. Blending narrative with heartbreaking description, Jack watches hopelessly as his youngest sister is led to her death. "Peska turned one last time. We locked eyes...her blonde hair fell over her face as she twisted to see me. Her beautiful, full eyes should never have been consumed by that much fear. She turned back when the woman behind her pushed, and then they all moved on to the gas chambers." How can a man lose his entire family to Nazi slaughter but still have hope for the human race? As Jack crosses an ocean and begins his journey of self-resurrection from soulless slave to freed American citizen, you will learn of one man's survival and his determination to liberate himself and others of bigotry and hatred. His is not only riposte to Holocaust deniers but more importantly an articulate story of the will to survive, overcome, forgive, and enlighten those still affixed to the yoke of prejudice. Y: A Holocaust Narrative is Jack's personal and honest portrayal of compelling events from his childhood and beyond. Spirited recollections archived in the memory of a man now eighty-three years old who still grapples with the question, "Why," come to the fore. Jack takes on the hatred, racism, bigotry, and misused religious beliefs-all precursors to the Holocaust-by addressing them directly and challenging his readers to analyze their own beliefs.

Genres: Memoir, Historical, Nonfiction, Holocaust

150 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 2012

Reviews

[gibbyreadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like any holocaust narrative this book is heart breaking. Jack is the sweetest old man who came to my school to talk to us after we read his book.

[Betsy Brainerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard an interview with Jack Adler on CPR and decided to read his book. He's had a lifetime to think about the Holocaust and its impact on humanity. That someone who has endured the worst brutality humankind has to offer can make a plea for all of us to simply love and help one another is pretty amazing.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having known Jack(not like, go out know him), and heard him speak, I liked this book to his speeches that he gives at schools. It was full of good information, little detail in regard to the holocaust itself (which is fine), and a whole lot of personal anecdotes (which I give a big 2 thumbs up). This book is great for a young group of kids who may really want to know about the holocaust, but not have to get into the gruesome detail a lot of accounts go towards. Jack is an amazing person and speaker, and I truly wish people would take his advice and do what they can to eradicate hate. By having him come to the school I teach out I am hopefully getting 8th grade kids to realize they have more power to eradicate hate than they think. It is truly some powerful wisdom bestowed upon us by The Man Jack. Highly recommended.

[Michael Koogler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big non-fiction buff, but this book was excellent. Very good memoir of the Holocaust, where Jack not only takes you through his horrific experiences during the war, but through his life afterwards.

[summer jimenez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of survival

Story of survival

great read for most of the book. the end was hard to stay interested in. sad sad but also very lifting that he was able to endure and move on.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a very important book to read. It is excellent, well done. I cried, laughed and most of all thought.