I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Roth at SU when he was giving a lecture regarding his experience during WWII. He is a great story teller and he was able to discuss such a serious topic with passion, humor and feeling. His book while only 119 pages was one that I finished in one sitting. Once I pick it up I had to know what happened to the family. My edition of Bondi’s Brother is signed by Mr. Roth and I will cherish it always.
The last large group gathering that I attended prior to COVID-19 was to hear Mr. Irving Roth speak about his experience during the Holocaust. Many people I knew thought it would be too depressing, but I came out glad that I went. Like this book, Mr. Roth told his story without the goriest of details and still hit across the fact that he survived hell. On the back of my book, a reviewer writes “...I can’t say it gave me pleasure, but it helped me understand...A gripping and painful story and in the end, I felt it to be wonderfully life affirming.” I can’t think of better words to describe how I felt about his lecture and, now, his book. The stories of the Holocaust must be told to honor the murdered and the survivors and in order to prevent this from happening again.
Irving Roth is a Holocaust survivor and Edward Roth is his son. Between the two of them, they have recorded Irving's story. Mr. Roth visited our church this past fall and shared his story and that is when we acquired our copy of his book. The book is written in chapters, each containing a separate story. Each chapter is a portrait of people and situations. It is a story about loss and survival.It reads like a novel. This book will make you weep. I highly recommend this book.
I have read over 200 Holocaust memoirs, and I couldn't put this one down! The author is a wonderful storyteller and really put into perspective how the Nazi's destroyed his life. He displayed incredible love for his brother and never gave up. 5 stars!
This book narrates the life of a Jewish boy and his brother through World War II and the Holocaust. Very touching, page turner. Jacci and her kids her this man speak in Oregon.
This was the first book I read and I liked it a lot. This book was non-fiction and it shared the story of a family throughout the Holocaust. Not only did this book share incredible stories that will leave a lasting impact, but it was overall really educational. The author, Irving Roth attempted to write this book about history, yet she stayed away from making it boring. The entire time I was reading, I was always involved and interested in the story. I initially chose to read this book because my teacher at Hebrew School suggested it and I was not sure how I would like it. Being a slow reader and someone who tends to get bored when learning about history, I though that this book was a really good fit for me because of it's balance between historical context and emotional experiences.
How often do we define ourselves by our relationship with others - a son, grandson, cousin and brother. What happens when families are destroyed and we can no longer describe ourselves as part of something larger than ourselves. Bondi's Brother is written many years after the unfolding events but each chapter is told with clarity, detailing the connectivity of family and their shared history. After decades of living with loss, Bondi's brother shares the memories of his family and allows us, as readers, to become witnesses to their lives. It is a loving memoir to a family decimated by the Nazi occupation of Europe.
I had the pleasure of hearing Irving Roth speak last summer at the HEN seminar in Manhattan. He was a very lively and humorous man with a great attitude. I was glad to finally be able to read his book this summer.
I actually met Irving in person this summer and he's the precious little towhead on the right. His story is incredibly moving but be prepared to fall in love with him and his brother and then have your heart torn in two over and over.