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Holocaust Survivor Memoirs World War II #4
Rescued from the Ashes: The Diary of Leokadia Schmidt, Survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto
The diary of a young Jewish housewife who, together with her husband and five-month-old baby, fled the Warsaw ghetto at the last possible moment and survived the Holocaust hidden on the “Aryan” side of town in the loft of a run-down tinsmith’s shed.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2019
2175 people are currently reading
1480 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
February 4, 2019
This diary of a woman, Leokadia Schmidt, who with courage, resilience and a sheer will to live survived the Warsaw Ghetto, exposes the worst of the humanity and books like these are vital less we forget.
It was the necessity of giving up her child for his own safety which what haunted me the most, as a mother I cannot imagine anything more difficult. I kept this thought throughout the book, hoping against all that they would be reunited. As I do not include spoilers in my reviews you will have to read it yourself to find out the outcome.
Although a first-hand diary, the impression on the reader is more distant. It reads more like a factual account with little portrayal of personal feelings. Whether the emotions were omitted by choice for privacy or necessity or were lost during the translation from Polish to English I don’t know, but without getting to know Ms. Schmidt on a more personal level it is more difficult for the reader to identify with and truly appreciate her experiences.
I really appreciated the inclusion of photographs and the brief snippets about Ms. Schmidt found at the back of the book, but by then I had read the story. I would have liked this more personal information at the beginning of the book as I think it would have made the story more personal.
History has an awful tendency to repeat its self and the horrific events that took place during the Holocaust don't stand alone. Similar atrocities have and will occur again. People respond to thoughts and emotions far more than facts alone. And more people need to read these stories so that the lives involved are counted and hopefully, desperately that these events are not repeated.
@crushingcinders
It was the necessity of giving up her child for his own safety which what haunted me the most, as a mother I cannot imagine anything more difficult. I kept this thought throughout the book, hoping against all that they would be reunited. As I do not include spoilers in my reviews you will have to read it yourself to find out the outcome.
Although a first-hand diary, the impression on the reader is more distant. It reads more like a factual account with little portrayal of personal feelings. Whether the emotions were omitted by choice for privacy or necessity or were lost during the translation from Polish to English I don’t know, but without getting to know Ms. Schmidt on a more personal level it is more difficult for the reader to identify with and truly appreciate her experiences.
I really appreciated the inclusion of photographs and the brief snippets about Ms. Schmidt found at the back of the book, but by then I had read the story. I would have liked this more personal information at the beginning of the book as I think it would have made the story more personal.
History has an awful tendency to repeat its self and the horrific events that took place during the Holocaust don't stand alone. Similar atrocities have and will occur again. People respond to thoughts and emotions far more than facts alone. And more people need to read these stories so that the lives involved are counted and hopefully, desperately that these events are not repeated.
@crushingcinders
February 27, 2020
Good book
This book was good but it didn't capture me like others have. These people seemed to have a lot of money in order to get food and keep hidden.
This book was good but it didn't capture me like others have. These people seemed to have a lot of money in order to get food and keep hidden.
April 14, 2019
This is an usual diary of the Holocaust. I’ve read many stories on the Warsaw Ghetto but not one that is a day to day account of the horrors, atrocities, thievery and conniving that took place amongst the trapped masses.
Many of us ask, “how could this have happened? Why didn’t the Jews rise and revolt against their captors?’ Those questions are now going to be answered.
Leokadia’s recounting puts you in the heart of Warsaw. The Germans, Ukrainians, Latvians and Jewish police forces acted out with meticulous planning and brutality. Once it was decided to shut down the ghetto, the residents were constantly on the move and fending for themselves. This is something that hasn’t been covered before. We have all been led to believe that the Jews were a united force against the Germans and their ethnic cleansing policy. Not the case. The human behavior of survival trumps race, color and creed. Throw in a black market and the opportunity to thrive on the misfortune of others fears and profiteers will flourish. What the thieves don’t realize is that they will never spend the fortunes they have accumulated for they too are marked for extermination even though they thought the Germans would accept them. They did accept them, they confiscated their enterprises and either shot them onsite or sent them to the camps.
This story is a true testament to how much grief, stride and fear the human spirit can endure and survive.
I did find some discrepancies that need to be flushed out-who was bombing Warsaw and Wolomin in 1942? Couldn’t have been the English or American air forces and the Russians didn’t possess a four-engine bomber until after the war. Then who was it?
An excellent addition for those interested in the Warsaw Ghetto and the Holocaust.
Five Stars
Many of us ask, “how could this have happened? Why didn’t the Jews rise and revolt against their captors?’ Those questions are now going to be answered.
Leokadia’s recounting puts you in the heart of Warsaw. The Germans, Ukrainians, Latvians and Jewish police forces acted out with meticulous planning and brutality. Once it was decided to shut down the ghetto, the residents were constantly on the move and fending for themselves. This is something that hasn’t been covered before. We have all been led to believe that the Jews were a united force against the Germans and their ethnic cleansing policy. Not the case. The human behavior of survival trumps race, color and creed. Throw in a black market and the opportunity to thrive on the misfortune of others fears and profiteers will flourish. What the thieves don’t realize is that they will never spend the fortunes they have accumulated for they too are marked for extermination even though they thought the Germans would accept them. They did accept them, they confiscated their enterprises and either shot them onsite or sent them to the camps.
This story is a true testament to how much grief, stride and fear the human spirit can endure and survive.
I did find some discrepancies that need to be flushed out-who was bombing Warsaw and Wolomin in 1942? Couldn’t have been the English or American air forces and the Russians didn’t possess a four-engine bomber until after the war. Then who was it?
An excellent addition for those interested in the Warsaw Ghetto and the Holocaust.
Five Stars
June 18, 2020
This was anguishing to read. Knowing that they survived the WWII did not make this any easier to follow. For all that I have re: WWII, a 1st person account of the daily horror and fear was powerful.
My love of HF began when my Dad loaned me MILA 18 to read. I’m feeling the need to reread that novel.
My love of HF began when my Dad loaned me MILA 18 to read. I’m feeling the need to reread that novel.
June 11, 2019
Tough to read, but needed to be shared..
Of all of the books, memoirs, etc. That I have read about WW2 and the Holocaust , this one was the hardest. It is so difficult to imagine what these poor people went through- and so many- way too many- incidents where man's inhumanity to man just made me nauseous. So many horrible people that blackmailed, and took advantage of the Jews in order to line their pockets while these poor souls were just trying to stay alive. I believe there is a special kind of Hell meant just for these Con Artists who would bleed these poor souls dry and then practically sign their death warrants by denouncing them to the POS Nazis when they had nothing more to give to save their lives. Disturbing book. Unfortunately true.
Of all of the books, memoirs, etc. That I have read about WW2 and the Holocaust , this one was the hardest. It is so difficult to imagine what these poor people went through- and so many- way too many- incidents where man's inhumanity to man just made me nauseous. So many horrible people that blackmailed, and took advantage of the Jews in order to line their pockets while these poor souls were just trying to stay alive. I believe there is a special kind of Hell meant just for these Con Artists who would bleed these poor souls dry and then practically sign their death warrants by denouncing them to the POS Nazis when they had nothing more to give to save their lives. Disturbing book. Unfortunately true.
June 16, 2019
Must read!
Must read for everyone so this cannot be repeated! It is hard to believe such evil can exist but it can and if not understood and this story not shared it will! These people are heroes for sharing their story! Thank you!
Must read for everyone so this cannot be repeated! It is hard to believe such evil can exist but it can and if not understood and this story not shared it will! These people are heroes for sharing their story! Thank you!
October 26, 2020
Very detailed ... descriptive ... I have never read a holocaust story in such detail as this .. reading it is like connecting the dots of all other stories I have read before
February 4, 2019
Incredible but true
This was a great true story about two incredibly resilient human beings that were put through almost insurmountable trials and survived. It would make a riveting movie.
This was a great true story about two incredibly resilient human beings that were put through almost insurmountable trials and survived. It would make a riveting movie.
July 14, 2020
Unable to finish it. Did not keep my interest.
February 15, 2019
Blessings from heaven
It was truly a miracle that this couple survived the holocaust! They escaped death so many, many times. The friends who they knew, plus friendly, kind hearted strangers, helped them along the way during the 6years of war.
This is a memoir that puts into detail the struggles they endured. Very informative!
It was truly a miracle that this couple survived the holocaust! They escaped death so many, many times. The friends who they knew, plus friendly, kind hearted strangers, helped them along the way during the 6years of war.
This is a memoir that puts into detail the struggles they endured. Very informative!
March 24, 2019
Extremely interesting
I was born 2 days before D Day. I knew about the horrible treatment of those who were of the Jewish faith. I always wondered why my Polish Grandmother had a dislike of the Jews. This story opener my eyes & made me a shame of the early teaching I received from my parochial teachers. It is a story all should read especially those who claim: "It never happened!"
I was born 2 days before D Day. I knew about the horrible treatment of those who were of the Jewish faith. I always wondered why my Polish Grandmother had a dislike of the Jews. This story opener my eyes & made me a shame of the early teaching I received from my parochial teachers. It is a story all should read especially those who claim: "It never happened!"
July 8, 2020
Rescued from the Ashes: The Diary of Leokadia Schmidt, Survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto is by Leokadia Schmidt, translated from Polish by Oscar E. Swan. This diary was written during the War although the first part was written after they had gotten out of the Warsaw Ghetto. Leokadia and her husband talked about what they had gone through and then she wrote about it. Eventually, the past caught up with the present and for a while, she wrote what was happening. They buried the notebooks before leaving during the second uprising. After the War, they were retrieved and then she continued the diary and brought it up to date with liberation and the recovery of their son.
Their story is absolutely terrible and yet there were moments when it was absolutely amazing. It gives a real life account of the ghetto and then actually fleeing the ghetto and going into hiding. Having to rely on individuals you don’t know well makes the hiding much more difficult. Not knowing where their son is and how he is doing added even more agony to their situation. Their ultimate betrayal was devastating because of who betrayed them; but the good part of their betrayal was the way in which they forgave him. It shows how their faith had not been forgotten; but it was used judiciously.
The book is lengthy but needs to be read in parts so the bravery of the Schmidts and their rescuers can be absorbed. It is a book to be savored.
Their story is absolutely terrible and yet there were moments when it was absolutely amazing. It gives a real life account of the ghetto and then actually fleeing the ghetto and going into hiding. Having to rely on individuals you don’t know well makes the hiding much more difficult. Not knowing where their son is and how he is doing added even more agony to their situation. Their ultimate betrayal was devastating because of who betrayed them; but the good part of their betrayal was the way in which they forgave him. It shows how their faith had not been forgotten; but it was used judiciously.
The book is lengthy but needs to be read in parts so the bravery of the Schmidts and their rescuers can be absorbed. It is a book to be savored.
November 13, 2022
The inside story of the Warsaw Ghetto and Uprising
You may have read about the Warsaw Ghetto, seen the film “Schindler’s List” or even the iconic “Kanal” portraying the Warsaw Uprising. This is a young family’s experience through both events and beyond. Death was at their shoulder at every turn from the first day in September 1939 until they left Poland in 1947 for South America and later the USA. The book tells exactly as life was for Jews in Poland – Deprivation, murder, extortion, blackmail, hunger, disease and poverty. Each and every day the story shares the fear caused by Germans, Ukranians, Poles, Lithuanians and even the Jewish criminal element. The Ghetto is detailed with its daily round ups for Treblinka. Escaping the Ghetto brings no respite from fear, with denunciations, both real and threatened. The liquidation of the Ghetto is described from outside. The constant moving from house to house brings heightened fear. The uprising brings utter loss and separation. We learn how the family escape death on the very last day and the uncertainty caused by localised pogroms and instant death from right wing Polish national partisans, first fighting Germans and then the Russians. Peace only comes with flight to South America. This is the Holocaust of a family that survived and at points almost envied those who went to Treblinka.
You may have read about the Warsaw Ghetto, seen the film “Schindler’s List” or even the iconic “Kanal” portraying the Warsaw Uprising. This is a young family’s experience through both events and beyond. Death was at their shoulder at every turn from the first day in September 1939 until they left Poland in 1947 for South America and later the USA. The book tells exactly as life was for Jews in Poland – Deprivation, murder, extortion, blackmail, hunger, disease and poverty. Each and every day the story shares the fear caused by Germans, Ukranians, Poles, Lithuanians and even the Jewish criminal element. The Ghetto is detailed with its daily round ups for Treblinka. Escaping the Ghetto brings no respite from fear, with denunciations, both real and threatened. The liquidation of the Ghetto is described from outside. The constant moving from house to house brings heightened fear. The uprising brings utter loss and separation. We learn how the family escape death on the very last day and the uncertainty caused by localised pogroms and instant death from right wing Polish national partisans, first fighting Germans and then the Russians. Peace only comes with flight to South America. This is the Holocaust of a family that survived and at points almost envied those who went to Treblinka.
August 18, 2024
This is a remarkable and fascinating account written by a young Jewish woman about the struggle for survival in the Warsaw ghetto during the Holocaust. Leilani’s Schmidt, her husband Joseph, and their infant son are forced to survive the Nazi occupation of Warsaw in German-occupied Poland during World War II.
The Schmidt’s story of survival includes the roles played by their protector, Henryk Michalski and his family and their employee, Zygmunt Dobosk. They Schmidts are further aided by a Catholic priest, Fr. Edward Swiecki, who takes in their son and places him in an orphanage
Perhaps the most remarkable element of Leokadia’s memoir is the separation from her husband, who with Zygmunt, join the Polish insurgents’ fight to save Warsaw from Nazi destruction. I won’t spoil the ending, except to say that even during their separation, Ms. Schmidt is forced to endure numerous crises and obstacles caused by Nazis.
I strongly believe this is a memoir well worth reading. It flows well and vividly describes the horrors inflicted by Nazi Germany with help from Ukrainians, Lithuanians, and Latvians as well as Jews who allied with Nazis to save themselves from deportation to Nazi conceconcentration and death camps.
The Schmidt’s story of survival includes the roles played by their protector, Henryk Michalski and his family and their employee, Zygmunt Dobosk. They Schmidts are further aided by a Catholic priest, Fr. Edward Swiecki, who takes in their son and places him in an orphanage
Perhaps the most remarkable element of Leokadia’s memoir is the separation from her husband, who with Zygmunt, join the Polish insurgents’ fight to save Warsaw from Nazi destruction. I won’t spoil the ending, except to say that even during their separation, Ms. Schmidt is forced to endure numerous crises and obstacles caused by Nazis.
I strongly believe this is a memoir well worth reading. It flows well and vividly describes the horrors inflicted by Nazi Germany with help from Ukrainians, Lithuanians, and Latvians as well as Jews who allied with Nazis to save themselves from deportation to Nazi conceconcentration and death camps.
April 9, 2025
Heartbreaking, Gripping, and Tragically Beautiful
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t think I’ll ever stop consuming stories about WWII—each one is so different, so personal, and so devastating in its own way. Rescued from the Ashes is no exception. It’s a tragically beautiful story, made bearable only by the fact that it ends in survival. But the fear and anxiety it provokes? It’s intense.
Reading about the desperate strategies families used to survive—like couples splitting up or handing off their children to strangers—was gut-wrenching. As a mother, the thought of giving my child away, not knowing where they were or if I’d ever see them again… it’s unimaginable. Yet, for many women in this book, that was the only hope. Babies were almost always a death sentence.
My heart broke multiple times, my anxiety was through the roof, but I couldn’t look away. I kept reading because I knew there was survival at the end—and even that sliver of hope was worth it. A powerful read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t think I’ll ever stop consuming stories about WWII—each one is so different, so personal, and so devastating in its own way. Rescued from the Ashes is no exception. It’s a tragically beautiful story, made bearable only by the fact that it ends in survival. But the fear and anxiety it provokes? It’s intense.
Reading about the desperate strategies families used to survive—like couples splitting up or handing off their children to strangers—was gut-wrenching. As a mother, the thought of giving my child away, not knowing where they were or if I’d ever see them again… it’s unimaginable. Yet, for many women in this book, that was the only hope. Babies were almost always a death sentence.
My heart broke multiple times, my anxiety was through the roof, but I couldn’t look away. I kept reading because I knew there was survival at the end—and even that sliver of hope was worth it. A powerful read.
October 20, 2020
I love WWII History, an influence from my father, who served in the Navy towards the end of that war. I believe that what happened in the Holocaust is horrific and needs to be remembered. Reading this diary of a woman who actually lived through the Warsaw Ghetto horrors and her hiding and her fear, pulled me in. I felt her heart pounding when she heard German voices outside, when there was an unexpected knock at the door. Hiding in small, cramped spaces, and being dependent on others to bring food, water, necessities, is something that is foreign to me. People who hid these Jewish people risked their lives, as well as those who brought them food and supplies. The lack of compassion for fellow human beings, treating them like animals on the way to slaughter, shooting them because they could... I just don’t understand it. But we must not forget.
I highly recommend this book
I highly recommend this book
February 15, 2021
this was a long, emotionally difficult book - but also a very important one. it presents survival during the Holocaust in a much more quotidian & stark approach, and i learnt a lot more about Polish WWII conditions than i had previously known.
the translation was a bit spotty at times, but not enough to diminish the quality or experience of the book.
as we orbit further and further away from those war years, stories like this one become infinitely more imperative to hear. seek them out and share them so that they cannot be forgot.
*a note to any Q fans and Trump supporters: this is not a guidebook. you should not be getting ideas from memoirs of atrocities. such Satanic deeds do not go unpunished for long; remember your history, or -you'll- be part of the horrifying lesson some day for those in the future.
the translation was a bit spotty at times, but not enough to diminish the quality or experience of the book.
as we orbit further and further away from those war years, stories like this one become infinitely more imperative to hear. seek them out and share them so that they cannot be forgot.
*a note to any Q fans and Trump supporters: this is not a guidebook. you should not be getting ideas from memoirs of atrocities. such Satanic deeds do not go unpunished for long; remember your history, or -you'll- be part of the horrifying lesson some day for those in the future.
May 20, 2021
All true accounts depicting such awful misery deserve 5 stars. The horror of it all makes us realize how stupid mankind can get. All of us should make sure it does happen again.
I have read many of these stories over the year and in one sense they are all the same but in another each one is unique. Compared to the ones that never made it through WWII Leokadia and her husband were lucky; yet, how could we call what they endured lucky.
Almost as bad as living through misery was living with constant fear. The love and commitment between these two were remarkable. Neither one would leave the other if they could be saved. Those that did help them were so very wonderful to read.
There are many chapters but each one is short. I read 10 chapters every night.
I have read many of these stories over the year and in one sense they are all the same but in another each one is unique. Compared to the ones that never made it through WWII Leokadia and her husband were lucky; yet, how could we call what they endured lucky.
Almost as bad as living through misery was living with constant fear. The love and commitment between these two were remarkable. Neither one would leave the other if they could be saved. Those that did help them were so very wonderful to read.
There are many chapters but each one is short. I read 10 chapters every night.
January 4, 2020
We can never forget
This memoir has affected me deeply. The courage and resilience of this couple are indescribable. It is so hard for me to fathom such hatred of the Jews. The world would like to pretend that man is not capable of such atrocities. But here we have a first person account of the horrific tragedies that occurred as the world pretended not to notice.Here we have a compelling voice telling us that we must work together to stop persecutions of people from all walks of life and all religions. This book should be mandatory reading in history classes throughout the world.
This memoir has affected me deeply. The courage and resilience of this couple are indescribable. It is so hard for me to fathom such hatred of the Jews. The world would like to pretend that man is not capable of such atrocities. But here we have a first person account of the horrific tragedies that occurred as the world pretended not to notice.Here we have a compelling voice telling us that we must work together to stop persecutions of people from all walks of life and all religions. This book should be mandatory reading in history classes throughout the world.
December 10, 2020
Leokadia’s story is really inspiring and touching. She had to live in the Warsaw Ghetto with her husband and her few months old son. Through the book we know the day to day life inside and outside the ghetto. What made me enjoy reading the book was the way she wrote it, feels like she’s talking to us and we’re witnessing everything. It’s a very detailed book, a rich document of life in Poland during the war. We can see how some small things can change someone’s life, how humans can be so helpful or really selfish at the same time. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the Nazi occupation in Warsaw.
June 1, 2021
This book is remarkable in so many ways. Foremost for me is the meticulous attention to detail, and rich descriptions of events. One can imagine the dedication of Mrs. Schmidt and her husband in preserving their story for posterity. Their struggle is clearly and starkly apparent, as well as the survival of those around them. Some semblance of ordinary life is preserved even against the backdrop of unspeakable horror. Through the tenacity of the Schmidts coupled with what Mrs. Schmidt alludes to as divine intervention, they survived as have their sons, who have published this story to speak truth and to inpire.
June 24, 2022
I’ve probably read 100 World War II stories, from every country in Europe, from every perspective, but none told quite the story that this one did. Schmidt was in the thick of everything, moving from hiding place to hiding place over several years, separated from her husband, separated from her baby, aided by some people, betrayed by others, witnessing deaths, cruelty and starvation. Her commentary about the cruelty and selfishness of virtually everyone was especially convicting. Jews selling services to other Jews, Christians doing the same thing back-and-forth. Everyone in it for only themselves. We still have so far to come as a people!
December 20, 2019
Very Good Book
Very good book with descriptive travel of the Schmidt family. This book have a great account of the trials, triumphs and hardships this husband went through while both separated and taking different paths searching for one another, lost family members, including their toddler son, and many friends. Its amazing how they were protected during this time, while many others had lost their lives.
This is a good read for middle school and above readers. I hope you get a copy a read it!
Very good book with descriptive travel of the Schmidt family. This book have a great account of the trials, triumphs and hardships this husband went through while both separated and taking different paths searching for one another, lost family members, including their toddler son, and many friends. Its amazing how they were protected during this time, while many others had lost their lives.
This is a good read for middle school and above readers. I hope you get a copy a read it!
January 20, 2020
Greed and human nature can be a horrific combination...
Reading this, I’m reminded by the fact that greed and human nature can be a horrific combination. The many instances that the family lived through and somehow made it out alive, brought me to tears. A worthy read for those seeking a better understanding of what Jewish families went through and a stark reminder of what humans are capable of, and why we must be diligent in our efforts to never let something of the horrific magnitude happen again.
Reading this, I’m reminded by the fact that greed and human nature can be a horrific combination. The many instances that the family lived through and somehow made it out alive, brought me to tears. A worthy read for those seeking a better understanding of what Jewish families went through and a stark reminder of what humans are capable of, and why we must be diligent in our efforts to never let something of the horrific magnitude happen again.
February 16, 2020
Monumental
This is both a familiar story and a tragically horrendous story. It is a memoir that is a testament to the monumental will to survive. It is a story of sheer faith, sheer hope, and sheer terror. It is the story of beastial behavior and unbridled greed at the expense of others. What makes this so horrendously criminal is because of the circumstances in which it occurred. Rather than compassion there are many that resorted to extortion and opportunism. It’s critical we read this and remember this so that we should never forget.
This is both a familiar story and a tragically horrendous story. It is a memoir that is a testament to the monumental will to survive. It is a story of sheer faith, sheer hope, and sheer terror. It is the story of beastial behavior and unbridled greed at the expense of others. What makes this so horrendously criminal is because of the circumstances in which it occurred. Rather than compassion there are many that resorted to extortion and opportunism. It’s critical we read this and remember this so that we should never forget.
April 3, 2020
There are some interesting word constructions in the book, but that (I'm sure) is due to trying to translate colloquialisms.
A very touching and moving description of what life was like for a Polish Jew during WW II. I've read about the Warsaw ghetto - but really had no idea what life was truly like until reading this book. If you're interested in WW II, I strongly recommend this book. It will give you an entirely different view of the civilian side of the war. It will also give you an much deeper understanding of the Holocaust and why it must never be forgotten.
A very touching and moving description of what life was like for a Polish Jew during WW II. I've read about the Warsaw ghetto - but really had no idea what life was truly like until reading this book. If you're interested in WW II, I strongly recommend this book. It will give you an entirely different view of the civilian side of the war. It will also give you an much deeper understanding of the Holocaust and why it must never be forgotten.
May 1, 2020
Startling
Heartbreaking, sad, a testament to the bravery and resilience of the Jewish people during WWII. This is such a deeply personal account of the horrors of the German final solution. The day after day insult to humanity and psychological war perpetrated by the Nazis, I was hard pressed to imagine that I could have survived the atrocities. I will read more of the memoirs listed at the end of the book but need time to process this elegant diary of great love and faith. Thanks to the family for sharing.
Heartbreaking, sad, a testament to the bravery and resilience of the Jewish people during WWII. This is such a deeply personal account of the horrors of the German final solution. The day after day insult to humanity and psychological war perpetrated by the Nazis, I was hard pressed to imagine that I could have survived the atrocities. I will read more of the memoirs listed at the end of the book but need time to process this elegant diary of great love and faith. Thanks to the family for sharing.
November 27, 2020
The two big pluses of this book are: that it is a very honest account of living through a terrible time, and that it is from a woman's point of view. The down sides are that it doesn't go into a lot of detail abiut existing relationships with people, and that most of the new relationships are coloured by xenophobia and (rightful) fear of exploitation. It's all fairly grim. The last third, after she gets out of Warsaw, is intrinsically a bit more interesting. The total rottenness of the Polish police is a bit of a shocker.
October 12, 2021
This was difficult to read, partly because of the content and partly because it was very dry. She documented everything, names all the streets, the names of all the buildings, and all the people. That also makes it hard to read because all those street names and places don't mean anything to the reader and don't add anything to the book. In some ways this reads like a potential police report. What these people went through was horrible. If nothing else it shows just how evil humans are when you take away their false front.
April 6, 2019
A family’s unbelievable survival within the Warsaw Ghetto uprising including the general rebellion that occurred in 1944.
I have read many books on the holocaust, WWII, living in Poland under the USSR and Germany. This is one of the most heart wrenching stories ever told by the mother and wife who were of Jewish descent. This book is different in that she talks about the Christian polish patriots who struggled with and against them during this horrific time.
I have read many books on the holocaust, WWII, living in Poland under the USSR and Germany. This is one of the most heart wrenching stories ever told by the mother and wife who were of Jewish descent. This book is different in that she talks about the Christian polish patriots who struggled with and against them during this horrific time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews