Perseverance: One Holocaust Survivor's Journey from Poland to America

by Lee Goldman Kikel, Melvin Goldman

Melvin Goldman seemed to be a typical successful American, living with his family in Squirrel Hill, a multicultural Pittsburgh neighborhood with a large Jewish population. There, he turned his craftsmanship as a jewelry designer into a profitable business, and maintained a rosy outlook on life and a generous view of his fellow man. It may seem like a common story, but it is far from it. In the decade before his arrival in the United States in 1950, Mieczyslaw Goldman saw his home destroyed, his family torn apart, his health ruined, and nearly everyone he had ever known murdered in the death camps of the Third Reich. His survival of the years in the ghetto and Auschwitz, his long and slow recovery, and his attainment of a somewhat normal life are miraculous. Perhaps even more miraculous is his refusal to let his experience destroy his faith in God or his love for humanity. Told in his own words from audio recording he made decades later, and supplemented with his daughter’s memories of their happy life in Pittsburgh, this is a story which no reader will ever forget.

Genres: Nonfiction

322 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2019

Reviews

[Dana Vogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really fortunate to be asked to read this book and offer feedback before it was published. Perseverance is an incredible story and feels especially relevant in today's political climate. It shows just how insidious the Nazis plan was and you can easily see how even well-to-do and middle class families with the means to leave ended up being murdered in concentration camps. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in holocaust or Jewish history or the history of Pittsburgh.

[Robert Mulvihill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perseverance is not only a story of survival but of the perseverance of the human spirit. It is a story about life of Melvin Goldman, a Jewish Polish Immigrant and Holocaust survivor who found his way to Pittsburgh and made a way for himself and his future family. His story is told through his own words (recorded by him on cassette tapes) and through the memories of his daughter, Lee Goldman Kikel, who is the author of the book. Lee took it on herself to fulfill her father’s wish by turning the recorded tapes into a book recounting the tragedy and hope of his survivor’s experience. The book already has been adapted into a marvelous play (https://primestage.com/education/pers...), and the story is being used to educate school age children through various means, including a comic book style summarization of the story.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent account of this Holocaust survivor and the successful life he led afterwards. The first half is his notes and dictation compiled and recorded by his daughter; second half is told as her memories. Well done.

[Diane Whittaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this true account of a local Squirrel Hill business man's experiences briefing up and ending up in a concentration camp. He truly fought for recruit he had and never have up. He is a true inspiration.

[Sydney Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written & truly moving story. I am blessed and honored to know the Author because it makes me appreciate the book so much more. I highly recommend this to everyone.

[Carol Czarnecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melvin Goldman's life is a testament to what it means to persevere in time of war and to survive one of the most brutal concentration camps Auschwitz. It's a story of love of family, children, and life. Also to new beginnings and remaking yourself from the ground up. Great true story!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving story of one man’s courage and yes, perseverance in the face of the most horrific time in modern history. Read it and you will be moved and inspired.