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 point of view. Chester “Chet” Britt grew up adventurous, building aircraft and being part of the scouts. He was a math whiz and found the love of his life, Grace, just before he embarked on West Point as a Cadet. The day afte...){kind=link}
Relentless Hope
A True Story of War and Survival
David L Britt
2023 Finalist
284 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Delene Vrey for Readers' Favorite
Relentless Hope: A True Story of War and Survival by David L Britt recounts Word War II from a prisoner of war’s (POW) point of view. Chester “Chet” Britt grew up adventurous, building aircraft and being part of the scouts. He was a math whiz and found the love of his life, Grace, just before he embarked on West Point as a Cadet. The day after Chet graduated from West Point in June 1940, he married Grace. However, the war soon requires Chet and other West Point graduates to be relocated to the Philippines to help fend off the Japanese. After trials of fighting in terrible heat with low supplies, Chet and his group finally surrendered. But this was only the start of the POW's most difficult time of the war, facing disease, malnutrition, and inhumane treatment from the Japanese.
David L Britt wrote Relentless Hope: A True Story of War and Survival to share a different side of World War II. David focuses on the experience the POWs had to go through and the survivor’s guilt the remnants of the captives had to live with afterward. The novel shows that comradeship can give one strength during difficult times. Praying and holding onto your family can bring you home in better shape than without it. David brings the emotions to life in the novel. The fear returning POWs had of rejection and how they handled the backlash from some civilians for surrendering during the war. David L Britt reminds us of what soldiers had to endure for us to live in a semi-state of harmony today.
Relentless Hope: A True Story of War and Survival by David L Britt recounts Word War II from a prisoner of war’s (POW) point of view. Chester “Chet” Britt grew up adventurous, building aircraft and being part of the scouts. He was a math whiz and found the love of his life, Grace, just before he embarked on West Point as a Cadet. The day after Chet graduated from West Point in June 1940, he married Grace. However, the war soon requires Chet and other West Point graduates to be relocated to the Philippines to help fend off the Japanese. After trials of fighting in terrible heat with low supplies, Chet and his group finally surrendered. But this was only the start of the POW's most difficult time of the war, facing disease, malnutrition, and inhumane treatment from the Japanese.
David L Britt wrote Relentless Hope: A True Story of War and Survival to share a different side of World War II. David focuses on the experience the POWs had to go through and the survivor’s guilt the remnants of the captives had to live with afterward. The novel shows that comradeship can give one strength during difficult times. Praying and holding onto your family can bring you home in better shape than without it. David brings the emotions to life in the novel. The fear returning POWs had of rejection and how they handled the backlash from some civilians for surrendering during the war. David L Britt reminds us of what soldiers had to endure for us to live in a semi-state of harmony today.
Recommend this book:
The Lightning Tamers
True Stories of the Dreamers and Schemers Who Harnessed Electricity and Transformed Our World
Kathy Joseph
2023 Honorable Mention
311 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite
The Lightning Tamers by Kathy Joseph is the history of the men and women who have worked with electricity, from discovering its existence to its place in our modern life. The book begins with the early realization of what electricity is and how it was named. It continues with how scientists and inventors began to use electricity for practical purposes like building batteries and creating methods of communication, such as the telegraph and the telephone. The book is written around the stories of people who contributed to the understanding and use of electricity, such as Benjamin Franklin, Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison, and many more. There is a summary of each chapter, and the book is illustrated with pictures of significant contributors to the harnessing of electricity and drawings of their early electrical experiments. The book concludes with an extensive list of references and a comprehensive index.
The Lightning Tamers by Kathy Joseph is an amazing and fascinating book. Anyone interested in history or who wonders how mankind learned to harness electricity will find it hard to put down. It was interesting to learn the stories of the people whose names are behind terms everyone is familiar with, such as “volt” and “amp.” Readers don’t need to be a scientist or an expert in any of Joseph's topics because the book is written in easy-to-understand language. It is also extraordinarily well-researched. Joseph is a former teacher, and I can see this book as an invaluable textbook for high school or college students. I highly recommend it to teachers, students, and everyone who wants a well-written explanation of the intriguing topic of electricity.
The Lightning Tamers by Kathy Joseph is the history of the men and women who have worked with electricity, from discovering its existence to its place in our modern life. The book begins with the early realization of what electricity is and how it was named. It continues with how scientists and inventors began to use electricity for practical purposes like building batteries and creating methods of communication, such as the telegraph and the telephone. The book is written around the stories of people who contributed to the understanding and use of electricity, such as Benjamin Franklin, Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison, and many more. There is a summary of each chapter, and the book is illustrated with pictures of significant contributors to the harnessing of electricity and drawings of their early electrical experiments. The book concludes with an extensive list of references and a comprehensive index.
The Lightning Tamers by Kathy Joseph is an amazing and fascinating book. Anyone interested in history or who wonders how mankind learned to harness electricity will find it hard to put down. It was interesting to learn the stories of the people whose names are behind terms everyone is familiar with, such as “volt” and “amp.” Readers don’t need to be a scientist or an expert in any of Joseph's topics because the book is written in easy-to-understand language. It is also extraordinarily well-researched. Joseph is a former teacher, and I can see this book as an invaluable textbook for high school or college students. I highly recommend it to teachers, students, and everyone who wants a well-written explanation of the intriguing topic of electricity.
Recommend this book:
The Apprentice of Buchenwald
The True Story of the Teenage Boy Who Sabotaged Hitler's War Machine (Holocaust Survivor True Stories)
Oren Schneider
2023 Bronze Medal
232 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
The Apprentice of Buchenwald is a true World War II story of a Jewish family trying to navigate life under the Nazi regime. Oren Schneider lost his father at an early age and grew up listening to the stories of his grandfather's life during the war. As a teenager, his grandfather Alexander Rosenberg was an avid collector of stamps, growing up in a privileged home on the outskirts of a Slovakian town in the late 1930s. After the Slovakian Gestapo started rounding up Jews for the Nazi regime, the Rosenbergs had no choice but to leave their home and assume false identities for life elsewhere. But a cruel twist of fate put Alexander and his father into the largest concentration camp, Buchenwald, in Germany, where the father and son duo had to survive each day at a time.
Author Oren Schneider shares the horrors and sacrifices of the victims of Nazi Germany with this heartbreaking true story of his own family. The Apprentice of Buchenwald is a tale that celebrates the resilient spirit of humans against adversity and showcases how a combination of the will to survive and indomitable courage can sometimes provide people with tools to overcome even the direst of circumstances. This is a very personal and intimate story about war, family, and the fight to survive. Schneider never holds back and gives an honest and authentic glimpse into war and its devastating ramifications. I found Alexander's story truly moving and poignant, and I feel it couldn't be more relevant to our times with the recent rise of fascist ideologies all over the world. Highly recommended.
The Apprentice of Buchenwald is a true World War II story of a Jewish family trying to navigate life under the Nazi regime. Oren Schneider lost his father at an early age and grew up listening to the stories of his grandfather's life during the war. As a teenager, his grandfather Alexander Rosenberg was an avid collector of stamps, growing up in a privileged home on the outskirts of a Slovakian town in the late 1930s. After the Slovakian Gestapo started rounding up Jews for the Nazi regime, the Rosenbergs had no choice but to leave their home and assume false identities for life elsewhere. But a cruel twist of fate put Alexander and his father into the largest concentration camp, Buchenwald, in Germany, where the father and son duo had to survive each day at a time.
Author Oren Schneider shares the horrors and sacrifices of the victims of Nazi Germany with this heartbreaking true story of his own family. The Apprentice of Buchenwald is a tale that celebrates the resilient spirit of humans against adversity and showcases how a combination of the will to survive and indomitable courage can sometimes provide people with tools to overcome even the direst of circumstances. This is a very personal and intimate story about war, family, and the fight to survive. Schneider never holds back and gives an honest and authentic glimpse into war and its devastating ramifications. I found Alexander's story truly moving and poignant, and I feel it couldn't be more relevant to our times with the recent rise of fascist ideologies all over the world. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Journey of a Hidden Child
Jewish Children in the Holocaust
Harry Pila
2023 Silver Medal
262 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Journey of a Hidden Child by Harry Pila is a historical biography and the latest installment in the Jewish Children in the Holocaust series. It follows the life of Jean-Pierre, a Jewish child given to non-Jewish parents for safety as the Nazis round up the Jews for forced labor and extermination. But Jean-Pierre’s adoptive parents are spies for the British, placing him in more danger than his birth parents could have realized. As the war ends, Jean-Pierre’s surviving parent returns to claim him, beginning a new journey of self-reflection.
Of all the evil acts that human beings have done to each other, few can compete with the magnitude and horror of the Holocaust. What happened should never be forgotten, but with victims numbering in the millions, it is important to reflect on the impact of this event on a more personal level and the devastation that it unleashed upon individual families. Harry Pila’s powerful prose and nuanced understanding of the period together create an authentic and heartbreaking portrayal of the life of one family as they are shattered by the Nazi regime and left with the impossible task of healing in the aftermath. The authenticity that flows from every page serves as a timeless and poignant reminder of a part of history that must never be allowed to repeat itself. Overall, The Journey of a Hidden Child bravely and eloquently shows not just the cause of the pain but the long and difficult road to try to heal from it.
The Journey of a Hidden Child by Harry Pila is a historical biography and the latest installment in the Jewish Children in the Holocaust series. It follows the life of Jean-Pierre, a Jewish child given to non-Jewish parents for safety as the Nazis round up the Jews for forced labor and extermination. But Jean-Pierre’s adoptive parents are spies for the British, placing him in more danger than his birth parents could have realized. As the war ends, Jean-Pierre’s surviving parent returns to claim him, beginning a new journey of self-reflection.
Of all the evil acts that human beings have done to each other, few can compete with the magnitude and horror of the Holocaust. What happened should never be forgotten, but with victims numbering in the millions, it is important to reflect on the impact of this event on a more personal level and the devastation that it unleashed upon individual families. Harry Pila’s powerful prose and nuanced understanding of the period together create an authentic and heartbreaking portrayal of the life of one family as they are shattered by the Nazi regime and left with the impossible task of healing in the aftermath. The authenticity that flows from every page serves as a timeless and poignant reminder of a part of history that must never be allowed to repeat itself. Overall, The Journey of a Hidden Child bravely and eloquently shows not just the cause of the pain but the long and difficult road to try to heal from it.
Recommend this book:
Not A Real Enemy
The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man's Fight for Freedom (Holocaust Survivor True Stories WWII)
Robert Wolf, Janice Harper
2023 Gold Medal
422 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
Not a Real Enemy by Robert Wolf and Janice Harper is a spellbinding memoir that follows the true story of a Hungarian Jewish man and his quest for freedom. Fans of Holocaust survival literature will devour this memoir that reads like well-crafted fiction. In 1944, Erwin Wolf was lucky to be among the hundreds of thousands of Jewish Hungarians not shipped to Auschwitz by the Nazis. But he was forced to work in the labor camps where he endured inhumane and cruel treatment. With the defeat of Germany, Erwin and many others found their freedom, but the communist regime under Stalin came with its own woes, and society was infested with fear and betrayals. Follow Erwin Wolf and his journey to freedom, a journey that takes him through imprisonment, narrow escapes, and fearful adventures. Can he escape the communist oppression in Hungary where friends become foes overnight?
This is one of those books you read and are at loss for words when it comes to describing your experience. Robert Wolf and Janice Harper have crafted a memoir that is immersive and that instantly absorbs the reader. It is a tale of resilience in the midst of man’s inhumanity to man and the authors allow the painful experience to shine through the narrative. This book offers a vivid picture of what it felt like to live under the communist regime in Hungary and the dehumanization of the Jewish people by Hitler. Erwin’s quest for freedom is relentless and his triumph will leave a wonderful sense of joy and delight in readers. The book is crafted in gorgeous prose, brimming with history, and featuring people that readers will care about.
Not a Real Enemy by Robert Wolf and Janice Harper is a spellbinding memoir that follows the true story of a Hungarian Jewish man and his quest for freedom. Fans of Holocaust survival literature will devour this memoir that reads like well-crafted fiction. In 1944, Erwin Wolf was lucky to be among the hundreds of thousands of Jewish Hungarians not shipped to Auschwitz by the Nazis. But he was forced to work in the labor camps where he endured inhumane and cruel treatment. With the defeat of Germany, Erwin and many others found their freedom, but the communist regime under Stalin came with its own woes, and society was infested with fear and betrayals. Follow Erwin Wolf and his journey to freedom, a journey that takes him through imprisonment, narrow escapes, and fearful adventures. Can he escape the communist oppression in Hungary where friends become foes overnight?
This is one of those books you read and are at loss for words when it comes to describing your experience. Robert Wolf and Janice Harper have crafted a memoir that is immersive and that instantly absorbs the reader. It is a tale of resilience in the midst of man’s inhumanity to man and the authors allow the painful experience to shine through the narrative. This book offers a vivid picture of what it felt like to live under the communist regime in Hungary and the dehumanization of the Jewish people by Hitler. Erwin’s quest for freedom is relentless and his triumph will leave a wonderful sense of joy and delight in readers. The book is crafted in gorgeous prose, brimming with history, and featuring people that readers will care about.
Recommend this book:
Airplane Stories and Histories
Norman Currey
2022 Finalist
224 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Airplane Stories and Histories by Norman Currey is an interesting book for all those who love flying and chronicles some of the unusual events and accounts in aviation history. Readers learn about two hundred years of aviation history through this book and the author also throws light on some of the famous names in aviation history; the Wright Brothers, Sir George Cayley, Frank Whittle, Wiley Post, Amelia Earheart, R.J. Mitchell, etc. The book also speaks about the first Transatlantic flight, the Jet Engine, Boeing 737, Concorde, and the other scientific developments during that period. The author's File 'A' has aerodynamics, design, history, structure, materials, and much more that will take readers into the world of airplanes.
The book speaks about the topic extensively and in detail, giving readers a lot of information on the subject. It is quite fascinating to read about the exploits of these pioneers of aviation history and the author also covers some of the exciting events that happened. The images shared in the book are a treat for all those who love airplanes and flying. From then to now, the rapid progression in the development of aircraft carriers and scientific advancements is incredible and the book will make readers aware of the new century of aviation. The author also speaks about his 47 years in the aircraft industry and the exhilarating experiences he had while flying and during his travels. Airplane Stories and Histories by Norman Currey is for readers who are interested in learning more about the history of airplanes, flying, and the aviation industry.
Airplane Stories and Histories by Norman Currey is an interesting book for all those who love flying and chronicles some of the unusual events and accounts in aviation history. Readers learn about two hundred years of aviation history through this book and the author also throws light on some of the famous names in aviation history; the Wright Brothers, Sir George Cayley, Frank Whittle, Wiley Post, Amelia Earheart, R.J. Mitchell, etc. The book also speaks about the first Transatlantic flight, the Jet Engine, Boeing 737, Concorde, and the other scientific developments during that period. The author's File 'A' has aerodynamics, design, history, structure, materials, and much more that will take readers into the world of airplanes.
The book speaks about the topic extensively and in detail, giving readers a lot of information on the subject. It is quite fascinating to read about the exploits of these pioneers of aviation history and the author also covers some of the exciting events that happened. The images shared in the book are a treat for all those who love airplanes and flying. From then to now, the rapid progression in the development of aircraft carriers and scientific advancements is incredible and the book will make readers aware of the new century of aviation. The author also speaks about his 47 years in the aircraft industry and the exhilarating experiences he had while flying and during his travels. Airplane Stories and Histories by Norman Currey is for readers who are interested in learning more about the history of airplanes, flying, and the aviation industry.
Recommend this book:
What They Didn't Burn
Uncovering My Father's Holocaust Secrets
Mel Laytner
2022 Honorable Mention
304 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
What They Didn’t Burn: Uncovering My Father’s Holocaust Secrets by Mel Laytner is the non-fiction memoir of the author in which he documents a paper trail that leads to a search spanning the globe. Laytner is a journalist, which proves helpful in both the investigation of his father’s past, which is incredibly extensive, and the writing of this book, which is exceptional. His father is Josef “Dolek” Laytner, a survivor of the Auschwitz sub-camp Blechammer, prisoner 177904. The facts that emerge as the layers begin to truly peel back are stunning. Laytner weaves his father’s tale initially as the story of his search for information, transitioning to the story of his father from the earliest moments under a rising Nazi Party to his days as a prisoner and all that followed.
“My father survived that nightmare and went on to build a new life,” writes Mel Laytner. The line is striking to me. It parallels how very little he knew about his father initially but is written as he finally begins to grasp the scope of what was required to be one of those who survived in What They Didn’t Burn. Tightly written and compelling on every page, the progression of Dolek’s “luck” proves to be a terrifying endurance test. This is most certainly not luck. It is the grit and rapid intelligence of a man who can read a situation quickly to maximize the odds of survival. Knowing what jobs permit indoor work and rations of 1,700 calories per day compared to the 1,300 allotted to "unskilled" workers, though still far below the 2,500 calories a day required by a man doing heavy physical work. Knowing when to partner and bend power and when to fade into a box in the barracks, fighting back only when a precious blanket is stolen, and bribing his way out of a camp for transfer. The death marches are brought to life and the way Laytner describes his father’s final escape... I was choked up. Particularly as he is told: “Well, you are free now. And safe.” Very highly recommended.
What They Didn’t Burn: Uncovering My Father’s Holocaust Secrets by Mel Laytner is the non-fiction memoir of the author in which he documents a paper trail that leads to a search spanning the globe. Laytner is a journalist, which proves helpful in both the investigation of his father’s past, which is incredibly extensive, and the writing of this book, which is exceptional. His father is Josef “Dolek” Laytner, a survivor of the Auschwitz sub-camp Blechammer, prisoner 177904. The facts that emerge as the layers begin to truly peel back are stunning. Laytner weaves his father’s tale initially as the story of his search for information, transitioning to the story of his father from the earliest moments under a rising Nazi Party to his days as a prisoner and all that followed.
“My father survived that nightmare and went on to build a new life,” writes Mel Laytner. The line is striking to me. It parallels how very little he knew about his father initially but is written as he finally begins to grasp the scope of what was required to be one of those who survived in What They Didn’t Burn. Tightly written and compelling on every page, the progression of Dolek’s “luck” proves to be a terrifying endurance test. This is most certainly not luck. It is the grit and rapid intelligence of a man who can read a situation quickly to maximize the odds of survival. Knowing what jobs permit indoor work and rations of 1,700 calories per day compared to the 1,300 allotted to "unskilled" workers, though still far below the 2,500 calories a day required by a man doing heavy physical work. Knowing when to partner and bend power and when to fade into a box in the barracks, fighting back only when a precious blanket is stolen, and bribing his way out of a camp for transfer. The death marches are brought to life and the way Laytner describes his father’s final escape... I was choked up. Particularly as he is told: “Well, you are free now. And safe.” Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay
Mfundishi Jhutyms Hassan Salim
2022 Bronze Medal
212 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
Mentchu-hotep, the son of the supreme ruler of Upper Kemet, is on a mission to learn what it takes to become a ruler and succeed his father. He must learn about their allies and foes, become connected to nature and the people, and learn to be an articulate thinker, writer, speaker, and fighter. Thus, he is assigned to Jhutyms Ka-en-Heru—a decorated Medjay warrior from Kash. Will Mentchu-hotep be brave and strong enough to withstand the rigorous training and the dangerous paths of the mighty Medjay warriors? Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay by Mfundishi Jhutyms Hassan Salim portrays the fearlessness and greatness of the Medjay warriors as they take on the spirit of animals and wield nature to battle anyone that dares to challenge them.
It was quite refreshing to see some African spiritual concepts that I grew up hearing about as a Nigerian in the book, including warriors who can transform into animals, change the weather, and control some other natural elements. Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay presents an intricate yet cohesive and enjoyable plot that combines such diverse themes as adventure, romance, fantasy, history, combat, nature, rebellion, war, and politics. Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay will not only entertain you but also enlighten you and awaken your curiosity about how powerful and honorable our African ancestors were and African cultural history in general. As someone who wishes to see more African supernatural characters, I enjoyed Mfundishi's epic, awe-inspiring narrative about the greatness of the Medjay warriors immensely.
Mentchu-hotep, the son of the supreme ruler of Upper Kemet, is on a mission to learn what it takes to become a ruler and succeed his father. He must learn about their allies and foes, become connected to nature and the people, and learn to be an articulate thinker, writer, speaker, and fighter. Thus, he is assigned to Jhutyms Ka-en-Heru—a decorated Medjay warrior from Kash. Will Mentchu-hotep be brave and strong enough to withstand the rigorous training and the dangerous paths of the mighty Medjay warriors? Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay by Mfundishi Jhutyms Hassan Salim portrays the fearlessness and greatness of the Medjay warriors as they take on the spirit of animals and wield nature to battle anyone that dares to challenge them.
It was quite refreshing to see some African spiritual concepts that I grew up hearing about as a Nigerian in the book, including warriors who can transform into animals, change the weather, and control some other natural elements. Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay presents an intricate yet cohesive and enjoyable plot that combines such diverse themes as adventure, romance, fantasy, history, combat, nature, rebellion, war, and politics. Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay will not only entertain you but also enlighten you and awaken your curiosity about how powerful and honorable our African ancestors were and African cultural history in general. As someone who wishes to see more African supernatural characters, I enjoyed Mfundishi's epic, awe-inspiring narrative about the greatness of the Medjay warriors immensely.
Recommend this book:
From Auschwitz with Love
The Inspiring Memoir of Two Sisters' Survival, Devotion and Triumph
Daniel Seymour
2022 Silver Medal
210 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite
The Holocaust is one of the most bloody events in history. Although one cannot begin to imagine the extent of physical hardships and mental trauma the victims went through in those concentration camps, From Auschwitz with Love by Daniel Seymour attempts to look into the minds and hearts of two survivors. His mother-in-law, Manci Grunberger, and her sister, Ruth Grunberger, watched their happy family crumble into a gloomy pit of despair in a matter of mere months. Even though they did not watch the Nazis kill their mother, father, and six siblings, they witnessed Josef Mengele as he picked their family from the queue destined for the infamous gas chambers. In the face of unimaginable suffering and torment, many prisoners threw themselves onto the electric fences to end their miserable existence. Even so, Manci and Ruth "... still wanted, deep down, to somehow live." And they not only survived but thrived.
From Auschwitz with Love by Daniel Seymour is the story of perseverance and human determination to survive. The memoir develops slowly and then picks up pace as the real torment begins. The words are so authentic and filled with passion that the readers can almost hear the trembling voices of Manci and Ruth as they recount the ugly and devastating events. The audience watches the sisters living a happy life with their siblings and parents, thriving under their love. Then, gradually, everything changes. Whether it was their stuffy life in a ghetto or their suffocating commute to the Auschwitz concentration camp in a cattle car, Daniel Seymour has done a brilliant job of painting a graphic picture for his readers. From the sighting of the daunting smoke from a chimney to the courage with which Manci shouted "Shame on you," every single event etches itself into the hearts of the readers. I highly recommend From Auschwitz with Love by Daniel Seymour.
The Holocaust is one of the most bloody events in history. Although one cannot begin to imagine the extent of physical hardships and mental trauma the victims went through in those concentration camps, From Auschwitz with Love by Daniel Seymour attempts to look into the minds and hearts of two survivors. His mother-in-law, Manci Grunberger, and her sister, Ruth Grunberger, watched their happy family crumble into a gloomy pit of despair in a matter of mere months. Even though they did not watch the Nazis kill their mother, father, and six siblings, they witnessed Josef Mengele as he picked their family from the queue destined for the infamous gas chambers. In the face of unimaginable suffering and torment, many prisoners threw themselves onto the electric fences to end their miserable existence. Even so, Manci and Ruth "... still wanted, deep down, to somehow live." And they not only survived but thrived.
From Auschwitz with Love by Daniel Seymour is the story of perseverance and human determination to survive. The memoir develops slowly and then picks up pace as the real torment begins. The words are so authentic and filled with passion that the readers can almost hear the trembling voices of Manci and Ruth as they recount the ugly and devastating events. The audience watches the sisters living a happy life with their siblings and parents, thriving under their love. Then, gradually, everything changes. Whether it was their stuffy life in a ghetto or their suffocating commute to the Auschwitz concentration camp in a cattle car, Daniel Seymour has done a brilliant job of painting a graphic picture for his readers. From the sighting of the daunting smoke from a chimney to the courage with which Manci shouted "Shame on you," every single event etches itself into the hearts of the readers. I highly recommend From Auschwitz with Love by Daniel Seymour.
Recommend this book:
 by Nechama Birnbaum is an addition to the series. Redheads are cursed, isn’t that what they say? Certainly, Rosie was always told that but she brushed it aside. She dreamed of getting married to a man she could love forever but her life changed in 1944. Rosie was sent ...){kind=link}
The Redhead of Auschwitz
A True Story (Holocaust Survivor True Stories WWII)
Nechama Birnbaum
2022 Gold Medal
282 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Redhead of Auschwitz: A True Story (Holocaust Survivor True Stories WWII) by Nechama Birnbaum is an addition to the series. Redheads are cursed, isn’t that what they say? Certainly, Rosie was always told that but she brushed it aside. She dreamed of getting married to a man she could love forever but her life changed in 1944. Rosie was sent to Auschwitz, with her beautiful red hair shaved off on arrival. Her dreams and her red hair may have gone but the Nazis could never tame her red-headed spirit, could never hold back her resilience and her determination to get back home, even when all those around her had lost hope of ever being free. No matter what the Nazis put her through, she never lost hope. Rosie was the girl who believed she could survive the horrors of the death camp and sometimes belief is all you need.
The Redhead of Auschwitz by Nechama Birnbaum is another one of those Nazi survivor stories that you must read. Our beautiful heroine, the young red-headed Rosie, teaches us that sometimes hope and belief in yourself are all you need to give you that nudge to keep going. This Auschwitz survivor story is a lesson to all of us and should be on required reading lists at schools and taught in history lessons. It informs us about Jewish culture, about the bonds of family and friends, and it teaches us to have a true, deep belief in all we want to accomplish – believe, and you can do it. This is a harrowing book, as any death camp survivor story is, and it is a hard read at times. Be prepared to cry, fume at injustice, and delight in Rosie’s triumphs. Be prepared to read this from start to finish in one go because you will be hooked. No matter how hard some people try to wipe away all traces of history, no matter how much they deny that these things happened, stories like this must be repeated because one thing is certain – we must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Redhead of Auschwitz: A True Story (Holocaust Survivor True Stories WWII) by Nechama Birnbaum is an addition to the series. Redheads are cursed, isn’t that what they say? Certainly, Rosie was always told that but she brushed it aside. She dreamed of getting married to a man she could love forever but her life changed in 1944. Rosie was sent to Auschwitz, with her beautiful red hair shaved off on arrival. Her dreams and her red hair may have gone but the Nazis could never tame her red-headed spirit, could never hold back her resilience and her determination to get back home, even when all those around her had lost hope of ever being free. No matter what the Nazis put her through, she never lost hope. Rosie was the girl who believed she could survive the horrors of the death camp and sometimes belief is all you need.
The Redhead of Auschwitz by Nechama Birnbaum is another one of those Nazi survivor stories that you must read. Our beautiful heroine, the young red-headed Rosie, teaches us that sometimes hope and belief in yourself are all you need to give you that nudge to keep going. This Auschwitz survivor story is a lesson to all of us and should be on required reading lists at schools and taught in history lessons. It informs us about Jewish culture, about the bonds of family and friends, and it teaches us to have a true, deep belief in all we want to accomplish – believe, and you can do it. This is a harrowing book, as any death camp survivor story is, and it is a hard read at times. Be prepared to cry, fume at injustice, and delight in Rosie’s triumphs. Be prepared to read this from start to finish in one go because you will be hooked. No matter how hard some people try to wipe away all traces of history, no matter how much they deny that these things happened, stories like this must be repeated because one thing is certain – we must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
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