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All But My Life 96 reviews
Gerda Weissmann Klein
Hill and Wang, 1995
Survial of the Human Spirit~A deeply moving story.
This is one of the first Holocaust survival stories that I read. It is by far one that has stayed with me in the most detail.
What a strong girl Gerda is. she was told to never give up her boots and in the end it is one thing that saved her life after marching in a blizzard half frozen to death. How she survived is nothing short of a miracle.
Reading this when you are in a hard time reminds ...
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Forgotten Soldier : The Classic WWII Autobiography (Brassey's Commemorative Series WWII) (Brassey's ...163 reviews
Guy Sajer
Brassey's (UK) Ltd, 1990
Chillingly Clear Account of War on the Eastern Front
Awsome - the one word I use to describe this book.
Debates exist whether this book is non-fiction or fiction mainly due to the inaccuracies regarding specific details, some minor such as uniform markings. However, after researching this topic I came across a letter to the Editor of "Military Review", printed in the March-April 1997 edition, by a Douglas E. Nash. Nash eventually located Sajer ...
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Fate is the Hunter94 reviews
Ernest K. Gann
Simon & Schuster, 1986
Read through in few sittings - -
This is one of those books that has a sneak ending - best appreciated by reading through at a steady rate (which only makes sense once the climax of the book is revealed). The stories, anecdotes and tales seem almost trite and mundane - but build to the showdown, for me a life lesson. Flying is revealed for the joy it is, for its wonder, the thrill of a good landing when one has fought the good ...
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The Pianist101 reviews
Wladyslaw Szpilman
Picador, 1999
Incredible story!
This book is an incredible story of survival. I have seen the movie also. I would recommend both!
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With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa196 reviews
E. B. Sledge
Presidio Press, 1990
Great wonderfully written book
I enjoyed reading this book so much I finished it in less then a week. Parts of it are featured on a PBS documentry called "The War" (Or somthing like that), anyhow, the book gives all the reader could ask for; loss, comraderie, and the absolute brutality of war. It is my favorite first person account I have read so far, although William Foley's "Visions From A Foxhole" is exceptional as well. If ...
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Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway111 reviews
Jonathan Parshall, Anthony Tully
Potomac Books Inc., 2005
A History Book That Delivers What The Movie Couldn't
I was rather surprised that the authors make no mention of the actual prime source for the Battle of Midway that most Americans carry around in their heads: the 1976 film, "Midway." With familiar names like Henry Fonda, Glenn Ford, Robert Mitchum, Hal Holbrook and Charlton Heston, the film reinforces the popular wisdom that an under gunned American Naval task force, on June 5, 1942, surprised the ...
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Alicia122 reviews
Alicia Appleman-Jurman
Bantam Press, 1990
An irrepressible spirit of survival
Raised from the age of five in Buczacz, which was roughly a third Jewish at that time, Alicia was sheltered relatively well from the anti-Semitism that plagued her town, as well as the rest of Europe. She had many friends, both Jewish and Christian.
After the Hitler-Stalin Pact of 1939, whereby the two genocidal dictators divided Poland between them, Buczacz fell into the Soviet zone. The ...
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I Have Lived a Thousand Years: Growing Up in the Holocaust162 reviews
Livia Bitton-Jackson
Topeka Bindery, 1999
A First Holocaust Book for the Teen Reader
"I Have Lived A Thousand Years" is a personal and gut-wrenching story of how a 13-year old girl survived the German Holocaust in the death camp of Auschwitz. The book is fairly short with short chapters. It is obviously written for adolescent readers, but can certainly be appreciated by adults as well. This is a very good first book for teens to learn about the Holocaust. It is written in the ...
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Good Night, Mr Tom119 reviews
Michelle Magorian
Topeka Bindery, 1999
powerful story about family
Timid, scrawny, Willie Beech is the abused child of a single mother. She sends him to Mr. Tom, who lives in the English countryside, because London is being bombed by the Nazis.
The two main adults in this story, the mother and Mr. Tom, seem very similar in the beginning. Yet, by the end, we see that they are completely different. What really hit home was this: hard times can make hard ...
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The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors127 reviews
James D. Hornfischer
Random House Audio, 2004
Ranks with Shattered Sword
A couple of years ago, I read "Shattered Sword" (about the Battle of Midway) and proclaimed it the best WWII account of Pacific Theatre Naval history to date. I now have to say THE LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS by James Hornfischer ranks right beside it.
This is a brilliantly presented accounting of Halsey's folly when he let his enormous ego get in the way of following orders. The result ...
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In My Hands80 reviews
Jennifer Armstrong
Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media, 2004
A book for both Mothers and Teen Daughters
My 14-year-old daughter read this book and insisted that I read it. When I finally agreed, I could not put the book down. The story is so well told that you can can truly understand the experience of a 17-year-old girl in the midst of the horrible events. A compelling book that everyone should read and discuss.
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A Bridge Too Far: The Classic History of the Greatest Battle of World War II69 reviews
Cornelius Ryan
Simon & Schuster, 1995
Excellent Introduction in this Important part of WW2 History
I can't say it much better than the previous reviews have already. I wanted to read something on this subject and was led to this book. I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the topic. Broad in scope yet detailed in its descriptions of the soldiers, units, and battles in this massive offensive. This is an excellent jumping off point to begin studying the Battle of Arnhem. Well ...
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German Boy: A Child in War60 reviews
Wolfgang W. E. Samuel
Topeka Bindery, 2003
Should be Required Reading for All Youths
This harrowing memoir should be required reading for all children. Perhaps, as adults, they will think hard and deeply before embarking on war. The description of life at the end of WWII and postwar Germany are harrowing. The reader cannot help but wonder how he or she would or could cope in the same situation.
I found the comparison among the American, British and Russian zones in postwar ...
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The cruel sea (Cardinal giant)79 reviews
Nicholas Monsarrat
Pocket Books, 1953
Ping . . . . . . Ping . . . . . . Ping . . . . . . Ping . . . . . . Ping . . . . . .
The unrelenting echo of the sonar punctuates this understated J. Arthur Rank film with a taut atmosphere of suspense. Novelist Eric Ambler's intelligent script remains faithful to Nicholas Monserrat's novel about the last voyage of HMS Compass Rose and all who sailed on her. The splendid performances of Jack Hawkins as her captain and Donald Sinden as his First Mate bring the novel to life, as do ...
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Longest Day75 reviews
Cornelius ryan
Simon & Schuster, 1901
It Started Two Genres
Cornelius Ryan invented two genres with his ground-breaking history-The Longest Day.
On the one hand, he started a trend to personalized history. His book relies heavily on the recollections of those who fought on both sides. In this he anticipates Ken Burns' The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick and also The Second World War the more scholarly John Keegan.
His other innovation, a brisk ...
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Iron Coffins87 reviews
Herbert A. Werner
Mandarin, 1990
Green Salami and Moldy Bread
Commander Werner has written a fascinating account of his experiences as a German U-Boat captain during WWII. A variety of books have been written about overall submarine warfare, but this author provides us with an interesting perspective based on his personal experiences.
We quickly learn that the submariner leads a harrowing life in a claustrophobic metal tube where the humidity quickly ...
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From A Name to A Number: A Holocaust Survivor's Autobiography81 reviews
Alter Wiener
AuthorHouse, 2007
touching hearts and teaching minds
Alter Wiener has taken his story of horrific tragedy and used it for such great good. I have had the honor of not only reading this book, but hearing Alter speak, sharing a meal with him and connecting him to many students. His story is told in a way that is completely attainable for everyone. He brought history to life for all of us. His story is one that he lives with everyday. I think what ...
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Anne Frank And Me81 reviews
Cherie Bennett
Topeka Bindery, 2002
AWESOME BOOK!
Anne Frank and Me was an exceptional book and I enjoyed it very much. I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't love following Nicole through her journey starting in the 90's and ending up in year of 1942. I've read it twice and I know I'll set it down for a few months, then read it again! I recommend this to anyone with a heart! Enjoy Anne Frank and Me.
Stephanie A.
Tustin, CA
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Jacob's Rescue68 reviews
Malka Drucker, Michael Halperin
Yearling, 1994
The rescue...
An excellent book dedicated to two people stood up for life when others looked the other way. My children and I enjoyed reading this book together.
Visitors are coming for seder dinner and Marissa wants to know who they are!
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Sara's Children : The Destruction of Chmielnik86 reviews
Suzan Esther Hagstrom
Sergeant Kirkland's Press, 2001
This should be required reading in schools
I am a clinical psychologist, and I found Sara's Children well worth reading for the personalized insight it provides about the Holocaust. Although this book is poignant and heartrending, it remains well written without going over the top. The five Garfinkel siblings endured far beyond what human beings seem capable of bearing. Out of the war's destruction and nearly complete genocide, this ...
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