The author of the The Children’s Blizzard delivers an epic work of twentieth century history through the riveting story of one extraordinary Jewish familyIn tracing the roots of this family—his own family—Laskin captures the epic sweep of the twentieth century. A modern-day scribe; Laskin honors the traditions; the lives; and the choices of his ancestors: revolutionaries and entrepreneurs; scholars and farmers; tycoons and truck drivers. The Family is a deeply personal; dramatic; and emotional account of people caught in a cataclysmic time in world history.A century and a half ago; a Torah scribe and his wife raised six children in a yeshivatown at the western fringe of the Russian empire. Bound by their customs and ancient faith; the pious couple expected their sons and daughter to carry family traditions into future generations. But the social and political crises of our time decreed otherwise.The torrent of history took the scribe’s family down three very different roads. One branch immigrated to America and founded the fabulously successful Maidenform Bra Company; another went to Palestine as pioneers and participated in the contentious birth of the state of Israel; the third branch remained in Europe and suffered the onslaught of the Nazi occupation.With cinematic power and beauty; bestselling author David Laskin brings to life the upheavals of the twentieth century through the story of one family; three continents; two world wars; and the rise and fall of nations.
#49059 in Books Charlie LeDuff 2014-01-28 2014-01-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x .90 x 5.40l; .68 #File Name: 0143124463304 pagesDetroit An American Autopsy
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A riveting cautionary taleBy Mozer PAn amazing book. It's a cliche; but I couldn't put it down.In the best tradition of journalists who use fiction techniques to bring their stories alive; Charlie LeDuff makes you feel as if you are right there; on these streets; meeting these people and getting a vivid sense of what they're experiencing. Make no mistake: LeDuff is not interested in covering the positive things that are happening in Detroit right now (and yes; there are many positive developments). That's not his beat. I'm guessing that it doesn't inspire him the way the down-and-outers do. LeDuff introduces you to people you wouldn't want to meet outside of the pages of a book: dangerous criminals; crooked politicians and people so caught in the grip of poverty; violent crime and hopelessness that their pain is hard to think about.LeDuff is no objective journalist; he inserts himself into his stories; interacting with the people he's supposed to be covering; giving himself a role. There is an ego at work here; but it's what gives his writing such a strong; distinctive voice. He mercilessly turns his attention on his own family's troubles as well; letting us in on broken relationships; substance abusers and a surprise bit of genealogy.You don't have to be a Detroiter to find this book compelling. It's riveting. It's also a cautionary tale. The circumstances that have brought Detroit to its present condition exist in other cities. The outsourcing of industrial jobs; shifting demographics and government corruption have altered great swaths of the American landscape. Detroit holds an uncomfortable mirror up to America - and Charlie LeDuff; with this book; brings that mirror even closer.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Finest Piece of JournalismBy Glen ChernCharlie Leduff has written what I consider one of the finest works of journalism I've ever read. Leduff returned home to Detroit; taking a reporting gig as a reporter for the Detroit News. He shares both personal trauma and loss as significant as that experienced by many of the firefighters; police and regular citizens. Lexus earned the respect and appreciation of the countless people he interviewed and wrote about. I was equally of the things he wrote about his brothers. The epilogue is truly remarkable and was a very appropriate way to close the story.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. If you really want to know what went on in Detroit (and still is to some degree); this is the bookBy MickIt is clear that LaDuff has the facts right; having lived the experience as a reporter who knows how to find the facts. It is clearly written; and he spares no unpleasant facts about the characters. Suspicions confirmed about many of these corrupt people. My only "problem" with the book is that he seems to be trying to write it as if he was Mickey Spillane. Gritty; snarky; shocking. But; having just written this; it occurs to me that that is probably right for this subject and adds credibility.
