All But My Life is the unforgettable story of Gerda Weissmann Klein's six-year ordeal as a victim of Nazi cruelty. From her comfortable home in Bielitz (present-day Bielsko) in Poland to her miraculous survival and her liberation by American troops--including the man who was to become her husband--in Volary; Czechoslovakia; in 1945; Gerda takes the reader on a terrifying journey. Gerda's serene and idyllic childhood is shattered when Nazis march into Poland on September 3; 1939. Although the Weissmanns were permitted to live for a while in the basement of their home; they were eventually separated and sent to German labor camps. Over the next few years Gerda experienced the slow; inexorable stripping away of "all but her life." By the end of the war she had lost her parents; brother; home; possessions; and community; even the dear friends she made in the labor camps; with whom she had shared so many hardships; were dead. Despite her horrifying experiences; Klein conveys great strength of spirit and faith in humanity. In the darkness of the camps; Gerda and her young friends manage to create a community of friendship and love. Although stripped of the essence of life; they were able to survive the barbarity of their captors. Gerda's beautifully written story gives an invaluable message to everyone. It introduces them to last century's terrible history of devastation and prejudice; yet offers them hope that the effects of hatred can be overcome.
#2221981 in Books 2008-02-25 2008-02-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x .64 x 6.10l; .83 #File Name: 0807858951256 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A Fresh ExaminationBy Kerry WaltersIn collaboration with the University of North Carolina Press; Gary Gallagher has produced an amazingly insightful series of anthologies on various aspects of the American Civil War. This collection is one of the best. Its value is nicely summed up by a comment in the Introduction (p. xi): "Far from exhausted topics open only to increasingly minute dissection of tactical movements; the activities of Union and Confederate armies invite serious scrutiny by historians interested in a range of issues." Thank goodness that this new and refreshing way of examining the Civil War is moving us beyond an earlier romanticized guns-'n-glory focus.All of the essays in The Fredericksburg Campaign are quite good. But for my money; the three best ones--and the ones that dramatically represent the new approach championed by Gallagher--are written by George Rable; William Blair; and Gallagher himself. All three might be seen as trying to make sense of that odd cry of exultation attributed to Lee after the massacre at Marye's Heights: "It is well that war is so terrible! We should grow too fond of it!"Rable reminds us that the carnage from the vantage point of the soldier on the ground was nothing to crow about; and that even a momentary battlefield thrill is far outshadowed by the terrible reality of slaughtered men; wounds; amputations; sepsis; psychological trauma; and shattered morale.Blair's essay; which deals with the effects of the shelling and routing of their town on Fredericksburg civilians; brings home the lesson that neither is there nothing in war to grow fond of from the noncombatant's perspective. Too often; military historians tend to overlook what today is fashionably referred to as "collateral damage." But in the Civil War; and especially in Virginia; civilians suffered horribly during and for years after the war.Finally; Gallagher's essay points out that the famous Lee quote needs to be taken in context. Lee himself seems to have been extremely depressed by the Fredericksburg battle. The slaughter of Federal troops stopped the drive to Richmond; but it really gained the Confederacy (in Lee's estimation) no strategic advantage; and it hazarded artificially elevating Confederate self-confidence. Interestingly; Gallagher points out that Lee felt similarly about Chancellorsville: a "victory" that ultimately brought no advantage to the South.All in all; an excellent collection of essays. Highly recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Two StarsBy Geoff BlankenmeyerNot what I was looking for but that is on me. Check Table of Contents before ordering.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good stories of how the soldiers viewed the battle and state of the army. Interesting insight into back room politics. Overall good read.By Richard McMillanGood stories of how the soldiers viewed the battle and the state of the army. Overall good read. Would buy again
