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All but My Life is the basis for the Academy Award-winning documentary from HBO, One Survivor Remembers. This is the unforgettable story of Gerda Weissmann Klein's six-year ordeal as a victim of Nazi cruelty. From her comfortable home in Bielitz, Poland, to her miraculous survival and her liberation by American troops-including the man who was to become her husband-in Volary, Czechoslovakia, Gerda takes us 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.… (more)
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Gerda Weissmann was a happy
The author is trying to tell us to never lose hope. That is the only way you could survive during the Holocaust. She wants us to know that we must see each other as equals. We are no better than anyone else just because we have a different skin color. It is our actions that determine who we are.
I guess I had a picture in my head of all the Jews being rounded up immediately at the start of the war, and spending the entire time in camps, which some were able to survive. I always wondered why, for the most part, they did not fight back. I realize after reading this book that this was a very inaccurate and uninformed idea. The marginalization happened so gradually and the propaganda was so overwhelming, plus people like Gerda had such a faith in humankind, thinking that people could not possibly be so cruel as to do the things they eventually ended up doing. I am ashamed that I never thought to learn more about this era prior to now.
Despite the horrid atrocity of the events in her life, Gerda writes with such sunniness and vitality that her story is not unbearably depressing. It is eminently readable and highly recommended.
The only thing I was bothered by while reading this was Klein's habit of telling what ended up happening to people as soon as we meet them, even though they continue to play into the story. For example, upon meeting Suse in the work camp, Gerda tells us Suse will die in the morning of the day they are liberated. Sues then continues to figure in to the story, all the while the reader knows she's doomed. This steals a little from the story, as the reader, already knowing Gerda will survive and Suse will not, has been spoiled by this knowledge.
This is not a translation-the author emigrates to U.S.A. and writes this and several other books in English. Very few books, do I read straight through, but this is one. Made a profound impression on me.
This book is so devastating and real. It's hard to read about the horribleness of it all. Reading this has really gave me a more sense of understanding to what happened to the Jews during the Holocaust. I don't think I ever really knew just how bad it was, and of course I still don't know, but All But My Life surely opened my eyes and brought to my attention the evil of the Nazis.
It all started with the Nazis invading Poland and soon Jews were not allowed
I love this book! But that does not sound good because of all the horrific events that are contained within the pages of this book, but I am amazed at the Hope and Faith of Gerda. I am also stunned by the horrific event that happened to her. I could not get through the book without crying several times. The best part in my opinion is how she was able to survive and find love to keep her strong. Stunning Book!
I really like this book. It tells a good view of the holocaust. I didn't like because it was torture to reads it. Man killing man is against the human nature.I am glad that I read it though. I now have a better understanding of the holocaust. I also read the cage. The all but my life is a lot better then the cage.
This book was very upsetting. Gerda went through times nobody should go through but still do. I felt bad when she realized, her brother, mother and father were dead. After reading this book, I have a much better understanding of a Jew's life during the Holocaust. It is absolutely heartbreaking. As hard as it is, Gerda still went on living and did her best to survive and I admire her for that. Everybody should get a chance to read this book. I will never forget this book because it's something everybody should know about. It's a story that should be read and told so that the lives that were lost in WW2 are not forgotten.
I really liked this book because it was so interesting. I never really liked diaries or memoirs but this was a good book. The book was so sad because a lot of sad stuff happened. Probably the saddest part was when Arthur left then her father then her mother. It shows that is a couple few days. Also it is sad when the people where ran over by horses even the babies. I had to read this book for school and thought that it was going to be bad but it turned out good. The only part I did not like was the epilogue. It dragged on and on. Over all it is a great book.
This is an emotional story. The book show the torture the Jews had to go through. The book is very inspirational. Gerda was very strong and went through such difficult times. The book is very good. The book is very sad and emotioal. The book is a great account of the war and the holocast. This is a good book and is very sad.
This book had many, features to it that could've made you cry. To imagine what this young lady, only 16 years of age, had to endure" both of her parents were taken from her and her brother as well. Most people would have been completely traumatized by her experienced, and for her being able to share what she had seen, it's unthinkable. I thought the book was very touching, it told about unimaginable things that took place during this period in time. This is one of the few books I would consider reading again; it is very interesting to read. I would not recommend this book to those of younger age, because many of the things in this book, they could not fully comprehend.
All but my life is a wonderful book that made me cry at least four times. It is all about a a girl named . She is a 15 year old girl at the beginning. She is a jewish girl who is part of the holocaust she lived in a house with her mother father and brother. She started to frequently
This book was amazing! It was very well written and sad 6 million people died during the holocaust and the survivors have to be overjoyed that they lived but want to be with their family friends and lovers who died during the horrific time.this book should have an option of more than five stars. It mad me cry so many times. It is most definitely for 8th grade and above. Eighth grade is a little young in my thoughts. In the end this book is amazing beyond belief everyone should read it when they are the right age.
Everything changes once the nazis* invade. Her beloved brother, Arthur, must leave, breaking the hearts of Gerda and her
She suffers demeaning hardships in the many camps and factories she is sent to but is determined to survive. Memories of her loving family, a positive outlook, her friends, and a few kind Germans help her find strength countless times to tolerate hunger, beatings, back-breaking labor, and worry over her brother and parents. She dreams of returning home to her family throughout the dark years. As the tide turns against Germany the nazis step up their brutality, killing more and more of the remaining Jews.
When the war ends, Gerda has lost too much. It will take someone special to understand her loss, and soon her new life begins.
*Not capitalizing this word is by personal choice. I know it doesn't change anything but doing so makes me FEEL as though I've reduced the power of the nazis.
If I could, I would describe this story in much greater detail. It doesn't include the horrors she endured or even the rare happy times she describes. This autobiography clearly tells of the pain and suffering the Jews and other victems of the Holocast had to face head on. I don't know if even I could stand the things she faced without suiside and have the courage and bravery to do whats right. Even though her whole family was wiped out, she found happiness and love in the end just like those fairy tales. Only the only draw back is that she has to face her past the rest of her life.Everyone should read this book to have a true understanding of what she and others face during WW2. I just hope that no one has to face this kind of recless hate ever again.