I Only Wanted to Live (World War II True Story)

Very new wide of Holocaust survivors. Fascinating. How can a little boy possibly be so strong and optimistic. Hats off

This is an extraordinary book. It provides information in end notes that shed light on the role of Jewish collaborators, and the function of the Gestapo and SS in murdering Jews. It provides testimony as to the enormous manpower and resources that the Nazis poured into the gruesome task of annihilating Jewish men, women and children, and of the deceptions, some very elaborate, used to disarm suspicion. This true story of a child's survival in slave labor camps also gives testimony to what happens when the fragile boundaries of civilization collapse and man's naked evil is unleashed against an innocent population. The unimaginable brutality of those wielding power makes it difficult to believe in man's supposedly innate goodness. This child's tragic experiences instead show that human beings readily engaged in the most horrible acts of extreme cruelty and barbarism against other human beings when the victims were considered less than human and therefore worthy of death. Germany was thought to be a religious society, highly cultured and accomplished in education and the arts. However it was this society that elevated a madman to ruler, either applauding or conveniently ignoring his hate filled rants against the Jews. So it was this society that gave the world a priceless legacy of art and literature that also taught the world how unbridled hate can engulf tens of millions in a whirlwind of violence and death. A long history of extraordinary accomplishment did nothing to prevent unspeakable atrocities against those, who, before they were bodies machine gunned in huge pits or became skeletal remains heaped into piles of corpses, were vibrant, loving individuals, doctors, professors, skilled craftsmen, musicians, businessmen, with beautiful, healthy families. Evil unbridled resulted in their destruction. Let the rise of the evil beliefs of Nazism be a warning that ANY society is capable of descending into hell and taking the innocent along with it.

The book itself has a lot of spelling and grammatical errors, however, I notice this happens in a lot of kindle books (not just this one.) This book is Arie Tamir true story about his life growing up as a child during the Holocaust. Although, his family had money and for the longest time they lived the life of luxury before the Holocaust started, his father was able for many years to prevent them from living through the horrific events that many other families went through by paying off many people along the way, and I believe that there was a lot of luck involved as well (especially when they were in the camps and separated from their family.) All in all though it is still a heart-filled and very touching story. Although, it seems that his family didn't struggle as much as many of the other families did, they struggled just as much, but in a different way. I learned many things about the Holocaust and what these families went through by reading this book. I applaud Arie for his strength and facing his fears head on while living through such horrible events, all the while trying to keep a positive attitude through it all. Although, there are many different opinions on this book, I feel that it is one well worth reading.

I am going to be writing this review differently. I am writing directly to Leon, (his formal name) who shared his truth as a Jewish child in WW11 and how he managed to survive against all odds.Dear Leon,I am honored to "meet" you and learn of your childhood journey in WW11 with all of its tragedy and triumph. Your family was so strong and loving as together you all faced the unthinkable. Your description of life in the ghetto and how it changed was heartbreaking, what you witnessed, the executions, families being torn apart, the cruelty of the guards. You were just a child. I wanted to hug you so many times.And then the camps, Jews executed and stacked in piles then burned. Your fear for your father's health and your mother's ability to survive. The chances you took to escape or confiscate food, and you were a boy, 9-11, oh my God, I was so taken by your will to survive, your courage, your creativity, your emotion, how you built friendships along the way, how you defied and escaped certain death. In a world of horror you were often a beacon of hope.And so the Americans came and the war ended and you were treated in a hospital that had been created right in the concentration camp. Soldiers that brutalized and tortured so many Jews now how had to serve and care for the very prisoners they held captive. I was not at all taken back by your need for revenge and still you showed mercy.And so your journey took you back to your Jewish roots and your memory returned of much of what you learned about your faith. I felt it was a miracle and I cried with joy with and for you. Your new found vision and purpose for and of the Jewish state was a profound and cultural rebuilding and you were amazing and instrumental in its successes.. I could feel your triumph.I celebrated every part of your deserved good life, education, love, marriage, children, family, and most of all, FREEDOM…..I am so honored to know of your life's journey. Thank you,,,Love, and highest regard,GailPeace