The Holocaust Through the Eyes of a Survivor: A Story of Hope in Nazi Germany

Meera: This is a hard read, mainly due to the fact that only 1/3 of this book is actually about Lena Goldstein and the rest is a timeline of the atrocities done to the polish Jewish community and what they faced. Hard to read and even harder to stomach. Saddening to see the difficulties and hatred brought on by so many. I applaud this woman for sharing her story and what I did learn of her survival was a large mixture of determination as well as good deeds returning the favour. I hope some people can learn from this.

United Kingdom on May 04, 2022

Guy S: This book is a tour de force, a must read book that blends the personal story of a survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and 2nd world war, with the history of that period, made vivid through the eyes of a brave young Jewish girl enduring the pain and suffering of that horrid period, helping those in need the best way she could, and hiding from not only the Nazi’s but her Polish countrymen, for such long periods in horrendous conditions. I have read many books about this period and yet this book touches one deeply not only because of the personal exploits, hope and survival of Lena during this terrible period in history, but because the author successfully meshes the history of that period with the story, such that the impact of what was truly happening at that time, the occupation of Poland by the Nazi’s, the resistance, the day to day living under occupation, the concentration camps, is felt with force, not at all like many boring history books. The aim of this book is not only to save the personal story of a single person that endured and survived that treacherous period for eternity, but to educate the younger generation of what really happened at that time, in the hope...

United States on Apr 11, 2022

Teresa AnnElizabeth: This Survivors Memoir is one of the most miraculous I have ever read! This young woman was put thought many unimaginable and horrific scenarios desperately trying to survive! Just like the other Eastern European Jewish people who were demonically tortured by an evil Nazi Germany, as well as other Jews of Europe and within the grasp of this nightmare regime. How can there be Holocaust deniers among the educated. We must never forget! Long live Israel 🇮🇱!

United States on Aug 16, 2021

Darlene E. Lewis: I was shocked at the resilience Lena had to survive... my heart broke for her, knowing that what happened to her and her family are true events. I can’t imagine surviving the Evil that became her life, it inconceivable to me, that people were forced to flee from their homes attempting to survive in an environment that was beyond understandable. Families separated and children left alone. I can’t believe this happened and basically no one helped..
The history of the Holocaust must never be forgotten... it could happen again. The world is full of Hitlers.

United States on Apr 22, 2021

Via: Such an inspiring story. Very grateful the author took the time to put in writing what this wonderful lady managed to accomplish!

Canada on Apr 17, 2021

pamarella: I loved this very painful yet inspiring memoir of Lena’s life. Holocaust memories are always very painful to read. This book had many wonderful miracles told of how God brought about great outcomes for Lena and kept her living. It also shines on the truth that you do reap what you’ve sown. For every kindness given, she received kindness in return. Some call it Karma. I call it reaping what you’ve sown, as the Bible also refers to it. She endured many years of terrible trials, heartbreak, and suffering. I won’t spoil the story by telling you all she and her family went through but you will see when you read this. Each Holocaust story has many similarities while each being unique. The unspeakable degradation, atrocities and evil that Hitler and his followers put upon their fellow man is beyond belief. Yet it happened. We cannot forget! The stories must be retold and continued so that it will not be forgotten and happen again. Millions of people were brutalized and murdered. We must keep the memories and stories alive that the survivors share and not let some groups spread the lies in which they say it never happened. We must honor the dead. Lena is now 100 years old. God...

United States on Sep 04, 2019

Reen Jones: This is a scholarly, well-researched story of Lena Goldstein, a young Polish Jewish woman who was forced by a brutal occupying regime to go into hiding in her own country, and how after suffering for years in a Nazi concentration camp, she finally finds freedom and a new life in Australia. The story is backed up by solid historical facts and makes a massive contribution to our knowledge of those barbaric times and man's inhumanity to man.
This amazing lady is still alive today.

United Kingdom on Jan 23, 2019

ReadThisBook: As the granddaughter of Ukraine refugees from the Russian civil war and WW 1, I grew up hearing the war stories from my relatives and their friends—some who escaped during WW2 and later. I have many Jewish friends with family who suffered losses during the Nazi era. The stories are all gut-wrenching and overwhelming. Movies can only portray snippets of the awfulness of this time.
After visiting Poland, Ukraine and Israel I was reminded most of these survivors are no longer with us. Their vital historical stories will soon be forgotten unless they are recorded. I regret not recording the stories I heard as a young child. Without stories like this, history is quickly forgotten.
I applaud Ms. Miller for committing the time and attention to capture this vital story about this survivor's ordeal in Poland. The book chronicles exceptional historical information unavailable anywhere else. You will not regret purchasing this vital addition to your library. Pass it on to your children and grandchildren. Together we must say Never Again.

United States on Jan 18, 2019

pantea kalhor: The memoir from a survivor of holocaust “Lena” was perfectly documented in this book. Real pictures from real war and real people. The Holocaust story has been fully explained in many books and movies but from a real survivor of war who experienced hunger, the pain of second-class citizenship, discrimination and desperate struggling to survive looks more tangible. I could feel the pain, since I also lived in war. I could feel the loss of loved ones and seeking for a shelter to keep ones warm and safe. She explained the frustration of being discriminated for her religion of being Jewish: “There were things to kill dignity like an armband with a Jewish star on it that we had to wear”. The Aryan side of safer place for those who are not Jewish and death camp for those who are tagged as Jewish. On the other hand, even in war miracles happen and some little hopes like what Lena’s father found: “a little bit of Soup” and a sense of humor which let her survive. You laugh and try to enjoy laughing with family in tough time when you don’t know if you can see the next day. “ Lena must have had an incredible sense of humor to be able to make them laugh regularly when they...

Canada on Jan 13, 2019

Mike L.: This is Lena's story, probably one of the very few people still alive today who survived the horrors of Nazi Germany and its despicable inhuman death camps. There have been many stories recounted about this shameful period in human history, but reading this very personal tale of survival of one individual speaks for all those that did not come through it. Barbara weaves her book around Lena's story and interlaces it with factual history which helps me better understand a subject that is hard to cope with but so very important to maintain awareness of to prevent it happening again. The beauty of this story for me is in Lena's arrival in Australia and finding a place to live and breathe in peace and hope whilst having the ability to speak out without censure or cause for concern. An enthralling read and one that fills me with hope for the future whilst remembering those millions who were lost.

United Kingdom on Jan 11, 2019