**"The Power of Compassion and the Futility of Hatred and Death"**

Elie Wiesel's profound quote, "There is nothing sacred, nothing uplifting, in hatred or in death," serves as a powerful reminder of the true nature of these forces. Hatred blinds us, leading to division and destruction. It has the ability to tear apart families, communities, and even entire nations. It strips away our humanity and replaces it with a sense of anger and vengeance.

On the other hand, death is an inevitable part of life. But when it is brought about by hatred and violence, it becomes a senseless tragedy. It robs us of the opportunity to learn from one another, to grow, and to make a positive impact on the world. We must recognize that there is no glory or honor in hatred or death. Instead, we should strive to cultivate compassion, understanding, and love. By doing so, we can create a more peaceful and harmonious world, one in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Let us remember Wiesel's words and work towards a future where hatred and death have no place.

A short read that delves deep into the human psyche.

The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the complex questions of right and wrong. It forces the reader to confront their own moral compass and consider the implications of their actions.

Equally important is the theme of forgiveness and revenge. The author examines how these two powerful emotions can shape our lives and relationships.

Overall, the book is a highly introspective work that encourages the reader to reflect on their own values and beliefs. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of the human soul.

Night, by Elie Wiesle, is a powerful and harrowing account that spans 120 pages.

Dawn, also by Wiesle, is an 81-page work that forms part of a trilogy.

I've had the desire to read Night ever since I purchased it, likely at least a decade ago. Each time one of my kids reads it in high school, I'm reminded to pick it up again. Recently, I discovered it was part of a trilogy, and my friend Shiloah and I decided to read the last two books together (she had already read the first).

Night is not an enjoyable read. How could any book dealing with the atrocities of the Holocaust be? However, it is an essential one, and I'm glad it's part of the standard high school curriculum in our area. I'm also grateful that Elie Wiesle used his writing to ensure his experience was heard.

Neither Shiloah nor I realized that Dawn, the second book, is fiction. It delves into the morality of a life for a life, with an execution as retribution for another execution. The main character, Elisha, an 18-year-old, is tasked with the role of executioner as part of the Jewish forces opposing British rule in Israel after WWII. The book is mostly introspective, as Elisha agonizes over his role. He realizes that through this one act, he will become a killer, a murderer, and there's no turning back.

To write such a novel, the author must have had insights into the minds of killers, perhaps through his experience in the concentration camps. I wonder if he knew of anyone who struggled with the morality of their actions. This may be evident in how he wrote John Dawson's side of the conversation with Elisha. If we view Dawson as representing the imprisoned Jews and Elisha as the equivalent of the Nazis assigned to kill, we can see how some Jews might have pitied the loss of innocence of their captors and killers.

I didn't save quotes from Night, but here are some from Dawn:

"We are here to be present at the execution. We want to see you carry it out. We want to see you turn into a murderer.... You are the sum total of all that we have been.... In a way we are the ones to execute John Dawson. Because you can't do it without us." (the boy-ghost who looked like Elisha's former self)

"I was beginning to understand. An act so absolute as that of killing involves not only the killer but, as well, those who have formed him. In murdering a man I was making them murderers." (p. 46-47)

"War is like night.... It covers everything." (Ilana, p. 54)

"He who has killed one man alone is a killer for life." (p. 55)

Wiesle wrote of the ghosts that "They do not wait until an action has been achieved, a crime committed. They judge in advance." (p. 57)

Elisha entreats his father, "don't judge me. Judge God. He created the universe and made justice stem from injustices. He brought it about that a people should attain happiness through tears, that the freedom of a nation, like that of a man, should be a monument built upon a pile, the foundation of dead bodies.... Don't judge me, Father.... You must judge God. He is the first cause, the prime mover; He conceived men and things the way they are. You are dead, father, and only the dead my judge God." (p. 57, note the possible symbolism in the last time he calls to his father without capitalizing the word)

The boy ghost is the only one who responds after Elisha asks each ghost separately not to be judged, justifying the impending execution he will carry out: "Why are we silent? Because silence is not only our dwelling-place but our very being as well. We Are silence. And your silence is us. You carry us with you. Occasionally you may see us, but most of the time we are invisible to you. When you see us you imagine that we are sitting in judgment upon you. You are wrong. Your silence is your judge." (p. 60)

"We were the first—or the last—men of creation; certainly we were alone. And God? He was present, somewhere. Perhaps He was incarnate in the liking with which John Dawson inspired me. The lack of hate between executioner and victim, perhaps this was God." (p. 67)

"You hate me, don't you?" (John Dawson)

I didn't hate him at all, but I wanted to hate him. That would have made it all very easy. Hate—like faith or love or war—justifies everything....

... "Why did you kill John Dawson?"

If I had alleged hate, all these questions would have spared me. Why did I kill John Dawson? Because I hated him, that's all. The absolute quality of hate explains any human action even if it throws something inhuman around it.

I certainly wanted to hate him. That was partly why I had come to engage him in conversation before I killed him. It was absurd reasoning on my part, but the fact is that while we were talking I hoped to find in him, or in myself, something that would give rise to hate.

A man hates his enemy because he hates his own hate. He says to himself: this fellow, my enemy, has made me capable of hate. I hate him not because he's my enemy, not because he hates me, but because he arouses me to hate.

John Dawson has made me a murderer, I said to myself. He has made me the murderer of John Dawson. He deserves my hate. Were it not for him, I might still be a murderer, but I wouldn't be the murderer of John Dawson. (p. 74-75)

... "Why must you try to hate me?" John Dawson asked again.

"In order to give my action a meaning which may somehow transcend it." (p. 77)

I didn't notice as I chose the version of the book that I did that it included only Night. The cover looks the same, but my book includes the entire trilogy, so I will write about all three.

\\tIf I could give ten stars, that would still seem inadequate for this book. It is beautifully written, and more importantly, it reveals the depth of despair that those who endured the Holocaust went through. However, Wiesel doesn't stop there. In three very short volumes, through the voices of his characters, he explains how it was possible for him to continue living after such an unthinkable tragedy. The trilogy is a testament to the human spirit. It elicits very strong emotions. I typically write very short reviews that don't follow the more common, academic model. In the case of this book, I feel like I could write a great deal more, but it seems unnecessary. I give this book the highest recommendation. For me, it is on par with All Quiet on the Western Front in the way it portrays the human experience. I feel changed after reading it and am grateful to Wiesel for writing it. For me, it is not just a contribution to history and literature, but also a contribution to humanity.

Ugh! I made a big mistake. I thought that Night, Dawn, and Day were all parts of a nonfiction/biographical series on the Holocaust by Elie Wiesel. Well, Night was indeed a very good book. It's an autobiography that really gives us a deep insight into the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps.

But to my disappointment, Dawn and Day are actually fictional "novels". I had a really hard time getting through the short book, Dawn. It was so dismal and tedious. I just couldn't seem to find any interest in it.

As for Day, I don't think I'll be reading it any time soon, if ever. And the worst part is, I already purchased the set! What a waste of money. I guess I'll just have to keep Night and forget about the other two.

I hope this review helps others who might be considering buying this set. Don't make the same mistake I did!

Dawn (The Night Trilogy, #2), Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel, a Romanian-born American, was a remarkable individual. He was not only a writer but also a professor, a political activist, a Nobel laureate, and a Holocaust survivor. His works, especially the trilogy consisting of "Night," "Dawn," and "Day," have had a profound impact.

"Dawn," published in 1961, is the second book in this trilogy. It tells the story of Elisha, a Holocaust survivor who has moved to the British Mandate of Palestine after the war. There, he joins the Irgun (referred to as the Movement in the book), a paramilitary group with the goal of driving the British out of the area. One fateful night, Elisha is given the task of executing a British officer at dawn. The novel delves deep into his internal struggle as he approaches this momentous event. He looks back on his life, reflecting on all the experiences and people who have influenced him. This internal turmoil makes the story a powerful exploration of the human psyche in the face of such a difficult and morally complex situation.

The book provides a unique perspective on the post-Holocaust era and the struggles that survivors faced as they tried to rebuild their lives and find meaning in a world that had been so brutally shattered. It is a testament to Wiesel's ability to capture the essence of the human experience and to convey it in a way that touches the hearts and minds of readers.

History has an uncanny way of repeating itself.

The universe seems to lack originality at times.

Caught in the moral quagmire of being the executioner of one's enemy, could you bring yourself to do it?

I doubt I possess the level of hatred necessary to actually pull the trigger.

Yet, it might sound strange to say that I respect those who can.

Introspecting deeply on a topic that I don't often consider, I was intrigued by all the reasons Wiesel presented regarding whether or not to kill one's oppressor.

Set in British-controlled Palestine after WWII, Elisha, a young Jew, is tasked with being the executioner of the English hostage, John Dawson, following the refusal of a hostage trade.

I wonder why it's so effortless to side with the oppressed in fiction, but becomes a challenge for everyone in the present day.

Perhaps it gets too real, and no one desires to face the consequences or shoulder the blame.

Anyway, my favorite part was when Wiesel stated that your actions are not solely your own but also those of everyone who has had an impact on you.

This was indeed a great and powerful short read that left me with much to ponder.

I have always had a profound love for the night. It has a certain allure that draws me in, a mystery that seems to unfold with each passing moment. So, when I picked up this particular story titled "Night," I was filled with anticipation. I knew that it was not a continuation of something else, but I was truly hoping to like it more than I actually did.

The premise of the story was indeed quite interesting. It centered around a Holocaust survivor who, after经历了 those terrible atrocities, found himself joining a group in Palestine. And then, he was given an order that would change his life forever - to kill a British hostage. What followed was a detailed exploration of the inner struggle that this 18-year-old boy had to endure in order to carry out this act.

However, despite the promising start, the story fell a little flat for me. There were moments when I felt that the author could have delved deeper into the boy's emotions, painted a more vivid picture of his turmoil. But overall, it was still a decent read that made me think about the choices we make and the consequences that follow.

Perhaps with a little more refinement, this story could have been a truly great one.

Disturbing. This one word can sum up a feeling that is often difficult to put into words. It can describe a situation, an event, or even a person that makes us feel uneasy, uncomfortable, or even scared.

When something is disturbing, it can have a profound impact on our emotions and well-being. It can cause us to feel anxious, stressed, or even depressed. We may find ourselves unable to stop thinking about the disturbing thing, or we may try to avoid it altogether.

Disturbing things can come in many forms. It could be a news story about a violent crime, a horror movie that keeps us up at night, or a personal experience that we can't seem to forget. Whatever the cause, it's important to recognize when something is disturbing us and to take steps to deal with those feelings.

One way to deal with disturbing feelings is to talk about them with someone we trust. This could be a friend, a family member, or a professional counselor. By sharing our feelings, we can often gain a new perspective and find ways to cope with the situation.

Another way to deal with disturbing things is to focus on the positive. We can try to find things in our lives that bring us joy and happiness, and focus on those instead of the disturbing things. This doesn't mean that we ignore the disturbing things, but rather that we choose to focus on the good in our lives.

In conclusion, disturbing things are a part of life, but we don't have to let them control us. By recognizing our feelings, talking about them with others, and focusing on the positive, we can find ways to cope with the disturbing and move forward with our lives.

The GR star system truly disappoints me when it comes to this book. I don't rate it 5 stars because I consider it "amazing" - I do so because I don't want a single word I say to prevent it from being on anyone's list.

Anyone who feels compelled (for whatever reason) should add it to their list and read it.

For a long time, I deliberately chose not to read it because it justifies/explanations why one human decides to kill another based on an order from someone else - with no personal connection other than that long, indirect thread of two warring parties. Stupid humans. Killing rarely meets the criterion of being justified in my mind - but whenever it does, the reasons are personal, close, real, and have an impact on others in the future, as I understand it. Any other reason for killing another human...pretty much closes the door. So, knowing how this would unfold before I read it, I already regarded it as a waste of time.

But then, there's Elie Wiesel himself. Who am I to not listen, at least listen?! His experiences, his perspective, his suffering demand it. I had read Night and Day, and this would complete the set. And it's short.

After reading it, I find that I was both right and wrong. There is value in seeing inside the mind of a person who would carry out such an act. There is value in weighing the reasons, seeing how that mind functions, seeing how that moment is, after all the gunpowder settles under the pull of gravity in the silence. Was it worth it? Elisha at 18 listened to the siren call of the murderers/terrorists...would a 30-year-old? A 47-year-old Elisha have done the same? An 89-year-old? It does seem worth noting that age groups within 20 years of life seem to be more receptive to and respond to that call of the Stupid Humans than others - and by this, I mean the trigger-pullers, the stabbers, the ones catching heads in baskets. If all of those who carry out such actions refused, how far would the Master Minds get? If they had to do their own dirty work? I digress.

So, I was right. I hated this book and the fictional story it told so beautifully. I was wrong that it was a waste of time to read. It took me to places I don't usually visit, and that's not always a bad thing. It reminds me of the strong feelings and beliefs that have shaped me and continue to shine through my soul and life, as long as my heart has at least one more beat.

Thank you, Elie Wiesel.

George Guidall provides an excellent narration. He does the accent very well, making it very easy to understand.

The story delves into the mind of a Holocaust survivor who has become an Israeli freedom fighter. He has been assigned to execute a British soldier as retaliation for the hanging of a young Israeli soldier. The Brit was kidnapped, and the threat of his execution was made. The British thought the Israelis wouldn't go through with it, but the Israelis felt they had no choice but to follow through to maintain credibility.

There is no action involved. It's all psychological and philosophical. The author wrote this story to explore his thoughts on how he would react in such a situation, specifically whether a peace-loving man could deliberately kill a stranger for an important cause.

I have mixed feelings about the subject. On one hand, I've long felt that Israel is too heavy-handed in its dealings with the Palestinians. Many innocent Palestinians seem to suffer due to retaliations against terrorist elements. But on the other hand, I understand why it happens. Throughout history, the peaceful Jews have been persecuted by much of the world. After what happened during Hitler's reign, I can see why they would want a safe haven where they wouldn't be persecuted for their religion. Surrounded by nations that don't want them, they feel they need to be the toughest to survive and never show weakness.

The book makes me examine my feelings about war. The simple philosophy is that war is always wrong. But isn't it sometimes justified? If so, who decides? When is it justified for one country to take land from another? It's not uncommon in history. The whole situation is very sad to me because I believe the people there are mostly friendly and peaceful, yet they can't seem to get along. Probably, it's similar to the troubles in Ireland.

I am truly very sorry, but this is by no means a literary work that is worthy of my precious time. I picked up this book with great hope, especially after having read "Night" which I rated four stars in my books. I had high expectations. However, unlike "Night", this new novel seems more like an invention. It's as if a clever mind is simply building a situation and then offering an ending.

This writing, if we can even call it that, does not contribute to the historical account of WWII in the way that "Night" does. Nor does it provide any significant literary achievement. In fact, the literary means employed in this book are mediocre at best.

So, it has no historical value and no literary value. Without any hesitation, I would rate this thing as a one star.

Let's not forget that this is a Nobel Prize winner for Peace, not for literature (!). Honestly, I don't think many of the people who are rating this book took the time to seriously ask themselves what it is that this book actually brings to the table.

It's quite disappointing to see such a work that fails to meet even the basic standards of good literature.