And the Sea is Never Full

Sometimes I am truly puzzled by the essence of a book. Elie Wiesel, a prolific writer, has penned numerous works, some nonfictional like this memoir and others fictional. All the ones I have read have, in some regard, delved into the perspective and experience of Jews.

When dealing with a memoir from an elderly man, as is the case here, there are likely two kinds of images that come to mind. Some people mellow like fine wine and produce more peaceful writing than in their fierce and tumultuous youths. However, that is not the situation here. What we have is a somewhat cantankerous old man attempting to settle scores with a wide range of people, including Simon Wiesenthal, Ronald Reagan, and others who are less well-known but are dealt with just as pointedly. Elie Wiesel, in many ways, views this particular memoir as a means to settle old scores and correct what he perceives as misconceptions. The result is a profound and sometimes melancholy examination of the influence of politics on the telling of a story, even a personal one like this.

This book, which is slightly over 400 pages, is by no means an easy one to appreciate unless one is a devoted fan of Wiesel's life and writings. Covering the time period from 1969 to 1999, when the book was published, it presents Wiesel as an aging statesman yet still full of vitality. The author explores his own writings, many of which are referenced here, and the reader is likely expected to be familiar with those works as well. The author has led a far from uninteresting life, although the first three and a half decades were perhaps more exciting. He marries and leaves Israel when his wife insists he not be involved in Israeli politics. He has a son and endeavors to be a good father while maintaining his faith and his mission of correcting misunderstandings about the Holocaust. He grapples with the language to describe the horror endured by the Jews during World War II and its applicability to other attempted genocides. He writes book reviews, engages in political polemics, helps establish a Holocaust museum, teaches about the Shoah, and wins the Nobel Peace Prize, all while trying to walk the fine line between a cynical pro-Israeli and the stereotypical leftist self-hating Jew, even as he resents the rise of both right-wing and left-wing anti-Semitism.

Is this a good book? The author's attempts to settle historical scores and address longstanding enmities and broken friendships suggest that Wiesel was not the easiest person to get along with. It also happens that many of the people he interacted with had their own shadows to deal with. It is particularly telling that the author criticizes Primo Levi, in discussing his suicide, for his view that Holocaust survivors were inevitably flawed in some way, although Levi's view is not so different from the harshness of Akiba when it comes to the obligations of survival. It is impossible to take this particular book at face value as a definitive work. In general, this piece is a dialogue with Wiesel's efforts to encourage the proper remembrance of the Holocaust and to be a rather fierce gatekeeper of what is acceptable discourse about it. Gatekeepers, in general, are not always beloved figures, whether they are self-appointed or not. Like a grumpy old man brandishing a shotgun and telling people to get off his lawn, this book contains more than a little bitterness. However, if you appreciate the author's perspective and approach, it is not without some value and enjoyment.

The second book of his memoirs is truly fascinating.

He was an incredibly fascinating man, with a life full of unique experiences and adventures.

His stories and insights in the second book draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish.

It makes one wonder what other tales he could have shared if he had written a third book of memoirs.

Surely, there were many more aspects of his life that were just as captivating and worthy of being recorded.

Perhaps the third book would have delved even deeper into his personal relationships, his professional achievements, or his thoughts and feelings on various topics.

It's a pity that we may never know, but the second book alone is a testament to his remarkable life and the impact he had on those around him.

Elie Wiesel is an outstanding and influential figure. His memoirs covering the period from 1969 to 1999 are of great significance.

During these years, Wiesel witnessed and experienced many events that had a profound impact on him and the world. His voice, which was filled with wisdom, compassion, and a deep understanding of human nature, was a source of inspiration and guidance for many.

Tragically, Wiesel passed away, and his voice is now missed, especially in today's complex and challenging times. We need his words more than ever to remind us of the importance of justice, equality, and human dignity.

His memoirs serve as a powerful testament to his life and work, and they will continue to be studied and cherished for generations to come.

I just couldn't get into it :(

It seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn't find the interest or enthusiasm to engage with it.

I would sit there, looking at it, but my mind would start to wander.

Maybe it was the subject matter that didn't appeal to me, or perhaps the way it was presented was not to my liking.

Whatever the reason, I just felt a sense of detachment.

I tried to force myself to get into it, but it felt like a chore.

I would read the words, but they wouldn't register in my mind.

I would listen to the explanations, but they would go in one ear and out the other.

I really wanted to be able to get into it, to understand it and enjoy it.

But unfortunately, it just wasn't happening for me.

And that made me feel a bit disappointed and frustrated.

I hope that one day, I will be able to find a way to break through this barrier and finally get into it.

This book is really good.

It delves into various aspects, starting with discussions about Carter and Reagan, providing valuable insights into their presidencies and the political landscapes of those times.

It also explores the author's personal life, including his family, sisters, and brother. The stories about his friends who unfortunately died or took their own lives add a poignant and emotional dimension to the narrative.

In addition, the book covers the Gulf War, offering detailed information and perspectives on this significant event. Overall, it is an extremely informational book that combines historical facts with personal anecdotes, making it a captivating read for anyone interested in politics, history, or personal stories.

Excellent!

One of the greatest Holocaust writers of our time!

This statement holds a great deal of significance. Holocaust literature plays a crucial role in keeping the memory of that tragic event alive. These writers have the power to transport us back in time, making us witness the horrors and the resilience of the human spirit. Their works are not only a testament to the past but also a reminder of the importance of never repeating such atrocities. Through their words, we can gain a deeper understanding of the magnitude of the Holocaust and the impact it had on countless lives. They allow us to empathize with the victims and survivors, and to learn from their experiences. The works of these great Holocaust writers continue to inspire and educate generations, ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust will never fade away.

These are the second set of memoirs of Elie Wiesel, following up on the first, "All Rivers Flow to the Sea" and covering from the time of his marriage in the late 1960s to the end of the 20th Century.

And what a 20th Century Wiesel witnessed! As a Holocaust survivor from a small Hungarian/Romanian village, he lost everything: home, mother, father, grandparents, and his golden-haired little sister. One might expect such a loss to lead to a life of hatred and despair, but not for Wiesel. He became a witness to the horrors of the 20th Century and, not content with just writing about the Holocaust, he became a voice against injustice in many areas, never turning away silently from those in need.

I initially feared this book might fall into the trap I noticed in the second half of the first memoir, where Wiesel listed almost everyone he met and collaborated with, creating an overwhelming who's who of literary and Jewish scholarship circles. However, I liked the structure he adopted in this second book, choosing chapter themes related to the later stages of his life.

Instead of a rambling chronology like "I worked here and was doing this when I met that person," this book comes alive with chapters that cover similar ground but provide a comprehensive picture of a particular aspect of Wiesel's later life as an established writer and Nobel Prize winner. We see how he overcame shyness and nervousness to become a better public speaker. We follow his work on the commission to create the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington. We learn about the ups and downs of his relationship with Francois Mitterand. We travel with him to the Soviet Union multiple times to meet the Jewish community and witness the challenges of the Refuseniks. We gain insights into his reflections on the first Gulf War and the tribulations of the Balkan tragedy in the 1990s. We even get glimpses into his private life with his family.

It covers a lot of ground, but I enjoyed this tour through the second half of the 20th Century. We get a good sense of how Wiesel's background made him a central figure, and we discover a man of great principles, human kindness, and tireless energy who remained a witness until his death in 2016, 20 years after this memoir was written.

I have come away from his memoirs with a deep sense of respect and awe for this little boy from Sighet, a shy student of the Talmud. May we never forget the lessons he taught us, especially when so many seem prone to doing just that.

Why is there so much violence, so much hate? How is it conceived, transmitted, fertilized, nurtured? As we face the disquieting, implacable rise of intolerance and fanaticism on more than one continent, it is our duty to expose the danger. By naming it. By confronting it.

This book is truly a treasure trove filled with the rich tapestry of history.

Every page seems to unfold a new chapter, taking the reader on a captivating journey through time.

I have had the pleasure of delving into not just one, but two such remarkable books.

Their contents have been nothing short of enthralling, offering insights and perspectives that have broadened my understanding of the past.

From the earliest civilizations to the modern era, these books have chronicled the events, people, and ideas that have shaped our world.

Reading them has been like having a front-row seat to history's greatest moments.

I find myself completely immersed in the stories, unable to put the books down until I have reached the very end.

It is truly a testament to the power of good historical writing that these books have had such a profound impact on me.

I look forward to exploring more historical works in the future and continuing to expand my knowledge of the past.