An extremely powerful and brutally honest memoir details the harrowing experiences of a youth ensnared in the Shoah. He and his family find themselves in Auschwitz, where his mom and young sister are immediately lost to the gas chambers. He vividly describes the events that unfold for him and his dad. My own grandpa, Wulf (William) Blumberg, met his tragic end there in July 1943 upon arriving in Convoy 57 from Drancy, France. He was just one of the 1000 people, among which were 126 children, whose only "fault" was that at least one of their grandparents was Jewish. Elie Wiesel's writing has the remarkable ability to make this place, which is filled with so much horror and sorrow, come alive and feel very real to me. It forces me to confront the atrocities that occurred and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of never forgetting such a dark chapter in human history.

Elie Wiesel's life was truly remarkable.

From his childhood to around the age of 40, his story is one of great hardship and transformation.

He endured the horrors of life in a Nazi Concentration camp, where he witnessed and experienced unspeakable atrocities.

Despite this, he managed to survive and go on to lead a life as a journalist and author.

His work has inspired countless people around the world, as he has shared his experiences and insights into the human condition.

Elie Wiesel's life is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up hope, even in the face of the most difficult circumstances.

He is an inspiration to us all, and his story will continue to be told and remembered for generations to come.

I read this book on my lunch breaks when I worked in the "returns" section at Random House.

This, of course, left me daily wishing I could not return to work till I finished it.

The book was so captivating that it completely immersed me in its world. With each page turn, I was drawn deeper into the story, forgetting about the mundane tasks of the returns section.

I found myself eagerly looking forward to my lunch breaks, eager to continue reading and discover what would happen next.

The characters in the book became like friends to me, and I empathized with their joys and sorrows.

I was so engrossed in the story that I often lost track of time, and before I knew it, my lunch break was over, and I had to reluctantly put the book down and return to work.

But even when I was back at work, my mind was still on the book, and I couldn't wait for my next lunch break to pick up where I left off.

After reading this book, I am filled with an intense desire to explore his other literary works.

I have already delved into "Night", and it was an outstanding piece of literature.

This particular book that I have just finished is simply amazing.

It presents a life that is both fascinating and filled with numerous trials and opportunities.

It is truly remarkable how the author has taken what God has bestowed upon him, both the good and the bad, and has managed to craft a life that is not only meaningful but also an inspiration to others.

His ability to turn the challenges and experiences of his life into captivating stories is a testament to his great talent and character.

I look forward to uncovering more of his works and being further enlightened by his unique perspective on life.

Each book seems to offer a new window into his world, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead.

This was an exceptional book penned by a truly remarkable man. It is the first installment of a two-volume work. Reading it is no easy feat, as it requires one to wade through a massive amount of detail necessary to describe a complex life. However, the well-written narrative manages to pull the reader right along, thanks to the interesting and unique story being told.

Elie Wiesel, the son of a Jewish family in Romania, is a survivor of the German concentration camps. He felt a profound sense of obligation to be a voice for those who did not make it out alive, such as his parents and youngest sister. (Interestingly, he refused to write about the Holocaust until 10 years after the war ended.) After being rescued from the camps, he slowly fought his way back to life in a French orphanage. Eventually, he left and chose journalism as a means of survival. This path ultimately led to a career as a noted author, with a burning desire to tell the stories that he knew must be told. Later in his life, he witnessed firsthand the desperate plight of the Jews in the Soviet Union under communism and worked tirelessly to enlist the world's help in a struggle that was eerily similar to the world's turning away from the Holocaust.

Wiesel passed away in 2016 at the age of 87 in New York City. He was married and the father of one child, although this personal aspect of his life is only briefly mentioned in this volume. He was the recipient of numerous honors, a friend and student of many Jewish luminaries, and was well-acquainted with political and literary leaders. The Nobel Prize committee lauded him as "a messenger to mankind" who, through his Holocaust experiences and his work to bring justice to many oppressed peoples worldwide, delivered "a message of peace, atonement, and human dignity to humankind."

As one traverses the pages of his life with Wiesel, one cannot help but be impressed by his honesty, his capacity for love, and his ongoing struggle with the religious devastation he endured during the Holocaust. He remained, as he was in his youth, a Jewish scholar and became a teacher in the U.S., his adopted homeland. Perhaps one should first read his autobiographical work, "Night," as a backdrop that is expanded and developed by this memoir. Those who are daunted by the length and depth of this autobiography should pause and reflect on the intense life this man lived and the valuable life lessons and experiences he so deeply desired to share.

Last December, I had the opportunity to read Night by Elie Wiesel for the very first time, and I was truly overwhelmed by the power of this book. It讲述了the harrowing experiences of Wiesel and his family during the Holocaust.

Night comes to an end right after the liberation of Buchenwald. Wiesel describes looking at himself in a mirror and not recognizing the person staring back. He writes, “A skeleton stared back at me. Nothing but skin and bone.” This powerful image stayed with me long after I finished the book.

After reading Night, I was eager to learn more about Elie Wiesel and what happened to him after April 1945. So, I decided to pick up All Rivers Run To The Sea, and I am extremely glad that I did. This book is absolutely fascinating. It provides a detailed account of Wiesel's life in Sighet before the war and his experiences in France right after the war ended. I was particularly drawn to the vivid descriptions of his childhood and the events that led up to his deportation.

Overall, both Night and All Rivers Run To The Sea are essential reads for anyone interested in learning about the Holocaust and the life of Elie Wiesel. These books offer a unique perspective on one of the darkest periods in human history and serve as a reminder of the importance of never forgetting.

I couldn't finish it. There was just too much going on.

It felt like there was an overwhelming amount of tasks and responsibilities.

Everywhere I turned, there was something else demanding my attention.

I tried my best to keep up, but it seemed impossible.

The pressure was building up, and I could feel myself getting more and more stressed.

I knew I had to find a way to manage it all, but at that moment, it was just too much to handle.

I needed a break, a moment to catch my breath and figure out what to do next.

Maybe then, I could start to make some progress and get things under control.

Until then, I just had to keep going and hope for the best.

The man has an interesting background.

He comes from a small town with a rich history and unique culture. Growing up in such an environment, he was exposed to various traditions and values that have shaped his character.

As a child, he was fascinated by the stories and legends passed down through generations. This curiosity led him to explore different aspects of his town's history and heritage.

Later in life, he decided to pursue a career in a field related to his interests. He studied hard and gained a deep understanding of the subject.

Today, he is known for his expertise and contributions in that particular area. His background has not only given him a unique perspective but also a sense of pride and connection to his roots.

Despite his success, he still maintains a strong connection with his hometown and often returns to share his knowledge and experiences with the younger generation.

Overall, the man's interesting background has played a significant role in shaping who he is today.

Wiesel’s writing is truly a delight to read, and his life serves as a fascinating subject that captivates the reader from start to finish.

This particular memoir was our final selection for the book group, and I have keenly observed that memoirs generally tend to fall into one of two distinct categories.

On one hand, there are writers who carefully select only those events from their lives that pertain to a single overarching theme. This theme is often, but not always, related to a conversion of some sort.

On the other hand, there are those who choose to include every single detail they can possibly recall. Wiesel's book firmly falls into this second category.

It offers a comprehensive and unfiltered look into his life, leaving no stone unturned and providing a rich and detailed account that allows the reader to truly immerse themselves in his experiences.

Elie Wiesel vividly describes the gradual shrinking of freedoms in his community.

Day by day, their liberties were being eroded. And yet, when there was an opportunity to flee to a place of shelter, Wiesel's family made a conscious decision. They chose to remain together as a family within their community.

They held onto the hope that things would somehow improve or that they could face the challenges together. However, as time passed, it became evident that their decision was a fateful one.

Soon, it was finally too late, and they were caught up in the horrors that followed.

Wiesel, in his account, refuses to take the so-called "higher ground." He does not claim that he could not betray his fellow inmates, as many others did in the concentration camp.

His grace and his reluctance to make such a claim, to assert a higher morality, truly astounds me.

It shows a depth of character and a moral compass that is rare and值得敬佩.

His story serves as a powerful reminder of the choices we make in the face of adversity and the importance of remaining true to our values and to those we hold dear.

All Rivers Run to the Sea is a powerful and moving account that details Elie Wiesel's early life within a warm and affectionate family. However, this idyllic existence was brutally shattered by the horrors of the Holocaust.

After the war, Wiesel embarked on yet another remarkable journey that would shape the rest of his life. He became a journalist, using his pen to bear witness to the atrocities he had endured and to raise awareness about the importance of remembering.

His writing career led him to great heights, culminating in the awarding of the Nobel Prize. Jill, who was deeply affected by Wiesel's work, found the reading of his memoirs by the author himself to be particularly poignant, especially in the wake of his recent passing.

Wiesel's words continue to resonate with readers around the world, serving as a reminder of the human capacity for both great evil and great courage. His life and work will forever be an inspiration, and his memory will live on in the hearts and minds of those who have been touched by his story.

La storia e le storie

In the rich tapestry of human experiences, when a Jew finds himself without a direct answer to offer, he almost always has at least one story to tell. Stories have been an integral part of the Jewish culture and heritage for centuries. They carry the wisdom, the traditions, and the collective memories of generations. These stories serve as a means of communication, a way to pass on values and lessons from one era to the next. Whether it's a tale of survival during difficult times, a story of love and sacrifice, or a humorous anecdote that brings a smile to the face, each story has its own unique charm and significance. Through storytelling, the Jewish people have managed to preserve their identity and keep their spirit alive in the face of countless challenges.