Library

Shimon Peres

Somewhat dated biography of Shimon Peres who is still going strong and has achieved 32 more years of work for Israel. Nonetheless a good account of his earlier and middle years and work with Ben Gurion, Meir and almost everyone else and his key roles in Israeli defense and diplomacy.

Simon Wiesenthal, The Life and Legends

Highly readable biography of the famous 'Nazi hunter' who spent his life trying to bring many of the Nazi criminals to justice. His friendships, personal past and methods used to track down these individuals made him a figure of controversy and speculation. Segev writes a well-researched account of Wiesenthal's life.

Somewhere To Hang My Hat

Wonderful and warm account of Price's Irish-Jewish (nee Lithuania) journey from childhood to adulthood. Anyone with a UK background will identify with his experiences, points of reference and the sad and humorous moments of family life. Accounts the details from the immigration period until the present day, the generational gaps and the ravages and passages of time both in Ireland and UK. It is everyone's journey, really. Well worth reading.

Steppig Back in Time

Kathryn Berman's journey into the paths her ancesters took leads from Eastern Europe to Israel to Falmouth Cornwell where her grandmother is buried, the earliest inhabitan of the Falmouth Jewish Cemetery.

Survival in Auschwitz

Account of Primo Levi's experiences during the holocaust when he was a prisoner in Auschwitz. Covers and refers to some of his writings which ultimately came out of that experience. Anything by Levi is worth reading.

Surviving Treblinka

Told by someone who survived Treblinka (very few did to act as witnesses), this eyewitness account speaks for all those who perished. His survival, like others, was based purely on luck and the help of people along the way. Valuable testimony.

The Eitingons

Wilmer's focuses on three extraordinary members of the Eitingon family with all the intrigue of their exploits as part of an influential Russian Jewish family, Leonid, a KGB assassin, Max, wealthy psychoanalyst, and Motty, world fur trader, the last two of whom were imprisoned by the Bolsheviks and questioned by the FBI for their clandestine activities. It is not only a history of the family but a commentary of the times in the last century.

The Essential Chaim Weizmann, the man, the statesman, the scientist

Good compilation of material on Weizmann which reveals the personality of the man as well as his involvement in world and in Israeli affairs during a most significant period of Jewish history. Wonderful comments about his contribution to the world by the good and the great. A tribute to the man who was an expert in may area.

The Herods

Detailed history of the time of the Jews from Antiochus with major emphasis on the lives of the Herrod dynasty to the destruction of the temple.

The Life and Times of Herod the Great

The times and life of a man who rose from obscurity to become a great influence in Israel's history. Sympathetic portrait of a soldier, diplomat and builder.

The Life of David

Pinsky creates a popular portrait of King David based on Biblical research, commentaries and legends. Entertaining but not for the serious scholar.

The Story of a Life-Aharon Appelfeld

Aharon's life is a miracle. After being incarcerated in the camps he manages to escape at ten years of age and lives on berries and roots for two years in the Ukraine Forest before trekking South to Italy and finally to Israel after the war ends. As a witness, he is truly inspiring. What a mensch!

Through Darkness to Dawn

Cynthia Hollisworth, a KK member's parents, Bllanka and John Geller experienced the worst of the horrors of the Nazi ocupaiton of Poland. Their story is recorded here in poignant detial.