Reader Selections and Book Giveaway
Thank you to those who took part in our book giveaway. Check your email to see if you were selected to receive a signed copy of The Apple.
The Apple, by Penelope Holt, is based on the Herman Rosenblat Holocaust memoir “hoax”. The book is on sale in bookstores, online, on Kindle and on iTunes.
As the author researched The Apple, she reviewed a great deal of well-known, and not so well-known, Holocaust material, including The Diary of Ann Frank; When Memory Comes, by Saul Friedlander; Night, by Eli Wiesel, and a lesser known book 1000:1 Odds: Memoir of a World War II Childhood, by Peter Kubicek. Invaluable for their documentation of the Holocaust were The Buchenwald Report translated by David A. Hackett ; Children of Buchenwald, by Judith Hemmendinger and Robert Krell, and The Boys, by Martin Gilbert. The latter provides heart-wrenching acccounts of children survivors, including the Rosenblat brothers. Watched or rewatched were Schindler’s List, The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas, The Reader, the Speilberg film library and The World at War documentaries. There is an enormous amount of Holocaust fiction and non fiction available to students and readers who are interested and committed to learning about this period in history. Click here to see all tagged Holocaust literature on Amazon.com. Also, check out the author’s guest post on bibliofreak.
Tibor Weiss said
I am familiar with most, if not all, of the research material Ms. Holt used for her research. Indeed, I found one of the books cited ” 1000:1 Odds” truly gripping. It’s vivid, intense, dramatic –and it has an uplifiting real life ending…
I am looking forward to reading “The Apple.”
Tibor Weiss
Anonymous said
After seeing Rosenblat on the Oprah show and then reading about the brouhaha that followed I was ambivalent about reading “The Apple”.
The guy had lied – end of story. However, after reading this book and digesting the traumatic events that as a child he had witnessed, I was extremely moved by his story. Penelope Holt’s writing style pulls no punches and at times the horror is a lot to handle, but it is a worthy read that I would highly recommend.
Bridget said
Hi! Just wanted to post a note that I blogged about this on Win A Book. No need to enter me.
Pam R. said
I’ve read Schindler’s List and The Diary of Anne Frank. I’ve seen a number of movies but honestly, the Holocaust museum in DC is the most memorable and moving “media” for me, if it counts…
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) said
I love Schindler’s List movie and the book and I recently enjoyed The Boy in the Striped PJs movie. This part of history is full of horror and hope at the same time. I heard about this story and how he lied and was disheartened, but I’d like to read about the history behind the lie.
Brenda Rupp said
I’ve read Schindlers List, and seen the movie, saw the Diary of Anne Frank, a number of movies and shows on the history channel.
Cheryl Gebhart said
I have read many many books about the holocaust, and seen quite a few movies as well. I don’t think that there is just one piece that I could call the “most memorable.” I agree with Pam R.’s comment about the Holocaust Memorial in Washington DC. In addition, last year my husband and I went to Whitwell Tennessee to see the Children’s Holocaust Memorial, which is the result of the Paper Clip Project at Whitwell Middle School. I found that to be incredibly moving and memorable, in large part because it was created by middle school students.
pearl said
I have been reading novels and memoirs about the Holocaust for many years. They are memorable and meaningful. A favorite of mine is A lucky Child by THomas Buergenthal as well as Clara’s War. There are so many wonderful stories out there that are true and emotionally unforgettable. I continue to seek out more each year. The movie, Life is Beautiful and Nowhere in Africa were films that stirred my heart and soul. Whenever there is something special available I watch it and tape it. Many years ago I watched a movie called Two Men. An incredible movie, Divided we Fall is something to behold. This was riveting with wonderful actors and a unique storyline. I am always interested in learning about new novels and books as well as movies about the Holocaust.
Wanda said
The Diary of Anne Frank is by far the most memorable for me because it was heartwrenching to read about such a young girl having her freedom taken away.
Also the Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem Israel is incredibly memorable. I cried after going through there because the Holocaust became so real.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Mozi Esmes Mommy said
I just read and reviewed Bending Toward the Sun, which deals with the holocaust and its impact on the generations after, as well. Terrific book and very moving.
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Gaby @ Starting Fresh said
Schindler’s List was the most visually moving for me. I was also affected by Elie Weisel’s book Night.
They recounted the details simply and that made the individual stories particularly powerful for me.
gaby317nyc at gmail dot com
Amanda said
Schindler’s list–it wasn’t that interesting to me when I first saw it in high school, but then my boyfriend and I traveled to Poland where it took place and watched the movie before we went. We got to see his factory, etc etc, which made everything so much more real.
Denny, Alaska said
“Sophie’s Choice” (film) has always left a large hole in my heart; how could a mother ever make such a choice?
Please enter me in the book giveaway; thank you!
denny(dot)gill(at)gmail(dot)com
Barbara S. said
There are several pieces of media which represent the reality, horror and human resiliency of the Holocaust. Eli Weisel’s Night and the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC present stories of the truth of this horrific action in human history.
Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks
Jill said
The Apple is one of the best books I have read in a long time and I can’t part with my copy. If I win, it goes to my Mom
http://frugalplus.com/?p=8825
Alex Pattakos said
I’m surprised that no one mentioned Vitkor Frankl’s classic bestseller, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” named one of the Top 10 books in America by the Library of Congress! I also would like to call attention to a book, “The Aftermath: A Survivor’s Odyssey Through War-Torn Europe,” by Henry Lilienheim. Henry’s daughter, Irene Lilienheim Angelico, a dear friend and colleague, produced a documentary film, “Dark Lullabies,” that was inspired by and based on her father’s book, “The Aftermath.” Both the book and the film focus on the children of survivors and of perpetrators of the Holocaust. Polarized as their heritage, many of this generation share a legacy of silence. Irene, an award-winning Canadian filmmaker, is herself a child of survivors of concentration camps, and undertakes through her film, a deeply personal journey; she asks, what happened, and why? Her documentary, “Dark Lullabies,” was named one of the Top-25 documentaries of all time by the National Film Board of Canada.
Stephanie said
I do think The Diary of Anne Frank is the most notable for me-it’s the piece of literature I most associate with WWII and it was one of the first. When an almost teenage girl reads that story, it makes a big impact. Please enter me in the giveaway!
stephaniefleischer889 [at] gmail [dot] com
Lori L said
What I find most memorable are the individual stories of survivors, whether they are written or oral. There is something about reading or listening to a person telling their story, in their own words, that makes it very personal and unforgettable. Although I will add that the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC is very, very powerful, almost emotionally overwhelming.
shetreadssoftly(at)gamil(do)com