Journal Entry 1 by nimrodiel from Evanston, Illinois USA on Sunday, June 17, 2007

Received to review for Front Street Reviews.

Once in a while, a person with an amazing story is quite literally stumbled upon. This is what happened when author Colette Waddell heard Nina Grütz- Morecki speak about her experiences during World War II as it raged through Poland. It was because of Nina’s talk, that the author discovered an interest in helping Nina tell her story to a wider audience.

Nina Grütz was born during the winter of 1920. Her parents were a well to do Jewish couple who owned a soap factory in L’vow Poland. She grew up knowing prosperity, and led a life sheltered from the anti-Semitic outlook held by many of the Polish Catholics. All that changed the year Nina was getting ready to leave home to attend University. Nina’s family faced the Russian invasion of Poland, followed by the German invasion of Russian-occupied Poland. With the Russian occupation, the Grütz family faced socialism and being separated. With the German occupation, Nina watched her family members disappear, and finally faced internment in a work camp herself.

Expanding on the story that Nina tells to high school students as a guest speaker, Through the Eyes of a Stranger, follows Nina as she escapes death at the work camp. She was rescued from death of starvation in the forest by a kind Polish couple, and afterwards she joined the Polish resistance movement. As a member of the resistance Nina infiltrated a German occupied town, and worked in a position that allowed her to learn of the German’s plans and send the information and vital papers needed to move around Poland to her underground contacts. However when the Russians retook the area, Nina once again found her life in upheaval. It was during this time that Nina met Josef, her future husband. When the war finally ended, they joined up with a group of displaced Jews all trying to leave the country. Nina and her husband eventually made it to America, and the book follows their lives as they make a new home and family for themselves in a new country.

It took me a little while getting used to the writing style of the book. The alternating styles between an oral history and a study of the effects of the war seemed to be a little at odds to each other. This book is an attempt to educate the public on the effect of the war on Poland’s Jews. It is an extraordinary example of the resiliency of the human spirit, and our ability to live through unthinkable horrors and to emerge from them stronger, even though we will be changed forever.
 

Journal Entry 2 by nimrodiel from Evanston, Illinois USA on Monday, June 25, 2007

So, as the publishers of Through the Eyes of a Survivor were so kind as to send me two copies of this book. I have an Advanced Reader's Copy of the book to pass on.

I am offering this as a book drawing prize on my review blog Confessions of a Literary Persuasion.

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25 June 2007

This morning I woke up to a comment from the author with the offer to have the book autographed by both she and Nina. I originally registered this to see where it's travels would take it, but I will totally understand if the winner chooses to make this a part of their permanant collection. 

Journal Entry 3 by nimrodiel from Evanston, Illinois USA on Thursday, June 28, 2007

I'm mailing this off to Colette Waddell for her offer to autograph the book, then send it onto the winner this afternoon.

 

Journal Entry 4 by nimrodiel from Evanston, Illinois USA on Monday, July 16, 2007

Congratulations to the winner of the drawing: ResQgeek!

Happy reading! 

Journal Entry 5 by ResQgeek from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Saturday, July 28, 2007

Arrived in today's mail. I've really been looking forward to reading this one, so I'll be putting it at the top of Mt. TBR. 

Journal Entry 6 by ResQgeek from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Monday, August 20, 2007

Journal Entry 7 by ResQgeek from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Monday, August 20, 2007

Journal Entry 8 by ResQgeek from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Here we go! I'll be taking this to the post office later today to start its journey to Switzerland. I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else thinks of the book, and doing the release at the Holocaust Memorial Museum when it returns. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 9 by penelopewanders from Hasliberg, Bern / Berne Switzerland on Friday, September 14, 2007

This arrived safely today. I have a few other rings and some work-related books to read before this one, but hope to get to it in about ten days. Hope that's ok. Thanks so much for making it available, it looks fascinating. 

Journal Entry 10 by penelopewanders from Hasliberg, Bern / Berne Switzerland on Thursday, October 18, 2007

It took me longer to get to this book than planned, but I have now finished reading it and have PMed Boirina for her address.
This is not the first story of this type I've read, nor will it surely be the last. I highly recommend
Castles Burning: A Childs Life in War by Magda Denes about a Hungarian child - she actually never goes to labor camps, but the hiding and trying to remain invisible are similar, as is the experience as a DP... (There was also a fascinating one by Bruno Bettleheim, but I thought it was A Forgiving Heart, and can't find any reference to it)
I don't know if "enjoyed" is the correct term for reading Nina's story, but I remain fascinated and impressed by those who were able to survive, and how they did it.
I found myself a bit annoyed and distracted by the "fillers" by Colette Waddell - often simply summarizing with some other person's experience to corroborate what Nina had said. this detracted from the flow of the story and somehow seemed to challenge the veracity - "yes, yes, someone else saw the same thing..." I had no reason to question what Nina said in the first place, why do I need to hear that "yes, that's how it really was". I would have much preferred that Nina's recounting be left to stand on its own, and that there be a final section, perhaps, in which the author could have shared what was of course very interesting information and sources. Perhaps using a form of footnote system.
I'm grateful to have been included in this ring. My French cousin, interned in Ravensbruck, spent much of her life speaking about her experience in schools. Ironically her daughter told me that it was only when I came to France and started riddling her with questions about the experience that she actually spoke about it at home.
Thank you for sending round this ring. 

Journal Entry 11 by penelopewanders at BookRing in controlled release, .---controlled release---. Switzerland on Saturday, October 20, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (10/20/2007 UTC) at BookRing in controlled release, .---controlled release---. Switzerland

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

This is now on its way to Portugal. Happy travels! 

Journal Entry 12 by boirina from Calvià, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Wednesday, October 31, 2007

The book got here safely today.

Thanks! 

Journal Entry 13 by boirina from Calvià, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The book is on its way to Icila.

I must apologize for taking so long to read it (life got in the way) and for not being able to finish it. In the end it was taking so long that I decided to send it on instead of keeping it.

I might go back to it in the future. When I was in the mood I enjoyed it. The problem is... most days I wasn't in the mood (life interferences again, I suppose). 

Journal Entry 14 by Icila from Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Friday, February 01, 2008

The book arrived by surprise this morning. Thanks boirina ! 

Journal Entry 15 by Icila from Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Very interesting to read the Nina Moretti's memories. As a matter of fact my last bookring was "The Night of the Burning". I know a lot about the Holocaust and I've visited Poland and Majdanek Camp but I didn't imagine such hatred.
As writes penelopewanders "I found myself a bit annoyed and distracted by the "fillers" by Colette Waddell ".

Thanks for sharing.

PMing Iliotropio

08/03/17 : In the mail. 

Journal Entry 16 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Arrived safe and sound in Brussels.
Merci bien Icila! 

Journal Entry 17 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Thursday, May 22, 2008

ResQgeek is right, we can´t let ourselves forget.
On its way to Martin1960. 

Journal Entry 18 by Martin1960 from Crawley, West Sussex United Kingdom on Sunday, June 01, 2008

Recieved in the post from iliotropio, thank you. I'm going to read this one next. 

Journal Entry 19 by Martin1960 from Crawley, West Sussex United Kingdom on Friday, June 27, 2008

Both Sue and I found this book fantastic. What an insight into the horrors and hardships faced. Have PM'd boomda181 to move it on. 

Journal Entry 20 by Martin1960 from Crawley, West Sussex United Kingdom on Monday, July 07, 2008

On it's way to boomda181. 

Journal Entry 21 by boomda181 on Friday, August 15, 2008

This hefty book arrived in the mail today! I am halfway done a book and then I will dive into this one! 

Journal Entry 22 by boomda181 on Sunday, September 21, 2008

I absolutely adored the voice of Nina Grutz-Morecki. She is an incredible lady and I am so glad that she trusted Colette Waddell to share her story with so many readers. It is unimaginable that anyone had to suffer so much, let alone millions of people. 

Journal Entry 23 by boomda181 on Saturday, October 18, 2008

EGADS! I didn't realize that I had not journalled this book once I was done reading it or when I sent it along. I loved Nina's story. I really didn't want to start the book due to the sheer size, but once I began it, I could not put it down. Nina and Colette have done a wonderful work putting this oral history into book form for all to share. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 24 by boomda181 at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, October 18, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (10/8/2008 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book is well on its way to rebeccaljames...thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 25 by rebeccaljames from Cincinnati, Ohio USA on Friday, November 28, 2008

I received this book a while ago. I will read it as soon as possible and then pass it along. Thank you for sharing. 

Journal Entry 26 by rebeccaljames from Cincinnati, Ohio USA on Sunday, January 17, 2010

This is a very good book. I have been fascinated with what went on during the Holocaust ever since I took a college course on the subject last winter quarter. This book was very insightful. We did not read any books on the woman's point of view and I am glad to have been able to participate in this bookray/ring. This will be going out to the next person on Tuesday. Thank you for sharing. 

Journal Entry 27 by phylwil from Longview, Texas USA on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Received this book in the mail today. I will read it and send it on soon. 

Journal Entry 28 by phylwil at Longview, Texas USA on Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I also think these stories should be told, even after so many years have passed, to remind us of the evil humans are capable of, and the resilience and strength of the victims as well. I admire Nina Morecki more than I can say.

I've pm'ed the next reader several times, without reply, so I will contact resqgeek to determine what to do with this book.  

Journal Entry 29 by ResQgeek at Alexandria, Virginia USA on Wednesday, June 02, 2010

This book arrived home safely in the mail today. I'll set it aside for release at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, hopefully sometime before the end of the summer. 

Journal Entry 30 by ResQgeek at Alexandria, Virginia USA on Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Okay, I dropped the ball. I had every intention of releasing this book back in 2010 when it returned from its journey around the world. Unfortunately, that was a particularly busy summer for my family, and it culminated with the tragic loss of our younger daughter on 30 August. Needless to say, the existence of this book basically fell of my radar. I know I have looked at it on my bookshelf a few times and remembered, in passing, that I needed to release it, but it took a PM from nimrodiel to truly return this book to my attention.

It is now springtime in Washington, and the cherry blossoms are in fully bloom, bringing tourists to the city by the busload, which makes this a great time to release the book. Because of the increased amount of security at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in the wake of the shooting of a security guard there a couple of years ago, I will probably release on the ground, but outside the building. With all the tourists and school groups visiting, I hope that there is a good chance that it will be picked up and read. Hopefully, we'll get some additional journal entries to let us know where it goes from here. 

Journal Entry 31 by ResQgeek at U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, District of Columbia USA on Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Released 2 mos ago (3/20/2012 UTC) at U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, District of Columbia USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Left on one of the benches in the alley along the north side of the building. There was a school group occupying most of the benches, eating a picnic lunch, but I found an unoccupied bench to leave the book on. Hopefully, it will find a new home and an appreciative reader.

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If you have not already done so, please make a journal entry so we know this book has found a new home. You don't need to join BookCrossing and you can remain completely anonymous. However, we encourage you to join so that you can follow this book's future travels. It's fun and free, and your personal information will never be shared or sold. If you decide to join, consider listing   ResQgeek (or any of the other journalers) as referring you.

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