A book from my wishlist purchased at Bookmans used book store in Tucson, Arizona.

Trade paperback

A memoir written by the Polish musician Władysaw Szpilman. He tells how he and his family survived living in the Warsaw Ghetto, the deportation of Jews to extermination camps, the 1943 destruction of the Ghetto, and the 1944 Warsaw Uprising during World War II.

Szpilman wrote this book In 1945, directly after the war. According to his son, “it enabled him to work through his shattering wartime experiences and free his mind and emotions to continue on with his life.” The book was first published in Poland in 1946. It was soon withdrawn from circulation by Stalin’s Polish minions, and was never reissued, although during the 1960s a number of Polish publishing firms tried to make it available for a younger generation. Their efforts were always thwarted with no explanation given, but it was obvious that the book contained too many painful truths. Fifty years after its first edition the book was finally published, and in 2002 a movie starring Adrien Brody was made by Roman Polanski.

Having seen the movie, I was fascinated by Szpilman’s story. The movie was much more dramatic than the book, but the writing is haunting - - rather eerily detached, as though the author is still in deep shock. While showing how Jewish residents adjusted to life amid the catastrophic upheaval, its tone is remarkable for its coolness and lack of revenge.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to hostile17 in Indiana via media mail as part of my 8th Retirement Anniversary RABCK drawing

Received in the mail today.
TYVM.

Update: December 20, 2008
The evil that men do. So sad to read.
So heartbreaking to know that this is fact not fiction.
So happy that he survived, unlike countless others who died during this madness.
Thank you again for sharing this book with me.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Every month this year I have sent out at least one surprise RABCK.
To wrap up the year, instead of searching wishlists, I had a contest.
1 book international and 2 books USA.
This book is going to the USA winner.
Congratulations.
:D

This book arrived today after three weeks - fairly standard for media mail to Hawaii, I've found.

Thanks very much, it looks like a fascinating book!

If I get this read in time, it might end up in the banned book box. Either that or I'll find another way to share it with a fellow bookcrosser.

Here's another copy on my shelf.

What struck me was how large a factor luck seems to have played in his survival - despite preparation, contacts, intuition, etc., a lot of times it seems to have come down to a random choice, usually by someone else. I'm not quite sure what to make of that. It would be discouraging, except that he did survive...

The afterward about the German who helped him is sad too, but at least he got some recognition for trying to help.

I think I'm going to offer this to a co-worker who is from Poland and interested in World War II.


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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Passed on to a co-worker who will read it and return it to me when she's done.

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I'm so glad you've found this book!

If you're new to Bookcrossing, I hope you will take some time to explore this wonderful free and anonymous community and learn what it has to offer.

Freed any good books lately? It's good for the circulation. :)

She thought the book was terrific, and has returned it to me so I can pass it on again.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Released at the Hawaii Book & Music Festival.

This book was set free to find a new reader; I'm so glad you've found it!

If you're new to Bookcrossing, I hope you will take some time to explore this wonderful free and anonymous community and learn about what it has to offer.

Free your books - help spread the words!