Bought this book yesterday at a Friends of the Palo Alto Library book sale yesterday. Fictionalized account of a true story. I always wanted to see the movie, but my husband didn't...so I'm going to do the even better thing...read the book!

From back of book:
A stunning novel based on the true story of how German war profiteer and prison camp Direktor Oskar Schindler came to save more Jews from the gas chambers than any other single person during World War II.
In this milestone of Holocaust literature, Thomas Keneally uses the actual testimony of the Schindlerjuden--Schindler's Jews--to brilliantly portray the courage and cunning of a good man in the midst of unspeakable evil.

After a series of "fluff" reads, I felt the need to read something more serious, and immeadiatly remembered I've had this sitting on my shelf for years, waiting for just the right time. Grabbed it up.
At first I was disappointed with myself that I was only reading 50 pages a day (and that was pushing it)when I normally read so much more. Then I got to thinking about the difference between a fluff book and this. Fluff can be gulped down, with little thought. This book isn't meant to be read like that. It needs you to think about what you are reading. To put it all in it's place in history.
I often found myself wondering about how many were really "saved". As on German put it "If not these 13, it'll be another 13" But really, the man did do everything that he could do to save these people, and not everyone could be saved. He put his own life on the line for them every day. He was a hero, in his own way. I personally found the last 150 pages the most interesting, just as the war began to wind down. I'm going to leave it at that as I don't want to write any spoilers.

I kept this book for a while because my son wanted to read it. Not sure how much he read, but it's been sitting in the same spot for months, so I don't think he's going to mind my mailing this out on a bookring. Here's the order

Nitku - Finland
Rhonnie - Austrailia
Bulan-Purnama - Oregon
dospescados - NY

back to me in NY <-----back home

Mailed the book off today.

The book has arrived, thank you! The envelope was almost completely torn off in the mail, so we're lucky the book found its way here in one piece! I'll start reading right away.

I just finished the book. It really was a slow read! Heavy text to chew.

I must say that this time I liked the movie better. The book got a little repetitive, with one Nazi cruelty and Schindler's rescue operation described after another. I didn't like the way the book tried to be both a novel and a history book - the writer broke the flow of the drama unnecessarily trying to explain "this is not certain, but probably what happened was.." when clearly most of the details had to be dramatized since such accurate historical information can't be received.

On the other hand I find it important to tell this and similar stories again and again so that history wouldn't repeat itself. We can only hope that we will never forget.

The book is on its way to the next person in the ring.

Thanks Nitku, book arrived today. Have one book on the go at the moment so it's next on the list. Will get to it as soon as I can to keep thr ring "rolling"!

Must say I agree a bit with Nitku. I found it got rather bogged down at times and had difficulty keeping track of who all the people were. Still a very disturbing and harrowing tale.
On the way to Oregon.

It is here! Arrived today in the mail. Thank you Rhonnie for mailing the book all the way from Australia by air mail.

I am currently finishing a book and will start with this one next week. I have seen the movie and it will be interesting to compare the two. Reddragonlady, I am glad you decided to host a bookring.

An amazing story reads like a history book. It was slow to start, but it picked up toward the end. The book is interesting enough, I do prefer the movie version though. There are indeed so many names to remember. Amon Goeth name is the only one I remember, it is because of his sadistic mind. Overall is an excellent book concerning the holocaust. Thanks reddragonlady for sharing.

I am still waiting for dospecados address. If I do not hear from her before end of this month, will send the book back to you.

The book is on its way to reddragonlady this morning by media mail. Thanks a bunch for letting me read this book.

Received back in the mail today. I'm glad you all enjoyed the book, and thanks for taking such good care of the book. Bulan-Purnama, thank you very much for the recipe card.

RELEASE NOTES:

Forgot I was planning on keeping this book for a re-read and released it. Oh well. I can always get another copy one of these days when I decide I want to read the story again.

25600 State Route 342. Released on the book shelves. They have "Take One, Leave One" books there. And some pretty dang good coffee too!