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THE BOOK OF THE JUST

Name: THE BOOK OF THE JUST
Author: Eric Silver
ISBN: 0-8021-1347-8

THE SILENT HEROES WHO SAVED JEWS FROM HITLER

by Eric Silver ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 21, 1992

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Forty-two stirring portraits of common people who backed into heroism when confronted with the Third Reich's genocide machine. The strength of this remarkable collection lies in its lack of central thesis, geographical consistency, or intrusive editorializing. Silver (Begin, 1984) often lets the rescuers and the rescued tell their own unembellished stories, with direct quotes taking the dramatic weight of each vignette: ``I helped human beings at a time when they were not treated like human beings.'' There are no generalizations to be made about the vastly different men and women who risked their lives to save Jews, and so the book is organized by diplomatic, military and religious settings. The ``conspirators of goodness'' among diplomats include one Giorgio Perlasca, an Italian who was inspired to break rules by Raoul Wallenberg but who remained a Fascist. Another was Sempo Sugihara, the Japanese consul in Lithuania. His associate, a Japanese professor who converted to Judaism, got his desired burial in Jerusalem despite the Yom Kippur War only because one of the rescued Jews turned out to be Israel's Minister of Religion. Perhaps the most memorable of the saviors is the ``drunkard'' and ``womanizer'' Oskar Schindler, who saved 1,200 Jews in his German factories. Saving lives, therefore, was not just the display of Christian love by a brave minister or two; it was also a rebellious act by kindhearted rogues. Quietly eloquent, and a valuable glimpse of light in our era's longest night. (Eight pages of b&w photographs—not seen.)

Pub Date: Sept. 21, 1992

ISBN: 0-8021-1347-8

Page Count: 192

Publisher: Grove

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1992

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

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NUTCRACKER

by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996

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This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996

ISBN: 0-15-100227-4

Page Count: 136

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING
by E.T.A. Hoffmann ; adapted by Natalie Andrewson ; illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER
by E.T.A. Hoffmann & illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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TO THE ONE I LOVE THE BEST

EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF LADY MENDL (ELSIE DE WOLFE)

by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955

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An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.