Product Description

Notes from the Warsaw Ghetto is available now for the first time in a soft cover edition. It is the moving account of the horror of the Warsaw Ghetto—written by the recognized archivist and historian of the area while he lived through it.

As a source of history the Notes are invaluable, with a truth and immediacy no fictionalized version could attain. Through anecdotes, stories, and notations—some as brief as "was slapped today in Zlota Street," some merely fragments of incidents and thoughts Ringelblum intended to expand after the liberation of Warsaw—there emerges the agonizing, eyewitness accounts of human beings caught in the furor of senseless, unrelenting brutality. In the Journal, there is the whole of life in the Ghetto, from the erection of the Wall, in November 1940, for "hygienic reasons," through the brief period of deceptive calm to the eventual mass murders. It is a portrait of man tested by crisis, stained at times by the meanness of avarice and self-preservation, illumined more often by moments of nobility.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48765 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Language Notes
Text: English, Yiddish (translation)

About the Author
Ammanual Ringelblum was 39 when he began his notes. When the Germans first invaded Poland, Ringelblum, who could have stayed abroad and escaped, returned to Warsaw from Switzerland knowing that his was an historical event of importance for his people and a moment in time that must be forever a part of written history. As the recognized archivist of the Ghetto he gathered around him a staff, and assigned each to cover a specific part of Ghetto life. From these reports and this notes, he assembled his Journal. On March 7, 1944, Emmanual Ringelblum was executed among the ruins of Warsaw, together with his wife, his son, and thirt-eight others who shared his hiding place.

Customer Reviews

A must read for anyone interested in the subject
I "never" give a ten. But out of respect, this gets a ten. The author was executed by the Nazis after the Ghetto Uprising. The Notes were hidden, later found, and were assembled into a book.

Not only is this book invaluable as a source of historic perspective, it is a spellbinding book to read. I especially recommend this book to those non-Jews, like myself, whose understanding and respect for what happened needed some growth.

All the more erie, I read this book while walking the streets where it happened. You cannot help but be deeply moved by this book, its story, and its people.

I urge anyone with the slightest interest to push Amazon to get it for you. I have bought two copies, it takes time, but they can do it. It is worth the effort.

Historical Perspective on the Ghetto
This book presents a factual chronological statement on the conditions, daily tribulations, and perils of the Warsaw Ghetto. It is written in a documentary style rather than an emotional diary, thus providing a basis to compare and contrast against other "diaries". THIS SAID, it is a moving statement on Warsaw Jewry and their ability to overcome impossible odds, eventhough the overwhelming majority perished. The plethora of historical revisionists that now claim the Holocaust was a hoax must FIRST contend with "Notes"( aginst which they will lose). A truly powerful work.

Holocaust Horror
As we each sit in our little world each day perhaps having pity on ourselves. This book should be a guideline to keep us from self-pity. The author fairly reports from diaries gathered throughout the Holocaust Horror. He does not only blame Nazi Germans but Jewish Police. This is a bold, honest reflection into the eyes of children, adolescents, parents, as they were waiting for their fate. This book made me smile about humanitarism even when they truly did not have alot to share. This book made me scared for what the power of humans can do to weaken spirits. It made me cry to realize the horror they felt. I cheered hoping the author would go unharmed. I wept when I realized a man and his family perish because of a cause they firmly defended. True heroism.

Unquestionably, this is one of the best written books I have read pertaining to the tragic historic event. It is an easy reading book however, it is hard to put down once you start.

I will cherish my book always.