Eva Schloss's remarkable story of survival should be better publicized and used by teachers everywhere, especially since it allows young people to experience the Holocaust through the eyes of a teenager and her mother. Schloss's book is on a level with Gerda Klein's ALL BUT MY LIFE. The writing style is succinct and direct which adds to its appeal to young people.

As I read the book, I wondered for the thousandth time how such events could have occurred in "civilized" Europe in our lifetimes. The addition of a timeline of events related to WWII is especially helpful to students.

The remarkable relationship between this young woman and her mother is a testimony to the power of family relationships grounded in faith in a higher power. It stands in counterpoint to the somewhat strained relationship of Anne Frank and her mother while in hiding. Like Etty Hillesum's diaries and letters, it allows us to see the world through the eyes of a young girl who confronted evil "in the image and likeness of God," yet never lost her faith in humanity.

While I grieve for the author's loss of her father (Pappy) and her brother (Heinz), I rejoice that she lived to share her experiences with generations who may have a difficult time giving a human face to the Holocaust. Her mother's love for Otto Frank was certainly a factor in sustaining him as he dealt with the loss of his first wife and children.

I would love to meet Eva Schloss and her mother, if Mrs. Frank is still with us. The picture of mother and daughter on the back cover of the copy I received through our library really captures the spiritual strength and moral courage of these two incredible women. They have made the world a better place with their testimonies.

I also teach an extensive unit on the Holocaust and Anne Frank. I am always on the look out for survivor stories for teens. This book certainly makes the cut. It is easy-to-read yet does relate the horrors of her experience in the camps. Her relationship to her mother and others in the camps shows the definite role companionship played in survival.

Eva's relationship to Anne Frank is simply a plus for the book. To have lived so close to Anne and even played in her house with her cat makes Anne become even more alive. Eva's relationship with her brother parallels Anne's relationship to Margot. Interestingly, Heinz and Margot seems to have similar personalities as do Anne and Eva. ...Her courage to speak about this terrrible time in history is a reminder to us all to remember what happened and those who are no longer with us and have no one to remember them.

I've read the book and I think it was exellent. Exiting and very sad, sad because it was real everything, it was not just any story. What Eva told was real life experiences. But there nothing we can do about it now else than remember it and tell all about it to the kids when they grow up, it's really important to not forget what happend to the jews and other folk group during the 2 WW. I still pray for them.

"Hostage to War" gives a great understanding of the conditions that the prisions of forced labor camps and concentration camps went through. It is the true story of Tatjana Wassiljewa, who was 13 years old when the Germans separated her from her mother and younger sister. She was sent off to a forced labor camp where she suffered horribly under Hitler's vicious rule. She experienced things that are just mind boggling. Starvation, illness, and so much more. It shows how hard it was to grow up during World War II and survive. Tatjana was a true survivor and went on to become a teacher during her twentys. It was an interesting book if you would like to learn more about World War II.

Never have we read a book filled with so much bravery, adventure, wickedness, love, and hard time. This book combines them all into a true story of a girl named Tatjana Wassiljewa. Hostage to War, a true story translated from Russian to English, is a wonderful action packed adventure story. The story starts out when a young girl around the age of 13, and her mother, father, (who has ulcers), and her 2 year old sister, Olja leave from their rented dacha in Wyritza to escape bomb attacks. They have nothing left except their love. Their dacha has been smashed, but Tatjana still has her important journal. Tatjana kept a diary first called, "A Diary of Happy Days." In the end, it starts telling everything. If WW II interests you, this book may be a start to learning more. Even though Tatjana and her family aren't Jewish, the story entails the life of other Jewish people Tatjana met. The Diary of a Young girl, Anne Frank, takes place in about the same time period, but deals with a Jewish girl. We enjoyed the entries in the Hostage to War more than this book. Another book, The Devils Arithmetic is a story about a girl who opens the door for Elohim, and is transformed into Chaya, a Jewish girl from the past. That book explains the life of Jews in an exciting, realistic, fictional way. Both stories are riviting. Tatjana is a persistent, strong, young woman that caught our attention. Her story will interest the minds of others as well. J.D.L. and A.B.

I liked this book so much. Tatjiana was so brave. I don't think I saw anyone that brave before like the time when she went to go ask for food. I learned that I am pretty lucky because I read about how she had lived her life when she was young. For example,she had stravd. Another thing is she worked so hard,how she would steal her food for her mom did not even know if she was still alive, still another thing is how she met that boy that was so very much nice to her. We are or should I say most of us live are lives well. I learned that you don't have to always be so scared in your life, try to be brave. You will live proudly if you are brave. I think this is the best book I have read so far.

For those of you wondering what this book is about, I can only say that it is profound in that these are the actual thoughts of Christ (Eva Bell Werber being in the presence and spirit of Christ at the time of writing) There is a beauty of spirit beyond words in this work and the other works written by her. When you first read the words there is a feeling of being spoken to directly by God! That is exactly the intent and meaning for all of us. This is what God actually thinks and expresses through those who are able to be in the "Christ Conciousness": I believe these are works by Eva Bell Werber that you will value for a lifetime. God bless.

Sincerely
Kelvin Otis

OH, HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE WORDS...I ACQUIRED THIS TREASURE UPON MY FATHERS' DEATH. THE BOOK WAS A PART OF HIS RARE BOOK COLLECTION. THE FIRST PAGE MADE ME KNOW THIS WAS MINE FOREVER. THE BOOK HAS FALLEN APART, I TYPED IT IN MY COMPUTER TO PASS IT ON TO MY SONS. SUCH A BLESSING, I READ IT EVERYDAY. FOR 10 YEARS, IT HAS BEEN A INSPIRATION IN MY LIFE AND OTHERS. THANK GOD!

I bought this precious little book so many years ago that it cost just $1.50. The Copyright is 1936 and is dedicated to 'Those Who Walk The Path With Me.' It is one of those sacred little joys we come across and keep forever. The Master is talking to just "you" as you read these powerful messages and the author asks that the words go forth to bless other lives and bring them to a living Consciousness of their Oneness with Thee! You will never tire of it.

The first thing the reader will notice is that this book is much more accessible than more overtly scholarly texts -- this is a good thing for either first time readers or long time fans of Homer's works. The opening chapters set the scene well and explain her methodology of picking special moments that illuminate the work as a whole. I enjoyed the first half of the book tremendously and found many fresh insights and interesting observations about both the Iliad and the Odyssey. My only slight disappointment was with the last 50-100 pages which focus mostly on plot summary of the Odyssey rather than her interesting commentary although she points out things along the way the readers should note. The last section reads more like Cliff's Notes while the first two-thirds of the book genuinely added to the reader's delight in Homer's works. Overall an excellent book.

Homer is, sadly, too often intimidating to the general reader who believes, wrongly but understandably, that he is archaic, irrelevant, and likely to be unreadable. After all, a book length poem -- as the contemporary high-schooler would say, give me a break.

Eva Brann accomplishes, remarkably, two quite different achievements. First, she shows that even after nearly three millenia Homer remains completely relevant and accessible to the contemporary reader. Second, she provides insights which make the poem far more enjoyable to read, and demystifies many of the aspects which might confuse the modern reader.

She does this with a subtle but delightful wit, and with a patient wisdom honed in forty years of teaching.

Homer is not simply about the Trojan war and its aftermath, but is about what it means to live a life of honor and integrity. Brann understands this perfectly, and indeed echos it in her book, which is not simply about how to enjoy Homer, but is itself about what it means to be a successful human.

Brann's academic home, St. John's, is one of the few colleges in the country -- probably in the world -- to abandon the concept of academic departments and to focus on the teacher as a guide to the great minds of history rather than as the teacher in his or her own right. This is the perfect background from which she writes a book which is rich in scholarship but in no way academic or professorial.

Written by Eva Brann, a literature teacher who has studied The Odyssey and The Iliad for fifty years, Homeric Moments: Clues To Delight In Reading The Odyssey And The Iliad is a thoroughly "reader friendly" and insightful study of these great classic masterpieces of history and epic. Deeply examining the key figures, laying apart insights in motive and character, and illumine Homer's work for the unique and enduringly popular saga that it is, Homeric Moments is a superb companion for dedicated students of ancient literature in general, and those new to the mythic sagas of the blind poet Homer in particular.

The author spends a lot of time talking about mundane things. If you are looking for a feel of Berlin during the war you will not get it here. I realize that these are the memories of a child, but the author is now an adult; I found it shameful that she had no bettter insight on why her jewish father had to leave Germany. The book seems to jump around in a random fashion with little information on what was happening in Germany, and too much information on her petty and selfish childhood thoughts.

This brave and spirited Berlin child takes us through her years in that war-torn country. While living with her Aryan mother and grandparents, her Jewish father having fled with his life to America, she describes a gripping tale of survival, rich in historical detail. This is also a poignant story of the girl's family as well as her own coming of age. The author has obviously integrated her life , her psyche and times , and we, the readers, learn a great deal about the whole gamut of human experience from innocence and wounding to survival and healing. The words are painted on the page with bold, powerful strokes of honesty and emotion, colored in with soft hues of feminine similes and metaphors, sprinkled delightfully with her own astonishingly beautiful poetry, and etched golden with her deep reservoir of hope and spirituality. It has taken Eva Leveton 62 years to write this book, and we all bow to her strength, spiritedness, and talent.

Eva's Berlin is the story of a young, half-Jewish girl growing up in Nazi Germany during World War II. Eva's Jewish father escaped to the United States, while she and her mother had to remain in Berlin. She is always in danger of being found out. She suffers the shortages of war. Her life is endangered by Allied air raids. Yet she remains a child, tending her little garden and visiting the zoo. Eva's ability to make the best of a frightening situation is the most touching aspect of her account. She emerged from the war as someone who, despite many terrible hardships, managed to avoid feeling hatred toward anyone.

I, too, say "Thank you" to Eva Hesse and to the people who mounted the show and produced this catalog. I went to SFMOMA to see the major Edward Weston show and spent most of my time being captured by Eva Hesse. I've been back twice for each show.

The Sixties were full of new ideas in art and most were more noisy than Eva Hesse. So, we didn't see enough of her and she really didn't receive the recognition due her in this country. This book is a small step to redress that oversight.

Eva Hess was out on a limb and her work is about as easy to show as a rainstorm. It is a measure of how good she is that the show for this catalog was done so well. This catalog is up to its task.

A very moving and thought provoking show. This catalog will help keep her delicate adventure alive and spawn more Eva Hesses. If you are lucky it will get you to the show, then back to the book to think about this very "material girl", her personal life and perhaps what you should be doing with yours.

It is worth mentioning to those who don't know Hesse's work that this current show will most likely be the last that some of her work will survive. If you want to see it, do it now.

I have just viewed a beautiful Eva Hesse retrospective at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and this book is a catalogue of that exhibit. Eva Hesse was exceptionally talanted, innovative artist, associated freely with what is described as Minimalism. She considerably expanded horizons of our thinking of modern art, introducing new textures, such as latex and fiberglass, presenting her highly original, personal vision with rare integrity and also intensity. The exhibit provides a fascinating survey of her carreer: from early Expressionist paintings to collages made from found objects to mature sculptures which challange viewers' notions of artifact, museum space and artistic performance. I think the book preserves the best experience from that show and combines it with interesting, sometimes thought-provoking essays on Hesse by observant art critics. It is invaluable as a source on Hesse, Minimalism and, more broadly, international artistic scene of the 60s, of which Eva Hesse was one of the prime, crucial figures.

Eva Hesse was a strong figure in the development of postwar international art and created a variety of works in different mediums. While her life has received prior focus, this title provides critical attention to her art with a lavish catalogue which reveals her working methods, materials, philosophy and works: the first comprehensive examination since her last exhibition in 1972. A 'must' for libraries featuring catalogues of modern artists.

I read the book Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson. It was fairly enjoyable though a bit boring in some parts. The story is about 3 aunts who live on a magical island, and are worried about what will happen to the creautres when they die, so they kidnap two children Minette and Fabio. The story then goes on to be about what happens when they come, and problems with the kidnapping. Girls and Boys ages 10 - 13.

I reviewed this book earlier, but I just reread it so I had to review it again.

1. This book looks impressing, but its really just because there are three books inside it. The pages are also thick, so its really not that bad.

2. You should get this book because it is very fresh and refreshing. It seems like you get more out of the book because there are three stories, so there are three plots, three expositions, three rising actions, three climaxes, and three resolutions.

3.Eva Ibbotson uses creative plots to get your attention. I was very surprised at the plots of the stories, but it was a pleasant surprise.

4. You REALLY should GET this BOOK!!!!!!!!

I DEFINETELY recommend this book to you!!!!!!!!!!

This book was really good! I was waiting for the next Harry Potter book to come out when I saw this book. I was really glad I got it. It wasn't just filler. I really liked the way Eva Ibbotson made a whole different world, but it still felt like that world might actually be there. In Island of the Aunts, she shows how important it is to conserve nature and it's wonders. She was able to give that message without being depressing, like other books sometimes are.

We all have days on which we are down in the dumps and need a little glamor. Gabors ARE glamor. Beautiful, colorful book. Buy it for the makeup tips alone!

This is a great little book when you need a little glamourous inspiration in your life! The Gabors (all of them) were every inch stars: glamourous dresses, giant jewels, and witty quotes, such as "I ask myself more questions than Hamlet as I ponder which shoes to wear" (Eva) or "How many husbands have I had - you mean apart from my own?" (Zsa Zsa). I love it! This book celebrates the Gabors and their larger than life presence from the Hungarian beginning through their celebrity in Hollywood. In short, it is simply vonderful, dahling!

It would have been a sad world indeed without the fabulous Gabors, their wit, wisdom, beauty and charisma and above all their glamour has kept us spellbound for decades. This book is a celebration of their lives and acheivements, I only wish it was twice as big. Filled with photos movie posters and memorabilia, it lists the Gabor sisters various appearances in Las Vegas, in stage shows and on the big and small screen. People forget Zsa Zsa starred in many memorable movies like 'Lovely to Look At', 'Moulin Rouge', 'Lili', 'Death of a Scoundrel','Queen of Outer Space', 'Arriverderci Baby' & 'Naked Gun 2 1/2' and Eva's films included 'The Mad Magician', 'The Last Time I Saw Paris', 'Artists and Models', 'Gigi' and 'The Aristocats', as well as having a cult following on the 60's T.V classic Green Acres. These women never stopped working and supporting themselves, making legendary guest appearances on countless T.V shows and having everything they said and did reported in the columns. They never stopped partying either, or changing husbands. In glorious gowns they adorned the covers of countless magazines and tabloids and have themselves written tell-all books on their lives. This coffee table book celebrates their journey from El Morocco to Studio 54, it showcases their style as true Hollywood celebrities and legends. "A wry and sumptuous look into the world of celebrity" Robert Rechter.

This book givers credence to the Toaist practice of painless teaching through storytelling. It was a joy to read and the depth of the stories became clear once the reading was completed. If you are looking for an entertaining read with a little Toaist history, this book fills the bill quite nicely.

This is an easy read book on fairly complex matters. That is perhaps the most appealing thing about it. One can enjoy the stories, and learn the basic principles behind Taoism.

However, the depth could have been a bit more - but maybe then it wouldnt be an easy read. One of the stories might even suggest wrong ideas.. that of Sun Pu Erh disfiguring her face so that she could go on her spiritual quest - is indicative of her initial ignorance but there is almost a sort of glorification of this act.

However, the stories are rather good and entertaining. And the English is very good.

Written sometime in the 13th century, this novel/parable gives us a great overview of what it takes to attain the Tao. We live through the sacrifices and pitfalls that eight immortals make on their path to enlightenment. Eva Wong's work in translating this classic has to be highly commended. She takes very difficult and obtuse concepts and smoothly translates them in a manner that conveys the intention of the original author. To do so, she demonstrates her own attainment and mastery. Well done.

I had read Ms. Berck's "Yonder the Bridge" years ago and loved it so much I wrote to the author and begged for a sequel. Her gracious reply said that the book had been draining and she doubted she would have the energy to do another about her early years in western Pennsylvania, newly arrived from Germany. Thank heaven she decided to translate her first year diary covering 1947-48 and edit it for our pleasure!

I found "America for a Beginner" to be utterly fresh, immediate and completely engaging. Ms. Berck's natural wit provided entertainment on every page, and her wonderful inclusion of observations on her first born, little Tommie, were an added bonus along with the eccentric members of her new husband's family and the small town America inhabitants. She obviously has a great capacity for flexibility as well as an innate sense of humor to have dealt with all those maiden aunts, the intimidating housekeeper,and the forbidding Uncle Matthew who turned out to be very kind to the new German warbride who warmed to him from the start.

Don't miss this one if you are the WWII generation, or the child of that generation as I am. In fact don't miss it whatever your age. It's a refreshing view of how to deal with great change with aplomb and flexibility and enjoyment--as well as down-to-earth social courage. Kudos to Ms. Berck. I only wish she had the energy for a third book. I want more!

What a fun book this is! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Ms. Berck and the folks of the small town where she came as a German warbride She depicted herself, her American relatives and the town with much affection as she lived through her first year or two of culture shock. I got the book as a gift for Christmas and read it the same day, often laughing aloud at the situations that arose for this newcomer to America. I recommend it to anyone who'd like to see small-town American life in the mid-20th century, as well as anyone who likes humorous books about ordinary people.

Ms. Berck's gentle humor and the perspective she has gained after the years of living in America allow us to chuckle at ourselves, and see how incomprehensible some of our behaviors are to someone from another country. Although some of the situations reflect the post-war period and the experiences of someone coming from Germany, others are remarkably like observations of differences related to me by a friend from England within the last few years: what passes for bacon here is totally unlike bacon in Europe! Why is it that we can't walk to places only a few blocks away?

This little book functions on many levels, giving insights into ourselves, and to the experience of any spouse having to adjust to a completely different culture and language. This author is delightful to read, as well as being enlightening. I hope we will see more from her.