Here it is Tuesday, and I have no Ruby Tuesday photos to share this week.

I am feeling much better, not 100%, but about 85% better.

In other news, my move is pushed up. I am actually moving beginning Wednesday November 11th, and not in December. It was easier for all involved, mainly those who are physically helping me, in the fact that due to the Veteran’s Day holiday next week, they would have to take less time off work to help me with the drive to CA.

Veteran’s Day is a bittersweet day for me. My father was a WWII Veteran, but more importantly…my dearest mommy (yes, you read right…mommy), died on Veteran’s Day. It will be five years since her passing, on the day I leave for CA…where she died and breathed her last breath.

I miss her more than I can articulate, and think of her every day. The memories of her linger…and sometimes I can almost smell her scent on certain items I have of hers. She will especially be on my mind when I leave for CA next Wednesday.

I am excited about moving there…excited about seeing my daughter, son-in-law, my Emily and Logan…two grandbabes, my brother, nephews and friends.

It is a time of transition and new beginnings that I look forward to.

Hunting Eichmann, by Neal Bascomb, is quite the intriguing thriller, and a non-fictional work that is brilliantly narrated.

In recounting the historical facts that led up to the capture of Eichmann, Bascomb left no detail or event untouched. His research is more than extremely thorough, and through his own travels to unearth anything and everything regarding the capture, including documents, interviews, articles, archives, etc., he has fashioned a narration that reads like a spy novel.

In fact, Hunting Eichmann is infused with spy material that will leave you amazed and astounded. From CIA records to Mossad agents, from worldwide indiffference to the Nazi underground in Argentina, to the El Al flight, the trial, the sentence and execution, and so much more, the historical information is incredible. I was totally engrossed in the book from page one. A thriller it is in every aspect.

How Eichmann was tracked, and how the plan to capture him was plotted is an amazing feat, and Bascomb reveals it all to the reader, without mincing words or leaving out clues. The fortitude, energy and extreme planning that it took to finally get Eichmann in Israeli hands, is basically the same fortitude, energy and planning used by Bascomb to convey the entire story to the reader.

There were many who thought it would never happen, and understandably so. There were the skeptics, those who thought that the issues should just die out, but there were those who felt that there needed to be justice, and justice there was. Bascomb demonstrates the journey to justice with intense clarity, through his brilliant writing and unending research.

Bascomb has done a great service in authoring Hunting Eichmann. He has brought to the forefront the incredible circumstances that led to Eichmann’s capture. Not only that, he has done it with extreme illumination through the vivid images he presents us. a href=”http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/titledetail.cfm?titleNumber=694153″>Hunting Eichmann is invaluable as an educational and historical documentation of Eichmann’s capture and execution. Neal Bascomb should be applauded for his incredible efforts, brilliant writing, and perseverance to convey the entire process, from day one through the finale. It is historical writing at its finest. It is story that doesn’t soon leave the reader
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© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Monday November 2, 2009 – 15th of Cheshvan, 5770

The violation of a law, the violation of a duty, are both definitions of the word “transgression“. In the book, Transgression: A Novel of Love and War, by James Nichol, those prime examples of defining the meaning of the word “transgression” are vividly brush stroked with Nichol’s word paintings.

Set during World War II and postwar, the historical aspect of the novel is fascinating, and the story line evokes mystery and intrigue as well. It is a story primarily of war and love, and the confines of such relationships within the framework of search and seizure in the Nazi stronghold in France. Transgression is a metaphor, in my opinion, for how war affects the emotional aspect of individuals, and what they will do or might do in to survive under harsh circumstances and extreme duress. Life under seige by the oppressor (and the oppressor is often ourselves), and how an individual’s coping mechanism is put into play is at the forefront of the novel.

The dangers of love affairs that cross the lines of political affiliation are explored in depth in this dramatic novel 1941, as Adele Georges tries to find her father who has been captured by the Nazis. While in the process of doing so, she meets a German soldier named Manfred who befriends her, tries to be helpful, and herein begins a romance that dooms her in the eyes of both sides fighting the war.

Their affair is hidden from Adele’s family who would not stop at anything to kill Manfred if they knew about the affair. And, by the same token, the Nazis would not stop at anything to kill him, if they found out about the affair. They are in a romantic bind. Eventuallly Manfred is deployed to Eastern Europe.

Adele is thought to be a collaborator for the other side, and the events depicted within this infrastructure in the book are explicit in detail, as they unfold before the reader’s eyes.

Within this framework there is a mystery lingering, the mystery of a disturbing find in a field. The year is 1946 and the gruesome discovery has been found by a child. This discovery begins a search for truth and identity in a postwar climate in Canada.

Through the detective work by the police chief (who is a character in himself), secrets are revealed that have followed Adele from one country to another.

If I sound vague, it is intentional, as I am trying not to reveal too much of the story line, because each detail is part of the whole.

Nichols’ writing is beautiful, yet gruesome at times, but each ugly act is pertinent to the story line, and not written for shock value. The historical aspect of Transgression is infused with much data.

From war and love to family and loss, the book is overwhelming, and the ending more so. Transgression is really a book that tells two stories in one, but is done so with such skill, as the two stories eventually fuse into one. James W. Nichol is masterful in his details and depictions of the horrors of war and the after effects that linger, as the past looms ever present in Adele’s life. It is a haunting read, filled with mystery and intrigue, and one that I highly recommend.
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© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Sunday November 1, 2009 – 14th of Cheshvan, 5770

It appears that an L.A. synagogue was attacked by a gunman, earlier today. Two people were shot, when a gunman entered the synagogue at about 6:20 a.m. Read the full story on MSNBC.

The above story was very disheartening to read. My thoughts go out to those who were injured, their families, and the synagogue members. Please daven/pray for them.

This autumn photo was recently taken by me, locally.

I am still feeling out of sorts. It feels as if a jackhammer is pounding inside my head. I have not had a fever, but don’t feel up to normal par, so I am not sure if it is the flu. I am resting, drinking liquids, taking extra vitamin D, and have been pushing soup down when I can. Whatever it is, it isn’t fun.

I have so many reviews to write, but my body won’t allow me to sit down and take the time to do it. I hope to be back in the full swing of blogging by the end of the weekend.

Take care, everyone.

Once again it’s time for Ruby Tuesday. Why not pay a visit to see more photos with red in them. The above photo is of a burning bush in the middle of trees, etc., in the surrounding woods.

I am not sure it’s the flu, but I have been feeling sick the past couple of days, and I have been resting and drinking liquids, taking extra vitamins, etc. I’m sure it will pass, soon.

Enjoy the rest of your day, everyone.

The Dentist of Auschwitz: A Memoir, by Benjamin Jacobs is a unique and compelling Holocaust survival story. That Benjamin was able to survive within the confines of several concentration camps is astounding, in itself.

Benjamin’s story of survival begins on May 5, 1941, when he was a young man of 22, ns when he saw his parents embrace each other for the last time, as he and his father were part of a convoy of men being deported to a labor camp. He managed to keep his dental tools with him, and this was in essence his saving grace.

Those dental instruments helped him throughout the Holocaust days of horror and atrocities. He offered his dental assistance to other prisoners, and even managed to give assistance to a Nazi or two. Benjamin did this in order to survive, and to try to make his life in the camps as convenient as possible, not only for him, but his father, also. He wasn’t so much concerned for his own life, but was concerned for welfare of others. Due to his skills, he earned respect and earned the friendship of some of the higher ups in command in the camps. This came in handy in many ways.

The fact that Benjamin performed dentistry work gained him a few favors along the way, and gained him a bit of extra food. It also helped him to gain an easier job for his father. This is not to say that life was easy for him, because it wasn’t. It was an hourly struggle each day to survive. Whatever small gains he was able to garner, were enough to help him to get through the horrendous situations forced upon him.

Eventually Benjamin and his father were reunited with his brother. And, this is where I will leave you with details of the story. It is one you must read yourself, in its entirety in order to know about Benjamin and his ordeal and determination to keep his family together and his struggle to survive.

Benjamin had a story to tell, and a compelling one, filled with intense moments and horrors. The Dentist of Auschwitz is more than a memoir about a dentist, more than a story about his experience in Auschwitz. Benjamin was in more than one concentration camp, and this book encompasses his thoughts, perceptions and perspectives of his time spent in each camp. His struggles to survive under bitter and harsh conditions are well documented and written with forthrightness.

Throughout most of the pages, the reader will not find Benjamin Jacobs judging others for their actions. He doesn’t seem to try to make sense of what has occurred, but rather tries to focus on staying alive. That he survived, is a testament to his inner strength and determination. It is a gripping memoir, intense and descriptive regarding camp life. It is invaluable as an educational resource. I highly recommend The Dentist of Auschwitz to everyone.
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I personally own and have read this book.

© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Tuesday October 27, 2009 – 9th of Cheshvan, 5770