The Holocaust was,without doubt, one of the most horrific atrocities committed in war history.During Adolf Hitler's twelve year reign of terror,he contributed to the deaths of over fifty million people during the Second World War. He created a racial state where people considered unfit to live there were either persecuted,enslaved, or murdered in the most callous and inhumane way.Hitler's goal was to kill all Jewish men,women and children. He succeeded in murdering six million of them. Those that survived that horrendous atrocity would endure the pain and trauma suffered for the rest of their lives.On 1st November 2005, the United Nations resolved to designate 27th January as an International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.An outreach programme with the theme " Remembrance and Beyond " was developed with the aim of firstly, remembering the victims of the Holocaust, and secondly, helping to prevent future acts of genocide.The theme for the 2012 International Day of Commemoration was "Children and the Holocaust". The United Nations remembers ,and honours, the memory of all the children who suffered and died at the hands of the Nazis.Hopefully,future generations will not have to suffer the same atrocities, pain and heartbreak.

Monday 23 April 2012

Once we were brothers

Once We Were Brothers

Ronald H. Balson

Berwick Court Publishing; 2010

ISBN: 978-0615351919



The story begins when 83 year old Ben Solomon points an unloaded gun to the head of Elliot Rosenzweig, an insurance magnate and one of Chicago’s most prominent citizens and philanthropists. The incident is witnessed by hundreds of people attending the opening of Chicago’s Lyric Opera.

Ben wants to expose Elliot as being a former SS Officer known in Poland as the “ Butcher of Zamosc ,“ but Elliot denies this accusation and protests that he is a Holocaust survivor himself and to prove it, he exposes his arm to show a concentration camp tattoo. Ben is charged with the crime and is represented by Attorney, Catherine Lockhart.

The story shifts back and forth from Chicago 2004, to Poland from 1936-1944 with vivid images from both eras. This is a story of hope and despair, of heroism and cowardice, of loyalty and treachery, and has an exciting and unexpected finish. The pace is good, and it is certainly a great read.
Once We Were Brothers
Historical Fiction
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