Heirs of Auschwitz by Dr. Jack Fried

You can find countless stories of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust as told firsthand by those souls that have witnessed, lived through, and survived indescribable horror. From great retellings from authors such as Elie Wiesel to dramatized, influential works of fiction from writers including John Boyne, it becomes clear the Holocaust has impacted more than the people that directly experienced it.

As the era of first-generation Holocaust survivors approaches its end, their stories as well as their trauma lives on, however, through their descendants. As a consequence, the descendants of Holocaust survivors, as current research suggests, have also been affected from the result of the experience of their parents and grandparents. Few stories are ever written by the heirs of those who endured that indescribable horror and in the way that it manifests psychologically just two generations later.

Author Dr. Jack Fried, born to the son and daughter of Holocaust survivors, is one of the many whose life has been forever changed by the events that transpired during the Holocaust. Inter-generational trauma is not a well-known concept, but, for Dr. Fried, it meant that he had to take a journey into a past he didn’t personally know—his grandparents’ past—to find pieces to a puzzle that may answer his questions about the origins of a lifelong battle he has had with separation anxiety. His trip took him to Poland where he uncovered a slew of pent-up emotions, fears, and dark histories.

Oddly, as Dr. Fried learns about his family’s past and his present, he unknowingly embarks on a spiritual journey into Jewish mysticism, which slowly enables him to transcend his lifelong struggles with a fear and anxiety that didn’t belong to him. All of the inhibiting emotions were released upon his connection to the strife of his ancestors.

Heirs of Auschwitz is an extremely worthwhile read for anyone with unresolved feelings, anyone who has not witnessed or has avoided witnessing human suffering, and for those who cannot fathom what hell on earth is like.

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99 cents until 4/10

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

99 cent sale! 'South Africa's Forgotten Revival' by Olea Nel

Book Summary

Although the Great Awakening at the in 1860/61 was as powerful as its precursors in , and , its story has, for the most part, been forgotten. Olea Nel has succeeded in filling a much needed gap in the literature by describing the events through the lives of Andrew Murray, Nicolaas Hofmeyr and Gottlieb van der Lingen. As the story unfolds, you will learn how the Holy Spirit moved like a wave through the Cape Colony, visiting most of its towns. Virtually overnight those who were renewed or converted became people of prayer and mission enthusiasts.

Available on Amazon

Just 99 cents through 11/10/14!

Peer Reviews

Dr. Robert Vosloo,
Senior lecturer in Systematic Theology and Church History
Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is well-written and keeps the reader's interest throughout. In my view, it will appeal to a wide audience, especially those interested in revival, prayer and missions. While the book is written in a popular style, it gives evidence of good research and a responsible engagement with the sources. I found the book very interesting and learnt a lot from Olea Nel’s research. I am sure that others will have a similar experience.

Dr. Michael Cassidy
African Enterprise International 

It is my privilege to commend Olea Nel’s volume South Africa’s Forgotten Revival: The Story of the Cape’s Great Awakening in 1860. This well researched volume not only brings a historical message of interest for both academics and the ordinary person in the pew, but also bears within its pages a very strong message of spiritual challenge relating to what God can do when His Spirit is allowed to move freely in reviving power amongst His people.

Dr. Peter Hammond
Director of Frontline Fellowship.
Chairman of The Reformation Society, Cape Town

Dr. Olea Nel has done the church a tremendous service by producing this vital book: South Africa’s Forgotten Revival: The Story of the Cape’s Great Awakening in 1860. We desperately need revival today, and this dynamic book is both an inspiration and a practical help by exploring the people, the doctrines and the events that God used in such a powerful way back in the Cape of Good Hope in the 19th century.

Author Biography

Dr. Olea Nel was born in Cape Town, South Africa. After completing her training as a teacher in Andrew Murray’s heartland of Wellington, she relocated to Australia to further her studies. Besides attaining a PhD in Linguistics, she also has qualifications in Information Studies and Theology. Having now retired from her position as a senior librarian at the National Library of Australia, she is able to pursue her passion for research, especially within the fields of church history and biography. Her aim is to share her findings with fellow Christians.

'Andrew Murray: Destined to Serve' by Olea Nel FREE 10/29-10/30

For those who love Historical Fiction about Christian heroes of the faith

Historically accurate, and based upon Andrew Murray's letters and early biographies

A boyish and fun-loving Andrew Murray arrives back in South Africa after being ordained at the Hague on his twentieth birthday. He soon discovers that his preaching lacks the power displayed by his heroes of the faith. He therefore decides to embark on a quest to become a powerful preacher filled with the Holy Spirit.

But not long after his appointment as pastor to the Dutch emigrants beyond the borders of the Cape, he finds that he is being shunted off course by a frenetic round of preaching tours that sap his energy and leave him little time to spend with God. He also finds himself having to cope with an overly demanding church council, as well as walk a tightrope between the Boer farmers and the British Settler community who are bent on land speculation to the detriment of neighbouring tribes.

Feeling overwhelmed by the task, and knowing that he was pressed into taking it, he starts to doubt his calling. It does not take him long to realize that he has to either man-up or bow out.

WALK with Andrew Murray as he negotiates his first year of ministry to the Voortrekkers in the Orange River Sovereignty and the Transvaal between the years 1849 and 1850.

PLACE yourself with him in the wilds of Africa teaming with game, lions and African wolves.

THROW into this mix the British, who at the Battle of Boomplaats in 1848 have just taken over the land between the Orange and Vaal Rivers.

IMMERSE yourself in a world where the Boer is forever ready to rebel against their British overlords, and where Paramount Chief Moshesh of the Basuto is constantly threatening war against the British and neighbouring tribes.

OBSERVE how Andrew Murray at twenty-one is able to straddle the divide between Boer and Brit and grow into his role as lone pastor, eager to serve his far-flung congregation of over 20 000 souls.

Available on Amazon

FREE for Kindle 10/29-10/30

Also available at these booksellers:

Barnes & Noble \ Foyle's London

About the author:

Dr. Olea Nel was born in Cape Town, South Africa. After completing her training as a teacher in Andrew Murray’s heartland of Wellington, she relocated to Australia to further her studies.

Besides attaining a PhD in Linguistics, she also has qualifications in Information Studies and Theology. Having now retired from her position as a senior librarian at the National Library of Australia, she is able to pursue her passion for research, especially within the fields of church history and biography. Her aim is to share her findings with fellow Christians.

'Exodus Lost' by S.C. Compton

Are you fascinated by unsolved mysteries?

Check out this highly rated book that delves into antique cold cases, perfect for those who loves history, religion, and archaeology.

Blurb from Amazon:

Exodus Lost reopens cold cases from antiquity and tracks down their solutions using cutting-edge science, classical scholarship, and tenacity. The adventure begins with Aztec and Mayan chronicles of an epic voyage across the Atlantic Ocean by an influential band of ancestors. By mapping the details within these texts, the author locates their lost homeland and corroborates the local traditions of an ocean-crossing long before Columbus. This discovery leads to revolutionary insights into the origins of ancient Mexican and Western civilizations, the Bible (including the new archaeological evidence for two major biblical events), the alphabet, and much more. Enter a world of exploration and discovery, mystery and revelation. Whether your passion is archaeology or religion, history or simply a great adventure, Exodus Lost delivers.

Beautifully illustrated with 126 photos, maps, and engravings. 

This intriguing read has been highly rated by readers, including many academics. You can read some scholarly reviews by visiting the reviews page on the book's website here.

 On Amazon, it currently has 25 5-star reviews!

Download your copy today!

Or purchase in paperback.

Also available at Barnes & Noble.

About the author:

S. C. Compton has been fascinated with ancient civilizations since childhood adventures living in the rainforests of Peru with his grandparents and exploring Incan ruins in the nearby Andes. He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in the Humanities cum laude from Shimer College, a Master of Liberal Arts from the University of Chicago, a Master of Arts in Literature from Northwestern University, and studied at Oxford University and in Switzerland at L'Abri. Compton dedicated 14 years to the research and writing of Exodus Lost, including travels to archaeological sites in Egypt, Mexico, Greece, Israel, and Turkey and to relevant museum and library holdings across Mexico, Europe, and America. He currently edits history and literature journals for Oxford University Press.

Visit the website at www.ExodusLost.com

Review of '17 Women Who Shook the World' by Preethi Burkholder

Description

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to achieve success effortlessly while others just don’t? In this motivational and historical book, discover how you, too, can master the inner abilities to become successful. Becoming informed about the thinking and behavioral patterns of 17 of modern history’s most amazing women will drive you, too, to take action to attract success into your life. Learn  a dynamic and attainable program for changing your inner model of achievement with a formula that supports your happiness. Read about accomplished women such as Shirley Chisholm, Esther Morris, Wilman Rudolph, Aung San Suu Kyi, Valentina Tereshkova, Harriet Tubman, Madam C.J. Walker, Meryl Streep, and Victoria Woodhull. Like the 17 women showcased here, build your own Global Positioning System (GPS) for success.

 Preethi Burkholder inspires women, men, and children to achieve their dreams, find success, and lead meaningful lives. Originally from Sri Lanka, she does humanitarian work there to improve the lives of underprivileged women and children.

**My thoughts**

When I agreed to review this book, I was under the impression that it was a book for kids, as it was listed under children's nonfiction. I was thrown off when I started reading it. The beginning is more of a self-help guide to empowering women. Preethi Burkholder has a list of 24 steps to "program into your internal GPS." All of these are great ideas to build a woman toward success. And most children will not understand this "program" as it is written.
 
The next part of the book gets into the history of women in society over the past few centuries. It shows the evolution of women's rights, ending with an argument for why a woman should be in the White House.

The third part of the book focuses on the biographies of women who were movers and shakers in their time. Some of them are expected to be on the list, such as Susan B. Anthony, who opens the section, and Amelia Earhart. Others are more contemporary and not ones I would have necessarily thought of, such as Suze Orman and Meryl Streep. Still others, such as Aung San Suu Kyi, help to represent the whole world.

The biographies in and of themselves are interesting. I was surprised that not all of them had an accompanying photograph. I appreciated the emphasis on certain quotes and the summary of each woman's specific strides made for women. This area felt more like it was written for the younger generation. It is definitely very researched. I just think it would have done better being separated into different works, or with a better wrap-around section.

I can understand what the author was trying to do with her book, but it felt more like I was reading three separate books put under one cover. The first part definitely felt more like it was meant for the adult or late teen audience. The second and third parts were more like a history section that could possibly appeal to middle school and up.

I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Buy links: Amazon \ Barnes & Noble

'Texting Through Time: John Taylor and the Mystery Puzzle' Book Tour

Book Description:

Micah and Alicia are excited to meet John Taylor as a child in England. But when their phone won’t let them return to their own time, they’ll follow the prophet around the world, learning some important lessons along the way. Humorous, entertaining, and informative, this book is a wonderful introduction to church history that’s bound to be a family favorite!

**My thoughts**

Apparently, this Texting Through Time book is the second in a series. This is the only one that I have read, but I am curious to read some more. In this series, brother and sister, Micah and Alicia, have a Magic Tree House-like experience, in which they get to travel through time to meet important people in the Mormon church's history. Instead of a book, they have a magical cell phone from their father. They cannot return home until they have solved a puzzle and learned some very important lessons.

This story is a good one for kids to read to help them remember the teachings of the church, and to live the lives they were meant to lead. Church history is very important, as is finding and living your faith. Kids will enjoy reading the adventures. Parents and teachers can use this as a basis for discussion with the kids. It would be appropriate to read with middle elementary and older. Some younger ones may enjoy the story, but will need some discussion to help them understand what is going on. Older kids, and kids-at-heart, will also feel their hearts fill with joy as they read this adventure. Mine did.

Meet the Author:

My grandmother lived with us when I was young. She loved to read me stories. I would curl up in her lap or sit on the bed next to her and listen to the tales spin out before me. We cried together over Lassie Come Home and loved Madeline and her adventures. That was a magical time for me in my life. When my children were little, I loved reading to them because it kept the magic alive. Now my children are grown, I can keep the magic by writing stories for others to read.

I love to read and write stories about the pioneer prophets.

Pioneers live all over the world. I still have family in Switzerland and Poland. Where do you and your ancestors come from? Write and tell me.

I am like the pioneers because I love:

• Old fashioned cooking—making butter
• Pioneer games—button, button, who’s got the button?
• Crafts the pioneers enjoyed—drying wild flowers

To learn more about the author and her books, you can visit her website at: www.christymonson.com