Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad: A Family Memoir of Miraculous Survival

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His grandfather Dolu was arrested and disappeared, while his father and grandmother were sent to Siberia, working as slave labourers on a collective farm. Amazing to think that the author’s maternal family not only knew the Franks but met them again in Belsen. Emanating from (what was) Poland and Germany his grandparents’ lives, suffering and incredible achievements are recounted here in wonderful detail. His grandfather Dolu was arrested and disappeared, while his 10-year-old father and grandmother were sent to Siberia, working as slave labourers on a collective farm. The stories of the two sides of the Finkelstein are expertly told and, as you read, you come to know some exceptional people.

This truly remarkable book brings vividly home the horrors perpetrated against one family by Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, serving as an indictment of their crimes against millions. Daniel Finkelstein continues the heartrending memoir of his parents' experiences of persecution, resistance and survival during WWII, this week focusing on the story of his father's family at the hands of Stalin. Daniel’s multi generational tale, tracks his mother Mirjam Wiener's journey from Germany, to Holland and eventually to starve in BergenBelson in tandem with his father Ludwig's story from Poland to slave labour in the Gulag and eventually to freezing Siberia. If like Finkelstein’s mother’s family, for example, you’ve fled Berlin because it’s no longer safe to be Jewish there, and you’re in Amsterdam, living close to Anne Frank, once war breaks out, are you better off in the Netherlands or in Britain?There is a moment in that when Ruth is getting 16 years old and there is a very poignant conversation between mother Grete and Ruth.

The author skillfully weaves together the stories of his grandparents, Alfred Wiener and Ludwik, highlighting their resilience and strength in the face of unimaginable adversity. The book is both personal and hugely informative, thought-provoking as well as moving and inspiring. The two families had different experiences but both endured exile, starvation, separation from family and uncertainty over the future. They died peacefully in the house they lived in for more than 50 years after escaping the horrors of their youth, enjoying the gentle rituals of family life. Most family biographies would be dull but this book is gripping and thought provoking as the author intended.Likewise when Justin Bieber created global outrage for commenting in the visitors’ book at Anne Frank’s house that he hoped “ she would have been a belieber”, Mirjam defends him.

Grete were expecting palsetine exchange certificate so that she can save atleast Mirjam,Eva and Ruth,one can assume how worse situation would have been there.That this even happened is the result of tricks, coincidences, and narrow escapes, with so often a hair's breadth between survival and death. When Grete's birthday came in March 26, 1944,and she turned 49 year old lady then one of her friends gave her three potatoes in gift. They ended up, through circuitous means, in Britain, met, married and lived a blissfully quiet life in Hendon.