A Century of Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer, the World's Oldest Living Holocaust Survivor Author: | Language: English | ISBN:
B007MI1PRU | Format: PDF
A Century of Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer, the World's Oldest Living Holocaust Survivor Description
A Century of Wisdom is an inspiring story of resilience and the power of optimism - the true story of Alice Herz-Sommer, the world's oldest living Holocaust survivor.
At 108 years old, the pianist Alice Herz-Sommer is an eyewitness to the entire last century and the first decade of this one. She has seen it all, surviving the Theresienstadt concentration camp, attending the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem, and along the way coming into contact with some of the most fascinating historical figures of our time.
As a child in Prague, she spent weekends and holidays in the company of Franz Kafka (whom she knew as "Uncle Franz"), and Gustav Mahler, Sigmund Freud, and Rainer Maria Rilke were friendly with her mother. When Alice moved to Israel after the war, Golda Meir attended her house concerts, as did Arthur Rubinstein, Leonard Bernstein, and Isaac Stern. Today Alice lives in London, where she still practices piano for hours every day.
Despite her imprisonment in Theresienstadt and the murders of her mother, husband, and friends by the Nazis, and much later the premature death of her son, Alice has been victorious in her ability to live a life without bitterness. She credits music as the key to her survival, as well as her ability to acknowledge the humanity in each person, even her enemies.
A Century of Wisdom is the remarkable and inspiring story of one woman's lifelong determination - in the face of some of the worst evils known to man - to find goodness in life. It is a testament to the bonds of friendship, the power of music, and the importance of leading a life of material simplicity, intellectual curiosity, and never-ending optimism.
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 6 hours and 30 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Random House Audio
- Audible.com Release Date: March 20, 2012
- Whispersync for Voice: Ready
- Language: English
- ASIN: B007MI1PRU
Before you think that, a story about a 108 year-old Holocaust survivor will be sad, think again. This is no re-hash of history. Amazingly upbeat, the author gives us an accurate account of Alice Herz-Sommer's life. (Having seen a brief documentary featuring Mrs. Herz-Sommer several years ago, I know her portrayal is accurate.)
Alice will destroy every concept you may have about old people. "She says that, just because she is old in years, she is not irrelevant. And more insistently Alice says, 'My mind is young. My emotions and my imagination are still young.' Then with a whimsical bit of laughter, 'Of course, I do have some experience.' 'You cannot see the real me inside my wrinkled skin, the life of my emotions. What you see is only the outer face of a very old woman.'
Zest for life emanates from her. Herz-Sommer, a concert pianist, lives through her music. Embracing Spinoza's philosophy, she believes that, "....death and life are part of the same infinity or God...We come from and return to Infinity." "Things are as they are supposed to be. I am still here--never too old so long as I breathe to wonder, to learn, and yes, still to teach. Curiosity--interest in others, and, above all, music. This is life." It is not only her exquisite musical talent that makes her extraordinary. This ability to question and learn and find joy in life--despite its tragedies--is what defines her as a remarkable woman.
Even her philosophy about child-rearing when she was a young mother was counter to her times. She believed children could never have too much love. And in the concentration camp, it was her love and indomitable cheerfulness with which she raised her only child, her son, Rafi. She epitomizes her creed, "I never give up hope.
A Century of Wisdom is a tribute to Alice Herz-Sommer, the world's oldest living Holocaust survivor. This book does not focus on Alice's experiences in the Holocaust. She did not want to talk about her time in Theresienstadt; a way station to Auschwitz for many, and known as the `model' German concentration camp where she gave concerts. Alice played more than a hundred concerts there between 1943 and liberation.
Music gave her hope and helped the other prisoners forget finding their names on transport lists to Auschwitz, and their hunger and their harsh surroundings. (More than 156,000 passed through the gates of Theresienstadt and only 11% would survive.)
The book skims across the surface of Alice's life, beginning with her idyllic early days in Czechoslovakia, her time as a prisoner in Theresienstadt, to her time in Israel and London. The book focuses less on Alice's time as a concentration camp prisoner and more on Alice's illustrious musical career and famous people she knew.
There are some interesting anecdotes about Kafka who was a friend of Alice's sister's fiancé. Alice remembered Kafka as an `eternal child' who when he couldn't decide what to study, became a lawyer. He was often late and often got lost, and made up stories of wild imaginary beasts and could be a lot of fun.
Alice became friends with Israel's Prime Minister, Golda Meir and tells about the day Golda helped her peel potatoes in her kitchen.
The book jumps around in time which at times makes the narrative difficult to follow, but this is more an observation than a criticism. There is little to criticize here. It was written about, and with the help of, a woman who is 107 years old who has had a long and rich and interesting life.
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