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A review by emiged
A Century of Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer, the World's Oldest Living Holocaust Survivor by Caroline Stoessinger
5.0
In contrast to [b:Alice's Piano|13165336|Alice's Piano The Life of Alice Herz-Sommer|Melissa Müller|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348681936s/13165336.jpg|18344523], A Century of Wisdom is not chronological. Rather, it is a stirring collection of the lessons Professor Herz-Sommer has learned over her hundred-plus years on earth. It is astounding to me to read of her triumphs over her struggles, but even more so to read of her unfailing optimism and cheerful attitude. It’s also a testament to the resilience and power of the human will.
Since I can’t improve upon them, here are her own words:
“I love people. All kinds of people. I love to talk with people…I don’t look at people as a group to be judged. Behind every man and woman is a story. I am interested in learning about the best in each individual.”
“I was not spared to spend my days looking back, to make myself and others miserable.”
Speaking of her husband, Leopold, who died at Dachau: “He was a learned man. An extraordinary fine character. I respected him. I learned from him. He respected me…who I was and what music meant to me. Mutual respect is the foundation of a happy marriage.”
“We all see only what we want to see.”
Quoting Adolf Eichmann at his war crimes trial, which she attended: “I realize that a life predicated on being obedient and taking orders is a very comfortable life indeed. Living in such a way reduces to a minimum one’s need to think.”
“There is a strange interdependence between thoughtlessness and evil.”
“Tears had no place in a concentration camp. Laughter was our only medicine.”
“Generosity above all.”
“Be kind. Kindness is free. It costs you nothing, and the rewards are great for everyone.”
“Every day is a miracle. No matter how bad my circumstances, I have the freedom to choose my attitude to life, even to find joy. Evil is not new. It is up to us how we deal with both good and bad. No one can take this power away from us.”
Excellent lessons for us all. Thank you, Alice.
Read more on my blog Build Enough Bookshelves.
Since I can’t improve upon them, here are her own words:
“I love people. All kinds of people. I love to talk with people…I don’t look at people as a group to be judged. Behind every man and woman is a story. I am interested in learning about the best in each individual.”
“I was not spared to spend my days looking back, to make myself and others miserable.”
Speaking of her husband, Leopold, who died at Dachau: “He was a learned man. An extraordinary fine character. I respected him. I learned from him. He respected me…who I was and what music meant to me. Mutual respect is the foundation of a happy marriage.”
“We all see only what we want to see.”
Quoting Adolf Eichmann at his war crimes trial, which she attended: “I realize that a life predicated on being obedient and taking orders is a very comfortable life indeed. Living in such a way reduces to a minimum one’s need to think.”
“There is a strange interdependence between thoughtlessness and evil.”
“Tears had no place in a concentration camp. Laughter was our only medicine.”
“Generosity above all.”
“Be kind. Kindness is free. It costs you nothing, and the rewards are great for everyone.”
“Every day is a miracle. No matter how bad my circumstances, I have the freedom to choose my attitude to life, even to find joy. Evil is not new. It is up to us how we deal with both good and bad. No one can take this power away from us.”
Excellent lessons for us all. Thank you, Alice.
Read more on my blog Build Enough Bookshelves.