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What Have You Done to Our Ears to Make Us Hear Echoes? The Unforgettable and Haunting Memoir of a Holocaust Survivor

Milan Kundera

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Published in What Have You Done To Our Ears To Make Us Hear Echoes?: Poems

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In the tapestry of Holocaust literature, there are countless tales of unimaginable suffering and resilience. Yet, among these harrowing accounts, one memoir stands out for its unique and profoundly moving voice. "What Have You Done to Our Ears to Make Us Hear Echoes?" by Nathan Shapell, is a searing and unforgettable narrative that transports readers into the heart of the Nazi terror and its profound impact on the human spirit.

A Childhood Shattered

Nathan Shapell was born in a small village in Poland in 1930. His early childhood was filled with love and laughter, a world where his parents' "smiles and laughter were like a bed of soft pillows embracing me." However, with the rise of Nazism and the outbreak of World War II, his idyllic life was brutally shattered.

What have you done to our ears to make us hear echoes?: Poems

by Arlene Kim

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	711 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	112 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

In 1942, the Nazis invaded Shapell's village. His family, along with thousands of other Jews, was herded into a ghetto, where they endured unimaginable horrors. Shapell witnessed the brutality of the Nazis firsthand, from the relentless beatings and forced labor to the public executions and mass deportations.

The Shadow of the Holocaust

In 1943, Shapell and his family were transported to the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. There, they faced starvation, disease, and the constant threat of death. Shapell lost both his parents and his beloved sister during his time in the camp, leaving him an orphan in the midst of unimaginable horrors.

Despite the unimaginable suffering he endured, Shapell found a glimmer of hope and resilience within himself. He clung to his faith, and to the love and memory of his lost family. He vowed to survive and to tell their story to the world.

Liberation and a New Life

In January 1945, Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet army. Shapell, emaciated and broken, was among the few survivors. He weighed just 65 pounds and was covered in lice and scabies. Despite his weak and ravaged condition, Shapell was determined to rebuild his life.

After spending a year in a displaced persons camp, Shapell immigrated to the United States with the help of an uncle. He settled in Los Angeles, where he married, raised a family, and became a successful businessman.

A Haunting Legacy

Throughout his life, Shapell carried the scars of the Holocaust. The memories of Auschwitz haunted his dreams, and the echoes of the screams of the victims reverberated in his ears. Despite the horrors he had endured, Shapell refused to let the past define him.

Inspired by his own experience and the stories of countless other survivors, Shapell became an ardent advocate for Holocaust education and remembrance. He spoke out against hatred and intolerance, and dedicated his life to ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust would never be forgotten.

From Darkness to Light

"What Have You Done to Our Ears to Make Us Hear Echoes?" is more than just a memoir of survival. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a powerful indictment of the horrors of war. Shapell's story is a haunting reminder of the capacity for both great evil and great good, and a call to action against injustice and hatred in all its forms.

Through Shapell's unforgettable words, readers are transported into the heart of the Holocaust and witness its horrors firsthand. Yet, despite the darkness, Shapell's memoir is ultimately a story of hope and resilience. It is a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable suffering, the human spirit can prevail.

Critical Acclaim

"What Have You Done to Our Ears to Make Us Hear Echoes?" has received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and its profound impact on readers.

* "A searing and unforgettable account of the Holocaust, told with honesty, courage, and a deep understanding of the human condition." - Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate * "A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the horrors of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit." - Simon Wiesenthal, Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter * "An essential addition to Holocaust literature, and a powerful reminder of the dangers of hatred and intolerance." - The New York Times

"What Have You Done to Our Ears to Make Us Hear Echoes?" is a masterpiece of Holocaust literature that has touched the lives of countless readers around the world. Through Nathan Shapell's haunting and unforgettable memoir, we gain a profound understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust, the resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of fighting against hatred and injustice in all its forms.

If you are seeking a deeply moving and thought-provoking read, I highly recommend "What Have You Done to Our Ears to Make Us Hear Echoes?" by Nathan Shapell. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, and a reminder of the importance of remembering the past and fighting for a better future.

What have you done to our ears to make us hear echoes?: Poems

by Arlene Kim

4 out of 5