Defying Death on the Danube: A Holocaust Survival Story

Author:   Debbie J. Callahan ,  Henry Stern
Publisher:   Amsterdam Publishers
ISBN:  

9789493231436


Pages:   248
Publication Date:   27 April 2021
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
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Defying Death on the Danube: A Holocaust Survival Story


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Overview

A young boy's survival story against all odds in the face of pure evil Horst Stern’s life has never been an easy one, even prior to witnessing the devastation of Kristallnacht in Berlin in 1938. From his illegitimate birth to a Jewish mother who abandoned him, to dealing with a severe speech impediment, his young life was filled with struggle - none of which, however, prepared him for the hardships to come when the Nazis rose to power. Horst flees to Budapest to escape increased persecution by the Nazi-regime, but gets caught. Due to sheer determination and fate, he survives labor camps, life in the Budapest Ghetto, near starvation, and a grueling Death March. At last, the much-awaited day of liberation arrives, but it does not bring stability for Horst and his surviving family members. His never-ending search for a place he could call home had just begun.

Full Product Details

Author:   Debbie J. Callahan ,  Henry Stern
Publisher:   Amsterdam Publishers
Imprint:   Amsterdam Publishers
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.60cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.371kg
ISBN:  

9789493231436


ISBN 10:   9493231437
Pages:   248
Publication Date:   27 April 2021
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

Prologue Acknowledgments 1. Berlin 2. Times of Change 3. Budapest 4. School Days 5. Becoming a Man 6. Forced Labor 7. The March 8. The Budapest Ghetto 9. The Russians are Coming 10. The Aftermath 11. Barter and Trade 12. The New Beginning 13. A New Career 14. Vienna 15. Saving Selma 16. Life in a DP Camp 17. Waiting for Immigration 18. Everyone Loves a Man in Uniform 19. Israel 20. The Reunion 21. Goodbye Ladies 22. Back to Europe 23. Oh Canada! 24. Toronto 25. St. Croix 26. The Well Deserved Extended Vacation 27. Going to America 1988 Afterword Photographs About the Author Holocaust Survivor True Stories Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Further Reading

Reviews

"Defying Death on the Danube is an amazingly detailed story of a SURVIVOR!! Horst (Henry) Stern. Incredible! I am so thankful his story is being told. We watch movies and documentaries of men and women who have endured horrifying circumstances and have fought to survive in life. Henry's story gave me such a beautiful inside perspective of a life that started off with similar challenges that we as humans face such as parental failures, children being moved to Grandparents/family members, financial struggles - all things that we may be able to relate to. However, this story moves very quickly to events that are so difficult to even comprehend! The Holocaust was beyond human ""normalcies"". Henry's story is so real. Just to have a firsthand account in such details of this man's day to day life is remarkable! I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I found myself rushing through parts to get to the end of that paragraph or page to see what happened. I love the author's writing style. She brings out the humanness of Henry and his family. I could feel Henry's sense of humor as he talked with Mrs. Callahan. I could feel the powerful bond that Henry, his Mom and Grandmother had from start to finish, even with the barrier between Henry and his Mom due to the ""unknown"" Dad. As I read of Henry's many escapes and moments of good-luck, I just knew he had to have an Angel helping him along the way. Another highlight I want to make is when Selma recited the poem she had memorized from her childhood and how emotionally overwhelming it was. So beautiful! I appreciate that Mr. Stern was willing to be transparent and vulnerable to the world. It is also astounding that Henry remembered this incredible story in such detail. Amazing! Debbie has written this book with such honor and respect for the family and all Holocaust survivors. - Sandra Renkel Debbie Callahan has masterfully retold Horst's story. Through his eyes we are able to smell, taste and feel all trials he endured. The unprovoked persecution an entire group of people suffered. The rage and aguish he felt pour from the pages. Thankfully, so does the hope and determination. In the end this is a story of triumph. In order to make it a total victory we must read and understand the perils of hatred. We must be the shield that protects our world from a repeat of this tragedy. - John Klopfer In Defying Death on the Danube, Debbie Callahan gives readers a glimpse of the meaning of survival. Although the subject is one of sadness toward the inhumanity of mankind, the story is wonderful and light. As the readers follow Henry's journey through life, they can easily visualize the places, experiences, and, most importantly, the personal connections. Callahan used Henry's story and words as a foundation for this masterpiece and then infused it with her own emotions. Overall an unforgettable read. - Liz Thompson"


Defying Death on the Danube is an amazingly detailed story of a SURVIVOR!! Horst (Henry) Stern. Incredible! I am so thankful his story is being told. We watch movies and documentaries of men and women who have endured horrifying circumstances and have fought to survive in life. Henry's story gave me such a beautiful inside perspective of a life that started off with similar challenges that we as humans face such as parental failures, children being moved to Grandparents/family members, financial struggles - all things that we may be able to relate to. However, this story moves very quickly to events that are so difficult to even comprehend! The Holocaust was beyond human normalcies . Henry's story is so real. Just to have a firsthand account in such details of this man's day to day life is remarkable! I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I found myself rushing through parts to get to the end of that paragraph or page to see what happened. I love the author's writing style. She brings out the humanness of Henry and his family. I could feel Henry's sense of humor as he talked with Mrs. Callahan. I could feel the powerful bond that Henry, his Mom and Grandmother had from start to finish, even with the barrier between Henry and his Mom due to the unknown Dad. As I read of Henry's many escapes and moments of good-luck, I just knew he had to have an Angel helping him along the way. Another highlight I want to make is when Selma recited the poem she had memorized from her childhood and how emotionally overwhelming it was. So beautiful! I appreciate that Mr. Stern was willing to be transparent and vulnerable to the world. It is also astounding that Henry remembered this incredible story in such detail. Amazing! Debbie has written this book with such honor and respect for the family and all Holocaust survivors. - Sandra Renkel Debbie Callahan has masterfully retold Horst's story. Through his eyes we are able to smell, taste and feel all trials he endured. The unprovoked persecution an entire group of people suffered. The rage and aguish he felt pour from the pages. Thankfully, so does the hope and determination. In the end this is a story of triumph. In order to make it a total victory we must read and understand the perils of hatred. We must be the shield that protects our world from a repeat of this tragedy. - John Klopfer In Defying Death on the Danube, Debbie Callahan gives readers a glimpse of the meaning of survival. Although the subject is one of sadness toward the inhumanity of mankind, the story is wonderful and light. As the readers follow Henry's journey through life, they can easily visualize the places, experiences, and, most importantly, the personal connections. Callahan used Henry's story and words as a foundation for this masterpiece and then infused it with her own emotions. Overall an unforgettable read. - Liz Thompson


Author Information

Writer, speaker, and teacher Debbie J. Callahan has studied and taught the lessons of the Holocaust for several years. In addition to working with survivors and liberators and volunteering at a Holocaust center, she now devotes much of her time teaching about the importance of Holocaust Remembrance and Education. Her articles, books, projects, and lectures focus on everything from the danger of hatred, racism, and anti-Semitism, to fighting Holocaust denial and the personal responsibility of sharing the stories of survivors, rescuers, liberators, and victims so that future generations will know what human beings are capable of doing to one another. In doing so, she fulfills her promise to survivors that their stories will not die with them, they will be used to fight denial, and we will never forget. Additionally, she writes and speaks to assure those who perished at the hands of the Nazis did not die as statistics, numbers of dehumanized, faceless victims devoid of emotion. She tells instead the stories of people who lived, worked, and loved; thus, sharing the humanity and legacies for generations to come.

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