- Summary
- "An epic and beautifully written World War II family history that spans Europe, telling of two happy families uprooted by war, their incredible suffering in Hitler's and Stalin's camps, and the near-miraculous survival and rescue of the author's parents who met after the war. Daniel Finkelstein's grandfather Alfred Wiener was a German Jewish intellectual leader who tolled an early warning of the impending Holocaust and became an archivist of Nazi crimes. He relocated his family to safety in Amsterdam, where they became close with Anne Frank's family. But they were eventually separated, and Daniel's mother Mirjam was sent to Bergen-Belsen with her mother and sisters while Alfred worked feverishly to free them. Finkelstein's father, Ludwik, grew up in a prosperous Jewish family in Poland where his father was a patriotic hero of the Great War. But when Stalin took control, Finkelstein's grandfather was deported to Siberia, while Ludwik and his mother were sent to Kazahkstan, where they barely survived freezing winters and harrowing forced labor conditions. Two Roads Home is a page-turning account of ingenuity, bravery and the almost unbelievable coincidences that brought Daniel's parents together. The story features secret archives, forgery and theft, and sweeps across Europe to show the expanse of the war. Moving, engrossing and inspiring, Two Roads Home will profoundly touch all who read it"-- Provided by publisher.
- Uniform Title
- Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad
- Variant Title
- 2 roads home : Hitler, Stalin, and the miraculous survival of my family
Hitler, Stalin, and the miraculous survival of my family
- Format
- Book
- Author/Creator
- Finkelstein, Daniel, 1962- author.
- Published
- New York : Doubleday, [2023]
- Locale
- England
London
Netherlands
Poland
Russia (Federation)
Siberia
- Edition
- First United States edition
- Contents
-
Part One: Before
Mum
Alfred and Grete
Dad
Dolu and Lusia
Mum
An Amsterdam Childhood
The Truth on Trial
Trapped
Part Two: During
Dad
A Knife in the Back
Mum
Overrun
Joy and Glee
The Departing
Betty from Nottingham
Dad
Into Exile
The Island of Hunger and Death
Mum
Alfred's War
Citizens of Paraguay
Dad
Amnesty
What Happened to Dolu
Reunion and Freedom
Mum
Westerbork
The Transfer
Camille
Belsen
The Exchange
Dad
The Dock at Southampton
Mum
Three Skeletons
Part Three: After
Dad
The Lady of Hendon Central
Mum
The Man on the President's Conscience
Mum & Dad
Friday Evening.
- Notes
-
"Originally published in hardcover in Great Britain as Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad by William Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, London, in 2023"--Title page verso.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Part One: Before -- Mum -- Alfred and Grete -- Dad -- Dolu and Lusia -- Mum -- An Amsterdam Childhood -- The Truth on Trial -- Trapped -- Part Two: During -- Dad -- A Knife in the Back -- Mum -- Overrun -- Joy and Glee -- The Departing -- Betty from Nottingham -- Dad -- Into Exile -- The Island of Hunger and Death -- Mum -- Alfred's War -- Citizens of Paraguay -- Dad -- Amnesty -- What Happened to Dolu -- Reunion and Freedom -- Mum -- Westerbork -- The Transfer -- Camille -- Belsen -- The Exchange -- Dad -- The Dock at Southampton -- Mum -- Three Skeletons -- Part Three: After -- Dad -- The Lady of Hendon Central -- Mum -- The Man on the President's Conscience -- Mum & Dad -- Friday Evening.
