Life in the Shadow of the Swastika: An Incredible Story of Survival, Bravery, and Renewal
Frieda E. Roos-van Hessen
Harvest Day Books (2006)
ISBN 0974134589
Reviewed by for Reader Views (1/07)
“Life in the Shadow of the Swastika” begins with a letter written in 1949 to Felicia, from Frieda E. Roos-van Hessen. Frieda shares with her daughter what life was like during the Holocaust.
“Before the war, the atmosphere in our home was that of music, and art and family.” Frieda refers to herself as “daddy’s little girl.” Her father was “a businessman and captain of the corps of Engineers with the Dutch Army Reserve.” Her life was pleasant with visits to the zoo and “presents from Sinterklass.” Frieda went to school, learned to knit, crochet and embroider. Childhood was a time of laughter and joy. That ended when the nightmare began.
It was on a field trip to the mountains of Germany anti-Semitism first touched her life. The experience left her and her friends dumbfounded. That was only the beginning. Frieda’s life took a drastic turn. Her family was in danger. A law was passed not allowing Gentiles to serve Jews.
“Life in the Shadow of the Swastika” by Frieda E. Roos-van Hessen is a tribute to the brave people that risked their lives to help the Jewish people in Holland. The story of the Holocaust should never be forgotten. Ms. van Hessen is a courageous woman and an excellent writer. Her life is one to be celebrated. She is a beautiful woman physically as attested to by the photo on the back cover. She is a beautiful person inside as demonstrated to by the story she tells. The cover of this book speaks a thousand words, with a picture of the author at as a teen and the Star of David imposed on the shadow of a swastika. The story flows smoothly and is easy to focus on. The trying times come to life on the pages.
***** I highly recommend this book to everyone, for this is a story that all generations must hear.
Life in the Shadow of the Swastika by Frieda E. Roos-van Hessen is available at www.ReadingUp.com
