For those familiar more with western or in general an English speaking part or parts of the globe, these memoirs now coming forth from the Holocaust victims of central and eastern Europe are a vital reminder of just how different the world is, even so close to what one is familiar with, and yet how humanity isn't different. Most of us have our information about the events related to the WWII through books and films and television related to the allied forces, mostly. These memoirs serve to fill in a vital gap therein, and tell us about the parts of Europe that remained under occupation of forces from one side or another for a long, long time.
Taussig wrote this for his own family, but his son rightly thought it was of interest in general, and translated it from the original German with its very flowery ornate language and style. As such it seems a bit dated and stilted to readers used to more plain style of writing, instead of one where the author is constantly turning to address the reader. But that is a minor inconvenience in reading what is a memoir with astonishing details and twists and turns.
Taussig survived the holocaust mainly by hiding and running, as many others did, albeit a minuscule proportion in comparison with those that did not. The details of that hiding involve a number of helpers who hid and fed him and his family, and helped them keep in touch. They in turn needed help when it was all over, which Taussig went to lengths to make sure they got, by insisting officials take notice of how they were helpful in his and his family's survival.
The aftermath of the war is surprisingly just as interesting, as is the part when they managed finally to escape to Israel and found it wasn't easy there either, and had to begin struggle all over, repeatedly. The honesty and openness of this account is breathtaking in this respect.
