The Aftermath: A Survivor's Odyssey Through War-Torn Europe [Hardcover]

Henry Lilienheim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994

A Holocaust survivor begins an epic search for his wife through post-war Europe. Here is a memoir of the twentieth century's greatest cataclysm, with a profound and illuminating difference. Casting light on the little-examined period of chaos immediately after World War II, it tells how, with unflagging courage and perseverance, one man and his wife recover freedom and individual dignity. The Aftermath was the inspiration for the international award-winning documentary, Dark Lullabies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A rare account...punctuated by Lilienheim's poignant resurrection of friends and family members who died at the Nazis' hands. -- Montreal Gazette, Jan 8, 1995

A spellbinding tale of loss, recovery and integration of self. -- Yehudi Lindeman, McGill University -- Back cover of book

An extraordinary tale...also superbly poetic literature... Fresh and forceful [with] grim humor and capacity for ironic perspective. -- Chicago Sentinel, July 8, 1995

I am heartened to know that Henry Lilienheim still believes in basic human goodness. -- His Holiness The Dalai Lama -- Back cover of book

From the Inside Flap

"Ra-tatata-ta. Ra-tatata-ta. The growl of machine guns. From time to time the distant roar of cannons. I am lying on the third tier of a bed of boards. I am cold. I have covered my head with a blanket. I think of food and then, with indifference, I realize that this is perhaps the last day of my slavery, or of my life." So begins Henry Lilienheim's remarkable story on the eve of his liberation from Dachau. Written in 1947, The Aftermath provides an indelible first-hand portrait of the post-war world, where all Germans miraculously claim never to have supported Hitler, where Munich is at the vortex of one of the greatest migrations in history, where former camp inmates become Displaced Persons. Through it all, Henry battles to maintain hope that his wife, Lydia, against all odds, remains alive. Written in spare and often lyrical prose, The Aftermath is, above all, a powerful and eloquent love story with lessons for us all. It is destined to become a classic. The Aftermath was the inspiration for the international aware-winning feature documentary, Dark Lullabies.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 181 pages
• Publisher: Dc Books (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0919688454
• ISBN-13: 978-0919688452
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,879,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving, uplifting Holocaust memoir, March 7, 2002

By 

Mark H. Pendergrast - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Aftermath: A Survivor's Odyssey Through War-Torn Europe (Hardcover)

I have read a great deal about the Holocaust, and I've read quite a few personal accounts, but this one is extraordinary. It has an immediacy that comes from having been written just after World War II, so that it is in essence a primary source document. But it's also a great piece of literature, a love story, and (despite the graphic horrors it describes) it ultimately is uplifting. Everyone interested in how humans can survive horrendous trauma with dignity intact should read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving, uplifting Holocaust memoir, March 7, 2002

By 

Mark H. Pendergrast - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Aftermath: A Survivor's Odyssey Through War-Torn Europe (Hardcover)

I have read a great deal about the Holocaust, including personal accounts, but this one stands out for several reasons. Because it was written just after World War II, it has an immediacy and authenticity that others written later might lack. It's amazing that it was only published a few years ago, and it still isn't well known, though it deserves to be. It's really a kind of primary source document. But it's also great literature, really well-written and moving and ultimately (despite some of the horrors so graphically depicted) it is uplifting, a testament to the human spirit's capacity to retain its dignity despite everything. Highly recommended.