Customer Reviews

By Bread Alone: The Story of A-4685

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i first read this book in high school 20 years ago and have never forgotten it, i purchased it last month and read it again (in 2 days) i want my teens to read it also, it is truely one of my best reads.

I have read few autobiographies on the story of Holocaust survivors, but this read has to be one of the most moving and shocking story of survival in WWII Nazi work camps. I am well aware of the historical aspects of WWII and the Holocaust. Mel Mermelstein write well and in a very edgy and powerful way. The book feels almost like a documentary style book ... with copies of newspaper articles, pictures of oppressors and oppressed, and much more. This read is more than Mr. Mermelstein survival, but also a history lesson on how this Evil system of death started, and how even in the 80s Mr. Mermelstein continues to fight against history revisionists who deny the existance or impact of the Evil Holocaust. For me, the impression I left with after reading this, is that humans can not only be angels but also demons (consider, also the "jewish kapos" scum in the camps) ... and that this read was not only difficult emotionally but even depressing. If this book could be turned into a movie, in my eyes, that movie would rank with "Schindler's List."

This book gives a good account of a holocaust survivor. It is obvious from reading it that the book is not written by a professional writer; this does not take away much from the content. The book gives a very good first person account; if you need something with a little more general info on the holocaust, try another source.

I was fortunate enough to meet Mel after he was invited to speak to a group of students during a Humanities class at Irvine Valley College. We had been assigned this book to read by the professor. This book examines the attrocities that this kind and gentle man had to go through at the hands of ruthless killers. You will read in horror as he tells stories of his experiences. The book is well written and is very informative. Whether you are reading out of curiosity, or it is assigned, this book is one you will never forget.

I have read many works on and from the survivors of the nazi holocaust, but this work stands out among them. This book traces the whole path to Auschwitz and beyond, from the sudden estrangement between once neighbors and friends to the face to face meeting with ss officer Otto Moll. Mr. Mermelstein's experience can be nothing but horrifying in the light that a piece of bread was worth more than the gold of the camps. The photos of ss officer Moll and his minions were especially interesting, in light of some of the other works that mention this monster -- "Eyewitness Auschwitz" and "The Dentist of Auschwitz" which shows a contrast of behaviour in this person. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a deeper appreciation of the term "brotherly love".

Its hard to believe that I worked with Mel around 30 years ago putting his autobiography together. We worked together on the paperback version of his book. I was working at a Printing company (Parker & Son - now defunct they went out of business in 1984) in Los Angeles.
I must say that this was the most difficult project to work on in my career due to the subject matter of Mel's book. I saw immediately that this was his life story, written first person. I advised Mel the way books are put together as his publisher kinda dropped out early in this project. I had the knowledge in Print Production to do the job. The most difficult part was looking at the very graphic pictures Mel had of the Nazi attrocities. Being myself a Sephardic Jew they made me sick to my stomach seeing what Mel and others had endured during War times. We endured and turned this manuscript into a very viable book and I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I was able to give Mel the first completed copy of his book. The smile alone on his face and I knew immediately that we had accomplished something great. Read this book, you will not be disappointed.

this book was assigned to me in a college history course and i must admit i was reluctant to read it. i did, however, and it totally changed the way i thought about the holocaust. it went from an event in a history book to something that can happen in your backyard. it will make you cry in pity, pain, sadness and even joy when they are liberated. find a copy and make your kids read it.

I too met Mel when he spoke at a junior high assembly. Many of the other kids were laughing at the film shown that day, which is why I feel this book is a must read for everyone. We cannot forget what happened during WW2, and this book brings it back in horrifying detail.

With the revisitation of the Holocaust era, I thought I would write a review of this book. Although I'm 30 years old now, I met Mel Mermelstein when I was in junior high at an assembly. I watched his movie, that he made, and purchased his book. Mel was kind enough to autograph it for me. Although that was many years ago, I have never forgot my meeting with this man, nor his book. To read a book so many years ago and still remember it like it was yesterday, well it sure makes an impression. Read this, I believe its something you'll remember for as many years as I have!