"Elder of the Jews": Jakob Edelstein of Theresienstadt [Hardcover]

Ruth Bondy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Bondy, herself a survivor of Theresienstadt and Auschwitz, has written a biography of Edelstein that is at the same time a history of the concentration camp of Theresienstadt. This is not simply an impressionistic account, but a historically accurate work as well. Theresienstadt was a Potemkin village during World War II, i.e., the Nazis used it to show off as a model city for the Jews. In fact, it was a way-station to the concentration camp Auschwitz. Bondy succeeds in showing the social, political, and moral dilemmas confronting the Jews in that village as exemplified by the leader of the community, Edelstein. Highly recommended for both experts and the general reader.
- Jehuda Reinharz, Brandeis Univ., Waltham, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Hebrew

Product Details

• Hardcover: 476 pages
• Publisher: Grove Pr; 1 edition (September 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080211007X
• ISBN-13: 978-0802110077
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,552,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Judenrat leader remembered, April 28, 2001

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"yaalon" (israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Elder of the Jews": Jakob Edelstein of Theresienstadt (Hardcover)

An outstanding description of the background conditions of Jews in pre-war Czechoslovakia, written with great understanding and based on thorough research. The story of the establishment of the Terezin ghetto is extremely well told, but the remaining chapters are a bit too long and too detailed. An exceptionally fine memorial for Edelman and similar honest and upright leaders of the Judenrat.