Customer Reviews

Friedl, Dicker-Brandeis, Vienna 1898- Auschwitz 1944

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It is hard to believe that this woman, artist, inventor, and heroine is not better known in the eyes and hearts of the world. As an educator and member of the Jewish community, I am shocked that I wasn't even aware of the remarkable contributions made by Friedl Dicker-Brandeis. The works portrayed in this book, the heartfelt letters she wrote, and the historical expose of Friedl's life were enriching. She has brought inspiration to many and should continue to be revered as a talented saint. Thank you Regina Seidman Miller and Elena Makarova for opening our eyes to such a remarkable woman of our past.

At first I thought the book, Friedl Dicker-Brandeis by Elena Makarova and Regina Seidman Miller, was just a beautiful exhihibition catalogue.There are hundreds of color plates of paintings so rich in imagination and expressive beauty, and there are designs for theater and costumes as well as plans for houses and rooms. She brought her unique inspirational creativity to every aspect of her life--creating order out of chaos. This was wonderful in itself,but as I read it I realized it was an inspirational biography, the life story of a creative, artistic spirit who despite the most impossible circumstances, which grew more and more intolerable, continued to work creatively and what's more, to teach others--children whose lives had been devastated. For those who managed to survive-- their memories of her are recorded here too. They were forever changed by having been influenced by her and the invaluable medicine she provided. The book offers insight into the influences on her own art education and the development of her approach to inspiring the creativity of children, a wonderful guide for anyone working in an artistic capacity with children. There are so many revealing letters and photographs of hers, and her friends, and from the children she taught which capture so much about this mysterious, irrepressible woman. The book is a treasure, a reassurance. I feel I must hold it close to remind myself that despite the evil in the world there are human beings have wonderful spirit and creative talent, and it will endure despite everything.

This book is a piece of art and one of the most comprehensive on this amazing woman. It was an inspiring read! I recommend it everyone!

This is a book I intended to glance over just to look at the art, but ended up reading it cover to cover until 3 in the morning. It is a in depth look at this amazing woman's life, as well as the beautiful art she created. This is a must read for anyone wanting to learn about history, and how people cope with major events in their lives.

This book is truely a remarkable insight into the life and commitment of a very special woman. Faced with the most devasting of conditions and pure enough in heart and soul to put her own personal fears aside, Friedl found ways to inspire the most innocent during a time when humanity was nowhere to be found. This book allows the reader to get a glimpse of a remarkable spirit and witness the amazing difference that one person can make. Thank you Ms. Makarova and Ms. Seidman Miller, for bringing this lesson to life and helping us all to keep our own lives in the right perspective.

A number of years ago, I ran across a book entitled, "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" which was a compilation of children's art and poetry from the Terezin Concentration Camp during the WW2 years. Most of these child artists perished at Auschwitz. That book became one of my favorites, and I must have given away 50 copies as I found so inspiring the ability of children to create beauty in even these circumstances. This new book about Friedl completes the story for me as it tells the life of the woman who instructed these children at Terezin. Friedl was a teacher of these children, and stayed with them even to death, and used her art instruction as a means of spiritual survival in the face of certain and inevitable death. This is a book worthy of its subject and one of my new favorites. Highest recommendation!

Following the ancient Greek dictum "mega biblion, mega kaka," I approached buying a coffee table-sized book with trepidation. However, having read "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" and other books on life (if you can call it that) in the Terezin Ghetto, I knew this was a volume I had to have. Yes, it's a hefty book, but it is worth every ounce.

How can one do justice to writing about someone who was not only a phenomenal artist, but also an outstanding person? That is a daunting task, to say the least; again, this book meets the challenge. Elena Marakova has done an outstanding job in covering the life and art of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis, selecting works of art and original quotations from people who know Friedl personally to "illustrate" her biography.

The book starts out offering a fine introduction to what the Bauhaus movement was about, the cities in which Friedl lived, and the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Ghetto. This is followed by beautifully reproduced examples of Friedl's work; these examples show not only what an amazingly versatile artist Friedl was, but also convey the artist's moods; for example, the somber tones of Friedl's paintings from Prague convey the sadness of her mood. The third section, the main reason I purchased this book, covers Friedl's years in Terezin. This section is both sad and inspiring. Ms. Marakova discusses Friedl's teaching methods (art teachers, take note!), accompanied by much first-hand information from people who knew her and lived to tell about it - most notably Georg Eisler and Edith Kramer, both of whom clearly convey their debt and admiration for Friedl. It is also remarkable to see the photos of artists as adults juxtaposed with their drawings from Terezin. Of course, there are also drawings from artists, to use a phrase that appears all too often in "I Never Saw Another Butterfly," perished at Auschwitz.

This book is much more than something to place on a coffee table - it is a book to read, savor, and treasure.

After I first learned about Dicker-Brandeis, I was under the impression that most of her work had been destroyed. So when I bought this book I was concerned that there wouldn't be many of the Bauhaus designs or personal works of art of which she was so prolific in creating during her lifetime. So when the book arrived, a heavy volume with glossy pages and much of it image after image of her work across various periods, I was thrilled. The text is just enough to give one a solid understanding of Friedl and her life, too. Although persecution and her work with children in Terezin concentration camp are deeply inspiring and a reason for her enduring fame, her original artistic genious and unique approach to art and life before the Holocost, I think after reading this book, are even more inspiring. It is a great read, highly recommended.

This book is a piece of art and one of the most comprehensive on this amazing woman. It was an inspiring read! I recommend it everyone!