Customer Reviews

The Last Sunrise: A True Story

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This book should be required reading for everybody. It is the story of a child caught in the insanities of war, and experiencing man's inhumanity to man. This is the story of little boy Harold Gordon, who went through the Holocaust at age 10 and miraculously survived several concentration camps and incredible horrors. Torn from a very poor, but adequate life, he experienced starvation, freezing, violent deaths in the family and all other kids of indescribable cruelties. The book takes us along on an impossible journey of tragedy, cruelty, and finally, triumph of the indomitable human spirit. This book is not about despair, but one of overcoming and forgiving, and most importantly, of the incredible strengths we have inside. This is a book you won't be able to put down until you finish. It's a book that will move you to tears as you go through it, and will have you smile and cheer when you are finished.

I first read this book when I was in the fourth grade and was very surprised that it was my grandpa that went through all of the trials described. I could not put the book down until I had finished it. When I finally did, my whole perception of this horrible war had changed. It was hard to grasp that these horrible circumstances had surrounded my grandpa's childhood. This book and his wise teachings have taught me forgiveness, hope, and faith. This book is an alternate for The Diary of Anne Franke. You get a different view, not one of growing up in hiding but one of growing up in concentration camps.

This was an absolutely unforgettable book which I read cover-to-cover in one sitting. My range of emotions went from laughing out loud -- to crying out loud. It made me realize how truly insignificant my minor "life's little inconveniences" have really been, and forced me to reevaluate my set of values and morals. I have rarely been as touched and moved as I was by Mr. Gordon's story. It's a book I will never forget!

This is one of the most powerful and amazing stories written about the Holocaust. The first-person account of Mr. Gordon's experiences as a horror, the despair, the fear, the brutality that was the Holocaust. Mr. Gordon, in his own words, takes you from the very doors of the Auschwitz gas chamber, through the war years where his spirit and his determination to survive were the only things he could fall back on. This is an incredibly vivid portrayal that rivals (and in some cases surpases) any similar book or movie on the subject. It is required reading for anyone who seeks a definitive understanding of the subject. It is written in clear and simple language which also makes it an ideal teaching text for junior high and high school aged students

The Last Sunrise is a deeply compelling personal memoir about the miraculous survival of Harold Gordon, the youngest Jewish survivor of Eastern Europe's Grodno Ghetto. As a 56 year old, public school history teacher of Jewish descent, I felt I was quite well informed about the Holocaust, prior to reading this book. I have visited Yad Vashem in Israel; the Holocaust Museum in DC, attended workshops on the subject, read a variety of books, watched movies, etc., but let me just say this, nothing has ever come close to helping me gain the depth of understanding about the suffering endured by those who lost their lives and/or survived Hitler's Germany, the way this memoir did. Mr. Gordon is a gifted writer who expertly weaves his thoughts into the events taking place in his life before, during and after his five year imprisonment in the Grodno and Bialystok Ghettos and the Buchenwald, Auschwitz, Sachsenhausen, and Dachau death camps. It is truly the most moving and inspirational book I have ever read.

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This has been one of the most inspirational books I've ever read...
I woke up..., seeing the sunrise and feeling very thankful for my life.
This story follows the true events of a horrific time in our world, when our fellow mankind were treated so inhumanly, during the World War 2. This book is about a young boy's personal experiences and views of staying in the Nazi Concentration Camps. That young boy grew up to be; the author of this book! The true story told in this book was horrifying and yet wonderful. I'll never forget the story of Harold's life and I want to share it with others. I can't express the sorrow, joy and hope I felt for this author and all who unwillingly had to take part in those devastating times. Thank God, he survived and shared his purpose with us. Mr. Gordon you have inspired me beyond words. Forgiveness, is such an easy word to say but not so easy to do. I wonder what justifiable, excuse I could ever come up with to not forgive those who've hurt me. I'm so happy that you have triumphed and have received such wonderful blessings in your life!
I still hadn't decided when my kids should read this book, but after reading some other reviews, I'll definitely have my teenager read it now and my other children when they are just a bit older.
I guess I was trying to protect them from reading a firsthand account of such atrocious acts. My youngest and oldest sons are the age span that Mr. Gordon was during his experience. As a mother I couldn't imagine my children going through that. I think they should read it and we'll all pray that this History will never repeat itself! Once again, this is a book I'll recommend and never forget!
I read on one of the reviews that Mr. Gordon is a speaker, does he still have speaking engagements? I live in the same area he lives, if he's still here. I would be very interested and appreciate any information about him.

This book is an important document. There are moments in which it is very painful to read. The number of Holocaust survivors is diminishing, I thank Mr. Gordon for writing down his memories so vividly. Mr. Gordon also says something very important: in spite of everything he suffered he does not hate the German people. Hatred is not part of his philosophy nor his approach to life. I believe this is the most important lesson from this book.

I just finished this very very good work. I am emotionaly, spiritualy overwhelmed. How could I complain about my life today? This book brings to mind a reality that prior to reading this book did not exist in my safe, comfortable and well fed world. I am almost ashamed to have ever complained about things in my life.

I am 47 with three Safe, Comfortable well fed children. They must read this book. To believe what we have today is normal, or in some youthful minds today a feeling of entitlement, would be greatly and desurvedly deminished apon completing this work of litarary art. It is with this in mind that I shall pass this book to my children, and ask my son to do the same for his. with a descussion after they finish. Never shall they take for granted the blessings that we have shared as a family.

And for Mr. Harold Gordon. I most Humbly Thank you. Sir. With the passing of this book to my children and to their children Your story, life and family shall never be forgotten. Your Mothers memory shall live on through them. I know not what more I could do.

Arthur Taliaferro.

We've all heard and/or read about the Holocaust but when you experience it through a child's eyes it takes on a whole new meaning. Being a Mother myself I can't imagine the horror of seeing your child go through something like this. Everyone should read this book and pray nothing like the Holocaust EVER happens again. This is an excellent book but keep the tissues handy. It will touch you and leave a permanent imprint on your heart.

This book was purchased when Mr. Gordon spoke at a veteran's breakfast about his experiences. This true story is so compelling, I couldn't put it down. As Mr. Gordon and his family try to survive the horrors of the Holocaust, there are so many situations in which Mr. Gordon and his father should have died. It is hard to imagine his survival without understanding that there was a higher power pulling him through. I have read a number of books about the Holocaust but have never felt such a clear understanding of what that horrible period was like. I spend much time as a teacher trying to get high school students in my U.S. History class to understand the sacrifices people have made and the lessons we need to learn. This book creates a deep understanding of a very important time in history. If you love the "story" in history, buy this book.