We Never Lost Hope: A Holocaust Memoir and Love Story [Paperback]

Naomi Litvin (Author), Sir Martin Gilbert (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 2008

We Never Lost Hope by Naomi Litvin is a powerful and haunting memoir and love story about her family's lives before, during, and after the Holocaust. Told in five indelible voices, the book gives a you-are-there punch and a moving immediacy. Litvin recreates her parents' incredible love story of a Holocaust survivor and an American Jewish GI who landed at Normandy. This book reminds readers that genocide can happen anywhere but that the strength of hope endures, even in the most horrific conditions. "Naomi Litvin leaves all students of the Holocaust in her debt...every memoir adds to our knowledge, both of what happened, and of the emotions and feelings of that terrible era, and this memoir is no exception: it calls out to be read." -Sir Martin Gilbert, Winston Churchill's official biographer, and author of eighty-one books. Naomi Litvin is a freelance writer and lives in Northern California.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Five relatives narrate their harrowing World War II experiences in this family chronicle.

It could be said that rather than writing this affecting and effective book, Litvin sculpted it. Her breezy but vital narrative provides the shape and overall historical context for her family's story, but her relatives are the ones doing the real work. Using the first-person accounts of her parents, an aunt, an uncle and a friend of the family, the author offers a nuanced and multifaceted look at the plight of Jews in mid-20th century Eastern Europe. From a small Angora farm in Satu-Mare, Romania, to the horrifying grounds of Auschwitz and finally, to a new life in America, the five distinct voices of Edith, Hilda, and Mendi Festinger, Nate Litvin and Kurt Meyers provide a powerful and intimate journey through one of mankind's darkest hours. Litvin does well not to mute her sources with an authoritative filter. The book's undeniable authenticity comes from the life events retold by each narrator--while most historical texts offer one individual's take, We Never Lost Hope presents five survivors working through their memories. Litvin augmented the book with photographs, news articles and other ephemera (telegrams, maps, etc.) that support the sense of intimacy and reality. Since some accounts can occasionally run long, it may have been helpful for Litvin to provide more editorial insight and direction. Still, the book is a soaring testament to the strength and adaptability of five remarkable people.

A wonderfully executed, powerful family chronicle. --Kirkus Discoveries 2/13/09

About the Author

Naomi Litvin is a freelance writer and lives in Northern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (December 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439204217
• ISBN-13: 978-1439204214
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,435,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Naomi Litvin is a free-lance writer living in Northern California. This is her first book. Naomi grew up in Michigan. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice, Magna cum Laude from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Naomi is currently a member of The Jewish Book Council's Meet the Author 2009-2010 program. She is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and an American Jewish GI. We Never Lost Hope is her family's story.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Never Lost Hope: the book trailer, July 10, 2010

By 

Naomi Litvin (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Never Lost Hope: A Holocaust Memoir and Love Story (Kindle Edition)

Length:: 3:58 Mins

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story to be told, February 24, 2011

By 

Tony T (Cincinnati, OH, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We Never Lost Hope: A Holocaust Memoir and Love Story (Kindle Edition)

The truth, difficulties and horrors of Auschwitz told by the family's that survived. Tales of heroism, courage and even through the smoke of hell.. Love. Be ready to experience and hear accounts as told by survivors and hero's.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book that proves the strength of the human spirit..., September 14, 2010

By 

elisse - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Never Lost Hope: A Holocaust Memoir and Love Story (Paperback)

A wonderfully written and well-researched book that truly proves the strength of the human spirit, and the will to survive- and even thrive- in the face of- and despite- true, unmitigated horror. Like a candle in the night, it gave me hope...