In this moving family memoir; Masha Gessen—journalist and author of The Future Is History—reveals the story of her two grandmothers; who defied Fascism and Communism during a time when tyranny reigned.In the 1930s; as waves of war and persecution were crashing over Europe; two young Jewish women began separate journeys of survival. One; a Polish-born woman from Bialystok; where virtually the entire Jewish community would soon be sent to the ghetto and from there to Hitler’s concentration camps; was determined not only to live but to live with pride and defiance. The other; a Russian-born intellectual and introvert; would eventually become a high-level censor under Stalin’s regime. At war’s end; both women found themselves in Moscow; where informers lurked on every corner and anti-Semitism reigned. It was there that Ester and Ruzya would first cross paths; there that they became the closest of friends and learned to trust each other with their lives. In this deeply moving family memoir; journalist Masha Gessen tells the story of her two beloved grandmothers: Ester; the quicksilver rebel who continually battled the forces of tyranny; Ruzya; a single mother who joined the Communist Party under duress and made the compromises the regime exacted of all its citizens. Both lost their first loves in the war. Both suffered unhappy unions. Both were gifted linguists who made their living as translators. And both had children—Ester a boy; and Ruzya a girl—who would grow up; fall in love; and have two children of their own: Masha and her younger brother. With grace; candor; and meticulous research; Gessen peels back the layers of secrecy surrounding her grandmothers’ lives. As she follows them through this remarkable period in history—from the Stalin purges to the Holocaust; from the rise of Zionism to the fall of communism—she describes how each of her grandmothers; and before them her great-grandfather; tried to navigate a dangerous line between conscience and compromise. Ester and Ruzya is a spellbinding work of storytelling; filled with political intrigue and passionate emotion; acts of courage and acts of betrayal. At once an intimate family chronicle and a fascinating historical tale; it interweaves the stories of two women with a brilliant vision of Russian history. The result is a memoir that reads like a novel—and an extraordinary testament to the bonds of family and the power of hope; love; and endurance.
#577695 in Books Anthony C Meisel 1975-09-01 1975-09-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.19 x .27 x 5.48l; .27 #File Name: 0385009488128 pagesThe Rule of St Benedict
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. and practices that are "lost" today like fasting; having times of silenceBy GrabbagI am from a reformed Baptist / Presbyterian Protestant background and have only recently discovered (with delight) the Evangelical Anglican Church in North America.Anyhow; one of our small church groups read Christian classics; not to accept them uncritically; but rather to relearn; or become reacquainted with practices of Christians; centuries earlier; with the goal of living today; as Christians who "matter" and make a difference.We are looking at the disciplines; particularly prayer; dedicated "missionary teams"; and practices that are "lost" today like fasting; having times of silence; and so on. There is a lot to think about. We feel free to agree with some ideas; like humility; times of silence; eating less; praying deliberately; submitting to authority.The kindle version is easy to read.I struggle with the VOLUNTARY ? "socialist" ? idea of owning nothing; communal ownership; That one is a bit tough and a challenge for an independent minded American ! I do not find it; an unbiblical idea.Those who submit to such "rules" will experience a voluntary; civilian - religious; version of military authority; and real discipline; not totally unattractive.We decided we would not beat with sticks; or belts; laggards; lazy ones; and persons slow to obey Christ in our own community.A very profitable book; if read in the right spirit; particularly for serious Christians; Christian leaders; and those who seek WORTHY Christian leadership. The book is a great starting point.8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Mid-priced Kindle Edition Far better than cheap editionsBy B. MaroldThis is a review of the Kindle edition of this translation of The Rule of St. Benedict. I have read the entire book on paper a few years ago; but by writing and teaching about religion; I find this is one book I must come back to frequently. It is not the first writing on organized monasticism. Monasticism grew up in the eastern and southern deserts very early; and St. Basil wrote about them close to 200 years before Benedict. But Benedict's rule puts everything in one place; and it is observed; in some form or another; by several organizations; including some which are not Catholic.Therefore; as someone who writes about religion; I must often go back to it to recall what it says; as I did yesterday when I needed to see Benedict's statement on the canonical hours. I found that quickly; because this edition has an active Table of Contents for all 73 chapters; even though some are less than a page long. I looked at some of the 99 cent editions; and I found poor organization and no active contents.Since St. Benedict's rule is so simple and easy to understand; I don't feel the need for a lot of introduction or commentary; but I liked the introduction since it gave some perspective on the consequences of monasteries; which are not evident from Benedict's rule. For example; by the 12th century; theology was done primarily by monks who were professors at that new idea called a university. But in Benedict's time; there was no such thing. Theology was written by priests and bishops.Unless you can find a dramatically superior feature (such as facing Latin text) I would go with this edition rather than one of those more expensive.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent.By PhillipExcellent.
