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All But My Life

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All But My Life

By: Gerda Weissmann Klein
Narrated by: Grace Conlin
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About this listen

 A classic of Holocaust literature, Gerda Weissmann Klein's celebrated memoir tells the moving story of a young woman's 3 frightful years as a slave laborer of the Nazis and her miraculous liberation. All But My Life stands as the ultimate lesson in humanity, hope, and friendship. Klein's memoir is the basis for the HBO Academy Award-winning best documentary short, One Survivor Remembers.©1995 by Gerda Weissmann Klein (P)1997 by Blackstone Audiobooks 20th Century Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Historical Military Modern Women Inspiring Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

Soul-searching and human...A moving personal testament to courage. ( The New York Times)
"...as sensitive and 'disturbing' a story as The Diary of Anne Frank." ( Library Journal)
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Incredibly sad and emotional book that has stayed on my mind for a long time. It’s unbelievable what she went through and how she kept her spirit alive during that time.

One of the most moving stories ever told

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Gerda Weissman Klein’s memoir of her life during World War II is harrowing to say the least. Separated from her loved ones, surrounded by fear and tragedy, Gerda’s life is turned upside down overnight and she faces years of anguish, pain and grief. Despite it all she retains an immense sense of what is right and fair, often putting the needs of others above her own and often putting her own life at risk in order to stand up for her principles.

Although the details given in Gerda’s account do not feel watered down by any means, you can’t help but think that even though her recollections are horrific, there’s much more that she has chosen not to share and can only be stunned by her bravery and determination. She loses everything – all but her life and her spirit.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the story is the advice Gerda is given by her father to wear her winter walking boots one day: advice that will prove to be lifesaving. If it had been a novel, it would have seemed like one of those quaint coincidences that ties a book together but knowing that this is an autobiographical tale actually makes this incredibly poignant. Even though I finished the book a couple of weeks ago, every time I think about it I remember those boots and how her father’s last piece of advice would be, literally, life-saving.

It is impossible for me to give All But My Life anything other than five stars. This is a beautifully related memoir: despite the overwhelming sense of tragedy and pain, Gerda’s will to survive and determination to keep not only herself going but others as well is utterly heart-wrenching. Although I have never been a huge fan of autobiographies, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this. It is a story that must be told and it is a time that we must never, ever forget.

A beautifully related memoir

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An excellent insight into survival of the holocaust. Engrossed from beginning to end, sharing the ups and terrible downs of Gerdas life. I have read other reviews stating the narrator was terrible, if only they had thought to speed up her voice, I put it at 1.10 the narrator becomes excellent

Engrossed from beginning to end.

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Many people complained about the narrator on this audiobook -- but the issue is easily resolved by increasing the speed to 1.3-1.4x.
Gerda's story is truly inspiring. Her resilience and mental strength to overcome the horrors she had to face is incredible. I definitely recommend this honest, sobering and hope inspiring book.

A humbling and worthwhile story

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Absolutely couldn't stop listening. Amazingly true to such an awful time in history. Bravery knows no bounds of this author.

Devastatingly excellent, unbelievably sad.

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I loved this book although it seems strange to love such a harrowing story but it is well told and a very necessary reminder of the holocaust. The narrator takes time to get used to and the tip to play at 1.01 speed greatly improves it and after a while she seems to fit a bit better with a sort of haunting wistful quality.

Thank you for sharing your story.

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Heart wrenching true story well worth listening to About the forced harsh labour on a young Jewish girl during the Nazi Regime. Remarkable

All But My Life

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Words can’t convey how I feel listening to Gerda’s life, thank you for telling it, it’s quite shocking how brutal some humans can be, and how brave those who helped were, the narration was perfect.

A memoir of strength, survival, bravery & family love

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I am sitting in silence and the tears won't stop.

I have no words for how this has made me feel tonight, but I am very glad I listened.

Very emotional

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I wished I'd read this..opposed to listened to it via Audible. The woman narrating has the most awful robotic monotone voice ever. She truly is awful. The tone and lilt in her voice are all wrong. You have to hear her to believe it though. If you can overcome her voice, the book itself is horrifying but at the same time awe-inspiring, a first had account of what happened to millions of Jews during WWII. A story that should never be forgotten.

Let down by narrator.

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