Béla's Story: A Brave Journey Through Unforgiving Times Paperback – June 9, 2016

What a wonderful, heartfelt and loving book. It really should be made into a movie. I was transported into a whole different world as I was reading it! The tears I shed, the laughs I bellowed, the astonishment of the courage, strength and goodness, have now left me in a tailspin. I really hated finishing this book. I am left longing for more. I can see Bela stepping up to the railings of the ship; ready to jump. Then, "he experienced an epiphany and his mind latched onto a mantra of sorts that stayed with him for the rest of his life, Don't lose hope." I can see Bela standing in complete astonishment as the worker carrying the cots for their tent in Rehovot, left "Bela staring into the darkness". Bela was spirited, full of life and he loved his family very, very much. The women in his life should not be forgotten by any means.Bela's mother was powerful and had such a good soul. SHE was the one to have the wisdom and the courage to accept that if her sons were not going to be rich that at least she could provide them with apprenticeships so that they could survive. She was always there for Bela and helped him through his troubles. On top of every thing else, she taught that you should always have respect for yourself. She was a proud and beautiful woman and she dressed the part by wearing her green dress and "kiss-my-hand" gloves. When I read that last sentence, "and the guards threw Stefania's dress and gloves onto a mound of other discarded clothing, then dragged her gassed, lifeless, pale naked body to the crematorium and shoved her gloves into the incinerator." I was in total shock! Then I turned the page only to see her picture. I cried myself to sleep that night. How could such a beautiful, wise and gentle soul be treated in this way? It is still impossible for me to comprehend. I will never forget her green dress and the kiss-my-hand gloves!To the author: You are a marvelous writer. Thank you for sharing yourself and your family with the world!

WHAT A STORY!! An unbelievable story of hardship's after hardship's not only because of limited means as a young boy but what he had to endure to learn a trade that would not only show the rewards of hard work, but the discipline one needs to go on and also how the politics in the world can and effect one's life. As a Jew in Europe in the 1930's he stood a very small chance to stay alive let alone to become anything, but yet after going through losing his family friends and wife he still, somehow was able to go deep inside himself and find the courage an discipline to go on eventually remarrying and building a beautiful life of which many, who will envy I'm sure. Excellent read and if you know anybody who is going through bad times in their life I extremely suggest this book, BUY IT FOR THEM, they will thank you for sure. IF GOD's HOUSE WAS NOT SO HIGH I'M SURE THERE WOULD BE PEOPLE THROWING STONES THROUGH HIS WINDOWS!

Love,survival, hope, luck,success,failure, languages, cultures, survival, Nazi's, Communists, hunger, a marriage lost, a marriage, a marriage found, survival, a too spirted horse, a vicious landlord, a walk across Italy.Bela's story is one where the turbulence of eastern Europe in the middle of the 20th century takes a boy to learn as an apprentice a trade his mother thought would carry him through life. Tragedy takes away his first wife.Once very successful, his success is taken away by the oppressors of that era. Escape to Israel only to find more pains of survival. A desperate trip unannounced to his wife and daughter. A year later to be accepted back to his wife's home. Finally a move to the country with streets are paved in gold. Saved by some good luck and an instinct to survive Bela lives his mantra "don't lose hope" for all of his many years. Bela's story is for every person who thinks their life has little to look forward to.

Such a relevant reminder of why cultural diversity and humanitarian empathy was, is, and should always be a mission statement for the United States. "Béla's Story" was exceptionally well written and a pleasant read at a time when some of us here are becoming complacent and perhaps incorrectly re-writing the history of the struggles of the immigrants that actually formed our great nation. This true life story of Béla and his family is actually the story of all of us. It reveals aspects of humanity that perhaps, we may not wish to hear, know or believe about ourselves and our neighbors. It is nonetheless a stark reminder of how happiness and love is ultimately measured without respect to language, geography and social or economic status. I would encourage everyone to read this account of on family's struggle to make their place in the new world and to never forget the sacrifices that were made to allow us to be here, be successful and overall love in the face of adversity.

Bela's journey touched my heart. What a kind gentleman, so handsome & my heart broke that he went through misery & degradation & such upheaval in his life. The stress of losing beloved family members, having to move around to many places with no stability & living in a tent was beyond my imagination & had me in tears. The photos of the beautiful family & seeing Bela with his grandchildren was heartfelt. When I picked up this book I couldn't put it down. It defiantly drew me in.The persecutions, the Holocaust, the unbearable violence & anti semitism was so very sad for the "Chosen People". Lastly I highly recommend this amazing book of the human spirit. This true story appears to be unbelievable, the message of hope is heartfelt and uplifting.