Feb 13, 2003 11:04 PM
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(Updated Jun 06, 2003 12:09 PM)
This book was originally called Schindler's Ark and later made into a movie called Schindler's list and subsequently the book was named as Schindler's List.The author was the australian born Thomas Keneally.
The book is a true story and recounts the true story of Oskar Schindler ,it talks about his unbelievable courage to do what he did;going under Hitler's nose and saving thousands's of jews from certain death.
For those of you who have no idea I am talking about:(others can skip)
Adolf Hitler basically came to power by thriving on the fragile ego of the germans by calling the germans a ''master race'' and blaming all their problems(including the loss in World War I) on the jews who had been living peacefully all over Europe for 1000's of years.
Thus when he came to power,jews from all over germany and also German occupied territories in europe (during World War II)were sent to concentration camps where they were forced to work beyond their physical capabilities and then brutally killed all the while working on more ''efficient ways'' to kill them.
This was infamously known as the ''FINAL SOLUTION'' and places in germany and poland were earmarked for ways of killing jews.
One Example:Hundreds of jews were sent into huge bathrooms and the jews found that instead of water coming out of the shower heads it was poisonous gas which killed them slowly.
Another example:Jews were forced to dig their graves and then were asked to stand near them and then shot in the head,and then other jews were asked to cover the graves.
Germans and other Europeans who had lived with jews for 100's of years turned a blind eye to this and were caught in the frenzy and hysteria of a movement where they were referred to as a ''MAster Race'' and in many cases cheered Jews being Arrested.
Hitler's Justification?
Much of the world didnt know that jews were being killed,they were sent into concentration camps on the pretext of being too dirty and hence carrying many diseases.
CONTINUATION OF Plot:
Oskar Schindler was an industrialist and a german who was a total womaniser and also a man who was big on the vices, a huge spendthrift and a person who liked to live in royalty.
However, one day the man sees thousands of jews being arrested and sees a small girl(famous from the movie as she is the only one who is in colour in an otherwise black and white film) dressed in Bright Red,she is being arrested along with others.
At this point of time,Schindler's sees the total futility of Hitler's solution wherein even the young and the totally innocent arent spared from his brutal means.
How Schindler manages to save around 3000 jews from definite death,all the while maintaining impeccable relations with the german officers in-charge of his area (total bribery) forms the rest of the book.
This has to be one of the most touching books ever written and shows how man can be so imperfect and yet be full of compassion,Schindler after all was a huge womaniser and lead a lavish lifestyle(which he regrets later).
The story could have never be told if not for a very lucky happening where the author Thomas Keneally visited a Leather Store in California and as he got his Briefcase repaired heard the shopkeeper Leopold Pfeifferberg's amazing story.Pffeifferberg was one of the lucky 3000 and forms a integral part of Schindler's life and also the book.
Read this book when you find the time and if you want to watch the movie make sure you read the book before you watch the film to know the genius of Spielberg who has done so much Justice to this amazing masterpiece.
For those of you who want to know more about the events that took place I recommend these websites
1. http://www.auschwitz.com(Auschwitz was one of the most famous concentration camps)
2. http://www.shoah.org(which Steven Spielberg started)
