FIVE HUNDRED YEARS TO AUSCHWITZ

A Family Odyssey from the Inquisition to the Present

Irene Lawford-Hinrichsen

SOME EARLY READERS’ COMMENTS:

“…What a remarkable story you have told! I very much like the integration of the personal and the historical, all gently and movingly done, complete with sub-headings to help the reader along.” Daniel Snowman: Writer and Lecture, UK.

“…I just finished the book. I couldn’t put it down. …this is a genealogist’s dream of a book. It demonstrates the assimilation of families in a completely understandable way and provides researchers with a background to assist in understanding why and how our families assimilated.” Shelly Talalay Darshi: Journalist, Israel.

“…I think it’s been wonderfully well researched, and extremely well written too. It doesn’t make for comfortable reading, of course –the subject matter ensures that – but it’s riveting stuff.” Beresford King-Smith: Writer and Musician, UK.

“…I was deeply moved by your sensitive and remarkably well researched history of the family through many troubled centuries in Europe.” Jill Spiegel: USA.

“…It is incredibly impressive. History repeating itself in every century – pain, discrimination, torture, losses of life and existence- it never ceases… You have done such fabulous work – so much thorough research and thus to reach out to so many people beyond just your family.” Monica Scheffold: Academic, Germany.

“… I had a hard time putting it down. It is a marvellous work…” Arthur Hofffman: Attorney, USA.

“…It has been a most amazing journey to read these books, not least because of the tragic destiny of your ancestors…But it is counterbalanced so wonderfully towards the end with your visits and re-connection to Leipzig with all its outcome; a magnificent climax to the whole story.” Michael Jones: Musician, UK.

“The story was mesmerizing.” Charles Kadin: Aviation Artist, Canada.

“This book is a unique example and documentation of human atrocity in its different aspects through the centuries, it shows how little has changed…Your book is the first to connect two main catastrophes in European history, the Inquisition and the Holocaust, in the example of one family. The fact that you were able to find all the necessary documentation is an exceptional achievement. I think that I have learnt a lot of things…” Dr. Ulrich Drüner: Musik Antiquarian, Germany.

“…What a story! In addition, as a Jew, the history of the Jews in Europe during the last five hundred years was truly fascinating…” Joan Fletcher: USA.

“…What a truly excellent and harrowing account…I found it very incisive and most moving. The later part of your book I found especially interesting with its cool assessment of much wicked anti-Semitism…” Gordon H. Brown: Biochemist, UK.