Description
Now available as an ebook.
A biography of Lonek Lew, the author’s father, told through the lives of over twenty people he was friendly or associated with, a number of whom were historical figures. Using his father’s clear and detailed accounts of his life in pre-war Poland, the Holocaust and his colourful life in Melbourne, as well as personal meetings and memories, the author assembles portraits of extraordinary people living through extraordinary events.
The book is an important work, substantially researched, and written with great empathy. It makes for compelling reading, highlighting European anti-semitism, the Jewish refugee and survival story, and the resilience of human nature in rebuilding lives after devastating experiences. Professor Suzanne Rutland OAM, Professor of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social, Sciences, University of Sydney.
Listen to Harry Lew talking about Jan Karski on Radio National Breakfast here
“Many men and women in the later stages of their lives contemplate writing autobiographies or family memoirs for their children. Not many actually do so and very few take on such thorough research or discover such dramatic stories as Henry R. Lew has done. His Lion Hearts is structured like a series of connected chapter-carriages, full of refugees and asylum seekers, and the sounds of exhilaration and sadness, which travels through a history of the twentieth century. Though centred on the author’s family, the story embraces us all. It deserves a wide readership.” Sir Michael Holroyd, Chairman of the Society of Authors, 1973–83, President of the English branch of PEN, 1985-88, President of the Royal Society of Literature from 2003 to 2008
An exceptional book about extraordinary people living in extraordinary times. My only regret on completing it is that I have not met any of them personally. Christopher Bantick
Read ‘150 Years of Family History’: http://www.jwire.com.au/150-years-of-family-history/
