Because of Romek is a book about the holocaust. It is a book that David Faber wrote about his brother, Romek after several promptings from the CIA and FBI. He flatly refused cooperation until Senator Jacob Javits explained the importance to the american government and to the german government to tell all he knew about his brother Romek. Among other things, his brother sabotaged shipments of heavy water, without which the Nazis couldn't build atomic bombs. Romek saved the lives of thousands before he was betrayed by a double agent.
I was prompted to suggest this book for reading by my chance meeting with Mr. Faber on 8/5/00. He was doing a guest signing of his book, Because of Romek in the bookstore located in Sea Port Village,San Diego. On a whim I had entered the store, and had been approached by Mr. Faber. The manner in which he approached me touched my heart. He handed me a flyer. He told me he had watched as the Nazi's shot and killed five of his sisters, and killed his brother. I saw how he spoke with great difficulty and knew how difficult it must've been for him to be there on a Saturday, speaking to people he didn't know. Although the weeks before had been frought with television shows on Nuremberg, Escape from Solbibo, there is nothing quite like a man showing me his left arm which showed the aged green color of his numbers where the nazis had branded him. I touched his arm. It makes me indignant to think how some even deny that the holocaust even happened. The concept to me is preposterous. The mere suggestion is offensive in the utmost.
His experiences are true in the pain he describes as he wrote about how he crawled around the dead and doomed to die, to the side of the road, so that the allies could find him there and bring him to safety. Years ago, in the early 90's when I still a child at home, I had watched a program on television about the holocaust, and I was strangely pained by one historical photograph shot of a young man, lying down on his cot, looking straight into the camera. His thinness told volumes about the atrocities of war. There was a thin smile it seemed on his lips as if to profess, that he was still living, despite the circumstances in which the photographer had found him.. Though the photograph was taken decades ago, it seemed to have a way of grabbing a hold of my attention, through the years. Upon seeing that photograph, I remember that I had wept. I had mourned the loss of this man's youth, his hopes and dreams as a young man, and all that he should have experienced and had irrevocably lost by the war. I had always wondered what had happened to this man, and had assumed that he had died. One never knows what one will encounter in life. This past week, I met the man in that picture, and he voluntarily told me his story. I remembered. My eyes filled with tears that day, as I realized who was speaking to me earlier that day. Years later. I would never have known otherwise. Please read this book. This one man's story that has touched the lives of many. It also tells of a story that is very little known.
Though I only spoke to him briefly, I was left knowing that the man I saw had lived, and I feel honored to have met him in such a manner. I had felt something very special that day when I had met him. At the time, I could not put my finger on it. I had just thought it was the beauty of the day, and the presence of the man, who had put the effort into approaching me. I think this book should be read, to remember, because so many have forgotten. To remember, what it was like.
Mr. Faber's photograph is a part of the permanent archives of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Another book that chronicles facts lesser known about the war, is Fugu Plan, by Rabbi Tokayer.



Recommended: Yes