ABML Blog Entry 2

"But you still believe? It's something I cannot explain, but i know somehow that we will be liberated."(Gerda 181) As a young women,I admire the strength and courage Gerda has of not wanting to give up. God knows, I wouldn't have this type of attitude when it came to this type of destrction; knowing that thousands of people around me are eventually going to be murdered, and me as well,...my faith would've been gone long time ago. "The days except for the hunger, were not so bad."(Gerda 196) Gerda was very lucky to have been put in a working camp, than just a plan old death camp. She would've been starving ten times more, and probably wouldn't have made it through to this very day. "I ran over to Sse and Liesel, where they huddled together. Ilse is dead, Ilse is dead!"(Gerda 205) It surprised me that Gerda didn't burst into tears when she found out her best friend was dead. I felt sorry for her now that she is alone, and had to survive without her.

All but my life part 2. Rich Dixon

The second half of the book became very hard for me to read because of all of the tragedy that was going on. With her family already gone her relationship with Ilse becomes the only close relationship Gerda has. When Ilse dies she has no one left but she still manages to move on. One thing I admire about Gerda is endurance. Her ability to keep moving on despite her hardship is a trait that I aspire to have. Most of the time when things get too hard for people they don’t have the spark left in them to keep trying. Even though Gretchen doesn’t have much reason left to live she keeps on trying and doesn’t let herself die, one because of her endurance, and two, because of the promise she made to her father. When the book is finally at its end and Gerda meets Kurt it made me happy to know that at the end something good did happen to her.

Tripp Holder, Section 2

This last section of the book I found more disturbing than the first. When Gerda moved to the first working camp where she began to spin yarn, I thought she would have a relatively easy time until she was liberated. Unfortunatly I was wrong and from that point on, the conditions became progressively worse, climaxing at Marzdorf where she has to work both day and night shifts. With no time for rest, it is unimaginable to me how she continued no at all. One of the only happy parts of this section was the plays that Gerda organized to be performed at night. During the march, I found it very surprising that girls would go as far as to steal boots off of the very girls they were marching with. One of the most statisticly surprising parts of this section was when Gerda states that of the 4,000 girls that started the march, only 120 survived. Unfortunatly, none of Gerda's close friends were in these 120. When Gerda meets Kurt, I could tell that it would be something we would be hearing more of. Gerda's recovery in the hospital, I thought, was very amazing. After years of malnutrition and months of hard work with little rest, Gerda was forced to march in the bitter cold where she contracted two deadly diseases and nearly loses her feet; after all this, she still manages to make a full recovery and that is evident to this day.

Tanner Fowler Part 2 All But My Life

I liked the end of this book. The thing that surprised me the most was when the Death March happened. I couldn't imagine the thought of not knowing what was going to happen to your family, friends, and yourself. Gerda, she was so mentally strong she was one of the 130 girls that survived the march. There wasn't anything you could do to assure that your life would not be taken. I could not mentally and physically survive and go through what she went through. The labor she did is unexplainable the amount of strength and will power to complete. It was very sweet to see that she had someone who cared for her and visited her while she was in the hospital, I think that because of the company it helped her get through the mental thoughts she had of losing everyone in her family, and also her physical wounds. It was a great relief that her life after the Holocaust, was an amazing incline from her recent life. I feel very informed and honored to read this book, I have enjoyed the knowledge I picked up from this awful event in our world.

As I look back on Gerda's story and the second half of the book, she really does go into depth on what is happening during the ending of The Holocaust. The death march was the scariest part of the entire story. So many people died during the death march. They started out with 4000 people and only ended up with about 130 girls at the end of the death march. The girls not knowing where they would end up sleeping at night, not knowing when the next time they would be able to eat, or even be randomly shot by a guard had to be hard on them, not mentioning how cold it was. When Gerda said that it was so cold that they could break off limbs of toes and not feel them, my stomach could only turn at the thought, not to mention actually seeing it. The hardest part of the story had to be in the end, when all of Gerda's friends died. She had lost Ilse; someone who did so much for her, and actually helped save Gerda's life! Gerda also lost many friend at the end of the war. They were so close, but were not able to survive a moment longer.
At the hospital, i thought it was very sweet all of the wonderful things Kurt did for her. He made her feel like she wasn't alone. She accomplished so many things because of Kurt. If it wasn't for Kurt she might not be able to walk again, because she only wanted to empress him, that is why she learned to walk. She also learned English, by him bringing Gerda magazines. He brought her laughter, and happiness, and she no longer felt as though she was alone. Then end of Gerda's story was a wonderful ending, and she deserves everything she now has, because she suffered tremendously during The Holocaust.

Jordan Battle ABML Blog entry 2

The second half of this story is just as amazing as I thought it would be. The chronicles of Gerda's struggle are as interesting as they are compelling. Abek and Gerda are an almost perfect example of the star-crossed lovers archetype. Though they are not forbidden because of their familys, the situation that they are in as well as Gerda telling Abek that she does not feel the same way. Also, the part where Gerda's friend Ilse died after all that they had been through, was a very moving scene, because not only had her one, true friend during the entire struggle died, but also one of the only people she knew that could keep her going. Were it not for the snow boots and the pictures of her family to give her extra determination. This was and excellent story, and I am happy to have read it.

jounal 2 kiera roper

As i read the second part of Gerdas story, it has brought me to realize how deprssing her life is. Some of the things Gerda has indured i could not imagine going through. One horrific event in the book was the death march. when Gerda was chosen to walk all the way to a diffrent camp with the lack of proper clothing, an energy i could imagine how difficult that was. The fact that she wittnesed so many deaths why taken her walk i could only think that she would think she were next. Also Gerda is very lucky to have chosen the right pair of shoes for her own well being. When Gerda saw Ilse die in death march , i felt vey sad for her. If i were to see my close friend die trying to accomplish the same goal i was, just to make it alive. I would lose all hope. Even though she could have gave up on hope as well, she didnt. Gerda made it through the march and the war. which shows how strong she was and how in the end her life turned around for the better.

All But My Life part 2 Briana Lawrence

As the second part of the book comes to a close , I am amazed at how incredible Gerda's story has impacted my lifestyle. She has seen the unbeliveable and went through the imaginable. From never seeing her family, to being beaten by a guard for not knowing who through bread over the fence, to having her best friend die in her arms, and meeting her future husband on liberation day. Her ski boots saved her life on the death march. I have so much admiration towards Gerda for her amazing strength and hope. Gerda inspired so many others in the book, by making a play for entertainment for the girls gave hope to many of the girls in the camp. I think it would be diffucult to make new friends in camp, not knowing if I would see them the next day or if they would see me is frightening. With a positve mindset,courage and hummanity is what really made her belive in herself when doubt in crisis. Starvation was a key factor which Gerda said that she weighed 68 pounds was heart breaking for her age. It sickens me knowing it was easy for the guards and other people who run the camps could watch these poor innocent people starve to death. Gerda is an inspiration to me, she showed me that giving up is not an option and always have hope.

ABML Blog #2 (Megan Brody)

The second reading section of All But My Life made me want to continue with the suspense at the end of each chapter. Would everything be okay in the camp Gerda worked in? Who would survive the horrific death march? Thankfully all my questions were answered, but I was completely heartbroken. I thought that Gerda's life couldn't get much worse after being separated from her family and then being put into a work camp, for I suspected that some major life-threatening situation would occur. I was wrong (for the most part). Luckily Gerda and her friend, Ilse, got placed into a more organized work camp. As Gerda stayed in the work camp, I felt content thinking that everything would be okay for awhile. She made many new friends and her hope gave me hope that her future would be bright. Once Frau Kugler told the girls at the work camp that they were going to be herded on a death march, my hope was shattered. I knew that Gerda would survive, but what about the other innocent girls? Through the death march, Gerda grew tired but stayed strong for her friends. Thank God that her father made her wear those snow boots the day she left with her mother. Unfortunately, Ilse, Suse, and Liesel all died, along with many others, but I felt deep down inside that their deaths were scapegoats for Gerda. When Kurt entered Gerda's life when he liberated her, I was positive that they would be together forever. They were compatible from their very first words. I am happy that Gerda has had a successful life from reading her epilogue. I hope for the best for her and her family and I hope that she can continue to inform the world that the inhumane acts of the Nazis should NEVER happen again.

ABML Journal #2 Katie Knight

Gerda has lost all of her family and friends. She is alone and desperately wants to be loved. She went to the graveyard to see where Liesal and Suse were buried and I would have thought that that would just make matters worse. The book states,"After a time I went to find Suse's grave. There to I put flowers, whispering her name. The sound was strange in the stillness and again I felt terribly alone."I could'n't have standed being alone." If I were Gerda I would have taken my life with that poison a long time ago. I just don't get how she could have survived through all of that pain and always have to live with those heart renching memories. I would like to ask Gerda why she stood her ground and did not take the poison? She lost everything, so why not?

ABML 2

After everything that happened to Gerda physically, I think the hardest part for her was loosing everyone in her family. I could never imagine going through what she and then bring left with no one. Gerda was blessed when she met Kurt, having hi min her life allowed her to forget the past and create a future and move on with her life. Through out the whole book i truly thought that he rand Abek were going to get back together, but it just shows that Gerda never had those feelings for him because Kurt was her true love. After reading this book I now know why Gerda survived. The cards were in favor through this entire book. In the book there were so many times that it was just pure luck that saved her. For example the snow boots that her father told her to wear saved her life during the death march in the snow. Also when the Nazi put them in the barn to and were going to blow it but the bomb didn't start, there was just some reason that Gerda was supposed to be alive. I personally think that reason was so that Gerda could share her story with the whole world and show the world the truth about what the Nazi's did. This book really opened up my eyes and made me realize how lucky I truly am.

All But My Life #2

As I read this book it gets more upsetting, and full of more death. Gerda goes from good to bad places multiple times, and sees many disturbing things, things that Icould not bare to watch. She looses all of her friends and family even Abek, which tears me apart inside. I know that every time she thinks of suicide, she feels a pain in her neck from her dad. He made her promise that she would stay strong and not commit suicide. If I lost my friends and family, I would have nothing to live for. My life would be filled with depression and sadness. She is a strong girl, I don't think I could ever be that strong. I know she wouldn't take the poison, but if I were in this situation I would have.

ABML

Although I didn’t truly like the ending because of all the deaths, I thought it was all around a good book. I believe that she wouldn’t have made it without the snow boots through the death march. Under Hitler and the Nazi’s rule, there are times where everything could have happened differently. They had smart thinking, a lot of luck, and courage to make it through a lot. Gerda wouldn’t have made it, if her father didn’t tell her to wear the snow boots. When all of Gerda’s friends started dying, it kept me thinking how lucky she was to get thought everything. The ending of the book turned into a love story meeting her future husband and becoming free on her birthday was like the highlight of the book for me. It was very surprising to see her escape on the death march; at first I didn’t think she had enough courage. I am really touched reading this book, opening my eyes to how hard it was living though the holocaust. I think this is one of the best books I have read and I gained a lot of knowledge.

All But My Life Part 2: Evan Ramos

The people and experiences that Gerda encountered as the book came to an end really impacted me even more than those from before. Honestly, I didn't really care about what I was reading before, but something about the way that Gerda changed as the story went on really pulled me in. I was not only surprised by how much Gerda was put through, but also how strong, determined, inspirational, and incredibly lucky she was throughout it all. For example, when Gerda was at Bolkenhain, even though she was going through struggles of her own, she wrote plays in an attempt to make herself and others forget about their worries, even if only for a few hours. It may not have been her original intentions to better conditions for everyone else, but in the end, that's exactly what it did, and when she grew older, she regarded it as the greatest thing she had ever done in her life. In this instance, she was lucky to be in such a nice camp in comparison to others, and lucky to be given permission to stage such a thing. Also, she was lucky to be the only one out of all of her close friends to survive through all the hardships of the war, and be able to recover from losing everything she had, and still find happiness afterwards, thanks to the help of Kurt. I am glad that she met Kurt, because if she had not, I doubt that she would have had the motivation to keep on living.

Turner Post ABML

Although the ending of the book had many deaths, i enjoyed as well as loved the ending of the book. I am in love with the way Kurt Klein, an American soldier acted in front of Gerda. Klein was nice enough to not even acknowledge all the dirt and lice on Gerda. On page 214-215 it says "He held the door open. I didn't understand at first. I looked at him questioningly but not a muscle in his face moved. He wanted me to feel that he had not seen the dirt or the lice." He was a very thoughtful man and started to frequently visit Gerda in the hospital. This led to me liking him even more. Another character that I enjoyed reading about was Frau Kugler. Kugler was a nice woman who pulled many strings for Gerda just so she would be happy. For example, she pulled many strings in order for Gerda to see Abek at the Burgberg. Another character that surprised me did not have a name. She was sent to Auschwitz and accidentally unearthed a handful of gems. She used the gems to bribe one of the guards for her life as well as two other girls on page 172-173.

Esther Chong

I disagree that All But My Life is a depressing book, I believe that this book shows how a person can survive just on pure will. After all in the death march Gerda and the others were made to walk for miles in the winter, with little or no food at all. I myself do not believe I could do that, especially during the winter months. What I loved about this book was that her rescuer would become her future husband. What was depressing to me was the fact that Gerda's closest friends did not survive to the end. I am sure that during her hospital stay that she thinking why she was the only person to survive and not her friends. What kind of surprised me was the fact that the day of her freedom was also the day of her birth, this must be mean something or it was just plain coincidence. What I also liked was that there was so many people helping her reconnect with the outside world. For example Kurt showed her Life magazines and the doctor gave her chocolate for her birthday. I believe that everything for Gerda worked out in the end, since she met new friends, fell in love with Kurt and she will be imigrating to America.

All But My Life: Part 2 Camry Wilborn

After concluding the reading of All But my Life, i was very impacted. The struggles Gerda went through were unbearable. I have to say though i was very excited to see Gerda liberated. The hardest part of the war for me to deal with would be the constant wondering about how family and friends were doing. How did Gerda go on with life knowing her parents could be somewhere being tortured. I also wonder why Gerda bought the poison! After promising her father not to commit suicide, buying the poison was pointless! I still admire her though for not ever using it! i was amazed by the end of the book at how alone Gerda was! What did she have to live for? Her parents, brother, and friends were all dead! How did Gerda survive the Death March!? How could someone who only weighed sixty-eight pounds survive a march like that in the cold? It had to be determination! At the end of the book, i was elated to see that Gerda had found true love. She had found somone who knew what she was going through. Someone who loved her! Although I was impressed by what Abek had done for Gerda, the actions of Kurt blew me away more! I was extatic to see that everything that Gerda had went through was for a great purpose. She was free and she had LIFE!

Carter Fields

This was one of the more depressing books i have ever read. the things that Gerda went through and had to deal with are impeccable. everyone would think that the death march would be the worst thing for her, but I think that when Abek told her to "go away" after she had gotten all dressed up and happy to see him was the saddest part, and then he eventually died; which is also sad. What would have been tough for me or any other guy my age is to work twelve hours a day making parachutes and only a three hour break, in which is not a lot of time to sleep is crazy. I came in knowing about The Holocaust, but not like this. Greda is a brilliant writer and a strong woman. the way she writes everything and described it with such great detail is just awesome. I have so much respect for her its crazy.

All But My Life Part 2: Blake Young

I Really enjoyed the second half of all but my life. It was without a doubt the saddest story I have ever read though. Throughout the story of Gerdas journey through different countries and struggles under the Nazi's rules there are several times that Gerda and others with her only manage to survive because of luck. The best example of this luck that Followed Gerda was near the end of the war when Gerda and the remaining survivors were locked in the building and the Nazis put a bomb on the outside to kill them all. Luckily The bomb did not go off and all the people were saved by the American troops along with the red cross. Another situation that Gerda was thrown into was when her dad told her to wear boots even though it was June. If Gerda's father had not told her to wear the snow boots, Gerda would not have had ay chance of surviving. Wether or not luck had anything to do with Gerda's survival, she survived and that is in my eyes a miracle. I wish Gerda could have gotten through the story and still had her friends and family with her but I guess she was fortunate to have gotten herself through it. Even though this was a tremendously sad story, I think that it was the perfect book for us to read during the Holocaust unit.

All But My Life: Blake Young

Drew Wall's Blog #2

I thought when Gerda had to be checked every two months for tuberculosis would be a very hard life to live. If she had tuberculosis, they would send her to Auschwitz. You would never know if you were going to live or die. The death march would have been hard to walk in the freezing cold and snow. It just seems horrible. I like backpacking even though I have a fifty pound pack on my back. We only walk 20 miles or so on a weekend trip and I can eat and drink when I want too. The death march just seems hard because every one is dying around you and you have to walk for your life. Barely any food or drink and freezing temperatures. Overall this was a good book. It is amazing to me to see how others have had to live and what they have had to go through.

All But My Life Part Two: Marla Bassetti

When finishing the book I was so sad to hear how alone Gerda was after the war. That seemed like the hardest part to me. She went through a struggle to survive and fought for her life every day. In this at least she felt the company of a few close friends and the millions of other Jews enduring the same hardships she was. However, after the war when all of these starving and sick survivors are all the sudden set "free," it leaves them with a since of despair. They are taken to be cared for in the hospitals all the belongings from the camp are sent to be burned to prevent diseases. Imagine feeling as if you are the only part of your family left and you have no idea who to turn to, or where to go. She had not a single possession to her name until she met Kurt and the generous family who helped her. This seems like the biggest unhealable wound to me, she had been one of the lucky survivors of this terrible time period, but what were the benefits of living after the war? Who did she have to go to? This must have been a time of pure emptiness and loneliness for Gerda. She was left to keep fighting to start a new life, to move forward from this tragedy, and to mourn for those who had not been as strong as her. I think the worst part of her entire journey must have been the end because although she survived she was left all by herself, not knowing what to do next.

Journel Entry 2: What a painful reality to endure.

The second part of All But My Life impacted me immensely. The bond Gerda formed with so many of the girls in the labour camps made their painful deaths even more heartwrenching. All the characters that Gerda introduces into the story add to the realness of the tragedy. Gerda is such a skilled writer. She is able to take the painful experiences she underwent and weave a beautiful tale of love, suffering, and hope. The Nazis attempted to break the Jews of all hope. Gerda never lost hope. Though at times hope was masked by a cloud of helplessness and fear Gerda prevailed through hardship after hardship. During the later part of the march Gerda even lacked the will to pray. Reading that I was able to grasp how dehumanised the evil visions she had witnessed had made her become. The powerful imagery and breathtaking analysis Gerda used deem this one of the most passionate books I have ever read. I look forward to the class discussion about the book so that I may hear others opinions on the book.

All A bout My Life

As I was read the second Half of the book I could only feel sorrow for Gerda. She had to endure so much for someone as so young as she was. Gerda was one of 120 girls to survie out of her death march. She losed all of her close friends that she had made in her camps. It was truely inspiring of her not to give up after losing Ilse, Susie, and Liesel. I would find it hard to keep going after losing all of the emoitional support was gone. Only a truely stong person could have survive through that type of horror. I personally probably would have given up hope after 3 years of that kinda terrior. When Gerda meet Kurt Klien i felt that it was about time things started to go her way. She desirved to find someone after everybody she knew was gone. Another thing that i found to be inspiring is that she was able to go back and start her life all over again. I couldnt bear to think that when i get home that my mom wont be there or my dad. Thats truely is something to admire about her, that she will never give up.

Part 2: Stuart Clark

After reading the second part of this book, it is probably the most inspiring story i have ever read. I have never even heard of a person with as much strength Gerda had. When everyone was dieing during the death march, she kept positive which saved her life. She even kept her friends alive longer even though they died, they were able to have more time because of Gerda. When she got to the hospital and met Kurt she had the energy to try and heal quickly. Even after the doctor said amputation might be a solution she kept positive and was rewarded by being able to walk. Also she was one of the most unselfish people you will ever hear about. When the general came in and told her she was leaving to be safe, she asked and worried if the other girls were going to be safe as well. Also she would not accept the money Kurt was offering her when she needed it the most she has ever needed it before. Gerda is the most tremendous person i have ever read about!

All But My LIfe Blog 2

This book was extremely eye opening for me and made me relize how much pain and suffering the Jewish people went through. This book was also interesting to read and kept my attention through the whole thing, which normally doesn't happen with books. I look up to Gerda because she new at any moment that she to could be killed, but she never once gave up hope and kept on trying to see the positove side of things. This book really brought the realization of how sick and messed up of a man Hitler really was and how he just killed millions of Jews just because he didnt like them. One thing that really touched me in the book is the fact that Gerda had to carry her pictures of her family in her boot and if she was found with them she would be punished severely. Something like looking at pictures of your family is something we take for granted because we are just used to such a thing where this was something Gerda couldnt do. this book really touched me and I feel almost guilty for living such a well benefited life compared to Gerda.

Journal Entry 2 Ryan Alderman

This is one of the easiset and most inspiring books that I have ever read. Gerda makes me realize how lucky I am to never have to go so something like her and her family went threw; like all the work camps and the death march which only like 100 survived. Her attitude I think is what kept her alive because she was always so opptimistic. She is such a great role model for any person young or old. I think it is so sweet of Gerda to carry around the pictures of her family; that is also why I think she kept striving to stay alive and die. Another hard part of the camps would be to know that you might not ever see any of them again.

All But My Life: Blog 2

After I finished reading All But My Life I felt relieved that Gerda was fine and safe in America. I still can't understand how she deals with the her pondering question of why she was one of the few lucky ones. I can't imagine the kind of life she lives having those haunting memories with her the rest of her life. When the Americans liberated her from the barn she was trapped in by the Germans I felt so relieved and happy for Gerda. Especially when she met Kurt. Meeting him had to be the biggest motive to live and get well when she was ill. Having Kurt around made Gerda feel like she wasn't alone anymore and that she had someone who cared about her and wanted to love her. When Gerda moved to America I can't imagine how excited she must have been to be in a free country with basically a new life and a new start. I wonder why Gerda never went back to see her old house and her family. She describes how wonderful it is and how she longs to lay in the wet grass and look at the beautiful flowers in her garden. She has so many memories of her childhood in that home. I wonder if she doesn't want to go back because she will be reminded of the memories she has been trying to erase.

ABML #2: Matt Joyce

One thing that really stuck with me as I read the second part of All But My Life was the will to live Gerda had during the death march. I was shocked when Gerda said that the death march had lasted for over two months. With a warm mush to eat every other day, its no surprise that only one-hundred and twenty out of two thousand people survived. To think of only having one meal every other day, or even one every day is simply unreal. It must have taken a lot of strength to split the piece of bread that fell onto her lap into twelve tiny pieces for everyone around her. Taken into account how starving she was, I wouldn't be surprised if she scarfed the whole piece down. Even with death possibly a few breaths away, she wasn't selfish, and she shared with the others around her. I don't believe I could have pushed on through the frigid winter nights like Gerda did. She had to take huge risks, like sneaking onto the sick wagon, to try to hold on for at least the next day. These harsh conditions, coupled with the heartache of the loss of Ilse, is unimaginable. I was relieved when Gerda instructed Ilse and others not to go to sleep. The risk of not waking up in the morning was high, and although annoying at the time, it definitely helped to survive for at least a couple more days. This will to live during the death march touched me, and I surely hope to have this same type of determination throughout the rest of my life.

While reading the second half of All But My Life i saw how life just got worse and worse for Gerda and other jews. While some camps weren't so bad for the girls, others were hell. I admire how strong Gerda was through her times at the camps. Working constantly for sometimes twenty-four hours on end would be excruciating. Also being a personal fan of food, i couldn't bare not eating for so long. My respect for the girls only got stronger when i was reading about Gerda's struggles through the death marches. I previously thought that death marches were only about a few days to a week tops! I had no idea that they had to march through the winter, cold, and snow for months. Day after day of constant walking, no food, horrible conditions, and the fear of death would, in my opinion, kill a person in a matter of days. I just can't image walking through the snow, cold and wind for so long. I also admire Gerda's bravery through the ordeal, and trying to comfort the other girls in there time of peril. Gerda's story really makes a good book, in that it gives the story of someone having a decint life, to a life of damnation, and then turning out to find comfort and love in the end. I wish Gerda could make an appearance so we could talk to her in person to get a true idea of how life was from the person themselves. Reading All But My Life has given me a different outlook as to the struggles many jews had to overcome throughout the war.

All But My Life RaaShauna Payne

Reading the book All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann has had a huge impact on my life. Not only has she taught me to always stay strong through out hard times in your life, but also how to never take life for granted. One day Gerda was living life like any normal teenager and then the next she was forced to move with her family into the ghetto. Gerda stayed strong for her family, her friends, and most important her-self. Being Americans we often take for granted the liitle things in life. For example like going to school everyday. Most kids my age hate going to school but during Gerda's conditions kids and adults were putting their on life in danger everyday. People sacrifice everyday the simple pleasures of life that we enjoy everyday! Gerda is my hero ! She has taught me so many things through out the book like also how to be a real friend.

All But My Life: Daniel Leon

The second part of All But My Life (pages 134-246) had a much larger impact on me than the first half. The death march that Gerda went on with thousands of other Jewish women was probably the most eye-opening thing that I had ever read about the Holocaust. Women who were caught trying to escape were lined up and shot in front of the entire group, massive piles of bodies were either buried or just left behind, and Gerda even writes about witnessing a woman snap off her frost bitten toes on this death march which lasted several months. I am almost incapable of comprehending some of the things that I read, especially that out of the thousands of people that began the march, only about one hundred women survived. The part that I find most sad is that within the week of her liberation, her three closest friends who had marched for months with her died. I can't believe how physically, mentally, and emotionally strong Gerda was to withstand a two month long death march, and the deaths of her family and closest friends. I know that I would not have been able to endure it; I would have certainly lost all hope and given up.

Pat Sintavanon

After I read the rest of a book, I felt very empathy to her and all Jewish people at that time. I wonder that, Gerda still have a depress of that in this time or not because of this Holocaust I think it might make a unhealable wound for her, saw children died, dead bodies, people got executed in front of her face these such thing were so horrible! How people killed other people because they just didn't like Jewish people is that too much? I really don't know what Hitler think, I thing maybe he has some kind of mental issue or maybe I'm wrong he just a very racist kind of people. If this thing happen to me I will can't stand it and maybe I become committed suicide by not a long time when I completely lost everything. In this part llse died that she died when she marching in a dead march that Gerda and llse were force to do, she was a very good friend to Gerda, how sad that such of good person have to died not only llse, all of over 11 million were died too and they have to died because of personal dislike of Hitler.

All But MY Life 2

Life under the Germans was Becoming very hard for Gerda. The Germans forced her to work longs hours on dangerous machines. She was to live in unhealthy conditions. The food that Gerda had to eat was very scares. The lack of food lead to sickness and illness. Under normal conditions they wouldn't suffer so much. Even though Gerda lived in harsh conditions, many of her fellow Jewish people were sent to the gas chambers to die. the only difference between her and those sent to the gas chambers was her being old enough to work and having good health. Her will to survive was very strong. I could never imaged my self having to go through or experience the things that the Germans made her to do. Having to get up every morning trying to survive the whole day. The things i do day to day i take for granted and think about what I'm going to do this weekend. Which is a far different world from Gerda. I didn't have to worry about dying. I'm just a typical teenager. With meaning less worries compared to Gerda.

Journal Entry #2 Henry Motew

The book All but My Life just inspires me and shows how lucky we are as Americans living in the time we do now. Being Jewish makes me feel a more extreme amount of sorrow for the brutality Gerda's family, Gerda, Ilse, and the 11 million other people faced because I am of their religion and have mass amounts of respect for their strength and pride for being Jewish. Gerda's story is truly unbelievable. If you realize all that she survived, you can take a moment and just think how wild it is that she survived what she did. Moving between multiple work camps, surviving a death march in which only about 120 survived, and being trapped in a warehouse with bombs outside, Gerda always stayed strong and stayed proud. For that, I have the highest degree of respect. When I think about her survival, I think to myself if I would stay strong and proud like Gerda, and the sad part is that I am not sure I can be as strong as her. The book made me review my morals and more importantly my religion, but none the less, it was a book that made me feel lucky to have the life I have today.

As i read the second half of All But My Life, i began to admire Gerda more and more. She had been so audacious throughout the war, despite all of her sorrow ans suffering. She had never given up on hope that she would one day be liberated and begin a new life when the war had ended. Almost everyone of her close friends had lost hope in one day being free, but Gerda remained anticipative of that day. Times were getting harder for Gerda and Ilse, and their rations were becoming smaller until they received none at all. This is when Gerda decided to try and escape, but lucklily Ilse feared the idea and it was her fear that kept them from dying on that day. As the book went on, all of Gerda's friend were becoming sick and began to die off one by one, until she had no friends left. The day Gerda met Suse they made a bet on how long the war would last, Suse of course one and said that they would probably die before their liberation had come anyway, and Suse ended up dying on their liberation day. It was also ironic how Gerda's friend Tusia had awaked Gerda from her sleep to remind her of when Gerda promised that they would be free on their birthday. Tusia had been angry with Gerda for not speaking to her while in the camp but forgave her. Even though Gerda's prediction of being liberated on their birthday came true, Tusia did not live to see it, she died the day before.

All But My Life Journal 2 Matthew Joyce

After reading the second part of the book, I realized that I knew very little about the Holocaust and the hardships that the Jews had to go through. All I knew was that the Nazis killed many innocent people. I had no clue the lengths that the Nazis would go to persecute Jews. The Nazis took all of the rights from Gerda and her family. I was surprised by how many concentration camps and places Gerda was brought to. Before reading this book, I had never heard of a death march. When the Allies came closer to Gerda’s camp she was forced to go on a death march. I believe that the death marches were one of the worst things that happened in the Holocaust. Another thing that I knew little about were the stars that Gerda and all the other Jewish people were forced to wear. Gerda was forced to wear 3 stars as identification to show she was Jewish. While reading the book, I was very happy to see the person that helped Gerda most of all was Kurt Klein. I learned many things from this book that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

ABML: Neal Callahan

After reading All But My Life i was stunned to see how Gerda had inspired so many people during the duration of the Holocaust to live on and believe. Gerda always seemed to be looking at the glass half full when expressing her feelings to her peers even though when she was internally not completely positive. For instance when Gerda was at the camp Marzdorf where she had to pick the flax and shovel the coal at night. When at this camp Gerda was internally unstable and contemplating suicide, even though she was dealing with this she was still able to provide emotional support to her fellow prisoners. Gerda was also able to keep spirits during the dreaded death march that kept some of her friends alive with hope much longer than they would with out her. Even though Gerda was able to supply hope and encouragement to many during the Holocaust she relied on the encouragement of others to recover after the Holocaust. I find this to be very odd that once she was through the worst parts she had to rely on the will and love of Captain Kurt to pull through in the end. All But My Life has been a great read and has taught me a couple of lessons that i will never forget and has forever changed my out look on life. Last year in Mr. Giles class we had to read the novel Night and after reading both of them it shows me how pure perseverance can help a person overcome almost anything. I think that every student should have to read both Night and All But My Life just because of the raw emotion and life lessons that are included in these great novels.

All but my Life: Chantell Jackson

“Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?” This quote from an anonymous person is the best way I could really summarize what I learned from Gerda's book. Although there were times in her life where she said she didn't believe she would make it, and even contemplated ending her life, I never truly felt that Gerda completely lost all hope. I think of Gerda's hope as the family photos she carried around in her snow boots. Although she could not feel them, or see them, and no one knew they were there, they were, unseen but always there. Gerda's hope lied in her family, in Aurthur. She worked like a slave, nearly starved to death, and marched to the end of the war for them. When she realized she would never see them again her hope was not gone, but replaced. Her hope, and her life, now was in Kurt Klein. Gerda was frail, thin, and nearly dead when she was saved by him, but her soul was bigger than life itself. One thing I pick up on from Gerda was her soul. I believe her ability to love Kurt while she was in the hospital was the one thing that saved her life, her heart. Without it she would have died like the others did, for they were just as weak as she was, but Gerda had her soul, her desire, her will to live. I believe that’s what saved her. Kurt Klein did not only save her from the barn, he gave Gerda passion and strong will, without that Gerda would not have survived her illnesses. Kurt Klein saved his Wife’s life, no doctor, and no drug could have done what he did for her.

All But My Life was a really eye opening book for me. Even though I have studied the Holocaust before and read the book Night by Elie Wiesel, this book was very different for me. It really spoke to me and made me realize how lucky and fortunate I am. Gerda did not have to endure the terrible concentration camps like many others did, but she did have to go on that overwhelming death march. Luckily, she listened and obeyed her fathers wishes and wore the ski boots he told her too so her feet would not be frozen. She always tried to be optimistic and told the other girls that the war would be over soon and they would be free. I thought that was very brave of her to be so strong while going through such a tough time in her life. When she made the plan to try and escape during the death march, I was kind of surprised. I would think she would try and just endure the march since she was certain the war would end soon. I guess she was thinking that the Nazis would kill the survivors anyway. Overall, I thought All But My Life was a very interesting book and made me appreciate all that I have.

All But My Life Journal 2 Ashley McDowell

As i read the last part of All But My Life i couldn't help but feel closure. For Gerda, and for all of the other survivors, they had made it through the Holocaust. Many parts stuck in my mind but one part in particular stands out to me. "I felt a heavy blow over my eyes. 'Who?' he demanded. 'I don't know.' I repeated. Another blow fell, deafening my left ear. I swayed and staggered toward the building" This, along with various other means of punishment was the unfortunate fate that many Jewish people were forced to endure during the Holocaust. To me, and to Gerda, physical punishment would be the worst, and most terrible form of punishment i could think of. Not only does it degrade you as a person, but it humiliates you, and you are forced to feel weak, defeated. Gerda mentions in the book that "propaganda talks, nor hunger, nor work had affected my resistance as had the brutal blows of that guard." Even after having been beaten, Gerda remains strong, and is a symbol of hope for many, including her love, Abek. If I was in the same situation she was in, I couldn't be strong for me, let alone anyone else. She is incredibly brave for doing that. Also in the book, the girls would play games imagining their lives once they get out of the camps. To me, that would be my escape from reality. Kind of like a video game, or computer game. It allows you to put the reality, and actuality of life in the back of your mind, and focus on something positive to get you through. This was Gerda's way of escaping.

Through out the book Mrs.Klein tells about how she has death vermin and disease all around her; but in the second part it gets more personal. She has already lost her immediate family and then she tells about losing Ilse its really tough on her and the reactions she gets from everyone is oh well. I could relate to her on that part i lost a close friend of mines in a driveby shooting but the person dying right beside me i could not imagine. Mrs. Klein survives alot of trials and tribulations I do not think i could endure.

Allie Lesser

As I have finished the second part of the book, I am amazed at how incredible Gerda's story truly is. Gerda has gone through everything imaginable. From never seeing her family, to being beaten by a guard for not knowing who through bread over the fence, to having her best friend die in her arms, and meeting her future husband on liberation day. Although Gerda was by no means in a great state of well being, I think that in many ways she was lucky. Her ski boots saved her life on the death march, and she went to camp instead of staying with Abek's family, which you later find out died. I have so much admiration towards Gerda for her amazing strength and never doubting that one day she will be free. Gerda inspired so many others in the book, telling the girls that the guards were scared because they new the war was staring to end, and making a play for entertainment for the girls gave hope to many of the girls in the camp. I think it would be hard to make new friends in camp, not knowing if I would see them the next day or if they would see me is frightening. Gerda and her friends made it happen though, they lived off the fantasy of what was going to happen after the war. I also think that playing games such as the girls did also gave them all a little hope and courage to keep on going. Something that really stuck out to me at the end of the book was when Gerda tells her weight was sixty eight pounds. I cannot even imagine what she looked like. It sickens me knowing it was easy for the guards and other people who run the camps could watch these poor innocent people starve to death. Gerda is an inspiration to me, she showed bravery and courage in a time where most people had given up. If I had lived in a camp I could not say if I would have made it like Gerda did, but if I had a friend like her right there with me, the perseverance she had would push me to keep fighting, for my life and my freedom.

Drew Newstedt

Gerda endured many hardships during the Holocaust. While in the work camps she was fed very little and had to work very hard. She was somewhat lucky to have friends while in these camps. I can't imagine how hard it would have been for her without someone like Ilse to talk to. I think it would have been difficult for her to keep going without a friend to talk to. Even with a friend beside her, what she had to endure at these work camps was somtimes hard for me to read." I felt a heavy blow over my eyes... Another blow fell, deafening my left ear."(174). This qoute is just one example of everything Gerda had to go through. I think it is amazing that she found the strength to go on. If I was in her place I don't know if I would have been able to keep going.

All But My Life, Blog 2

As I read the second half of All But My Life, I couldn't help but admire Gerda. I have admired Gerda throughout this entire book, but coming out of The Holocaust as a survivor, is inspiring beyond belief. Gerda endured some of life's most unthinkable hardships. She, luckily, went to some really nice and sparing work camps. However, some were not as nice, which was to be expected. I have never associated 'nice work camps' and 'caring Germans' with The Holocaust. When I think of The Holocaust, I think of Auschwitz, gas chambers, and deathly hard work. Gerda is an amazing person. From just reading her book, the way she held on to the tiny bit of hope until the end of the war, was amazing. I can't even think to relate in any way to her situation.
When Gerda was forced on the death march, I couldn't believe how she survived. She lived for the hope that one day she would be free and see her family. Even though, deep down, she knew she would never see her family again. Gerda is someone to idolize. She shows character traits beyond what one would have today. She has perseverance, courage, and determination.
After Gerda lost her best friend, Ilse, my mind went straight to my best friend. I couldn't imagine living life day to day without her and I honestly, don't know how Gerda did it. I believe that it would be a very hard thing to do and I truly admire Gerda for continuing on with her life and going on in the hope that she would one day be free.
I was saddened that Abek died. I felt that he would live and cry with Gerda on the day they were free and saw each other. I am full of remorse!
When Gerda met Kurt, happiness came back into Gerda's life. She had something to look forward to everyday and I think that she enjoyed.
Gerda is inspirational. I enjoyed reading this book, though at times, it was very difficult to continue on. Gerda is a truly amazing person.
I am glad I was able to read her book. She brought me insight into the real deal of The Holocaust. I now won't always think of just Auschwitz and the millions that died. I will think of the good work camps like Bolkenhain, and the couple hundred Jews that survived and persevered for that feeling of being free once again.

All But My Life: Sam Allen

As I read the second half of All But My Life, I could not help but be inspired by Gerda's perseverance. Life for Gerda was anything but easy, but she kept fighting in the hope that her family would be waiting for her when she gets out of this nightmare. After being beaten by a SS guard, Gerda tells the reader, "Neither propaganda talks, designed to break our morale, nor hunger, nor work, no mater how hard, had affeced my resistance as had the brutal blows of that guard" (Gerda 174). This event marks a turning point in Gerda's story. Although her friends kept her spirits up, Gerda did lose a sense of security when that SS guard hit her. Gerda began to wonder if surviving the war was worth all of the hardships that she was forced to endure. Although Gerda comtemplated giving up, she soon decided that it would be best to obey her father's wishes. During the death march, Gerda devised a plan to escape from the Nazis and she probably would have gone through with her plan if she had not seen the execution of other Jews who had tried to escape. I think that even considering defying the Nazis took great bravery on Gerda's part. After Gerda's liberation, she was found to be extemely ill, and she almost had to have her feet amputated. Through hard work and determination, Gerda made a full recovery and met her soon to be husband.

I'm happy that Gerda has finally found happiness at the end of the book. I think that after all the pain and suffering she had to deal with and losing everyone she ever loved, that she deserved to find happiness. She did just that when she met Kurt. I'm glad that after everything she has been able to love again, because if that was me, and i went through all of that, I don't think I would ever be able to give my heart to anyone again, for fear that I might lose them. I look up to Gerda because throughout the book she was so strong and to be able to stand on her own and survive that horrid genocide was a spectactular accomplishment. I was also happy to find out that her uncle was still alive so not everybody in her family had met their tragic fate. I also thought that it was so cute how Kurt asked her to marry him because she never expected it. She got great news after great news and I felt so happy for her. She is really a strong human being.

Posted by: Emily Jennings

“After a while, she whispered, ‘Hold my hand.’ I held her hand tightly, and we both fell asleep again. When I woke, it was getting light. Ilse’s hand was cold. Her eyes were half open. She no longer breathed.” (Gerda 205). My first thought when reading this part of All But My Life was that I would never be able to go on if my best friend died like Ilse did. After all the pain and humiliation, how could I possibly have the motivation to go on? How did Gerda keep her life going after such a heavy loss of friends and family? Gerda had so many chances to disobey the promise she made to her father, and then to Ilse. Both Gerda's father and Ilse made her promise that she would keep on living, but how easy would it have been to end the suffering, the inhumane treatment? It would have been only too easy. Gerda even had poison stashed away in case she wished to make everything go away; but she honored the wishes of her family and friend. Gerda was very brave, because of her courage she now has a wonderful family who loves her. Gerda's choice to live on says a lot about her; Gerda is brave and proud, she didn't take the easy way out. To think how many people ended their lives just to escape the torture. It almost seems that no one did just that, despite what you may believe, it feels as if everyone bore the horrors that happened. How is it that nearly all of Germany believed Hitler's lies? How did they allow all those innocent people to be lost forever? There is no excuse for the ignorance of the world's countries during the Holocaust. If people had only reached out and stopped Hitler from committing the greatest crime mankind has ever witnessed, if only people had rebelled against the killing of fellow humans, then millions of lives would have been spared.

All But My Life

All but my life was a very sad and emotional book, but also a very interesting and fun book to read. I could not even began to think of being a Jew at the time of the Holocaust, or be in Gerda's position. She overcomes so much in such a short period of time, for example not being able to see her brother or him leaving thinking he could die and you never seeing him again. She is so supportive for her family in a emotional way and physical matter. I can relate to her, because bad stuff is happing all the time then something good happens and can change the way you look at something. For example, when the German police saw her English books in her bag, she was doomed she thought and at the end of her troubles she came out OK, she was frightened but also she gained knowledge from the experience, because he let her go. To me i fell like she takes up her brothers absents as the man since her dad is sick, she fills it well but brings a lot of worries for her parents at points also. Another part that made me stop and think, was when Isle was on the train and the ride, people, and noise gave her a headache, and a random person offered her asprin to cure it. It suprised me someone would give up something that is so rare in the spot they were in just to help someone you dont know. This book has got my attention and look forward to finishing it.

Jordan Battle

While reading this novel I found it ard t o put it down. Though I usually am not a fan of non-fiction stories, this book grasped my attention and kept me inticed. The way that Gerda Klein discribes her predicaments during this time makes it very easy to visualize, and keep the readers attention. While most stories that we read for class are often uninteresting. The part that I felt strongest about was when Arthur was preparing to leave his family. The emotions were so vivid and I could feel what both Gerta, and Arthur were going through. The first half of this story is very interesting, and I cannoot wait to read the next half.

All But My Life: Megan Brody

The suspense started on the very first page of All But My life. Gerda wrote that the time seemed to stop at the time on the watch: 9:10. When she continued to talk about the specific time, I asked myself many questions: What happened? What's going on? I knew that once the book started to get a happy feeling, that Gerda's world would turn upside down; I was right. World War II is on the verge of commencing, Arthur, Gerda's brother, leaves home to enter into the military, and then Gerda and her family have to move to their basement just to stay safe. When Gerda first met Abek, I thought that he was going to be some old man stalking her, but it turns out that she loved him like a brother. Unfortunately for Abek, Gerda did not want to marry him, but he never stopped asking. I wonder if Gerda really wanted to say yes the first time Abek proposed to her. It broke my heart when Gerda and her parents were split apart. First it was her father that left Gerda and her mother, forever. Then, shortly after, Gerda and her mother were separated for the rest of their lives. The final words that Gerda's mother said to her, "Be strong," really touched my heart. At that moment, Gerda didn't even know that she would never see her mother again; that is just beyond heartbreaking. I would have thought that Gerda would bring up the courage to try and stick with her mother, at least turn around, but she couldn't get herself to do it. I was kind of shocked about that but once I asked myself if I would run to my mother in those circumstances, I knew that it would just make the situation even worse. I am looking forward to reading the rest of All But My Life. I am hoping that Gerda has a bright future ahead of her in the book, other than the furture I already know of.

Esther Chong

When I read the first half of All But My Life, I was horrified by the fact how the non-Jews of Gerda's town, Bielitz was treating all the Jews as strangers. After all they all knew each other before Germany took over and were friendly to each other. I am sure that Gerda felt hurt when her friend Trudy greeted the German soldiers with happiness instead of fear. I hope nothing like that will happen to me, just because I believe in a different religion. In the book she was also horrified by the fact that her neighbors were turning their Polish flags into German flags. It sickens me that those neighbors changed their flags just because Germany took over, do they have no pride? It sadden me that Gerda thought the only way to be free was to kill herself, but I was glad that her father made her promise not to kill herself. Gerda was also very brave taking those English lessons, even when the Germans were giving public beatings to the Jews. The policeman that turned her in, showed the many changes the Germans had taught. The way the policeman spared her, showed that there were still people who treated the Jews for what they were, human beings.

All But My Life

Gereda and her family are the picture of a perfect family; mom, dad, daughter and son; the only catch is that they are Jewish. When the Germans invade Geredas family lives have changed faster than they ever realized. My heart was aching when I was reading because the whole time I was anticipating when the Germans would rip their family apart or kill any of them. I could relate to Gereda when her brother had to leave to go to the war because my cousin was sent to Iraq two years ago and that was on of the hardest things I have ever hard to do. When he left he didn't shed one tear and he would not look back at any of us because he said that he wanted to remember us in a happy way, not when we were all sobbing. Page 31 broke my heart when the family had to sell all of their belongs and all of their neighbors buying all of their memories or nothings. Abek is so in love with Gereda and it has to be so hard to tell someone that no she will not marry him. She is put in such a tough situation when his family offers to pay for her to have a working permit. This is Gereda's chance to get out be safe but she knew this would mean she would have to marry Abek and she was just not in love with him. That had to be so hard for her and if I was in that position I am not sure if I would have been able to say I wouldn't take the permit. (pg. 105-106) I have lost my father and I could never imagine losing my whole family. I have so much respect for Gereda because she was able to pull herself together and survive, I truly can not say that I would have been able to do that.

kiera roper

All But My Life so far is a very good book. Even though it is a good boook, it is also very sad. There are many diffrent events that stuck out to me. One event is when Gerda's brother was leaving. I could imagine how she felt the day he left. Throughout the book she explains how close her an her brother was. Therefore i understand how she may feel with him notbeing there an having that constant thought of not seeing him again. Another event is when Gerda explain the thought of her wanting to commit suicide. She also explains how another family decided to all commite suicide as a group, an how she wished he family could do the same. When i read that part of the book i felt very bad for her. I thought about how bad your life could be or seem to want to commite suicide. Another part of the book that i didnt understand was when she watched her neighbors greet the Nazis as they where invading Bielitz. Also i thought that she was a little fourtante to have had her dad teach her an her friends. I like how no matter what they continued to be a family an made the best by still trying to learn.

Austin Goins

Some of the beginning of the book really stood out to me. When her family is struggling and her grandfather isn't doing well. They are forced to move in the basement to keep safe. The book is kind of like a history book. While reading it i see a bunch of photos I have seen, flash in font of me. I can feel her pain reading every sentence of the book. Gerda experienced the pain and horror of the Holocaust. When she was parted for her mother, just reading it make me feel devastated. Knowing what is going to happen really makes me want to keep reading. Erika letter really stood out to me. Knowing she never heard from her again made me feel the pain. I can't wait to keep reading and so see whats going to
happen.

It's surprising to read All But My Life. As Gerda mentioned in the book, she and others never thought any human could commit such crimes that occur in the first half of her book. The suspense came right off the bat on page one when she feels that time stopped at 9:10 a.m. What happened? What's going on? Those were the thoughts that flooded through my mind as I continued to read. Other than the fact that Gerda and her way of life was chaning gradually, her life seemed fairly good. I knew that when Arthur left home to go to war, that her life and her family's life would never be the same. To me, it seems that Abek is an annoying pest that will not leave Gerda alone. I really wish Gerda could have given a clue as to if she really loved him or not. Moving to the ghetto ruined Gerda's view on life and her hope for the future. It killed me when her father went on a different train and when her mother got separated from her. "Be strong," those were Gerda's mother's final words to her before she left on a big black truck. What was to come? A horrible time for her young life where all that she knew before was crumbling at her feet.

Briana Lawrence

Reading the the first half of All But My Life has made me realize that the little things i do everyday have a big impact in other countries. Terrifying events happened one after another from the Germans invading Poland to her brother joining the war. When the Germans forced the Jews to give their jewelery,transportation,furnisher, and factories up. They also had to switch homes laundress, which was the basement was a drastic change in my reading. If I was Gerda i would be devastated and lost for action if Abek confessed that he loved her. When her father had to be split up from his family i almost cried feeling ho she felt if i lost my father. It didn't end there when she had to be split up from her mother. After that she had nothing and only could survive on her on and her insincts. The Germans made Jewish people feel like they were animals and treated them like they weren't humans. I can't imagine myself being in that situations because all of the aspects in life that is giving to me. Walking around with a label on me and people turning their heads at me, not knowing what i did wrong. Innocent people were killed for no reason just because they were Jews. It makes me wonder how could people be so cruel? The first half of All But My Life was very touching and memoirable and i can not wait to read the next section.

All But My Life: Marla Bassetti

A part in the first section of the book that really stood out to me was when Gerda and her family were forced to move into the basement of their own home. The kindness of the Weissmann's to allow the young girl and her grandmother to live rent free in that two room apartment downstairs, was returned with a rude and evil exchange of homes. Only Because they were Jewish, the family was forced to live in the worst place of their own home. Reading this made me very upset. I could not imagine being forced to live in my dungeon resembled basement. It shocks me to think one command by a German officer, can relocate a family from one's home. This type of incident reminds me a lot of the story "Cinderella" and "The Little Princess." In both of these, the girls live wonderful lives until the father is not around anymore to watch over to make sure things are still perfect. Once this changes though, the girls are subjected to hard work and are given the poorest living conditions of their once owned or well ran home. The fact of how the Germans can turn on the Jewish people astounds me. In a matter of one man's speeches, not only did discrimination exist, but the murders of the innocent based only on their heritage, did as well. The relocation of the Weissmann family in their own home, really stands out to me.

All But My Life: Blake Young

I enjoyed the first section of All But My Life, I thought that it was a happening book that keeps you wanting to read it but one of the turn offs is that it is very sad. Major events happen one after another from the Germans Invading to Abek telling Gerda that he loves her. I did not think that Abek choose an appropriate time to tell Gerda the way he felt about her. I guess the only benefit to telling her before the war was so he had something to look forward to and a reason to fight to get through the war. Abek put Gerda in an undesirable and awkward situation that she even says she would rather not have been in. From reading this first half of the story, I have come to the conclusion that the Germans are some of the cruelest people in the world. I thought that is was unnecessary for them to take the Piano away from the little girl. I guarantee that few of the Germans know how to play the piano and all they wanted it for was to sell it and make a profit. I think that the Germans should be ashamed of themselves for taking away a young child's toy and passion. The first half of All But My Life was very enjoyable and i can not wait to read the nest section.

All But My Life: Evan Ramos

While reading All But My Life, there were several things that stood out to me. What impacted and bothered me the most of all was simply the way that Gerda and her family were treated by others. Time and time again, their neighbors, so-called friends, and even strangers betrayed them in the simplest ways, just because of the presence of ans new laws enforced by the German Troops. For example, when Gerda and her family received the news that they were being forced to leave, they decided to have Gerda sell some of their possessions. While doing so, a man purposefully broke a glass from her parent's wine set, and said, "'I want that set,' he said to me, 'bt I can't offer you much since a glass is missing,' and he pointed to the pieces on the floor." (31) This bothered me because it was so disrespectful to take advantage of her just for the fun of it and because he knew that she could not stop him, even if she wanted to. Another example of Gerda's poor treatment was when the gestapo ordered her family to move into their basement, and Mrs. Prozna and her daughter practically teased them by saying they were glad to have such a nice place to stay in for Christmas. This was definitely not the first time that someone that was previously so close to them, turned on them completely. I was shocked by their behavior, because before the war had begun, they were kind and loyal to Gerda, but now they act as if they're superior and owe no respect or gratitude towards the family at all. I'm surprised at the level of self control that Gerda and the others have maintained in each instance that they were disrespected, because I know for a fact that if I had been in any of those situations, I would not have gone without saying or doing anything.

All But My Life

I never realized how depressing the Holocaust was until I read the first part of All But My Life. There were so many parts in this book where I would tear up, and just think how awful it would have been for Gerda and her family. Gerda and her family are incredibly strong, stronger than I would ever be if I endured this war. I wondered why an orange was so precious to Gerda when she received it for her eighteenth birthday. I wondered why she would not go and live with Abek's family when she had the opportunity. As I read I thought what if this was me? What if I had been separated from my family for months and months at a time? It hurts to read about what had happened, like when the Jewish people were laid on the ground bare naked, trampled by horses till they were dead. It is heartbreaking to think back knowing someone actually went through all of this. I could not imagine having a German soldier pushing me around, putting a loaded pistol up to my chest, knowing that i could die at any second. The "love" between Abek and Gerda reminds me of a past relationship that I had gone through. I know how it feels to be told that you are loved, and not knowing if you feel the same way. I cannot really relate to anything else that Gerda had been through. I know that by the end of this book I will be more thankful than ever, knowing I didn't have to see or go through this cold war of death.

All But My Life Blog: Matt Joyce

The thing that stuck with me through the first part of this book was strength. Everyone had to stay strong, or risk being trampled over by the Germans. Gerda's family did a great job of trying to prepare Gerda for the hardships they knew lied ahead. When Gerda was standing at her window, head pressed against the glass, she intently pondered the aspect of death. It seemed like such an easy way to escape, and the fact that a family committed suicide together recently only made it more tempting. Her father picked up on this immediately, and made her promise not to do what she was thinking. She says on page 32, "in the years to come, when death seemed the only solution, I remembered that promise as my most sacred vow." Later on, a letter from Arthur told her that he knew Gerda was as brave as she promised. This small gesture, which took nothing more than ten seconds to write, wiped away all of Gerda's worries and troubles for at least the moment. Lastly, when Gerda and her mom had been separated, Gerda was at a definite low point. Her mom's last assuring words of, "Be strong!" certainly gave her an extra boost to withstand whatever stood in her way as the truck quickly drove off into the distance. Gerda was all on her own at this point, but she was equipped with the strength to survive.

I've always known about The Holocaust and how thousands and thousands of people's lives were effected, but this book brings a new meaning to what I understand about The Holocaust. This book has made it all seem so much more realistic, and that people practically awaited their deaths for years. I personally wouldn't be able to handle the fact knowing that i would have to fight for my life one day and knowing that my chances of surviving was slim. The letter from Erika was very impacting to me, the way she described the massacre painted a vivid picture in my head that i can't get out. Her mother, brother and the love of her life died that day, how does one deal with that grief? I admire Gerda's courage in staying behind and going to the camp instead of leaving when she got the chance. I'm interested in knowing what is going to happen to her and her friends now that they have arrived in their new place and I can't wait to see how the snow boots come into the story.

All But My Life part 1: Neal Callahan

While i was reading the first part of All But My Life, i remembered how graphic and painful it is to read hear the stories of the Holocaust and its victims. Even though this book is very painful to read it is also one of the most inspiring books that i have read so far. All of the Jewish prisoners tend to form a bond when they are taken to the concentration camps, that eventually help each other survive another day. Like on page 112 when Ilse had a very painful headache during the train ride and a complete stranger offered her an aspirin to ease her pain. In my life so far i have never seen a complete stranger give up a valuable to help another, and ask for nothing in return when they have nothing. The bonds that were formed between these people on the brink of death are probably the strongest bonds known to man. Another example of this bond was when Gerda turned down the opportunity to get her workers permit to stay with her friend. I think Gerda turned down the permit mainly because she did not want to abandon one of her friends to almost certain death while she walked free.

Drew Wall's Blog #1

This was a good book. While reading this book I thought to myself, if they only knew what was coming for them. Why did they not try to get out of this mess? On page 109, Gerda declined an easy way out, I would have taken that offer and gone with Abek. I think it would be better than a camp. While at the first camp Gerda walked through a door marked private and right into the commander's office. She talked to him; she was so brave to do that. On page 111, Gerda tore up a letter from the commander and it probably would have made it easier on her. I wonder what he would have said but i'll never know. Overall I like this book so far and it has made me realize how much I like my family.

All But My Life: Stuart Clark

After reading the first part of this book, many of the things you read you will never forget. The way Gerda's family doesn't know what is going to happen the next day or the next is an awful life to have. It amazes me how the whole family stays strong through all the challenges they have to deal with especially at first when Arthur has to leave. It makes it even more remarkable that they get through this with their father being ill. The one character that truly amazes me is Gerda's father because he is so ill, but yet he is keeping the family strong. This connects to my life because of my brother. He has a life threatening disease called Cystic Fibrosis and even with all the challenges that he has to deal with he keeps the whole family strong. When Gerda gets the letter from Erika you read some of the most disturbing things you will ever read. You can see her sadness in her writing and her desperation and need for help from anyone. Everyone involved in Gerda's life is truly amazing, even having to deal with all the problems they have to endure. It would make dealing with these problems extremely difficult, especially when this happens out of nowhere like it did in the story. So far I am amazed and idolize everyone in the story because of how strong they stay during the worst times of their lives when they know it can end tomorrow.

All But My Life : RaaShauna Payne

Have you ever had friend that would sacrifice their food, and even their life for you? I enjoyed reading about Gerda's story because not only was she a hero in my eyes, but also a real friend. Gerda and Ilse Kleinzähler , one of her childhood friends were put in difficult situations as teenagers and only head each other to depend on. Ilse gave Gerda the support that she needed to survive and keep on going and Gerda did the same. What kind of friend do you know that would have gave up their last meal that was not guaranteed everyday just for you? On the Death March in Grunberg , Gerda, Ilse, and Sus encouraged each other to keep fighting and to keep living no matter how hard it got. Ilse never got to experience her freedom, but with Gerda's support she came very far in her journey of life. Gerda and Ilse in my eyes represented an unbreakable friendship that death could not even get in between of. Because of these two women they have given my peers and I an example of what real friendship is!