The Hours After: Letters of Love and Longing in War's Aftermath

After I read Gerda's "All But My Life", I absolutely had to read this book. I had to know more! "All But My Life" and "The Hours After" are two of the best books I have ever read.

We typically don't write or receive personal letters anymore. That is just one of many reasons why this book, with the different life experiences Kurt and Gerda W. Klein had during the war, is so compelling. Imagine this 25 yr. old U.S. serviceman helping this young woman, who had grown from adolescence to adulthood on a Nazi death march, come to grips with who she is and what's to become of her. The book provides a first hand account and perspective through their letters to eachother, as the hopeful re-building of countries and lives is surrounding them. This is a must read, especially poignant in the tenuous world situation we all find ourselves in, post Sept. 11th. The fact that these two young people married and built a life together is a wonderful love story.

Just when you think that the world today is a cold/harsh place and people are uncaring, a story comes along to challenge your thinking. "The Hours After" is one such book. Gerda faced the ultimate horrors of the Holocaust and near death, losing family in the process. When you are at the depths of misery with her, an angel by the name of Kurt comes along to rescue her and nurse her back to health. Ah, but all doesn't end so nice and neat in times of war. Instead of giving up on each other, they correspond back and forth until at long last they are finally reunited and then married. I went through a lot of tissues on this one.Last year, I was fortunate enough to meet these two incredible people who by chance were signing copies of this book at a social studies conference. While observing them, you could just feel the love and warmth they exuded.

I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE. THE STORY OF GERDA SHOWS HOW THINGS CAN CHANGE SO FAST IN A SPLIT SECOND. THIS STORY IS A REMINDER HOW IN LIFE WE SHOULD NOT WASTE A MOMENT TO ENJOY IT WITH OUR FAMILIES. IT AMAZES ME HOW GERDA HAD SO MUCH COURAGE TO CONTINUE IN SITUATIONS THAT WERE SIMPY AWFUL.

I am actually not finished with this book, but because I can't put it down, I want to post my review. I read "All But My Life" and was so touched by Gerda's experiences during the Holocaust. I especially loved the ending, when an American soldier liberated Gerda and her friends. The soldier helped nurse Gerda back to health, and the two evenutally were married. "The Hours After", which picks up where "All But My Life" ends, allows the reader to better understand the friendship, love, and devotion between Gerda and Kurt. I have read many Holocaust books, and "All But MY Life" and "The Hours After" are the best. You have to read this book!