Edith Eger, a Holocaust survivor and former ballet dancer, brings a profound depth to her writings, shaped by her extraordinary experiences. Her work delves into themes of resilience, healing, and the innate human capacity to transcend immense suffering. Eger's insights guide readers toward confronting their own traumas, advocating for self-compassion and the liberation found in forgiveness. Her message is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the possibility of finding freedom even in the darkest of circumstances.
Set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II, the story follows sixteen-year-old ballerina Edith, who is sent to Auschwitz and faces unspeakable horrors. Her resilience is tested as she navigates the brutal realities of camp life. Ultimately, she is liberated in a shocking moment, found among the dead, clinging to life. This poignant tale explores themes of survival, the human spirit, and the impact of trauma.
At the age of sixteen, Edith Eger, a trained ballet dancer and gymnast, was sent to Auschwitz. Hours after her parents were killed, the 'Angel of Death, ' Nazi officer Dr. Josef Mengele, forced Edie to dance for his amusement--and her survival. He rewarded her with a loaf of bread that she shared with her fellow prisoners--an act of generosity that would later save her life. Edie and her sister survived multiple death camps and the Death March. When the American troops liberated the camps in 1945 they found Edie barely alive in a pile of corpses. Edie spent decades struggling with flashbacks and survivor's guilt, determined to stay silent and hide from the past ... Today, at ninety years old, Edie is a renowned psychologist and speaker who specializes in treating patients suffering from traumatic stress disorders. She ... weaves her remarkable personal account of surviving the Holocaust and overcoming its ghosts of anger, shame, and guilt with the moving stories of those she has helped heal. She explores how we can be imprisoned in our own minds and shows us how to find the key to freedom...
The prison is in your mind. The key is in your pocket. In the end, it's not what happens to us that matters most - it's what we choose to do with it. We all face suffering - sadness, loss, despair, fear, anxiety, failure. But we also have a choice; to give in and give up in the face of trauma or difficulties, or to live every moment as a gift. Celebrated therapist and Holocaust survivor, Dr Edith Eger, provides a hands-on guide that gently encourages us to change the imprisoning thoughts and destructive behaviours that may be holding us back. Accompanied by stories from Eger's own life and the lives of her patients her empowering lessons help you to see your darkest moments as your greatest teachers and find freedom through the strength that lies within.
"In 1944, sixteen-year-old Edith Eger was sent to Auschwitz. There she endured unimaginable experiences, including being made to dance for the infamous Josef Mengele. Over the coming months, Edith's bravery helped her sister to survive, and led to her bunkmates rescuing her during a death march. When their camp was finally liberated, Edith was pulled from a pile of bodies, barely alive." -- back cover