Great news everyone! Witness For My Father won first place in the Readers’ Favorite International Book Award contest in the biography genre! The notice came in on September 1st and I’m humbled and couldn’t be prouder. Click Here to read the review, or click on the award medal.
I continue to get emails from readers thanking me for sharing my father, Martin Weigen’s history. The book truly is a tribute to his resilience, stamina, work ethic and positive attitude. It is also a tribute to his father, Isaak, for guiding him through unthinkable atrocities, and his mother and sister for doing the same until the day of their selection. This is a responsibility that I believe was passed on to me. It is important to carry the story forward, share life struggles and lessons, and offer inspiration to overcome adversity.
I’m so proud to be his daughter.
Based on the Readers’ Favorite book review from Sheena Monnin, Witness encapsulates the beginning of the war and…
“describes the gradual dehumanization of Jewish Poles during the first year of German occupation, followed by the rapid decline in human rights they experienced before being sent to concentration camps. The brutality, cruelty, and abuse each member of the family experienced are soul-crushing to read. Mietek, the author’s father, was the only survivor of his family.”
Therein lies the history lesson. The review closes with…
“My heart was touched by this incredible story of one man’s journey to overcome the hatred of others and not allow it to tarnish his soul. Everyone should read this stunning portrayal of Mietek’s life. It is powerfully written and full of inspiration!”
Thank you, Sheena.
Ironically, also on September 1st, 1939, eighty-three years earlier, Germany invaded Poland. That day changed my father and his family’s life. It changed the course of history, ushering in World War II. The war wouldn’t end until 1945 and it would take the lives of over six million European Jewish people, and five million more souls that were considered different, unworthy to live. WWII stole the lives of 73 million human beings!
On September 8th people around the world mourned the passing of Queen Elizabeth. They bowed their heads and let nostalgia overcome them. One of her notable quotes stood out to me, “It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger – and concern for those who remain.”
On September 11th, we marked the twenty first anniversary of terrorist attacks on our country. I worked with my father at the office that day, and after hearing the news unfold on TV, he called the former lieutenant John Withers to see if he and his family were okay. His son and daughter-in-law were working in Washington DC.
I listened to the 9/11 documentary this week, watching the firefighters tell stories of individuals who wouldn’t give up, who ignored the warnings and rushed into burning buildings to save as many as they could without a second thought for their own safety. They choked up, as did I, realizing the importance of remembering every hero who gave their life to save others. Those coordinated attacks against the U.S. killed 3,000 people and injured another 25,000. Once again, crimes against humanity, against a people, a nation…our nation, were repeating themselves.
For me, this is all a reminder of the story’s reach. Let it be a contribution to society, so that we learn from our history, to keep our families and future safe, and a lesson to not repeat mankind’s mistakes.
It is vital that we listen to the voices and lessons of the past.
Thank you all for your continued support, carrying the story forward, and being part of a movement to care, honor, and respect people of all races, nationalities, and religions.
With deep gratitude,
Barbara