And the Sea Is Never Full: Memoirs, 1969-

By Elie Wiesel

Book Overview

As this concluding volume of his moving and revealing memoirs begins, Elie Wiesel is forty years old, a writer of international repute. Determined to speak out more actively for both Holocaust survivors and the disenfranchised everywhere, he sets himself a challenge: "I will become militant. I will teach, share, bear witness. I will reveal and try to mitigate the victims' solitude." He makes words his weapon, and in these pages we relive with him his unstinting battles. We see him meet with world leaders and travel to regions ruled by war, dictatorship, racism, and exclusion in order to engage the most pressing issues of the day. We see him in the Soviet Union defending persecuted Jews and dissidents; in South Africa battling apartheid and supporting Mandela's ascension; in Cambodia and in Bosnia, calling on the world to face the atrocities; in refugee camps in Albania and Macedonia as an emissary for President Clinton. He chastises Ronald Reagan for his visit to the German military cemetery at Bitburg. He supports Lech Walesa but challenges some of his views. He confronts Francois Mitterrand over the misrepresentation of his activities in Vichy France. He does battle with Holocaust deniers. He joins tens of thousands of young Austrians demonstrating against renascent fascism in their country. He receives the Nobel Peace Prize. Through it all, Wiesel remains deeply involved with his beloved Israel, its leaders and its people, and laments its internal conflicts. He recounts the behind-the-scenes events that led to the establishment of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. He shares the feelings evoked by his return to Auschwitz, by his recollections of Yitzhak Rabin, and by his memories of his own vanished family. This is the magnificent finale of a historic memoir.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805210296
• ISBN13: 9780805210293
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The continuation of a great man's story

Elie Weisel in my eyes is a great man. He is the witness of the most horrible evil in human history , who somehow managed to help make the character of that Evil known to the world. He is a devoted writer and a foremost spokesman and defender of the Jewish people. But he is also has a special role in working to help the suffering and the persecuted throughout the world. Years ago in Biafra he was there to try and help the Ibo. And since then he has time and again placed himself at risk to help others. As a teacher and writer his work bears not only the mark of his poetic and G-d haunted soul, but of his enormous devotion to the good of humanity. This volume picks up the story of his life when at forty he decides to make a more determined effort to help the suffering of humanity. It tells the story of journeys and struggles .Often he is met by opposition but he is fueled by the determination to stand for the suffering. As a truthteller he dared confront the President of the United States over the obscenity of Bitburg . His deeds go before him and his words are a light to mankind. May G-d bless him and his work for the future.

A CONTINUING TALE OF INSPIRATION

This magnificent voice of history continues in the newest volume of his autobiography to offer readers a unique closeup view of a life of literary and moral achievement, and of never ending hope even in the face of tragedy. Wiesel is an inspiration to readers everywhere.

Wiesel never ceases to amaze

I read an advance copy of this book of memoirs, and I finishedit in all of two days. Wiesel's life, his philosophy, his stories areenough to inspire us all. He adds a human perspective, a moral dimension, and at time a behind-the-scenes glance into the world of international politics. However unlike self-serving politicians his voice pleads for the preservation of memory, and acts as an advocate for victims everywhere. A truly enthralling must read.