Together

A Journey for Survival

By: Ann Arnold

Narrated by: Kathleen Gati

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

The only way they would survive, was if they stayed...together.

Sala Schonwetter lived the perfect life. Married to the man of her dreams, mother to two beautiful children, and a member of one of the most respected families in town; she had it all. The year was 1939, and the world was about to change. In a heartbreaking instant, she had to trade her life of security, family, and simple pleasures - for one of unspeakable loneliness, hardship, and danger. Nothing more than hunted prey, she relied on her inner strength and indomitable will to keep her children alive. But would it be enough? How far would she have to go, and did she have the resolve to get there? One thing she knew for sure..she and her children would live or die one way...together.

Manek was six years old when his world began to collapse. At first, his young eyes failed to see it, but reality came quickly into focus when his loving gentle mother was forced to beat him in order to save his life. That is when he realized the Nazis wanted to kill him. Suddenly thrust into a new role as man of the house, would he be able to help keep his family safe? Was he strong enough to protect them? He knew only one thing...they would survive if they could stay...together.

In Together: A Journey for Survival, Ann Arnold shares her family's journey through Poland's countryside as a war of nations thunders around them. The story displays the magnificent strength of a mother's love and the incredible courage of good people during the worst of times.

"An important work. Ann Arnold's effort to both tell their tale of her family's survival during the Holocaust while being a part of encouraging the next generation to embrace tolerance is inspiring." (Michael Cohen, The Simon Wiesenthal Center)

"A fascinating story that takes a reader inside an already wounded family toiling through horrific difficulty in the pursuit of life itself...it forces readers to ask themselves if they could endure a struggle or whether they might support another person in a life or death battle. This angle makes the book valuable for teachers to use and beneficial for students to read at the high school level." (Lawrence M. Glaser, NJ Commission on Holocaust Education)

"Incredible story" (Northern Valley Press)

"Arnold’s perspective is colored not only by those non-Jews who saved her father’s family but also by her experience visiting Brzostek as an adult." (New Jersey Jewish News)

©2016 Ann Arnold (P)2019 Ann Arnold

Sarbekben

This story is so unforgettable and educational in a way that is immensely valuable to all of those who have only these kinds of sources to learn about the Jewish history and the strength of the Jewish people.

TRUE STORY

This account of the terror wreaked upon the Jews during WWII will tear at your heart-strings. Be sure to check out the website when you've finished. There are pictures of the places these people were forced to hide as well as photos of the young man in the story...he's still alive and speaks at schools.
Kathleen Gati does a wonderfully subtle job narrating this book as she gives life to the characters but remains respectful of the gravity of the situation.

A Must Read

Thank you for sharing your story. I found it very intriguing and filled with hope.

Exceptional story of survival

This is one of the most fascinating true and horrific story of what happened to Jewish population in the second World War . Ann Arnold is truly and exceptional writer and true storyteller. I recommend this book to anyone that is not aware of the horrors of this War. It captivates honor, suffering and survival of this stoic women and her family, that against all odds makes it through the War with two small children. The cooperation of the Polish people and their part in it. Highly recommend it.♥️

Excellent historical book

I loved the book. It was interesting, very well-written, and kept my attention throughout. I loved historical literature and this book did not disappoint. The war times these three lived through are a true testament to the human spirit and will to live.