The Sunflower

On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness

By: Simon Wiesenthal

Narrated by: Robertson Dean, Laural Merlington

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

While imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Simon Wiesenthal was taken one day from his work detail to the bedside of a dying member of the SS. Haunted by the crimes in which he had participated, the soldier wanted to confess to - and obtain absolution from - a Jew. Faced with the choice between compassion and justice, silence and truth, Wiesenthal said nothing. But even years after the war had ended, he wondered: Had he done the right thing? What would you have done in his place?

In this important book, fifty-three distinguished men and women respond to Wiesenthal's questions. They are theologians, political leaders, writers, jurists, psychiatrists, human rights activists, Holocaust survivors, and victims of attempted genocide in Bosnia, Cambodia, China, and Tibet. Their responses, as varied as their experiences of the world, remind us that Wiesenthal's questions are not limited to events of the past. Often surprising and always thought-provoking, The Sunflower will challenge you to define your beliefs about justice, compassion, and human responsibility.

©1969, 1970 Copyright 1969, 1970 by Opera Mundi Paris. Copyright renewed 1997 by Simon Wiesenthal. Preface and Symposium copyright 1976, 1997, 1998 by Schocken Books Incorporated. (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"In simple yet elegant prose, Wiesenthal recreates the grim reality of a time when Eastern Europe was hell. Never lapsing into the maudlin or self-pitying, his matter-of-fact realism makes the images all the more horrifying." ( Publishers Weekly)

Forgiveness: Possible or impossible?

For anyone seeking wisdom in what it means to forgive and forget, if either are possible, will find an irresistible read.

Fantastic meditation on the legitimate bounds of forgiveness!

This book is enormously eye-opening. Legitimate arguments as to the limits or limitlessness of forgiveness. Strongly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with resentment or anger in their heart.

A must for have those inclined to self reflection!

This is a truly profound book. Not only does it challenge the reader to endure a small window the true horror of WWII, but it also engages with you to emotional and intellectually process through you, the reader, would handle the situation.

Forgiveness

Very passionate on this subject - it never to be in our hearts -‘one must read Genesis 12:3 - Gods people

FABULOUS

Would you listen to The Sunflower again? Why?

I would listen to this book over and over. The fact is when you listen to the story and then the different responses from others, you can do nothing else but wonder what the right answer is, or IF there is a right answer.

What about Robertson Dean and Laural Merlington ’s performance did you like?

I really appreciated the way the different narrators were used. It helped to bring you into a different mood and prepare you for a different point of view with each letter.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This book was extremely moving because to forces you to think through what it is you believe you would have done, and question it.

In memory of...

Very complex story of blame and forgiveness. How the Shoah brought so much evil to light and the value of -Atonement -????

To Forgive or not

This book was probably the most important book l have listened to since joining Audible several years ago. This book is not for the person that wants an entertaining read. It poses questions that require a great amount of reflection. I highly recommend this book as an essential part of personal introspection and improvement.

Incredible!

This new version of The Sunflower is extraordinary. The people that have written their thoughts about Simon Wiesenthal's original dilemma knocked my socks off. The issue of forgiveness is so relevant to our modern world. The book is a classic for all times. I would recommend this for young (8th grade and up) and old.

Love this book

its a great listen and read I had this book when I was in high school my history teacher lent it to me and I loved every moment its so intense but its world history and its crazy to think and remember that people are this evil to do such things to one group of people for nothing. This book needs to come back in this day and age.

Forgiveness

This book really made me think whether or not I would be open to forgive a person who caused me so much harm. Simon had a lot of mixed emotions and although his subconscious was telling him (he should've forgave Karl), he stayed silent and said nothing. I agree with Josek "it's not your place to forgive in the name of all the Jews", but yet again what Bolek said made Simon and I be a little bit more in peace. "By listening to the dying ss man, you gave him the opportunity to die in peace"-Bolek. Essentially, Simon was able to write, The Sun Flower, and allowed ordinary people to share whether or not they would've forgiven the ss man.