Zaidy’s War

Zaidy’s War

Four Armies, Three Continents, Two Brothers. One Man’s Impossible Story of Endurance

Giving back to others becomes a way for this survivor to come to terms with the destruction his family, friends, and people faced.

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About the Book

Follow Benzion as he journeys across the continent, evades death, finds love, and helps rebuild a community torn apart by war.

Benzion Malik was on a path of discovery. He was keen to learn about everything in life through the teachings of his faith and only something cataclysmic could throw him off this course. In 1939, the 21-year-old Benzion was called up to the Romanian Army. Little did he know that he would not be a free man until 1945.

During six long years, Benzion served in three further armies. He was forced into hard labor and was constantly abused because of his Jewishness by the Hungarian army. He was then made to serve the German army which simply needed disposable bodies to be targets for Soviet bullets. Finally, the Soviet army needed young men like Benzion to help with the effort to fight the Nazis.

None of these acts of service and servitude were easy. Benzion was in a continuous dance with death but clung to life through the goodness of strangers. When WWII was over, Benzion had to make the 2,600-kilometer walk home and narrowly escaped being poisoned to death by mushroom soup. At home he was confronted with the ruins of his family, community, and people. Yet, he was not defeated.

Lovingly written by his grandson, this book provides an account of a man’s resilience to not give up on the world after extreme destruction, but instead to help rebuild a community and practice Tikkun Olam – Repairing of the World – by believing in cosmic justice and leaving an imprint on his family, friends, and strangers for generations.

Launched on 12 October 2022

Details
Author: Martin Bodek
Series: Holocaust Survivor True Stories
Genre: Holocaust
Tags: Audio rights available, Award-winning Publication, Foreign Rights Available, Holocaust memoir
ASIN: B0B9CCWP5G
ISBN: 9789493276451
List Price: $18,95
eBook Price: $4,95
Zaidy's War: Four Armies, Three Continents, Two Brothers. One Man's Impossible Story of Endurance by Martin Bodek is a captivating tale of self-discovery and perseverance. Set in northern Romania, in the territory of Transylvania, the story follows Benzion Malik, a member of the Malik family, as he embarks on a journey to uncover life's teachings. At the turn of the twentieth century, a new hero is born as World War I ended. Named Benzion, symbolizing destiny, he grows up taking on the traits of his father, Aharon, and his mother, Chantze. A learned and masterful culinary specialist in his youth, Benzion's focus shifts as he spends more time with friends during his teenage years. In his later years, however, we learn of Benzion's ambition to join the Romanian Armed Forces. The story's pace picks up as we follow Benzion on his journey. Known to his grandchildren as "Zaidy," Benzion is portrayed as the captain of his fate and a hero who overcomes obstacles against all odds. His dedication to a lifetime of study of the Torah makes him one of the most intriguing prominent figures in this biography Through his strength and courage, Zaidy survived in a harsh environment where Jews endured unjust treatment. Martin Bodek provides readers with insight into the brutal reality and consequences of war. The phrase "The weak and the unfortunate die. The strong and the lucky survive" aptly describes the encounters in this book. Zaidy's War is not just about wartime experiences. It has significance by not undermining the reality of war, including unequal service and racial discrimination. It also embraces the loving-kindness found in reunions. Martin Bodek has crafted an exceptional book that will captivate readers from beginning to end.
– Maryann Namayi for Readers' Favorite
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Martin Bodek

Martin is the author of 11 books, including the popular Emoji Haggadah and Shakespeare Haggadah. With Zaidy's War he presents an eye-opening project 19 years in the making. Martin interviewed his grandfather about his WWII experience, and learned a story that absolutely baffles the mind with continent-ranging survival tales, Axis and Ally bullets and bombs, narrow harrowing escapes, and steadfast dedication to create an honorable life.

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