This memoir lays out in exquisite prose a touching, insightful journey through a series of challenges that are almost incomprehensible to those of us who have grown up in happier times. As I read I could not help but wonder how I would measure up to the ethical and moral standards set by Professor Balas. His academic excellence and stature are well known to all of us who have worked in any field related to mathematical programming; this book makes it clear that in addition to being an exemplary academic in every way, Professor Balas is also a very great gentleman, in the best British sense of the word. I can only say I am proud to have known him.

If ever I get imprisoned I'll remember to use a coffee-stained napkin and stale bread to make a chess set. I also learned from Egan Balas that to exercise in a confined space one takes an odd number of steps - else one walks in circles. Algorithmic ingenuity enabled him to successfully take up mathematics in his late 30s, against the conventional wisdom that good mathematicians do their work when young, and become an outstanding professor of industrial administration, applied mathematics and operations research at Carnegie Mellon University.

He tells stories of his lives - escaping death narrowly - "according to my own taste", making it one of the most compelling biographies I have ever read.
This would be an extraordinary thriller if it were fiction - but its not, its real. The highly personal account of how a Transylvian Jew became a revolutionary worker, a dapper diplomat, a tortured prisoner and a creative academic takes one through some absolutely awful scenes. Balas' craftiness enabled him to survive and his toughness under severe torture protected his friends. This is not some second hand account of Communist and Nazi hate, Balas drags the reader through his pain and suffering. There are happier moments - such as when he comes out of prison and addresses his daughter - not realizing that he's speaking to a younger sibling born in his absence and that his daughter has grown considerably.

For anyone who wants to understand willpower and survival in Hungary and Romania during the 2nd world war this is a must read. Besides historical interest, the story's suspense makes it an ideal gift for thriller and spy story readers.

Professor Balas from Carnegie Mellon University is one of the most respected members of the Operations Research community. I am a big fan of Professor Egon Balas, having read his papers on the "Lift and Project" method in solving mixed integer programming problems.

Nothing moved me as much as this book though. I agree with the reviewer from Toronto, the book is definitely a great scientific mind at work, where Egon describes clearly and in vivid detail all that he went through, without any bitterness or resentments.

A triumph of the human spirit against all odds and adversaries!

This book touched me and changed my whole view of the term 'martyr'. I have since become a great fan of Wurmbrand, his books never fail to stun one into a deep, reverential silence.

No matter your (ir)religious beliefs, you will be astounded by this account of life, endurance, perseverance, faith, and love in the worst possible conditions and suffering. An astounding witness to the strength and love the living Christ imparts, and an indictment of the horror and hollowness of atheism. Not for the faint of heart or closed of mind, and brimming over with insight and depth of thought; especially fascinating are his theological and philosophical conversations with a myriad of colorful characters, from (formerly) powerful politocos and military figures, to "lowly" farmers and thieves.

Mystic. Philosopher. Loving husband. Worried father. Proud member of the Jewish race. Creature with nerve ending that ache when you hit them and who hungers when you starve him. Social being who hallucinates apart from human voices, and hungers for sex and companionship as well as food. Martyr who stands up to tyrants and warns them to repent. Lutheran pastor with a weakness for jokes. Richard Wurmbrand may have been a "voice of the martyrs," but after reading this sensitive, deeply honest autobiography, what impresses me the most is the degree to which his voice is also the voice of humankind. I found it challenging to see how, as a well-read Christian in tough times who faces all the temptations I do, he integrated the various facets of his humanity with his faith.

In a literal sense, faith made Wurmbrand a free-thinker. Embracing a religion that fits the full complexity of life, miracles as well as madness, and sharing a broad and often painful experience with a knowledge of several spiritual traditions, he was free to think on many questions and come to unexpected conclusions both whimsical and sober. There are many modern names that could be added to the list of heroes of the faith of Hebrews 11. Wurmbrand tells us some of their stories, including his own.

author, Jesus and the Religions of Man

This is one of the most moving and sensitive books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down. I shed many tears as I read of the hardships and tragedies Rose, Alex and their families endured. I rejoiced when things went well. The descriptions and the illustrations gave me an insight as to how life was in Szatmar and in Budapest. "Ruchele" is a wonderful tribute to a family and I shall never forget it. I have recommended it to all my friends. I think it is important for students of all ages to read it. This time in history should never be forgotten.

A review originally published in the Los Angeles Jewish Times, June 12-18, 1998.

Ruchele was the youngest daughter in an Orthodox Jewish family of ten children in Szatmar, Romania. Like may of her contemporaries, she saw her childhood cut short by the outbreak of WWII and the Holocaust. In this memoir Ruchele, now named Rose, recounts her difficult girlhood in pre-war Romania and nazi-occupied Hungary. She tells how she survived under a Gentile identity in Budapest, and tells in plain words the price that she and other survivors among her family and friends had to pay. Los Angeles author Rose Farkas gives an eye-witness account of the history that changed Europe-and the World-forever in "Ruchele". (Fithian Press, Santa Barbara)

Excerpted from a letter from Greti Herman, July 1998

I have read the book and found it fascinating and especially enjoyed the details and touching anecdotes about neighbors and family members which bring to life the lost world of orthodox Judaism in Eastern Europe. As an added feature, her book is wonderfully illustrated by "Ruchele's" husband, Alex. The drawings give us the feel of the old country where we grew up.

Anyone who reads this book will understand how Christ preserves his Church. The Elder Cleopa himself describes and demonstrates the process of continuous renewal in the Church through the Saints. There is knowledge, and there is wisdom. Knowledge is something you get from a book, or by word of mouth. Wisdom is that which speaks directly from heartfelt and deeply personal experience. Within the Orthodox Church, this experiential wisdom that is the relationship between the Saints and Christ our Savior, which is cultivated within the disciple by the master before him, just as Saint Paul cultivated it in Saint Timothy. That this experiential wisdom is always present and accessible to us is the heart of the Orthodox hope, and the sustenance of the Church that our Lord has given to us. This is one of many possible understandings of the phrase "Apostolic Succession," and it is the most important one since through this the Church remains alive for us today.

The Elder Cleopa, as is evidence from his simple, warm message in this book, speaks to us from that Church. His many answers to a fictictious inquirer anticpate the questions of many who are seriously considering the Orthodox life. The Elder lights a lamp for those who wish to see the Truth. Come and see for yourself.

"The Truth of Our Faith" by Elder Cleopa of Romania is an excellent Q&A between Elder Cleopa and inquirers about the Orthodox faith. In addition to the preface and a brief prologue about Elder Cleopa's life, there is an introduction by Elder Cleopa himself about his goals for the book. The main part of the book is broken down into 19 sections/chapters on different topics. It covers some of the Orthodox Church's teachings on the Virgin Mary and the Church's use of icons. The Elder also answers questions about fasting, the Second Coming, and speaking in tongues.

The Elder's tone is warm and simple, although he speaks unequivocally on issues in today's world of relativsm. His in depth knowledge of the Bible is awe-inspiring and there are tons of references (thankfully the footnotes aren't done in an academic fashion that is distracting.)

This is an excellent place for those that know something about Orthodoxy to probe deeper. Even though its not an ideal place for one to start reading about Orthodoxy...it would still be readily understood by one that knows virtually nothing of the Christian East. (The ideal place to learn about Orthodoxy is an Orthodox Church.) People that enjoyed St. Theophan the Recluse's "The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to It" or his "Path to Salvation" or Elder Joseph the Hesychast's "Monastic Wisdom" should enjoy this as it is in similar format. Not only that all these works share the fact that they were written out of love for the world by very holy men. Overall...highly recommended.

This book is a must-read for any Orthodox Christian. Whether you are already well-read in Orthodoxy or trying to educate yourself about your faith, you will find precious pearls within these pages. This book is particularly relevant to our modern times as the Elder Cleopa specifically tries to address many common criticisms or misunderstandings regarding the Orthodox Church voiced by the non-Orthodox Christian. I would highly recommend this book to Orthodox readers at any "spiritual" level. In addition, non-Orthodox who are interested in understanding more about what the Orthodox believe will find many answers here.

This is in my view the most authoritative study of the Ceausescu system to have been published since the dictator's execution in 1989. Very well written and quite fascinating. It puts more sensationalist and hastily produced works to shame.

Probabaly what drew me to the book was the knowledge that Deletant had a long association with the regime of Ceasuescu and a strong academic understanding of the system. He writes with personal candour and an eye for a good story. He also has the ability to bring large numbers of facts together with consummate ease. Probably the best researched volume on the subject.

This British author speaks fluent Romanian, married a Romanian wife, and lived in Communist Romania. The result is well-researched history, supplemented by personal experience (such as his attempts to get an emigration permit for his wife).

this book is about some youngsters' dream of life and their disappointment. especially about friendship, the book gives us a harsh reality of what it is to grow up. those friends who experienced tragic death of their common friend, find it almost impossible to be free from the frustration after all. they are not only haunted by the intruding force of authority but also by their own past. the stories of their families are just too forceful.
also, i think the narrative style which is tossed by thoses quotes (he said, she said, ... said, etc.) not to mention, through those letters written by various characters, is fantastic. i can imagine, in original german language, it would be a lot better to be read, with the reportage-like nuance of verb endings of indirect quotation.
very eccentric and exciting novel!

Be prepared to be surprised. You probably havent read anything like this before. It is very interestingly written, more like a poetry. But its not a book for everyone, its not an easy reading, where you can send your mind somewhere else. You have to be there completely. All your senses, emotions etc. This is like The Little Prince - but for adults. Herta Muller is telling us a story about living under dictatorship, halfman, halfanimal being, trying to forget about all the hopes and desires we share as humans forming a society. If you reach for the beauty, difference or something simple as love, you are condemned. Not all of us have experienced communism in this way (I am a bit too young), but this is a personal declaration about violation of human rights, being stabbed in the back, betrayed, left alone, dissapointed. Sadly, many of the things, described in this book, are true events. The book fokuses on the group of friends, that have met each other attending university. They soon reach and cross the boundaries of allowed thinking... But dont just give up if you think this is just too sad to read! It offers you a great thinking material you shouldnt avoid! It opens your horizons, sharpens your emotions. Even if you are a rock - do prepare a handkerchief for a tear or two. A book you can give to someone special in your life as a symbol of your friendship.

This novel is one of the most powerful ones I have ever read. The author has a wonderful way of making us feel for the characters, and it is written in such a compassionate and moving way. This is right up there on my list of great books along with Byatt's Possession and another book that reminded me of this one: The God of Small Things.

Yes, do talk to your children, and especially about this book and it's subject. It is the most insightful and informative personal account of the whole problem in Europe during the Nazi period. Not only does Dora Sorell tell us about life before her internment, but also the problems that the end of the war created for those who lived under the communist rule. That is one thing that has been sorely lacking until now. We must never forget, and must tell our children and our grandchildren. Dora Sorell has given us a way to do that in her letters to Miriam.

Ms. Sorell describes life in pre war world two Transilvania and Holocaust events like nobody else. She expresses personal feelings, and at the same time paints the picture of the overall way of life for the Jewish community in the times preceding the war. The Holocaust description is the most moving one I ever read and preserves for future generations the realities of a terrible time through the eyes of a survivor. The book balances the view of a mature person with the feelings and desires of a young lady experiencing terrible events.

Tell the Children is a vivid story so well told that it is hard to believe its author is not a professional writer. Dora Sorell was taken by the Nazis from her home in a Romanian village to some of the worst concentration camps, where she managed not only to survive but also to be reunited with her childhood sweetheart, to become a physician, to experience years of almost unimaginable horror under Communist rule, and to escape successively to Italy, Brazil, and finally the United States. Her chronicle, presented as letters to her granddaughter, benefits from sharp perception, a powerful memory, an extraordinary interest in the people around her (including a large and interesting family), and a genuine ability at storytelling. Unpretentious as she is, Dora Sorell is a heroic woman. Her book is unpreachy and unsentimental but deeply felt, and for me it made a lot of modern history seem real for as if the first time.

This book was almost not written. And it was almost not published. And revealing as it is, it tells only some of the tale. Some things are just too close, too hard, too emotional, too overwhelming to share. Yet share she did, and we are richer for it, even if we don't know the whole story.

The story is a familiar one in some ways. Young Sara was a survivor, even before this term became indelibly linked with the Holocaust. Outgoing, ambitious, adventurous, Sara struck out in the world early and learned hard lessons in cruelty and hatred. Yet her spirit remained and helped her survive the unsurvivable. In fact, given her condition at the end of the war it is remarkable she did survive. Perhaps her single-minded dedication to her sister and friends enabled her to forget about her horrible condition. She truly willed herself to survive.

Yet the story, as so many others, may never have come to light. After the ward there was so much else to do, so much time to make up. Only in her later years did Sara think of writing her story. And when it was done she could not get it published so she put it away. Her daughter found the manuscript after Sara's death, and published it 15 years later.

Sara never saw her book in print. You should.

I do agree with the positive reviews that this is a wonderfully written book and a heart breaking story, but I think proper credit should go the writer who fashioned this story into the work that is is today. Seventeen years ago, my sister-in-law Louise Thornton, now Louise Loots, spent about two years working with Sarah Bernstein. She laboriously transcribed tapes by and personal interviews with Sarah. This was a major undertaking. I had the privalege of reading the manuscript back then and could hardly believe that it was not being published. Evidently seventeen years ago there were too many holocaust books on the market already. I'm really glad to see this published, but proper credit should go to Louise Loots for the writing.

This is an amazing book. It captures all the horror of the holocaust, and her story is told with heartbreaking honesty and and feeling. She survived through all her hardship through just courage and hope; hope that was so easy to lose under those circumstances. I would recommend it to anyone who is wants to read a story that makes you laugh, cry and touches your heart and soul. It is definitely a book you cannot set down.

Somehow, everyone in Romania seems to believe that their heaviest food is also the tastiest. In Romanian restaurants both in Romania and accross the US, in cookbooks -- all I'm finding are the stuffed grape or cabbage leaves, the pork products, the mamaliga. What happened to all those seasonal (in Romania) meals centered around the great vegetables that abound in Spring, stuff that a family would actually eat everyday at home? The light and flavorful zuchinni with yoghurt, the spinach puree, all the many ways to prepare mushrooms, celery roots, even the lowly potatoe? The great sour soups that wake one up with their taste? What about some of the staples, like bors (not to be confused with Russiona borscht), the sour grain vinegar that is so good in those soups? Or all the pickled vegetables that spice up ones winter meal? Also, there are all the holiday preparations, such as a stuffed goose, duck on sourkraut, and, for the kids, the "sweet bites", sort of like a gingerbread cracker, but thicker and with a soft, molasse-like consistency (turta dulce for those of you out there who know :-)...
I'm not a great Romanian cook myself and I bought this book hoping to fill in some of my childhood favorites. It does do a good job of the recipes it presents. I handed the stuffed grape leaves recipe to the chef in charge at my wedding and it ended up being a favorite with my (mostly non-Romanian) guests!
The other complain I have is that some of the ingredients have been "adapted" to suit most American supermarkets. I won't complain about getting some of the fat out (although most of it stayed...) but what about the tarragon, the lovage, dill --they're all available here, with a bit of effort. Why not do what many asian cookbooks do and require the original ingredient, with an easy-to-find alternative where in doubt? And what about those simple salads that "parsley-up" and liven up any Romanian family's dinner?
Maybe it depends on the region -- Transylvania does have its share of heavier food, and with no outlets to the Black Sea, people there don't really enjoy eating fish. But Romanian cuisine has so many other flavors that I constantly see neglected, yet they are the easiest to include in a balanced diet...
And a final word of praise: the romanian wine list at the end is worth the price of the book -- and brings the stars rating to 4. I've been looking for something similar for a while, and I was really glad to find it in this book.

This book is an all-around great cookbook. To be honest, I had never heard of Romanian cuisine before and picked up the book on a whim. I'm glad I did because the book introduced me to a delicious culture that I had never sampled before. The recipes in the book are grouped into the following chapters: appetizers, salads, egg dishes, soups, polenta, fish dishes, meat dishes, poultry dishes, vegetable dishes, dumplings, sauces, desserts, wines, preserves, and Jewish dishes. I found good recipes in each chapter, some fancy, and some that can be whipped up in minutes. Interspersed throughout the book are short history lessons about Romania, fairy tales, and poetry, as well as Klepper's comments explaining the cooking culture. The book also includes a bibliography, a place and personal name index, and English recipe index, a Romanian recipe index, a brief pronunciation guide, an English-Romanian-French food dictionary, and even an American-British food dictionary (surprisingly useful!). If you're looking for a Romanian cookbook, this is a great one. And if you're just looking for some interesting and tasty new recipes, you'll find some here.

My husband is from Romania and since I love to cook I bought this book to try to give him a taste of home, since he doesn't get to go back much. I made his favorite, sarmale and mamaligia, he was so impressed at how good it turned out he called his mom right away and told her what a great cook I am. He said it's amazing how I made something that tastes just the way his mom cooks it. This is a great book, it has suggestions for ingredients that may be hard to find and has easy to follow instructions that produce accurate tastes of Romanian cuisine. Also the facts and history of Romania add to the recipies and make them that much more fun to make.

I travelled in Romania during the same time period of this book. That got my attention. I hoped to relive the intimate conversations with believers behind the Iron Curtain; I hoped to taste and smell and visualize the rugged and beautiful countryside. I was mildly disappointed.

Bambola's novel is a tale of two brothers separated by time and geography, brought together again as adults in Romania--one an American ambassador, one a Romanian colonel. The cover and description of "Refiner's Fire" led me to believe this would be more male-oriented fiction. It's not. That's not to say that it's a waste of time for male readers; in fact, I appreciated the story and the lessons to be learned. The writing is easy and flowing. The dialogue is generally snappy. I felt that the plot and characters, although fitting, were geared toward a female reader. A number of times, I found the ambassador's reactions to his wife a bit syrupy and/or emotional for a man of his position.

The book reads quickly, and the wake-up call to a lazy American society is needed (particularly within the churches). Bambola does give us some heart-rending facts regarding the persecution others face. Unfortunately for me, though, I never felt like I was taken back to the places or peoples I visited. For those who have never been there, this might be a great introduction.

Set amidst the brutal reign of Nicolae Ceausescu in 1980s Bucharest, Rumania, Sylvia Bambola's Refiner's Fire is the gripping story of secrets, suspense, persecution, and faith. Alexander Wainwright is the ambitious new American ambassador to Romania. Yuri Deyneko is the Romanian army officer (and clandestine Christian) assigned to spy on him. Both men are professionals who know their assignments. But what they do not know (although Yuri suspects) is that each man is the other's long-lost fraternal twin. Two brothers on the opposite sides of the Iron Curtain who must learn together how to discover their destinies -- and each other. Sylvia Bambola is a master storyteller who plays fair with her readers at all times in this novel of the human heart, faith, struggle, and destiny.

Set amidst the brutal reign of Nicolae Ceausescu in 1980s Bucharest, Rumania, Sylvia Bambola's Refiner's Fire is the gripping story of secrets, suspense, persecution, and faith. Alexander Wainwright is the ambitious new American ambassador to Romania. Yuri Deyneko is the Romanian army officer (and clandestine Christian) assigned to spy on him. Both men are professionals who know their assignments. But what they do not know (although Yuri suspects) is that each man is the other's long-lost fraternal twin. Two brothers on the opposite sides of the Iron Curtain who must learn together how to discover their destinies -- and each other. Sylvia Bambola is a master storyteller who plays fair with her readers at all times in this novel of the human heart, faith, struggle, and destiny.