Perspective

The text is presented as a personal memoir of a political refugee who participated in many of the seminal political events of modern history. It is written in the first-person point of view which is appropriate and ensures an engaging and accessible text. Kovály, the author, is also the primary participant in most aspects of the narrative—as expected for a book of this type. Kovály is clearly qualified to deliver the book. She is a survivor of the Lodz Ghetto, a survivor of Auschwitz, an escapee from the Nazi death camps, and the wife of a political figure who was executed during a Stalinesque purge. Thus, as an eye-witness and participant her narrative is credible, accessible, and highly engaging. Kovály's focus is on personal experiences during historic events—thus, she relates living under trying times, working under Communist rule, and facing down...