The Struggle of a Boy to Survive the Holocaust - I Only Wanted to Live

This book was good. It seem such a real account of day to day trying to survive. My single disappointment was his pleasure in making fun of the Germans ...When after liberation he was "in charge" and during rank would make them to things to make himself feel better. I felt that he did it exactly what they did.. took their past experience to try to hurt them. Sometimes no matter how hard it is you just have to let go.

He lived through WWII from age 7 to 12 years old. He grew up sheltered in a upper middle class neighborhood.

Through the early part of the war he didn't understand what war was. He spent many hours playing with other children, Polish, German, and Jewish.

I liked how his dad told him how sometimes it was okay to lie. Like you should lie to a wolf (bad guy) if he asks you for the address to grandma's house.

This was a first hand account of the holocaust from the perspective of a young 10-11 yr old boy. It lacks details a young man would know which adds, not detracts, from its authenticity. His inability to speak of his fathers death was gut wrenching...how incredibly heart breaking that even after all these years he cannot speak of it. The author is an amazing human being and I feel honored to have been allowed to read about his journey...and share the joy that was his life afterword...with his wife and children and grand children.

I'm so glad this book was written. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like to be a Jewish person in Nazi Germany, not to mention a young boy on his own hiding from the death squads. I'm equally as glad that the author gave us a glimpse into his life after liberation, and his beautiful family. I doubt I'll ever forget this story.

It's always very difficult to recount even a single event of terror. Yet Arie has put himself through hundreds of nightmares once again that we may more clearly understand the evil and the amazing hopes that those of us who have managed to escape such atrocities can be inspired to make a kinder, safer world. May we follow his example of optimism, living for peace!

I enjoy historical books about the Holocaust. I am usually able to not get too emotional when I read the personal accounts. I was fine with the authors own narration as he kept it light-hearted and not too serious. However towards the end of the book, he uses accounts from trials of German Officers. The atrocities were hard to read. I am glad that I read this book. It makes me thankful for the life I have.

It is shocking to read about what happens during wars and genocide. My only complaint was some repetition but otherwise it was well written and a bit nerve wracking not knowing how all of the family would fare. I would recommend it.

A really interesting read . Could definitely be a Hollywood movie as it's almost difficult to believe that a young boy could have survived such multiple hardships and tragedies . Some grammar issues in the book but not enough of a reason to remove a star from my rating .

Wow a sad but great story. I didn't know what to expect from hearing the story of the holocaust from the perceptive of a little boy but it was very interesting. I definitely recommend giving this book a read!

An unimaginable hardship, told through the eyes of a child during the Holocaust. I highly recommend this book; it's captivating. I couldn't put it down. Arie's memories are absolutely priceless history. Everyone should read this book. It would be a great addition to a high school English curriculum. I can't say enough about how powerful a story Arie tells.

This was a very very sad story of survival against the odds of a young child. Written as an adult from his memories of the horrific details from his life. I have read a number of stories about the Holocaust but this had the most chilling insight into what actually happened to those poor families.

An unimaginable hardship, told through the eyes of a child during the Holocaust. I highly recommend this book; it's captivating. I couldn't put it down. Arie's memories are absolutely priceless history. Everyone should read this book. It would be a great addition to a high school English curriculum. I can't say enough about how powerful a story Arie tells.

This was a very very sad story of survival against the odds of a young child. Written as an adult from his memories of the horrific details from his life. I have read a number of stories about the Holocaust but this had the most chilling insight into what actually happened to those poor families.

Another interesting story about The Holocaust - truly one of the saddest chapters in the worlds history. Disgraceful what occurred!? A story of survival which often was pure luck. I enjoyed it very much!

This story is tragic yet it is incredibly amazing to read about a young boy who miraculously escaped death during the holocaust and the events that took place during one of history's darkest times. I recommend this book to everyone because all should be aware of what happened.

in some ways I think the children had the hardest time of the through the Holocaust, harder then those who were gassed to death..... Their memory is the only roots of their life.....that they lived with daily........

I have read many stories written by and about the Holocaust . This one is just as good as others I have read. I am always amazed at how resilient children can be when they are faced with hardships and death. They really have an instinct to survive. I enjoyed his story and would highly recommend the book to others.