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Reviews
"...What impressed me the most: the heart-felt emotions that
come through in the writing...just riveting. The time span the book
covers also is impressive, detailing the first half of the 20th
century in Russia and Europe, touching the overall political situation
while also looking at the very personal stories of a family being
pulled along by the tidal wave of history unfolding around it. The
photos and maps add wonderfully to the story, bringing faces to
the characters and perspective to the places discussed. This is
truly an epic work, congratulations. Writer's
Digest, 2001 National Self-Published Book Awards, Certificate of
Merit.
"...the
words mean much to those of all faiths, Eastern Orthodox or Jewish,
or Christians, in this heartfelt book, Mennonite. This is the true
tale of Louise (Lise) Huebert Toews Gerig, born in 1930. Her family
(170 persons) struggling in the Communist era of accusation and
starvation and imprisonment. Personal portraits that seer. Memories,
long and poignant, brief and shattering. Day by day, month by month,
the desperate journey away from Communists, (The Red Army), the
Nazis. "She had us pray every day for my people of Tchongraw."
I Heard My People Cry is an immense, vivid tale of love and lamentations,
home and suffering, written with an intelligence and an insight
of spirit." The Book Reader,
2002/America's Most Independent Review of New Titles, Scotts Valley,
CA. - Jay Bail, publisher.
"Set
in Eurasian history, this remarkable story of faith, courage, perseverance
and love could easily happen again ‹ and is happening today.
A mother's love and determination, a child's lost innocence, a tale
of harrowing survival. What should never have occurred is as fresh
today as it was then. I couldn't put down I Heard My People Cry
the first time. I continue to pick up my favorite parts to read
them over and over as a source and basis for my own faith. The words
are so clear, the vision so real." Shippey
Law, Yorba Linda, California.
"Elizabeth
Lenci-Downs, your book is so very poignant in this year of all years!
Can't help drawing comparisons between Afganistani families and
the ones in I Heard My People Cry. What an inspiring story to tell
and you did it so well." Dr. Douglas Adams,
Margo Adams, Berkeley School of Religion, Berkeley, CA.
Your
new book is a wonderful way to honor your daughter and Scripps alumna,
Dr. Karla Downs Shippey, J.D. ('79), and we are delighted to receive
it. Scripps College supports the efforts of all women, and particularly
enjoys stories about the triumphs of those who overcame life's challenges.
We will forward this first edition to Denison Library, and happily
accept the second autographed copy for our alumnae collection.
Director of Alumnae Relations, Scripps
The Women's College, Claremont, CA
"Elizabeth
Lenci-Downs, may I compliment you again on the excellent, superb
job you did in writing I Heard My People Cry? You so genuinely describe
experiences, the events and even the geography. You must have visited
locations, read full diaries and had extensive access to histories,
biographies and archives. I cannot recommend your book too highly..
H. B., Past President of The Bible
Institute, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
"What
an accomplishment. I Heard My People Cry is marvelous. I took it
with me to Paris. Congratulations, Elizabeth and success!"
Dr. McCaslin, Dept. of English Literature,
New York University, NY
"It
is heartening to see that the literature on Mennonites from the
former Russian Empire, quite rich on the period before 1917 as well
as the revolutionary years is now, with this book, enriched with
information on those who remained behind and suffered an even worse
fate during the period of forced Soviet collectivization and the
displacements of World War II." Professor
Paul Robert Magocsi, holding the Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University
of Toronto, Canada.
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