Remember Us, A True Story of the Holocaust

The book is a warning that we are living in dangerous times.

What a shtetl might have looked like.

Remember Us: My Journey from the Shtetl Through the Holocaust

Martin Small and Vic Shayne

Vic Shayne documented the terrible journey of Martin Small through the Holocaust. They are co-authors of this excellent book.

Please be aware that alarming events occur worldwide and in the United States. We are witnessing the reemergence of nationalism and the rise of confrontation and conflict, which makes Martin Small's story much more interesting.

The book "Remember Us" is a powerful and heartbreaking story about one boy's journey from a small Jewish village called a shtetl through the horrors of the Holocaust. It is told by a man who lived through it as a child and later shared his memories so people would never forget what happened.

The story begins in a peaceful village where Jewish families once lived together, following their traditions and customs. Life was simple but full of warmth. The people in the shtetl worked hard, celebrated holidays together, and took care of one another. The main character, a young boy, grew up surrounded by love, but everything changed when the Nazis invaded.

I was riveted by the description of life in the shtetl. My grandparents and great-grandparents came from life in the shtetl and frequently described it to us.

As the war began, life became harder. Jewish families were forced to leave their homes, and many were sent to ghettos, where they lived in terrible conditions. There was little food, and people suffered from illness and hunger. Even though the boy was still very young, he could see the fear in the eyes of his parents and neighbors.

The story takes a devastating turn when the boy and his family are taken from the ghetto and sent to concentration camps. These were places where millions of Jewish people were imprisoned and killed. The boy witnessed things no child should ever have to see. He saw families torn apart, people struggling to survive, and the loss of those he loved.

Through all of this, he held on to hope. Even in the darkest moments, he found small ways to keep going. Sometimes, it was through the kindness of a stranger. Other times, it was the memory of his family and their life before the war.

The book does not hide the terrible truth of what happened. It tells the story honestly so readers can understand the pain, the loss, and the strength it took to survive. At the same time, it is also a book about remembering. The title Remember Us is a plea not just from the author but from all those who did not survive. It asks the world never to forget what happened so that such horrors will never happen again.

The story ends with the boy finding freedom, but the scars of his experiences remain. He shares his story so that others will know.

Remember Us is not just a book about history. It is a deeply personal story that makes the past feel real. It helps readers understand what happened and the strength of the human spirit. It is a story of survival, loss, and the power of memory.

Martin Short lived into his 90’s. He left behind children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

I urge everyone to read this book. It is both tragic and triumphant. And it's a warning about the world today., and it warns