Short 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. "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.. "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. |