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Summary: The most wonderful book I've ever read!
Review: The author has taken me personally to a new level in my life! While reading it, and then for weeks after, I could not tell enough people about it. The Sunflower poses the reader to do a lot of reflecting on self. I have given this book as a gift and it's for no special reason, but to share the gift that Mr. Wiesenthal has given us. Thank you sir for enhancing the quality of my life!
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Summary: An eye opening book which forces the reader to take a stand.
Review: The Sunflower explores different levels of pain and suffering, penitence and forgiveness. The author, Simon Weisenthal, writes of his life in a Nazi death camp in World War II. One day, he recounts, he was taken from his work squad and brought to the death bed of an elite Nazi soldier, who, guilty for his role in the slauhter of Jews, seeks to be heard- and forgiven - for his crimes. Weisenthal, enving him for the grave he will recieve, a grave in a quiet cemetary with a sunflower planted on it as opposed to the unmarked mass grave he believes to be waiting for him, nevertheless hears the confession in silence. He confronts his readers with the same choice- In his place, what would they have done? What would you have done?
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Summary: An inspiring and moving book
Review: The sunflower is a deep, moving and thought provoking book separated into two sections. The first a vivid true life account of the experiences of a Jew living through the cruel and brutal treatment of Nazi Germany. Towards the end he is confronted with an SS Oficer asking for his forgiveness, the author then asks 'What would you do ?, could you forgive ?' The second section comprises of the responses from various spiritual, political and philosophical leaders. Probably one of the favorite books in my collection, buy it !!
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Summary: A touching and thought provoking account of a struggle.
Review: The Sunflower is a very good firsthand account of the Nazi concentration camps. Wiesenthal depicts the setting and tone of the area so well at you feel like you're right there with him in those cramped beds recalling the horrors of the day. Towards the second half, the book progresses into a torturous confession of an S.S. officer and a plea of forgiveness. Wiesenthal leaves the reader to ponder the choice that he had to make, by leaving the story open to the mind. You'll ponder the question of "what would you do?" for days and weeks to come. I highly recommend this book to all readers.
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Summary: Can one forgive another for crimes committed on others?
Review: The Sunflower is about Simon Wiesenthal's experience in a German concentration camp and how it was affected by the last request of a dying SS man. After Wiesenthal hears the dying man's full confession and plea for absolution - from a Jew - he is in a state of indecision. After a short while, he made a decision and left the room without a word. During the rest of his time in the camp, he was haunted by the thoughts of what had happened and by the opinions of his companions. After he was freed, he had a better idea of the whole situation, but he still couldn't figure out if he had done the right thing. Wiesenthal asks this question of the reader, "... mentally change places with me and ask yourself the crucial question, 'What would I have done?'"
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Summary: The Sunflower is a dramatic & moving story about WWII
Review: The Sunflower is the story of a dying Nazi SS soldier who calls Simon Wiesenthal, the author, into his hospital room and asks for forgiveness for the crimes he has committed. Wiesenthal leaves the room in silence without fufilling the Nazi's dying wish: to be forgivien by a Jew. The book also describes Simon Wiesenthal's own experiences in the concentration camps and instances where he was a vicitm of an anti-semitic movment. This book greatly moved me and opened my eyes to even more amazement and wonderment that I have have ever known about World War II and the Holocaust. It was an excellent read and yet a mildly depressing one, too.
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Summary: Excellent
Review: The Sunflower tells the story of a dying Nazi soldier who seeks out Simon Wiesenthal for forgiveness for his crimes against the Jews so he can die in peace. The story is based on fact from Wiesenthals life. Many famous people wrote essays, which are printed in the back of the book, arguing wether to forgive him or not. But the true value of the book lies in the question what you would do if you were in the same situation.
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Summary: A story about how a Jew's decision never leaves his mind.
Review: The Sunflower, by Simon Wiesenthal, is a story showing that tough decisions can't be made from only a moment's thought. It also brought up the question of whether or not someone has the right to forgive the misdoer of another victim. I would definetly rate it a four, because this book never left my hands. It was a true pageturner.
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Summary: Raises Thought-Provoking Moral Questions
Review: This book is a compelling tale which illustrates the life of a Jew in a concentration camp. He is a dead man walking, yet when confronted with the unusual circumstance of forgiving a dying Nazi for his evil deeds, he makes his own decisions. This book is easy to read, yet thought provoking. It provides in detail the daily tragedies taking place and horror stories turned realities in such extermination facilities. A great book to read when studying WW2 in Europe
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Summary: Using THE SUNFLOWER in an AP History Class (HS)
Review: This book would make an exceptional follow-on study for a unit on the Holocaust. Serious consideration might also be given to using Primo Levi's SURVIVAL IN AUSCHWITZ as an additional source. (I much prefer Levi's book to Elie Wiesel's NIGHT, I might add--essentially the same story, though longer, but a beautifully written book.) But to THE SUNFLOWER, SHOULD (or COULD) anyone ever consider forgiving a Nazi for the atrocities of the Holocaust? Under what circumstances, if any? WHO should be allowed to forgive? How DOES one reconcile the Judeo-Christian ethic of forgiveness (also given an attempt at atonement) with the horror of the Holocaust? A tough one, indeed!Exceptional material for a critical thinking-oriented class! Of course, none of the above precludes simply reading THE SUNFLOWER for the sheer pleasure of it!
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