The Ghosts on the Wall: A Grandson’s Memoir of the Holocaust

The Ghosts on the Wall is essential for those looking to gain a profound insight into history's personal and collective effects. Wald, a distinguished professor of political science, has long been celebrated for his deep knowledge of the complex relationship between religion and politics in the United States, Great Britain, and Israel.

His illustrious career, highlighted by seminal works such as the National Jewish Book Award-winning The Foundations of American Jewish Liberalism and Religion and Politics in the United States, has cemented his reputation as an authority in his field. In his latest book, The Ghosts on the Wall, Wald delves into personal terrain, delivering an emotionally powerful narrative.

Inspired by the encouragement of friends and colleagues, Wald wrote The Ghosts on the Wall. Whenever he recounted his family's compelling stories, those around him urged him to record them in a memoir. Fuelled by this support, Wald embarked on an emotional journey to uncover and share his family's past.

When I told stories about the family to friends and colleagues, they invariably urged me to write about this. Their comments planted the idea of writing a book. Blame them.

The book offers a moving examination of Wald’s family history. Focusing on the lives of his paternal grandparents, Curt and Regina, and his parents, Heinz and Gretl, Wald interlaces their stories into a rich tapestry that illuminates personal and collective histories. He recounts his grandparents' fate during the Nazi occupation, his father's journey to the United States, and his efforts to bring Curt and Regina to the United States. This memoir takes readers on a profound journey of discovery as Wald bravely confronts the long-held silences surrounding his family, particularly their harrowing experiences during the Holocaust.

 It is a memoir mainly of those who experienced the Holocaust before I was born – my parents and grandparents in particular.

Letters, testimonies from Großröhrsdorf residents, and archival documents play a crucial role in connecting Kenneth D. Wald with his family’s history. These sources bridge the past and present, providing a tangible link to his ancestors' lives and experiences. Letters reveal personal thoughts and emotions, humanising historical events. Testimonies from those who knew his grandparents enrich the narrative with community memory and collective witness. With their wealth of official records and historical documents, the archives illuminate the socio-cultural and political realities they faced. Wald crafts a vivid portrait of his family through these materials, transforming abstract family legends into a concrete, heartfelt history.

I grieve for them not as abstractions but as my flesh and blood, family members who had emotions, fears, passions, hopes and dreams. I am angry that I was denied their company in my childhood.

The book's title vividly encapsulates Wald’s childhood memories. Growing up, he was surrounded by photographs of his ever-present but silent grandparents. These ghosts on the wall poignantly symbolise the unspoken and unresolved history of a family deeply scarred by the Holocaust. The author’s journey transforms into breaking the silence, giving voice to the memories that have haunted his family for generations. The 'ghosts on the wall' metaphor powerfully conveys the weight of these silent, haunting legacies.

As a child growing up in a modest home at 2764 South 33rd Street in Lincoln, Nebraska, I often sat at the dining room table facing the wall hung with a portrait of my paternal grandparents. That’s when I first thought of them as ghosts and so the phrase 'ghosts on the wall’.

Narrating these stories is a moral imperative for remembrance and education. The testimonies of those who endured unimaginable suffering during the Holocaust serve as powerful reminders that this horrific period is not merely a distant past. Instead, it is a continuous thread woven into our present and future fabric. These personal accounts of resilience, pain, and survival highlight the enduring impact of such atrocities on the generations that followed.

Relating tales of the Holocaust reminds us that events from the past can defeat time.

Wald fears that the Holocaust is not over, as recent events starkly demonstrate the ongoing presence of hatred and intolerance. He had hoped for a different future for his children, but this hope has not been realised.

It turns out I underestimated the lifespan of the Holocaust. My dream, perhaps better identified as an illusion, was crushed by the Charlottesville VA "Unite the Right" rally in 2017.

Therefore, it is crucial to tell these stories. "The Ghosts on the Wall" serves as a solemn reminder, prompting society to confront these lingering ghosts, remember them, and take action. By sharing and preserving these stories, Wald ensures that the lessons learned remain vivid and relevant, fostering a collective memory that guards against the recurrence of such inhumanity.

The Ghosts on the Wall is a must-read for anyone eager to explore the deep ties between individual experiences and significant historical events. Kenneth D. Wald's touching exploration uncovers revelations encouraging readers to observe these intertwined histories' lasting effects. This journey invites you to confront the lingering ghosts influencing our present and future. Immerse yourself in this emotionally stirring narrative and be profoundly touched by the story of Wald's family. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with this powerful and moving account.

Available worldwide online and in bookshops.

Amazon link: https://mybook.to/tfA4nxY