Who Are The Men Who Carry The World?. Review on Last of the Just - Andre Schwarz-Bart

The Last of the Just is a true story, that follows one families life, from the time they arrived in England, (around 1105), until the end of WW II,

My Review

The persecution of Jews began in England, in 1105.

This is the story of the Levy Family who are descendants of the Rabbi Yom Tov.

While you are reading the book you will learn about the Spanish Inquisition, the Cossack attacks on the Jewish villages in eastern Europe, the Russian Revolution and to the Levy's who live in Zemyock, Poland.

We meet Mordeai, then Ernie, (Moredeai's grandson), and then Benjamin.

Not to give to much away, I will just say the family emigrated to Germany.

Interesting Parts

One of the most horrible moments in the book is when Ernie, who is running away, collapses in a meadow. He sees how big the sky is. He experiences emptiness. He looks at the insects. He rubs a lady bug and then squashes it. He thinks, has he become as mean as the Nazis? More and more insects come to where he is laying, and he crushes them all until he is exhausted. When he reaches the dept of the abyss, he is a child. When he stands up he feels the glory of love of a girl, (just once).

A couple who are walking on one of in the streets of Paris are trying to decide if they will make love. They decide that they may not have another chance, so it's better to make this the best day they have ever had.

What I thought

This is my families story as well. One of my grandmother went to Ireland during the Inquisition. A grandfather moved to Morocco at the same time. They later met in England. My other grandparents came from White Russia, (now the Ukraine). The emigrate to the United States and then Canada, because of the Cossack attacks on the Jewish villages.

Some of my family stayed in Holland, France, Germany and a few escaped to Palestine before WW II began.

This book brings back tragic memories to me.

The book does have a biblical slant. It is a mixture of poetry and fact.

There Is Always Hope

The Levy's of Zaemyock are a family were destined to become Just Men, (Lamed Vov, in Hebrew). You don't have to be Jewish to be one of them. This is past down through the three generations, that you will read about in the book.

I'll end with a quote from the book, that is a copy of one of the things that religious Jews believe. ''In every generation, according to Jewish tradition, thirty-six ''just men'' are born to take the burden of the world's suffering upon themselves.''

The tradition of the Just Men is an ancient one, dating from the time of the prophet Isaiah.

My Thoughts

This book is powerful, and at times it feels surreal. When you read this you will go through a lot of emotions, as people try and find their souls.

Sadly, for the rest of the Jewish people this story has not ended. Killing people because they are different, has not ended either. It's so sad.

I must admit this book is difficult to read. The people who live in England, France, Eastern Europe and Germany, will not like to hear about what is written in this book. That is probably why no one has written a review on it.

If you are a history buff, then I highly recommend it to you.

Other Information:

The Last Of The Just was written by Andrew Schwarts Bart and was translated into English by Stephen Becker.

The ISBN is 1585670162.

Thanks for reading this review.

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