The Reasons Why you wrote your book or books discussion

I've been traditionally published five times, including three times for "Jacob's Courage." I have also self-published three additional books. Yet, no other book I've written has held the deep meaning, enduring characters, and powerful expression of Jacob's Courage. I interviewed many Holocaust survivors and conducted three years of daily research. At times, working on the manuscript was like taking dictation from someone deep inside, which has never occurred with any of my other books or published articles.

In part, I authored this book to honor the horrid experiences that my 104-year-old mother and her family experienced in what is today the Ukraine. To the end, she had nightmares about the beatings meted out to her family. About half of her extended family perished in the Shoah.

It was also my intention to re-tell the truth of the Shoah, to help fight today's increased anti-semitism and Holocaust denial. Many young people have no idea that millions of innocent Jewish families were murdered because of their faith. That must change. I believe that we can only promote that change through education, and with books and films. If "Jacob's Courage" can change the mind of one reader who hates Jews, or who spreads lies about the Holocaust, then my effort will have been worthwhile.

I also wrote Jacob's Courage to honor the millions of families who were murdered by bullet or gas, or by starvation, brutality, forced labor, and disease. They were lost but will never be forgotten. May their memories always be a blessing.

"Jacob's Courage" is available as an e-book, paperback and hardcover at most book retailers globally, and through my publisher, Amsterdam Publishers.