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The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister

6a00d83451bb0b69e201156f53df5f970c 800wi The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister Nonna Bannister appeared to be a typical American housewife. She married Henry, the love of her life, in 1951 and together they raised three children in Memphis, Tennessee. But Nonna was far from average. For half a century, she kept her story secret while living a normal life. She locked all of her photos, documents, diaries, and dark memories from World War II in a trunk in her attic.  

Before Nona passed away in 2004, she slipped up into the attic each night, translated her diaries (from several different languages), and recorded them in English onto yellow legal pads. Much later, after she told her husband, Henry, about her incredible past, she showed him the stacks of yellow legal pads on which she had translated her diaries and recorded her thoughts about her past, and he typed them up into a manuscript.

How incredible is that? I know so many writers, myself included, who don't even consider how easy we have it with our computers and laptops, along with time to write and create stories. Nona was so compelled to write that she diligently and consistently went to her attic and wrote it by hand on yellow legal pads. That's impressive, but her story sheds light on how she became the woman she was.

This story of Nona's experience told in The Secret Holocaust Diaries The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister
about her experience during WWII is profound and remarkable. To learn more, you can read the preface online. It's sure to inspire you to live life more fully and freely today and everyday.

Leave a comment below and I'll choose one lucky commenter to receive a copy of Nonna's book.
  • http://scrappyd.blogspot.com Ginny

    Sounds like an amazing stories. That is wonderful that she translated her diaries, wow!

  • Lori Noe

    Would love to win this. Thanks for hosting.
    Lori
    lannoe@yahoo.com

  • http://luculent.blogspot.com liza

    This sounds like an amazing read!

  • peggy forma

    what an amazing story.
    another one for the MUST read list.
    i have read several “holocaust” books
    recently. for those interested
    “Sarah’s Key” is a wonderful story…
    hugs
    peggy

  • Charlotte

    I cannot wait to read this remarkable story. I am intrigued by the fact that this story has been kept private for so long. I totally understand her reluctance to make her story public.

  • http://www.marciseither.com Marci Seither

    Hey Tasra, I just heard about this book. I recently re-read The Hiding Place by Corrie tenBoom and would love to win this book.

  • Stephanie

    Sounds like a great read.

  • Kimberly Parsons

    Sounds like a great book to read. Books like these can serve as a reminder to what can happen in the world when ignorance and hate rule. Hopefully it can help open eyes to the genocide occurring in Darfur right now.

  • Nancy Smith

    I would love to have this book!

  • Ann Thrash-Trumbo

    Absolutely magnificent. To see someone rise above the past, take what’s shaped them and become a person of significance–I’d love to read this book!

  • Kathy YOung

    Many books have been written, many have been loved. Others are incredibly shocking in their content. But these books nevertheless inspire us to survive, to live life to the fullest, and to be happy with who you are. To have written all this horror and heartbreak, and then to rewrite it so long after, could not have been easy. But we are deeply indebted to those who can tell these stories. Thank You.

  • Eva-Marie

    I am not that good on english, end this are perfekt to read more in english.
    I´m living in Sweden.

  • Carolyn

    Sounds like a great story. I would love to wind this book, read it and share it with others. Thanks

  • Kathryn

    Would love to win this book, it sounds like a good one.

  • Barb

    The first “real” book I ever read was an account from Holocaust survivor Martin Gray. I was too young to check it out from the library so I sat on the floor between the rows every day for most of a summer and read it cover to cover. Mr. Gray’s father charged him with the duty to “survive and tell the world what happened here.” The book is now out of print but it had a profound effect on me.

  • Jennifer Nenni

    This sounds like a fantastic book. I’ve read several Holocaust books and the stories are always amazing..

  • Julianne Griffin

    WOW! I haven’t read any books like this but this one sure has me intrigued! I will definitely have to check it out.

  • http://www.amatterofmemories.com Jill

    This sounds like a book I would love! I’ve always really like period literature like this.

  • Deanna Wilson

    When our daughter was in junior high school, we took her to hear Eva (Anne Frank’s stepsister) and purchased her book. Now our daughter is studying to be a high school history teacher. This book would make a wonderful addition to her professional library.

  • http://blessedncaressed.blogspot.com Karenraye

    I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.

  • Wendy

    Good luck to everyone. I have a wide reading interest and this looks interesting. Thanks for the chance to win these fabulous reads.

  • Julie

    I have always been so moved by stories of the Holocaust. This looks amazing!

  • Lisa

    This books sounds great!

  • http://scrampinup.wordpress.com Michelle Beeby

    Growing up my favourite book was The Diary of Anne Frank, it meant so much to me for so many reasons, all of which complicated and too hard to go into, but it was more than just her story, it was behind her story, it was to the side and in front as well, and the what if’s and wonders… very compelling reading, even today, I wonder if this book has the same draw to it? I guess I will have to hunt around for it and I will get back to you, take care Tasra, and your wonderful family!

  • Katherine Melton

    Pick me please. Would love to read these wonderful stories.

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