THE DIARY OF MARY BERG

Book Details:

• Publisher: Mehta Publishing House

• Translator: Shobhana Shiknis

• ISBN: 9788184980769

• Edition: 2nd

• Publishing Year: October 2009

• Pages: 228

• Language: Translated from English to Marathi

• Category: Biography & True Stories

• Binding: Paperback

About the Book:

Mary Berg's Diary is the deeply moving and historically significant account of a young Jewish girl’s experiences during World War II. Mary Berg was only 15 years old when she and her family were forced to flee their home in Lodz, Poland, following the outbreak of the war on August 29, 1939. As the family embarked on a perilous journey towards Warsaw, they witnessed unimaginable horrors—villages consumed by flames, people dying in the streets, and a complete breakdown of communication.

Once in Warsaw, the bombing continued, and food supplies dwindled. By November 15, 1940, the Germans walled off the Jewish district of Warsaw, transforming it into a ghetto and cutting off all contact with the outside world. The conditions were brutal: many Jews were forced into labor, while others faced mass killings by the Nazis. Despite the oppressive circumstances, Mary and her friends found ways to organize cultural activities through the LZA Club, offering a small refuge from the chaos.

In the face of constant danger, Mary Berg's writings stand out as a testament to resilience. Her diary, which includes drawings and vivid descriptions of her experiences, is not only a personal account but also an important historical document that sheds light on the atrocities faced by the Jewish community during the Holocaust. After enduring unimaginable hardships, Mary and her family were finally able to escape through a prisoner exchange and reach New York on the ship Gripsholm.

Her diary continues to inspire readers worldwide with its mature reflections, sensitivity, and the courage of a young girl who witnessed history firsthand.