Image Before My Eyes

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The Jews of Poland between the World Wars are vividly captured in this photographic essay, showcasing their diverse lives. Ruth R. Wisse notes that Polish Jewry would have wished to be remembered in this way, engaging with the world beyond. The collection presents a rich tapestry of life through numerous photographs, some familiar and others previously unseen, making it a volume to read, study, and cherish, as Cornell Capa remarks. Mark Helprin describes it as beautifully balanced, revealing a civilization that vanished into history's darkest corners, evoking a sense of familiarity and loss. Louis Begley finds it a poignant and visually stunning reconstitution of the culturally rich world of Polish Jews, instilling a sense of pride in readers. Lucy S. Dawidowicz emphasizes its value for those seeking Jewish roots or curious about the past, offering a journey into a world erased by the Holocaust. Simon Schama hails it as one of the most extraordinary photographic histories, bringing forth an entire culture that has disappeared, capturing its animation and vitality, momentarily suspending the tragedy of Polish Jewry’s end.