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Outwitting History

The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish Books

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About this listen

Recipient of the MacArthur “genius” fellowship and founder of the National Yiddish Book Center, Lansky recounts his efforts to rescue the world’s abandoned Yiddish-language books before they pass out of existence. Outwitting History follows Lansky’s far-flung travels and features the engaging men and women he meets along the way.

©2004 Aaron Lansky (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC Holocaust

Critic reviews

“Lansky’s account of salvaging books is both hilarious and moving, filled with Jewish humor... and touching accounts of what were once thriving Jewish communities in Europe.” ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)
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My father grew up in the early 1900’s in Newcastle Upon Tyne poor enough to often have no shoes - my grandfather mended clocks and I grew up with my father telling me that if all his father’s customers it was the Jewish ones who paid readily and even when they themselves had so little they’d often give my dad a meal when he delivered a clock.

I’ve loved this book and learnt a lot about where this valiant peoples language came from. While the book is about the importance of saving the history and culture of the Jewish people it speaks to Jews and non Jews alike-

We will all be wise to comprehend the culture of our ancestors no matter which race, creed or colour these ancestors come from because when justice and respect is lacking for one group , indeed it is lacking for all.

At this time when a war between Israel, Gaza and Lebanon is in full destructive force it is more important than ever for all of us to understand the roots of conflict and for us to build bridges of peace, stability and respect between all human beings.

I can’t wait to read some of the Yiddish greats in English translation! Thank you Mr Lansky for dedicating your life to this huge and important odyssey and for sharing the journey by writing this book.

The tenacity of the author, the importance of his task

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