Eric Lamet

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Enrico,
I read your book and was uplifted and inspired by it. I believe you should get the Pulitzer Prize for it. I had the pleasure of meeting you and your wife and have posted our meeting on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/nicolademarco

All the Best, in peace and reconciliation,
Nicola DeMarco
Riverdale, New York





"A Gift from the Enemy" is truly a book worth reading. It is a heartfelt and heart rending story told by a young boy of his war time internment in fascist italy. Unlike most wartime stories, this one is different and captivating. Most of us are aware of the Nazi death camps, but this is a completely different picture told with with and humor. One really has to read the book. It s an easy read and difficult to put down once you get started. The vivid depiction of life in an Italian village in war-time Italy and the life of the many people interned here is great and fascinating. I recommend this book to one and all. Fred Mazda ( 610-353-2669 )
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"A Gift from the Enemy" is a vivid and compelling true story of a mother and son who endured the horrors of World War 11 as prisoners in Italy. A must read for those ready to learn about the power of a mother's love. H. G. Superintendent Of Schools, Ret.; Educational Advisor to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush
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Dear Mr. Lamet: I came upon your book "Gift From The Enemy" at the library. It intrigued me, so I borrowed it and promptly read it. It is absolutely fascinating.
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Today, I finally finished your book and thoroughly enjoyed reading your account of your life as a child during the war. How you were able to remember and share with crispness and vividness the details of your emotional trauma and your physical experiences you encountered imparted a view that most people don't read about, that of the lens of the war as seen by a young boy. Thank you for writing and sharing your book.
C. Pozen, Florida

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Hi! I just finished the book you published "A Gift from the Enemy" by Eric Lamet and I adored it. Please let the author know I am so glad he took the time to write this fine book and give us his very unusual story. Thanks,

P.T.L. Instructor MDC Homestead
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From: Phil C., Hinsdale, MA. Sent: Sun 11/4/2007 11:09 PM
To: Library SU Press
Subject: Eric Lamet

Please get word to Mr Eric Lamet that I feel his book, "A Gift from the Enemy" is one of the most powerful stories I have ever read. And I have read many stories of WW II in my 71 years. I was stationed in Munich for two years after the war, and studied the psychology of the Nazi era. Mr Lamet is a wonderful person to bring us this story.

Thank you.
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"Sylvan" (Pittsfield,MA) I loved the book for the amazing story, the author's memory and a mother's love and devotion for her son. It is a book of survival in very difficult times. Though written about the Holocaust period this is not about the Holocaust. The details are amazing and the writing allows me to step into the picture. A work covering an unknown chapter of WW II history.

Not your average Holocaust memoir, July 17, 2007 "East Coast Mayor" (Gainesville, FL) - This is a refreshing World War II memoir set in Italy throughout the war. It is not a bloated specific history of the time nor an overly mellodramatic personal experience. A Gift From the Enemy is a touching beautiful day in the life piece of a boy caught in a world beyond his control. Escaping Austria in 1938, Eric, a boy of just 8, fled with his mother, finally ending up in an internment camp in Ospedaletto, Italy due to his religion. Seen through his eyes there is a general naivity capturing the boy's wonder amidst terror. Vivid memories, relationships, and characters tell the story of his family, friends, and fellow internees. As a result you sometimes forget what you are reading is a memoir, but without being too preachy, the reason for why these people were brought together never dissapears. Underneath it all however, is the tale of a boy becoming a man under circumstances some of us could have never dreamed. Recommended for all including young adults, great primary source for a people's history.
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Marshall A. Glasser
Excellent review of a "good read" as Larry King would say this book is perfect especially for young readers since it is written from a youngster's perspective, but anyone can enjoy this well written memoir.
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The following comment is from an unknown reader.

Sept. 7, 2207
Eric, I wanted to let you know that I recently finished your book, and must tell you that I enjoyed it very much. You managed to make me angry for what the Nazi's did to the world, you made me smile about your relationship with your mother, and made me sad to think of what war can do to the lives of individuals as well as families. Your book shed light for me on another aspect of the war that I had never thought about. We always see the extremes, we always here about the atrocities; but we seldom reflect on how pervasive the invasion of war really is. Your recollections of events where captivatingly and made me want to keep reading. And vivid enough to transport the reader to daily life of war torn Italy. Thank you for sharing your story; nicely done!

Bill
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August 27, 2007

Eric, Before Debbie and I and the kids left for vacation I bought a bunch of books for the trip including A Gift from the Enemy. You have written a very touching story with vivid details from this miserable time in history. Despite its somber topic, I found it a very enjoyable memoir. Frankly, the very first chapter may have been the most powerful for me. You described very well the alarming speed with which you can go from an established member of society in Vienna, operating a hotel to a deportee allowed just a suitcase, no jewelry and the indignity of being stripped searched. You also do a good job in describing the 180- degree turn of your housekeeper. The chapters on the German Occupation of Ospedaletto and the move to Montevergine were gripping with their anxious moments. In between, you show how very human and decent some people can be even in such trying times. It seems pretty clear that the townspeople, and even the officials, had no patience for the Fascist government. I also noticed that many villagers were surprised that you were Jewish, having never seen a Jew. But, then they still treated you with respect. Similarly there seemed to be a genuine sharing of what little goods and food were available. Naturally I did find it a little alarming that you managed to befriend both the Italian and the German army. But even there, individual soldiers did not seem to carry the company line. In fact, the German soldier even knew you were Jewish. Despite that, I agree with your mother. It certainly wasn’t worth the piece of chocolate to hob-nob with these guys. The part about your father was troublesome for me. I can’t envision this poor guy surviving the holocaust, the Russians, the Nazis, Siberia, injury, etc. and end up losing your mother. That had to be heartbreaking for him. I also wonder what his reaction was during and after your reunion meeting at the train station. I think it is a real credit to you Eric to have kept in touch with “both your dads.” You also solved two mysteries for me, but created a third. I had always wondered how refugees knew where to go. For instance, when the train arrived in Milan; now, what do you do? I hadn’t realized how active and successful the underground was. The second mystery was I never could figure out (until now) why you didn’t spell your name with an “h”. The new mystery: You speak of surviving by the packages that Pietro sent. With everything rationed, how did he get those items? Finally, the book made me smile when you referred to the Éclair. I have been there several times myself. I believe it was on W 72nd St. I couldn’t understand why my parents would schlep through traffic and parking woes to go from Queens to the Éclair just for some cake or strudel. But, of course, now it is obvious. The place was full of “their people”. It is no surprise that it is the location where your mom was reunited with her friend Bertl. You put a lot of effort into this narrative. Thanks for a good read. Regards to Cookie. Barry
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Caro Enrico
sono Pirozziello Gennaro. Mi è molto piaciuto vedere tutto cio' sull'intenet e mi devo congrutulare con te da questa descrizione mi sembra un ottimo libro e che avra' sicuramente un ottimo successo.Auguri .auguri.auguri. Vorrei sapere solo una cosa da te la traduzione in Italiano verrà fatta oppure no??Grazie e di nuovo tanti auguri, Gennaro