Mathis Szykowski

Betrayal and Survival and Beyond: A Memoir by Mathis Szykowski, published by Dorrance Publishing, http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?dorrance+7XZRvv+index.html, is an autobiography filled with sadness and hope. Professor Szykowski endured a painful childhood, which he describes in great detail, with an emotionally absent mother and a an often physically absent father. In addition, as a Jew he survived the Nazi occupation in France, although he lost both of his parents in Auschwitz. show more Eventually, he made his way to the United States where he had extended family. With only the equivalent of an eighth grade education, Professor Szykowski fluttered from one low paying job to another while he tried to support himself. He discusses his involvement with the Socialist Workers Party and the Workers Party during the McCarthy era and the numerous friends he made through these associations. Professor Szykowski also describes his experience with Reichian therapy for several years. His dream of becoming a teacher was finally realized with a special program at Brooklyn College. The autobiography ends a bit abruptly with only a brief mention of his graduate studies. This sudden ending after so much previous detail was a bit disappointing. Otherwise, Professor Szykowski's autobiography was an interesting read. I received a complimentary copy of Betrayal and Survival and Beyond as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. show less