TL;DR
The Choice by Edith Eva Eger is a compelling memoir that tells the story of her survival from Auschwitz and her journey to forgiveness, healing, and helping others.
What is The Choice about
The Choice: Embrace the Possible is a memoir by Dr. Edith Eva Eger, recounting her harrowing experiences as a Holocaust survivor and her subsequent path to healing. At sixteen, Edith was sent to Auschwitz, where she endured unimaginable horrors, including the loss of her parents and being forced to dance for Nazi officer Dr. Josef Mengele. Despite the trauma, she chose to transform her suffering into a gift, using her experiences to become a renowned psychologist helping others heal from their own traumas. The book intertwines her personal story with the stories of those she has helped, offering profound insights into the human capacity for resilience, forgiveness, and finding freedom within oneself.
The Choice 7 Key Takeaways
Sent to Auschwitz at 16
At the age of sixteen, Edith Eger was sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where she witnessed the murder of her parents and endured severe hardships.
Forced to dance for Dr. Josef Mengele
In a cruel twist of fate, Edith was forced to dance for Nazi officer Dr. Josef Mengele, finding herself performing for her survival.
Liberation and Survival
Edith was rescued from a pile of corpses when American troops liberated the camps in 1945, marking the beginning of her long journey to recovery.
Struggle with PTSD and Survivor's Guilt
For decades, Edith grappled with flashbacks and survivor's guilt, opting to stay silent about her traumatic past.
Return to Auschwitz
Thirty-five years after the war ended, Edith returned to Auschwitz, confronting her past and beginning the process of forgiveness and healing.
Becoming a Psychologist
Edith transformed her suffering into a means of helping others by becoming a psychologist, specializing in trauma and healing.
Writing The Choice
In The Choice, Edith weaves her personal journey with the stories of those she has helped, offering lessons on how to find freedom and forgiveness.
Top The Choice Quotes
- 'The greatest prison is not the one the Nazis put me in. The greatest prison is the one I built for myself.'
- 'Suffering is universal, but victimhood is optional.'
- 'We cannot choose to have a life free of hurt. But we can choose to escape the past and find freedom in the present.'
Who should read The Choice?
The Choice is essential reading for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on overcoming personal trauma and finding forgiveness. It is particularly valuable for those interested in psychology, Holocaust history, and stories of resilience and strength. Readers will find comfort and hope in Edith Eger’s powerful message that it is possible to transcend even the greatest of horrors.
The Choice Best Reviews
- 'I’ll be forever changed by Dr. Eger’s story…The Choice is a reminder of what courage looks like in the worst of times and that we all have the ability to pay attention to what we’ve lost, or to pay attention to what we still have.' — Oprah Winfrey
- 'Dr. Eger’s life reveals our capacity to transcend even the greatest of horrors and to use that suffering for the benefit of others. She has found true freedom and forgiveness and shows us how we can as well.' — Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
People also liked these summaries
The Choice FAQs
Is the book The Choice based on a true story?
Yes, The Choice is a memoir by Edith Eger, recounting her real-life experiences as a Holocaust survivor and her journey to becoming a psychologist.
What is the meaning of the book The Choice?
The book emphasizes the power of choice in overcoming trauma and finding freedom. Eger illustrates how we can choose to forgive and embrace the possible, even in the face of past horrors.
How old was Edith Eger when she went to Auschwitz?
Edith Eger was just 16 years old when she was sent to Auschwitz, a traumatic experience that she kept secret for many years before confronting and sharing her story.