Keneally, Thomas (1982) ‘Schindler’s Ark’, UK first edition signed by author and Schindler survivors

Thomas Keneally (1982) ‘Schindler’s Ark‘, UK first edition, first printing, published by Hodder & Stoughton. Signed and inscribed by author Thomas Keneally on the title page: “With warmest respect to the Collins family Tom Keneally 1994, sláinte & shalom”. In addition, signed by four ‘Schindler survivors’ at the end of the prefatory author’s note, by Kuba and Helen Beck (no. 611 and no. 18 respectively on Schindler’s List). Helen Beck adds chillingly under her signature “I was there, I remember” [dated 5-4-1997]. Helen Beck was Hela Brzeska on the list. She was 15 when she was thrown into Amon Göth’s concentration camp as a kitchen help. She described Göth as being ‘incredibly bloodthirsty – he would walk the line with his doegs and order them to rip people apart. And after a few minutes torture, Göth would shoot them in front of everyone”. Also signed by two more survivors. Please see the entire list here: http://auschwitz.dk/schindlerslist.htm

Condition: a fine copy in like dust jacket.

‘Schindler’s Ark’ won Keneally the 1982 Booker Prize. It was famously adapted into the 1993 film directed by Stephen Spielberg, his most important film of his stellar career, earning him seven Academy Awards.