Dual Identities: Living in Meier’s Shadow (signed by author)
Dual Identities: Living in Meier’s Shadow by Arthur Myron Horwitz is a powerful, deeply personal memoir about the hidden weight of intergenerational trauma. This compelling book explores the complex, intense bond between a Holocaust survivor mother and her American son, uncovering how one family’s secret shaped a lifetime.
The Story Behind the Shadow
As a child, Arthur hears too much. His mother shares raw, haunting stories of horror and survival. One day, Arthur discovers an iconic Holocaust photograph in his mother’s wallet—an image of a terrified young boy. When his mother claims the boy is her murdered brother, Meier, Arthur knows it isn’t true and challenges her claim.
His challenge brings an unexpected punishment. His mother saddles him with a heavy, unspoken duty: he must live two lives at once. He must live his own life, and he must also live the life Meier never got to have. This secret burden ultimately shapes Arthur’s family dynamics, his life choices, and his long, successful media career.
Why You Should Read It
- Unvarnished Truth: The book removes the filters that often keep children of survivors silent, offering an honest look at family secrets.
- Fresh Insights: It reveals the profound, everyday ways that psychological trauma passes down through generations.
- A Path to Healing: The narrative guides readers through the difficult but necessary process of coping, remembrance, and finding peace.
- Acclaimed Praise: Peter Salovey, former President of Yale University, calls it a “beautifully rendered and deeply personal narrative.”
About the Author
Arthur Myron Horwitz is an award-winning journalist, publisher, and a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. He served as the publisher of the Detroit Jewish News for over thirty years and is a graduate of the Yale School of Management. He frequently speaks to thousands of students about his family history and the lessons of the Holocaust.
Book Details
- Publisher: Koehler Books
- Page Count: 274 pages
- ISBN-13: 9798897470778
Signed and dated by the author on the title page (see photo). [Local]
$ 21.95
