The Greatest Gift: Lessons Learned in Exile in Siberia

by Mary Akers, Andrew Bienkowski

A poignant account of a Polish family's exile in 1940 to Stalinist Siberia and how the kindness of strangers helped them through the bad times.

Genres: Self Help

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2009

About the author

Mary Akers writes speculative fiction that focuses on the intersections between art, science, and the environment. She co-founded the Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology, a study abroad marine ecology program originally located in Roseau, Dominica and in her spare time she enjoys snorkeling, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and snowshoeing. She has worked as a bookbinder in Colonial Williamsburg, a potter on Historic Jamestown Island, an art teacher, a fabric seller, and a cook in a nursing home. Although raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains—which she will always call home—she currently lives in Western New York.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Andrew Bienkowski like my own Great Grandmother were "exiled" from war time Poland by Soviet Russia for being Poles. This book examines the lessons Andrew learnt and applied in his life as a therapist.

This book also shows the strength of faith his Grandmother had while in exile and how she managed to keep positive through out the punishment of being exiled and having to live in a foreign country and Siberia at that in a commune where they were outsiders.

This book is postive even in the depths of despair and applies it to our modern life. This is a wonderful way to look at the way we think and deal with our own lives.

[Kuan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book by chance in the bookstore and I am glad I did.
Andrew's childhood days and lessons in Siberia inspired him to live the life that he has lived. Even though his family suffered a lot during their exile in Siberia, his grandparents, his mother and even his younger brother who was then three years old, showed him how this could be overcome with love. Though they have left this earth, one by one, what remains behind is the powerful love that helped them survive those difficult years and it will never die. :)
Indeed we are blessed with all the love we received. Do not take them for granted.

[Eyad · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is really an amazing book , i have learned how to have a better understanding for life as a whole .