The Long Road Home Summary

One of the most well-known figures from the Second World War was a known anti-Semitic, U.S. Army General George S. Patton. Several sources expose facts about this historical figure including The Long Road Home. Shephard describes the xenophobic leader,
“General George S. Patton made no secret of his loathing of the Jews, most of whom came from Eastern Europe; they were, he wrote in his diary, “lower than animals.” Patton did not think that their present way of life had any connection with what had happened to them in the camps but was, rather, the result of their being an inferior race.”
He also had the reputation of treating DPs poorly. The lack of empathy is repulsive. It was as if people like Patton were intentionally blind to the plight
DPs did have the chance to begin the healing process. Being there, in a limbo of sorts, gave the opportunity for restoring one’s mental and physical health. Although they were unsure of the future the hope that there was a future ahead of them was a major improvement from before liberation. Many found their family members that they had been separated from. DP camps became a place to rest before the next chapter of their journeys. Several took advantage and began dating, getting married and having babies. For the first time in several years they were allowed to have fun and have a sense of normalcy. Marriage was a common occurrence in the camps. During the war there had not been a lot of romance happening amongst the Jewish population. Fela Bernstein says there was no sex in Belsen that she had known of. Due to being starved and overworked, among so many other factors, there was not a desire for sex. There certainly were no kinds of ceremonies happening such as weddings in concentration camps. Under Hitler’s regime Jewish people rarely had children. Hitler did not want them to reproduce and often called for the sterilization of Jews. Other reasons revolved around their environment. While in concentration camps a common reason was because of malnutrition and the fact that it stopped many women’s menstrual cycles, this obviously did not allow for conception. Secondly, men and women were not allowed to live together in the concentration camps which also curbed the chances for sexual encounters. Lastly, the last thing on most of their minds was bringing another innocent victim into this circumstance. Once liberation had occurred and people began to heal the thought of finding a mate and having children was freed as well. The Jews were ingenious in taking what little they had and making use of it. There are instances when women would make their wedding dresses out of available materials including parachutes. One survivor,