Gemacht: The Incredible True Story of Jacques Bodner

These incidences include the most heinous and brutal acts perpetrated by one human being on another. Yet at the same time Jacques experienced the most precious and unexpected gifts attainable. In truth, the contents of this story show that a person placed in an appalling situation can eventually triumph against all odds.

This book takes the reader on an incredible journey. Jacques was an indomitable person. He can be classified as a true outlier.

Jacques was born into a middle class Jewish family in Austria in 1920. Post World War I, Vienna remained in a state of change. The city had separated from Lower Austria and became a state of its own. Jacques's father had a good job and as a result the family did not want for anything.

This tranquil lifestyle slowly decayed into darkness as Hitler's Brown Shirts made their presence known. Every leisurely activity that had previously been open and available to the general public was taken away.

Jacques's older siblings were able to escape Austria prior to the Anschluss, but Jacques remained trapped in a land he could no longer call his own. His unbelievable journey to freedom is documented in Gemacht, with photos, and documents, which we assume he may have sewn into his clothing. His story ascends into darkness and ascends in an unlikely way.

Jacques's experiences as he is forced to flee his country closely parallel what the people of the Ukraine are living through in 2022. It is inconceivable that we are re-living history and elements of the Holocaust. We are witnessing what Jacques and millions of others went through almost a century ago.

The horrors of World War II are only one part of Jacques's story. His life takes many unique and fascinating twists and turns. This educational story provides useful information about the value of humanity. Gemacht was written with the hope that we can embrace the concept that our utmost responsibility is to ensure the survival and progression of our species.