Magda Herzberger is a force of nature. To meet Magda is to encounter a bundle of energy whose indefatigable spirit and beauty both inside and out belies her being witness to one of the darkest chapters in human history. From her riveting autobiography "Survival" to the published collections of her captivating poetry, she has guided us into a world that seems almost unimaginable-its highs, its lows, its mysteries, its contradictions. And in the process she provides us with insights that make all us all richer. Now she takes those life experiences and provides us with a compelling blueprint, both spiritual and practical, in how to tackle life's unpredictable and at times tortuous challenges. In the stress of our twentieth century world, we face a drug culture that seeks escapism because the pain of reality is just too great or the high of a dangerous, temporary fix is too irresistible to pass up. Even among the more mainstream population, we have become accustomed to treatments and medications that promise to help us tackle physical and mental challenges and often a sense of hopelessness and being overwhelmed by the challenges of life. In America alone it is estimated that we spend close to half a trillion dollars each year to find ways to treat our psychological frailties. In "Surviving Hard Times," Magda shares with us the lessons of an extraordinary life that combines her story of hard grit and her relentless sense of purpose. The hard times she experienced are raw and unvarnished, and now she wants to pass on her insights to all of us.

From the author's preface: "After all these years, the shadows of the Holocaust are still haunting me. Often they invade my mind quite unexpectedly and dance around me 'the mad waltz of memory.' They are the representatives and reminders of the suffering and misery I endured as a captive 18-year- old girl in the concentration camps of Germany during World War II." From Requiem: O, Lord, please help me To keep alive their memory -- They died in vain, I witnessed their agony And Pain, I heard their cries, O, Lord, our God Open for them The gates of Paradise -- Let their souls Rest in peace -- Forgive mankind's atrocities -- The Waltz of the Shadows is an autobiography in the form of poetry and musical compositions. It relates, in verse, the experiences the author underwent as a young girl held captive in several German concentration camps during World War II. It deals with her suffering, the struggle for survival, as well as the senseless deaths of her family and fellow prisoners. It also depicts the period of loss and grief she experienced when she returned home alive after the War. This is the second book in Magda Herzberger's Holocaust trilogy. The first book is Survival, Magda's autobiography of her life as a child and her experiences at Auschwitz, Bremen, Bergen-Belsen, three of the most infamous of the Nazi death camps. The third book, is Tales of the Magic Forest a children's book that reflects the lessons and messages that Magda learned through her experiences at the hands of the Nazi's. Through them all, her faith and courage shine brightly.

This book is an exciting journey taking place in the Land of Imagination and Fantasy. It is a fairy tale in which the Muse, the Spirit of Creativity, appears and talks to the childen, taking them along with her on a miraculous and wonderful adventure. There are stories within the story, poetry abounds, and the book is designed so that different children and play act different roles as everyone reads along. This is the third book in Magda Herzberger's Holocaust Trilogy, the first two are: "Survival" and "The Waltz of the Shadows."

From the Preface by James P. Moore, Jr.: "The apt title of Midnight Musings brings together the prodigious, expansive, and real-life reflections of Magda Herzberger, an extraordinary figure by any measure. She sits alone in the company of her thoughts-past, present, and to come-and reaches out eloquently and movingly to readers from all walks of life. If each one of us is the sum total of everything we have ever experienced in our lives, Magda brings much to the table. We feel privileged to enter into her world, one that unfolds through a variety of poems steeped in reality, fantasy, quest, and profound faith." "As a poet," Magda says, "I feel that I am like a photographer. Sometimes I focus my camera and take pictures from the outside world surrounding us. Other times I take photos depicting the many aspects of the inner world of my soul. Behind each of my poems in Midnight Musings, there is a story to be told and experienced."

"O Lord, our God, Please disperse The seeds of peace And brotherhood Upon the earth, As time rolls On the wheels Of the universe." Magda dedicates this book of devotional poetry to those readers of Survival who asked her to share some of her prayers with them. Magda has touched many lives with her writings, a reflection of her faith, a faith that brought her through horrors that few of us will ever have to endure. It is Magda's hope that the words of faith she shares in Devotional Poetry will inspire others as Survival has.

My dear husband, How can I ever thank you For all the years of happiness, For all your care, concern, and love? I am so grateful To the Almighty God above For sending you my way! With you I want to stay Till the end of my last day . Even after all these many years of married life I feel like a young bride, Happy to be still at your side, On our 60th Wedding Anniversary. These poems are the expressions and manifestations of my deep love, passion, and friendship for my husband. I have also included the musical scores I composed to some of the lyrics. I am very thankful to the Almighty for sending the man of my dreams to me some 60 years ago. And I am looking forward to many more years of happiness, love, and companionship with my partner in life.