Where Memory Leads

This memoir by Saul Friedländer explores his journey from childhood trauma to becoming a leading Holocaust historian, highlighting his evolving identity and intellectual growth.

In Where Memory Leads, Saul Friedländer embarks on a deeply personal journey, revisiting the formative experiences that shaped his identity and intellectual pursuits. This sequel to his renowned memoir, When Memory Comes, captures the essence of his coming-of-age across three continents. Friedländer reflects on his childhood marked by the Holocaust and the subsequent evolution of his understanding of Jewish identity, grappling with the complexities of faith and belonging as he transitions from a Catholic upbringing back to his Jewish roots during his teenage years.

As he navigates through the tumultuous landscape of Israeli politics and culture, Friedländer's narrative unfolds against the backdrop of his lifelong fascination with Jewish history. The book delves into the impact of European anti-Semitism and the intricate dynamics of Zionism that he encounters. His experiences in Israel, Europe, and the United States are interwoven with encounters with influential figures, including the architects of the Israeli state and prominent intellectuals, enriching his perspective on Jewish life.

Ultimately, Where Memory Leads serves as a poignant reflection on the events that compelled Friedländer to dedicate years to his Pulitzer Prize-winning work, The Years of Extermination: Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939–1945. Through this memoir, he offers readers an intimate glimpse into the mind of a historian who has profoundly shaped our understanding of the Holocaust and Jewish identity.