What people are saying about Ruta’s Closet

Ruta’s Closet has received praise from significant figures in the world of Holocaust education and awareness.

First to compliment the book was the late Sir Martin Gilbert, a world-renowned Holocaust historian. Sir Martin was a mentor to co-author Keith Morgan and penned the book’s Foreword, which appears below.

 Further praise Ruta’s Closet

‘My late husband, Sir Martin Gilbert, spoke many times with Keith Morgan. I also have studied Ruta’s Closet and appreciate what has gone into telling Ruta’s story, what we can gain from his meticulous research and the insight it gives us into those terrifying times. The veneer of civilization is fragile. In learning about that, we hope future generations will also learn how to strengthen it.’ 

Lady Esther Gilbert, Holocaust Educator, Alberta, Canada.

‘Hands down, the best available study in English of wartime Shavl. Keith Morgan’s research shines bright because he chronicles not only the tragedy of the Kron family but of many others from a large community that was destroyed.’

Roy Rosenstein, Distinguished Professor, The American University of Paris.

‘Ruta’s Closet opens up a dreadful part of Baltic history not familiar to many. Keith Morgan’s meticulous research, interviews with Ruta and family, survivors of Siauliai (Shavl) Ghetto and insights into life and conditions at those times makes for a unique story of survival and resilience in horrific times.’

Saul Issroff, co-author of the “Holocaust in Lithuania, 1941-1945”.

‘Keith Morgan recognized that the dimensions of the Kron family’s lives in Lithuania and beyond merited a book, one of educational value in its revelation of inhumanity as contrasted with the humanity of a few, an important few. It is a book that could be read in a weekend but must be thought about for a lifetime.’

Robert Krell CM, MD, Holocaust survivor, Founding President, 

‘It is completely unique, painstakingly poignant and impossible to forget.’

Sharon Chisvin, Winnipeg Free Press.

‘Heartbreaking but inspiring . . . courage, love triumph over Nazi evils.’

Tracy Sherlock, Vancouver Sun.

What readers say

‘Ruta’s Closet is an extraordinary and compelling work.  Ruth Kron Sigal, Lithuanian and Jewish, was a survivor of the Holocaust.  She found the courage to unlock the darkest recesses of her mind to investigative journalist Keith Morgan. Those memories are painful and shocking, but she became fiercely determined that her personal narrative be relayed to the world before the truth died with her.’

Angela Burrill: BA Hons. English Language and Literature (Wales); MA English Literature (Kent). Ashford, Kent, UK.

‘Ruta’s story moves the statistics of the Holocaust into the personal. There is one very brief episode in Ruta’s life that I remember whenever I encounter the word ‘Holocaust’ and it always hurts, years after I first read it. It is the cry of Ruta’s sister when they were separated. The very smallness of Ruta’s story makes it tell a greater truth.’

Fr. Andrew Martlew TD, Retired British Army Chaplain and broadcaster, Balne, Yorkshire, UK.

‘This book deserves a place as an extraordinary example of survival in an enveloping world of hatred and aggression. It is from its time but not simply of its time. There are lessons for us all today, and every day. Sadly, we are still never far from examples of appalling behaviour towards our contemporaries.

‘This is a book to read, to reflect and act upon, to pass on, and to treasure, because it is a story all of us should heed, beautifully and accurately told.’

Kevin Green, author, Cambridge University English Literature Graduate, Sydney, Australia.

‘A terrifying yet inspiring story of courage and conviction.’

Andy James, voice actor & radio broadcaster, Kelowna. Canada.

‘It’s a book you can’t put down . . . until you have to. This story should also be told on the big screen to maximize the reach of its important message.’

Tony Sutcliffe, TV director and documentary  filmmaker, London, UK.