Listen to Helmi's Shadow: A Journey of Survival From Russia to East Asia to the American West by David Horgan
Enjoy this audiobook with MP3 Audiobook Player - the ultimate iOS audiobook experience
Helmi’s Shadow tells the sweeping true story of two Russian Jewish refugees, a mother (Rachel Koskin) and her daughter (Helmi). With determination and courage, they survived decades of hardship in the hidden corners of war-torn Asia and then journeyed across the Pacific at the end of the Second World War to become United States citizens after seeking safe harbor in the unlikely western desert town of Reno, Nevada. This compelling narrative is also a memoir, told lovingly by Helmi’s son, David, of growing up under the wings of these strong women in an unusual American family. Rachel Koskin was a middle-class Russian Jew born in Odessa, Ukraine, in 1896. Ten years later, her family fled from the murderous pogroms against Jews in the Russian Empire eastward to Harbin, a Russian-controlled city within China’s borders on the harsh plain of Manchuria. Full of lively detail and the struggles of being stateless in a time of war, the narrative follows Rachel through her life in Harbin, which became a center of Russian culture in the Far East; the birth of her daughter, Helmi, in Kobe, Japan; their life together in the slums of Shanghai and back in Japan during World War II, where they endured many more hardships; and their subsequent immigration to the United States. This remarkable account uncovers a history of refugees living in war-torn China and Japan, a history that to this day remains largely unknown. It is also a story of survival during a long period of upheaval and war—from the Russian Revolution to the Holocaust—and an intimate portrait of an American immigrant family. David reveals both the joys and tragedies he experienced growing up in a multicultural household in post\-Second World War America with a Jewish mother, a live-in Russian grandmother, and a devout Irish Catholic American father. As David develops a clearer awareness of the mysterious past lives of his mother and grandmother—and the impact of these events on his own understanding of the long-term effects of fear, trauma, and loss—he shows us that, even in times of peace and security, we are all shadows of our past, marked by our experiences, whether we choose to reveal them to others or not.
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. 🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
Plays MP3, MP4, OPUS, OGG, FLAC, AWB, M4B, M4A, WMA, AAC formats
Optimized for iPhone, iPad, and iPod with seamless integration
Adjust playback speed from 0.5x to 3.0x for your listening preference
Import audiobooks via iTunes, cloud services, or direct downloads
Get your favorite audiobooks in supported formats from various sources
Import audiobooks to MP3 Audiobook Player using multiple methods
Control playback from your device, headphones, Apple Watch, or CarPlay
Join thousands of users who enjoy audiobooks with MP3 Audiobook Player daily
Download Now