The Knock at the Door: A Mother's Survival of the Armenian Genocide - Softcover

Ahnert, Margaret

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0825306833 ISBN 13: 9780825306839

Publisher: Beaufort Books, 2012

Synopsis

“Together, their stories realize in intimate but accessible terms the vagaries of historical memory and Ester's determination to tell the truth, despite the understandable urge among some victims to forget, in the face of an official policy of denial from Turkey that continues today.” — Publisher’s Weekly

In 1915, Armenian Christians in Turkey were forced to convert to Islam, barred from speaking their language, and often driven out of their homes as the Turkish army embarked on a widespread campaign of intimidation and murder. In this riveting book, Margaret Ajemian Ahnert relates her mother Ester's terrifying experiences as a young woman during this period of hatred and brutality.

At age 15, Ester was separated from her family during a forced march away from her birth town of Amasia. Though she faced unspeakable horrors and was forced into an abusive marriage against her will, she never lost her faith, quick wit, or ability to see the good in people. Eventually she escaped and emigrated to America.

Ahnert's compelling account of her mother's suffering is framed by an intimate portrait of her relationship with her 98-year-old mother. Ester's inspiring stories, told lovingly by her daughter, will give you a window into the harrowing struggle of Armenians during a terrible period in human history.

About this title

About the Author

Margaret Ahnert was born in New York City in 1938. Growing up, she loved to hear her mother's stories about her own childhood during the Armenian genocide in Turkey. She has a BA from Goddard College, and an MA from Goucher College. She has pursued a variety of careers: producing television documentaries, co-owning a hotel in Pennsylvania, acting as a docent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and teaching art appreciation in high schools and elementary schools.

Edition details

• Publisher: Beaufort Books
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0825306833
• ISBN 13: 9780825306839
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 209