Book SummaryUnstoppable, by Joshua M. Greene

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Unstoppable

Siegbert "Siggi" Wilzig was haunted by the harrowing events he endured during the Holocaust and the memories that continued to torment him afterward.

The book explores the deep and lasting impact that the harrowing experiences of the Holocaust had on Siggi's life. Greene illustrates how Siggi's experiences during those harrowing times shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, his interactions with others, and his psychological well-being.

Siegbert's early life and development took place within Germany's confines.

Joshua M. Greene begins by depicting Siggi's early life in Germany, highlighting his involvement with Jewish customs amidst the growing threat of Nazi oppression.

In his formative years in Krojanke, he faced anti-Semitic attitudes and subsequently fled to the city of Berlin.

Siegbert Wilzig originated from a Jewish family in the mainly Christian community of Krojanke, located in Germany. Siegbert faced prejudice due to his Jewish heritage from an early age, as he was treated differently by classmates of various faiths. The author describes a terrifying ordeal where he was threateningly suspended over a meat grinder by a farmer's son, who implied he could be processed into ground meat and labeled as Jewish. These initial experiences with antisemitism fortified Siegbert, fostering within him a strong sense of independence and a determination to outwit any adversaries. The ascent of the Nazi party in 1932 significantly heightened the dangers faced by Germany's Jewish population. Antisemitism took the form of a coordinated attack that targeted not only Jewish places of worship but also the residences and commercial establishments owned by Jewish people. Siegbert witnessed the tightening of restrictions on Jewish individuals as the sway of the Nazi party grew. As a child, he saw his father burdened with the cost of unfairly high prices for goods because of their Jewish identity, and his education came to a sudden halt when the Nazi regime enforced policies that prohibited children with Jewish ancestry from attending traditional schools.

In 1936, the Wilzig family, confronted with a difficult decision, opted to relocate from Krojanke to Berlin as a means of escaping the increasingly oppressive control exerted by the Nazis. They believed the upcoming Olympic Games, with international attention on Germany, would create a temporary reprieve, but the violence continued. Siegbert demonstrated exceptional ingenuity by creating visas from materials he pilfered from consulates, allowing his elder sibling Joe and his expectant sister Jenny to flee from Germany. Greene tells a moving story, illustrating Sophie's resolute commitment to stay within the borders of her homeland, expressing her firm resolve to spend her remaining years and confront her fate in the country where she was born. Sophie's sense of discomfort was, regrettably, proven to be well-founded.

Context

• Krojanke, now known as Krajenka, was part of Germany before World War II and had a small Jewish population. The rise of the Nazi regime led to increased antisemitism across Germany, affecting even small towns like Krojanke.
• Families like the Wilzigs faced difficult choices about whether to stay in Germany or attempt to flee, often having to split up to increase the chances of some members escaping persecution.
• Being threatened in such a violent manner would have had a profound psychological impact on Siegbert, contributing to a sense of vulnerability and urgency to escape the hostile environment.
• The international community largely failed to respond effectively to the growing persecution of Jews, with many countries unwilling to accept large numbers of Jewish refugees.
• Jewish-owned businesses were forcibly transferred to non-Jewish Germans, often at a fraction of their value, as part of the regime's efforts to "Aryanize" the economy.
• Jewish children were expelled from public schools, and Jewish professionals, including doctors and lawyers, were forbidden from serving non-Jewish clients.
• Jewish families faced social isolation, which meant they often had to rely on a smaller network of suppliers willing to sell to them, often at inflated prices due to the risk involved for those suppliers.
• The decision to move to Berlin might have been influenced by the hope of finding better opportunities or connections that could facilitate further emigration or survival strategies.
• During the Olympics, there was a brief reduction in the visible enforcement of antisemitic laws, such as the removal of anti-Jewish signs and posters, to maintain the illusion of a tolerant society.
• Consulates were typically secure locations, making it challenging to obtain materials without detection. This would have required careful planning and execution.
• The psychological impact of uprooting one's life can be profound. The fear of the unknown and the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land could deter individuals from leaving, even in dire circumstances.
• By the early 1940s, Jews in Germany were being deported to ghettos in occupied territories, where they lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, often as a precursor to deportation to extermination camps.

The forced relocation to Auschwitz, along with the subsequent tribulations endured within the confines of the internment facilities.

Joshua M. Greene delves deeply into Siggi's story, detailing his compulsory transfer to Auschwitz and the severe conditions he endured at this infamously brutal detention facility. The author emphasizes Siggi's keen intelligence and adaptability as crucial traits that enabled him to survive in conditions that often resulted in the downfall of many.

Enduring grueling labor, extreme hunger, appalling living conditions, and observing horrific acts

Siegbert's arrival at Auschwitz marked the beginning of an unimaginable period of suffering. Greene paints a vivid picture of the initial...

Unstoppable Summary Siggi's professional journey in the corporate world and his management style

This segment of the story traces Siggi's rise from humble beginnings in the garment industry, progressing to the helm of two challenging ventures: one dedicated to the procurement and refinement of hydrocarbons, and the other to the sphere of business finance. Greene depicts Siggi as possessing a distinctive approach to management and strategic foresight, along with an exceptional ability to identify and capitalize on prospects that others might overlook.

Beginning his journey as an immigrant with limited financial means, he established a thriving commercial conglomerate.

Siggi remained unwavering in his belief that he possessed the ability to turn life's most intimidating challenges into opportunities for personal growth, tackling substantial obstacles with an impressive level of optimism and a solid determination to overcome any skepticism regarding his capabilities that stemmed from his academic history or past adversities. Greene chronicles the progression of Siggi's career after surviving Auschwitz, highlighting his flexibility and steadfast dedication to attaining success in various capacities, including sales, manufacturing, and corporate positions.

He...

Unstoppable Summary Siggi faced challenges that included antisemitism, regulatory hurdles from the government, and mental health issues.

This section of the narrative delves into the challenges Siggi faced, including confronting post-war anti-Semitic attitudes in American society, grappling with the enduring mental trauma from the Holocaust, and undergoing intense scrutiny by U.S. authorities. Greene portrays Siggi as someone whose involvement in conflict was driven by a quest for acknowledgment, yet this endeavor resulted in considerable repercussions, including ongoing tension, family disagreements, and a persistent feeling that his accomplishments were never fulfilling.

Confronting the widespread presence of antisemitism in the realms of oil and finance.

Siggi attained a notable status in post-war America, even though antisemitism persisted, particularly in the finance and oil industries. Greene recounts Siggi's unwavering determination to break through obstacles in sectors that were historically exclusive and dominated by those who were not Jewish, facing overt and subtle discrimination.

Overcoming prejudice to achieve success in traditionally antisemitic fields

The author highlights the challenges Siggi faced when entering the oil business of the 1960s, a field well-known for systematically...