From Zero to Infinity and Back

Adrian Barbu’s biographical account of his family and early life in Eastern Europe is an insightful, meditative journey, which documents the ways the political upheaval of the pre- and post-war periods in in Eastern Europe led them to become part of the diaspora heading West, whether to European countries or Israel. Obviously, some of these currents are still reverberating today, so it is revealing about the roots of those historical trends. Along with the personal stories, there are encounters with better-known figures, including a charming exchange between Orson Welles and the author, as a young journalist taking their opportunity to meet the great man. While it is full of fascinating details, such as his aunt’s presence at the trial of Adolf Eichmann, and encounters with other notable figures, the book’s real value lies in its evocation of past times, and the way it traces the threads of a family across different eras, generations, cultures and locations. It is designed as a father’s gift to his sons, so they can learn more about their family background. I wish my father had done something similar; now that he is gone, there are so many things I wish I knew about his early life, and I will never get the opportunity to ask. Adrian is full of deep insights in the ways that your environment and early experiences can help to shape your life, and the way they form the wisdom that is passed down the generations. Both for its historical lessons, and its biographical reflections, this is a highly recommended book.