Blood, Sweat and Dreams

 

“Blood, Sweat and Dreams”

Ten Short Stories that Defy Belief 

by Robert Barzelay

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IT'S AVAILABLE BOTH IN PRINT AND E-VERSION.

About the Book. 

“Blood, Sweat and Dreams” is a collection of ten gripping tales that plunge into the heart of human courage, sacrifice, and survival, each a portal to a distinct corner of the human experience, where mystery, and the unyielding pulse of life converge. These stories, diverse in setting and spirit, weave together the raw threads of adventure, and introspection, inviting you to journeys across continents, cultures, and the boundaries of the known world. 

Imagine the sun-scorched streets in “Kidnapped in Tel Aviv” that sets the stage for a heart-pounding abduction, torment and mysterious developments, which end in bewilderment and the unexpected. 

Or picture the vast, unforgiving expanse of the Sahara in “Emergency Landing in the Sahara”, where survival hinges on wit and will against the desert’s relentless embrace, the only nonfiction story, experienced by the writer himself. 

In “The Signal in the Static”, the air crackles with enigma, as whispers from the ether hint at truths beyond our grasp, set against the ancient, sacred skyline of Jerusalem. 

Venture further, to the jungles of Paraguay in “Eulogy with a Vengeance”, where justice takes on a primal edge, sharp and unyielding. 

In “Silent Strike”, the stakes are global, the action swift, as operatives navigate a deadly dance of strategy and sacrifice to eliminate terrorists in North Africa. 

Meanwhile, “Two 75-year-olds and a 75-year-old Skytrain” plunge you into the heart of human compassion, where heroes defy chaos to shield the vulnerable, saving lives in Darfur, their every step a gamble against fate. 

Not all these tales pulse with adrenaline. “Esther’s Path of Acceptance” elaborates on the mindset of her father-in-law, Baruch Spinoza, an invitation to pause and be intrigued by this 17th-century philosopher, whose ideas of existence and freedom sparked revolutions of thought. 

In contrast, “A Detour to Destiny” thrusts you back into the crucible of conflict, where chance encounters in Kashmir ignite life-or-death struggles, a land of rugged beauty, albeit a hotbed of revolt and dissension. 

The collection also celebrates the vibrant tapestry of humanity. “A Journey through Time and Terrain” transports you to Aotearoa, where ancient Māori traditions breathe through sacred chants and the heartbeat of the haka, grounding the soul in community and earth. 

Yet not all stories offer solace. “The Shadow of Sobibor”, a part fictional and true narrative of one of the writer’s family members, confronts the darkest chapters of history, unflinching in its portrayal of human cruelty and resilience, a stark reminder of the cost of antisemitism. 

Brace yourself for these ten unforgettable stories that blur the line between the possible and the unimaginable. These ten stories, though distinct, are bound by a shared thread: they explore what it means to be human in the face of the extraordinary. From the pulse of danger to the whisper of wisdom, they challenge, inspire, and haunt. As you turn these pages, may you find yourself lost in worlds both familiar and strange, and may they leave you, as they have me as the writer, forever changed. 

 

About the Author. 

Robert Barzelay, Dutch-Israeli, was born on the date the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, and the day Nobel Peace Prizes are awarded. Graduate in Political Science, History and Marketing. Semi-retired, with four kids and six grandkids. He speaks six languages, visited over 100 countries, lived in 11. Robert has been employed by emerging companies and multinationals, from salesman to CEO, and he has established business partnerships and his own startups. He is a passionate writer of short stories and is nowadays in demand to evaluate business plans, create marketing materials and organize workshops. His favored sports are judo, sailing, rowing, water and snow skiing, flying and skydiving. 

 

Comments by people who read parts of the manuscript.

“Blood, Sweat and Dreams” delivers a rollercoaster of emotions. The diversity of themes kept me engaged. [Motti Mendelssohn]

Your stories took me on an action-packed ride. Adventures involving Mossad always provide a backdrop of adventure and potentially explosive tension. You delivered that! I appreciated the cinematic flair you embedded into your stories. You paint vivid pictures. [Rick Tanski]

The stories burst with creativity, painting fantastical scenarios that kept me glued to the pages. [Kirsten Nielsen]

A great mix of heart and grit kept me hooked. [Barbara Carmen]

This book weaves together gripping real-life tales and whimsical fiction with seamless skill. Every story has its own distinct voice, making it hard to pick a favorite. [Mahmoud Mansour]

Each story feels like a window into a different world. They are poignant, with vivid details that linger long after reading. [Miriam Azoulay]

Your dedication about Sobibor touched me to the core. [J-P Cohen de Lara]

This collection is a captivating blend of raw, real-life accounts stories with emotional depth that pulls you in. [Marc Cramer]

The stories are raw and beautifully told, drawing you into real human experiences with stunning clarity. [Becky Bernstein]

So many experiences, memories whirling into dreams and key moments. The simple wonder of sharing delicious food and the power of ancient rituals. [Helen Howard]

Life is a journey, an adventure. It seems you eventually come full circle, back to what is the most important to you: your family. Powerful stories. [Anna Frederiksen-Washington]

So well written! I enjoyed it. [Shannan Yates]

The descriptions of the delicious foods and the spices they contain made me hungry! These were really fantastic and fascinating stories that invited me into brand new worlds. I enjoyed the characters that you created and the beautiful descriptions of the landscape. You also did an excellent job building tension, especially of the plane crash landing. [Iris Silverman]

The intensity and your personal relatedness expressed in your narrative about Sobibor took my breath away. It may be part-fiction, but the horrors were reality. [Rabbi David Curiel]