In this article, we will provide a brief overview of the book, its main themes, and its reception. We will also discuss some of the sources that can help you learn more about the book and its author.
Overview of the Book
Išlikti žmogumi is divided into two parts. The first part covers Daktaras's childhood, youth, and early career as a doctor. He describes his family background, his education, his involvement in the anti-Soviet movement, and his marriage to his wife Rūta. He also recounts his experiences of working as a doctor in various hospitals and clinics, where he witnessed the harsh realities of the Soviet health care system and the suffering of his patients.
The second part focuses on Daktaras's arrest, trial, imprisonment, and release. He was arrested in 1996 on charges of illegal abortion, fraud, and tax evasion. He claims that he was framed by his enemies, who wanted to destroy his reputation and career. He describes the torture and humiliation he endured in prison, as well as the support and love he received from his wife and friends. He also reveals the corruption and manipulation of the judges, prosecutors, politicians, and media who were involved in his case. He was finally released in 2000 after a long and controversial legal battle.
Main Themes of the Book
One of the main themes of the book is the importance of remaining human in the face of adversity. Daktaras emphasizes that he never gave up on his principles, values, and dignity, even when he was subjected to brutal treatment and injustice. He also stresses that he never lost his faith in God, his love for his wife, and his hope for a better future. He argues that these are the things that make him a human being, not a criminal or a victim.
Another theme of the book is the exposure of the dark side of the Lithuanian society and state. Daktaras accuses many influential people of being corrupt, dishonest, and hypocritical. He claims that they abused their power and position to persecute him and other innocent people for their own interests. He also criticizes the legal system for being unfair, biased, and incompetent. He argues that there is no justice or democracy in Lithuania, only lies and manipulation.
Reception of the Book
The book has sold more than 100,000 copies in Lithuania since its publication. It has also been translated into English, Russian, Polish, Latvian, Estonian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hindi, and Swahili. It has won several awards, including the Lithuanian Book of the Year Award in 2011 and the Baltic Assembly Prize for Literature in 2012.
However, the book has also faced criticism and controversy from various quarters. Some reviewers have questioned the accuracy, credibility, and objectivity of Daktaras's account. They have pointed out factual errors, inconsistencies, contradictions, exaggerations, and omissions in his story. They have also accused him of being self-serving, narcissistic, vindictive, and sensationalist. They have argued that he has distorted or fabricated some of the events and characters in his book to suit his agenda and to portray himself as a hero and a martyr.
Some of the people who were mentioned in the book have also sued Daktaras for defamation and invasion of privacy. They have claimed that he has violated their rights and reputation by publishing false, misleading, or harmful information about them. They have demanded that he retract, correct, or apologize for his statements, as well as pay compensation for the damages caused. Some of these lawsuits are still pending in the courts.
Sources for Further Reading
If you are interested in learning more about the book and its author, here are some sources that you can consult:
The official website of Henrikas Daktaras, where you can find his biography, bibliography, news, events, interviews, photos, videos, and contact information.
The Goodreads page of Išlikti žmogumi, where you can read the summary, reviews, ratings, and discussions of the book by other readers.
The Wikipedia page of Henrikas Daktaras, where you can find a brief overview of his life, career, works, awards, controversies, and references.
The Amazon page of To Remain Human, where you can buy the English translation of the book by Rimas Uzgiris.
The YouTube channel of Henrikas Daktaras, where you can watch his speeches, interviews, documentaries, and other videos related to his book and his case.
We hope that this article has given you some useful information and insights about the book Henrikas Daktaras Islikti Zmogum. Thank you for reading!
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