Auschwitz: True Tales from a Grotesque Land

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Summary: An incitefull look into the horrifying events at Auschwitz
Review: I found this book to be one of the best that I have ever read on this topic. It tells the brutal truth, in detail, of several illegal, inhumane, and hatefull acts commited by the Nazi's during the Holocaust. I find this book particularly interesting because of the viewpoint from which it comes. The story is told by a young Jewish girl in her teens and how all of the madness appears through her eyes. It is fascinating. Never could any of us who have not been through this horror imagine the extent of its total brutality and hate. Ihave witnessed a number of people who absolutly refuse to read about these incredible peoples survival stories, simply because they can not handle the grousome detaails of this shocking truth. I find these people to be ignorrent(did I spell that right?-hee-hee). I, for one am very interested in knowing the truth about these bastards and the crimes they commited against these helpless, innocent people. I see it as not only informative but also as a wake-up call. Sara Nomberg-Przuytyk is simply trying to make the world aware of what is possible if the power is put into the hands of the wrong individuals. I feel this book has helped my to realize how naive we as humans can be, by nature, and has prompted me to be more inqusitive when an unusual situation arises. Her book was passionate, moving and inspirational.

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Summary: One of the best books on the Shoah
Review: One of the criticisms I have of American presentations on the holocaust is that the people in the Lagers portrayed as flat, one dimensional "victims:" No character, no personality, no conflict. Primo Levi in "The Drowned and the Saved" first introduced the concept of "The Grey Zone"--prisoners who saved themselves, even growing fat and living in luxury, directly at the expense of the other prisoners. Ms. Nomberg-Przuytyk perfectly illustrates this point in her Tales. Each "tale" is a short vinnet, illustrating a concept. Eary on, she explains how the beatings & mistreatment at the hands of the SS were bad, but not unexpected. What really hurt, though, was the beatings & mistreatment at the hands of other inmates. That was shocking.

If you want a good picture of this Grotesque land, here are three books: Ms. Nomberg-Przuytyk's, Levi's "Drowned & the Saved," and "This Way for the Gas, Ladies & Gentlemen" by Tadeusz Borowski.

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Summary: Great Book!
Review: The most interesting aspect of this story, for me, was the author's illustration of prisoner functionaries within the concentration camps. Prior to reading this, I was unaware of the power of life and death held by some of the captives over their compatriots within the confies of the death camps. The author, who lived through this hell, describes not only the physical brutality of the place, but the mental anguish experienced by the prisoners, and the strange roles of those who worked as functionaries, commanding prisoners, staffing infirmaries, and running the horrible selections.

The book is short, simply-written, and a horrible delight to read. Few books convey the experience of the Nazi death camps better. I highly recommend this book for everyone, as it calls to question your OWN actions and motivations: what price does life hold? How would you REALLY respond in a similar position?

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Summary: Auschwitz: A true story
Review: The story of an unfortunate Polish woman imprisoned for being Jewish, Sara Nomberg-Przytyk does an excellent job of recreating the events in her life. It's a chilling tale that reminds us what a terrible place the world can be. You always want to know what is coming next. Horror after horror is revealed in such frequency that it leave you wondering if it was exaggerated or untrue. "Auschwitz: True Tales from a Grotesque Land" is an eye-opening tale of survival. Through it all, still, people survived, one way or another. If you have not read it already, read it. You will be riveted in your seat and left with an incredible sense of gratefulness.

Rating:
Summary: Auschwitz: A true story
Review: The story of an unfortunate Polish woman imprisoned for being Jewish, Sara Nomberg-Przytyk does an excellent job of recreating the events in her life. It's a chilling tale that reminds us what a terrible place the world can be. You always want to know what is coming next. Horror after horror is revealed in such frequency that it leave you wondering if it was exaggerated or untrue. "Auschwitz: True Tales from a Grotesque Land" is an eye-opening tale of survival. Through it all, still, people survived, one way or another. If you have not read it already, read it. You will be riveted in your seat and left with an incredible sense of gratefulness.

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Summary: makes "night" look like a trip to disneyland
Review: This book blew my breath away. I've read way too many holocaust memoirs, and this is most powerful one in existence (Maus a close second, but for very different reasons, dealing w/ before and after). I'm not sure if it is because of the female narrator and experience, but this pulls you in way too far, and it's a wrenching experience. And it's not necessarily a well-written book, she recycles the same three or four metaphors over and over again, but it doesn't undermine the narrative. No one should be allowed to be human until they've read this.

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Summary: A Very Powerful Story
Review: This book is definetly one of the best books I have ever read on the topic of the Holocaust. As me being very interested in the Holocaust/WWII, I find this book to be very powerful, strong, and sick to think about what the Nazis actually did to the Jews. The writing quality is amazing, along with the realistic angle that this book is written in. Many grusome things are told, and described, but everyone, and I mean everyone needs to know what the Germans did to the Jews from 1933-1945. A Must Read Book.

It's very strong, but you need to read it.