The Anti-Humans: Student Re-education in Romanian Prisons

by Dumitru Bacu

"The Anti-Humans: Student Re-education in Romanian Prisons" takes place in Romania short after the Communists came into power with the help from the Soviet Union. But the book is much more than a record of the horrible crimes committed against the Romanian people during this time. It is a warning; it is a voice from beyond the grave, from the living dead behind the Iron Curtain. The book was smuggled out of through the Iron Curtain and translated from Romanian into English. The readers will have at their disposal a complete account of the dehumanization through imprisonment and torture of many of Romania's citizens by the communist regime. The people selected by the authorities for dehumanization were part of a cleverly defined group, university students. This was because in Romania, university students were considered a highly respected elite, including youth who combined vigor with unsurpassed patriotism and a lucid rigor, both intellectually and spiritually. In a time were the communism once again are growing stronger, not least among younger people, which do not know much about the Cold War, and even less regarding the tragedies that took place behind the Iron Curtain, the publishing of The Anti-Humans is filling an important function.

Genres: History, Philosophy, Romania, Politics, Nonfiction, Psychology

Nook

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a challenging book to read, not because of its language or length, but instead, it was The subject matter. It’s pages contains real life horrors of the worst kind. The lengths to which the communists went through to strip a person of that, that made them human. Was such a terrible experience, and I just read the words.

I recommend everyone read this, especially anyone with any kind of romantic notions of communism.

[Joseph B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a horror story. I cannot recommend anyone read this book unless they want a true look into the depths of human depravity. Bacu provides horrendous firsthand accounts of the "re-education" of Romanian students by their soviet occupiers. At the very least it provides the reader with a sense of gratitude for not having been born in such a Hellscape. The scenes from this book are scared into my memory, I shan't forget them soon.

[Radu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrifying account of the depths of depravity that went on behind the Iron Curtain. I don't know what is more shocking; the borderline Satanic, dehumanising and utterly pointless sadism of the torture inflicted on the victims of the Pitești Experiment or the sinister reasoning behind yet another chapter in the communist block's attempts to perfect a process of permanently brainwashing a human being.

The only positive thing that came out of the experiment was that it was an absolute failure. The effects of the "unmasking" process could be reversed.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and depressing insiders account of the communist thought control methods employed by the Romanian regime immediately following the second world war. Christians and anti-communists were targeted for "re-education" in Romanian prisons by the Securitate and imported Soviet facilitators. A brutal and difficult read that is unfortunately a little awkwardly translated at points - important though as we slouch towards Neo-communism.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Anti-Humans, along with Solzhenitsyn's books, should be mandatory reading in every school.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus fucking Christ. Maybe the best evidence of God is the fact this level of evil is an actual reality in the universe.

[Scott Milliken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell is other people, especially when those other people are Communists.

[Mihnea Boiangiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cartea prezinta o bucatica din istoria neagra a poporului roman. Atrocitatile din temnitele comuniste sunt ireale si totusi adevarate. Cartea lui Dumitru Bacu trebuie sa faca parte din bagajul de cunostinte al oricarui roman iubitor de patrie. Doar astfel putem condamna regimul comunist si ne vom putea opune pe viitor unui astfel de regim totalitar, cu toate ca sper sa nu fim nevoiti vreodata sa mai trecem prin comunism.

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Incredibly truthful, open, and honest.

'This book is a landmark in the broad field now generally designated by a term adapted from the Russian, psychopolitics. Psychopolitics, a technology rather than a science since it is a practical application of data obtained by research in several sciences, may be defined as the art of controlling a nation by controlling the minds of the politically dominant majority of its population.'

[M. K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

i guess it's nice knowing that brainwashing wears off

[Roo Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer, I could only get halfway through this book. It wasn't hard to read, or too dark and gruesome, or anything like that. To be sure, the content is very disturbing. This book is an accounting of the experimental brainwashing practices that went on in Romania in the early 1950s by the communists. The idea was to gather all of Romanias intellectuals, primarily from the universities, and reeducate them in the ways of the communist party by way of endless torture. The problem I had with this book is the author and the way he wrote. It is presented as almost poetic writing with statement after statement the are clearly written to influence you emotionally rather than tell authentic history. I would look for another book on this subject if you want to learn about it. You can also look up "Pitesti Prison" on wiki to learn about it.

[John Geddes]

All physical copies appears to have completely disappeared from online sellers like Amazon and eBay.
You can still find PDFs of it online, but the nature of the Internet today mean that will not always be true.
Makes you wonder, considering that we were told that Communism died in 1991, who doesn't want people to read this book?

[Ben Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart…

[Aaron Schuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Anti Humans" by Dumitru Bacu is a compelling and harrowing account of the psychological re-education and torture experienced by students at the Pitesti Prison in Romania during the Communist regime. This book serves as both a historical document and a chilling testament to the extremes of human cruelty and the resilience of the human spirit.

Content and Themes: The central theme of "The Anti Humans" is the brutal re-education process designed to break the will and spirit of prisoners, primarily young intellectuals and students who were considered threats to the Communist ideology. Bacu's detailed account of the methods used, including physical and psychological torture, is deeply disturbing yet important for understanding the depths of human rights abuses under totalitarian regimes. The book explores themes of power, control, indoctrination, and the loss of humanity in the face of extreme ideological enforcement.

Historical Context: Bacu provides a detailed account of a dark chapter in Romanian history, offering insights into the broader context of Communist repression in Eastern Europe. While the focus is on a specific prison and group of individuals, the implications extend to the larger narrative of political and ideological persecution during this era.

Narrative Style: Bacu's writing is direct and unflinching, presenting a stark portrayal of life in the Pitesti Prison. His detailed descriptions can be challenging to read due to the graphic nature of the content, but they are necessary for conveying the severity of the prisoners' experiences. The narrative style combines eyewitness accounts, personal experiences, and historical analysis, making it a comprehensive and multi-dimensional work.

Impact and Relevance: The book has considerable impact in terms of raising awareness about the atrocities committed in Communist prisons. It is an important contribution to the literature on political repression and human rights abuses, and it continues to be relevant as a reminder of the consequences of unchecked political power and ideological extremism.

In conclusion, "The Anti Humans" by Dumitru Bacu is a significant and powerful work that sheds light on a brutal period in history. It is a sobering read, filled with disturbing details, but it is essential for those interested in understanding the realities of life under totalitarian regimes and the resilience of individuals who endure and resist such oppression. This book is not just a historical account but a poignant reminder of the need to safeguard human dignity and freedom.

[Jonas Buro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brutal retelling of the horrors committed by communists in Romanian re-education prisons during the Soviet occupation. I did not want to believe that humans are capable of this type of evil.