Voices from the Holocaust: First-hand Accounts from the Frontline of History

by Jon E. Lewis

Voices from the Holocaust follows the whole history of the “Shoah,” from Hitler’s rise to power to the Nuremburg trials. But while the beginning stages of the Holocaust are discussed in detail, it is, of course, the later years of the atrocities that are focused on; the exterminations and death camps of “The Final Solution” take center stage. This intense and important collection of firsthand accounts tells the story from the perspective of the people who were there, and were witnesses—on both sides of the horror.

There have been untold numbers of works studying the Holocaust in every imaginable way, but this anthology of eyewitness testimonies to the horrors is remarkable for its depth and thoroughness. You will be able to see firsthand all the terrible acts that went on during this horrific time in our history. While some of the eyewitnesses are well-known, such as Anne Frank, Primo Levi, and Heinrich Himmler, the book also includes recollections of camp inmates, SS Totenkopf guards, and the British soldiers who liberated Belsen. This is history seen not from the objective distance of a scholar or historian, but directly by those on the front lines. Shocking, powerful, and personal, Voices from the Holocaust retells history, written by those who were there.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Holocaust, World War II, Memoir, War

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Jon E. Lewis is a historian and writer, whose books on history and military history are sold worldwide. He is also editor of many The Mammoth Book of anthologies, including the bestselling On the Edge and Endurance and Adventure.

He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in history. His work has appeared in New Statesman, the Independent, Time Out and the Guardian. He lives in Herefordshire with his partner and children.

From: Constable & Robinson

Reviews

[Avi B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very informative. It contains stories from individuals, victims and perpetrators alike.

[Amy Langley · Rating 3 out of 5]

After just finishing this book, it is hard to review a book of so many different accounts. I gave it this rating as some of the accounts are quite a hard read and difficult to understand. Also due to the fact it is many different accounts then it can be hard to get gripped as it is lots of little accounts. However at times it hit home how horrible it must of been and you find a new found respect for the people that managed to survive such a horrendous brutality on there lives.

This book would be great for a student studying the holocaust as you can get so many great quotes and understanding from individuals perspective. However I have read better books for general readers if you are just wanting an overall understanding of the holocaust.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult to rate this tbh. Very informative and I love how it had anecdotes from both sides, and included both Nazis and regular German citizens in difficult positions, as well as scenes from concentration camps. There were some lists of numbers that were so chilling, to the person who had compiled them they WERE just numbers! But overall the parts linking the anecdotes together were a bit dry and though a short book it's a bit of a slow read. I did enjoy (?? right word?!) the transcript of the Nuremberg trials in the last chapter.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative book looking at both sides of the holocaust from the victims and the perpetrators. I wasn't expecting it to have as much information ad it did. Learnt a few buts I didn't know about. Worth a read.

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a collection of first hand accounts from the Holocaust. It is well worth a read for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Holocaust or are just interested in that topic in general.

[robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

I learned that the holocaust was far worse than I could possibly imagine. The accounts of the contributers is harrowing and the inhumane attitudes of the Nazis towards fellow human beings is hard to take in.

This book should be part of the national curriculum.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book about tragic events. This book is very eye opening. A must read

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important book. It allows the reader to see so many different perspectives about so much tragedy.

[Aveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book gives a wider view of the harrowing cruelties that took place during WWII. It not only sheds light on the life and deaths of those in concentration camps but those who were killed in their thousands in many other ways. In this way it brings more of the unknown or less well known incidents into light. Even though I have read quite a few books on the Holocaust, I learnt quite a lot from this book. It is hard to believe these events are real. It also sheds light on not only the victims and survivors of the holocaust but some of those in charge and what became of them.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this book had stories from different people during the holocaust, not just survivors. In the end, the book has a section about what happened during the Nuremberg trials. It tells you about each person that was accused and their sentence. Then it tells you what happened right before their executions. I had never come across this type of information when reading holocaust books before and felt a sense of peace knowing justice (even though it was a small portion) had been served.

[Anna Maidment · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shocking but fantastic account of WW2, capturing both the pain and misery caused by war. As a reader, I cannot comprehend such hatred and violence towards another human being. We could learn so much from this book in today's world! Interesting to read of the perpetrators trials and how they reacted towards their wrong doing. In some cases, it is great to hear that some survived their ordeal and lived to tell their tale. Lest we forget!!

[Charlie Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this book was very good. Very emotional to read, but worth it. I learnt alot.

[Denny Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account of those who witnessed or survived the horrific events of the Holocaust. Some parts dragged a little, but overall a good book to read.

[Kazimiera pendrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of the best books that i have ever read on the Holocaust . It was both moving and heartbreaking . Iwould recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Holocaust.

[EC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chock full of forced confessions, make believe, and German bashing. It was free to me, I wouldn't buy it. One of the hundreds of thousands of books making money from the holocaust.