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The Janowska Road
The Janowska Road, by Leon Weliczker Wells, was originally published in 1963 and remains one of the most important accounts of Jewish life during the Holocaust. The book is the harrowing account of Wells' experiences from his sixteenth to his twentieth year in Lvov, Poland, from 1941-1945. Most of that time was spent as a prisoner in the Janowska concentration camp.
Wells would later testify that he was the only member of his family, including his parents, six siblings, cousins and uncles, numbering 76 in all, to survive the Holocaust. He survived by becoming part of the "Death Brigade" at Janowska, whose job it was to obliter-ate, with bonfires and bone-crushers, the evidence of the Third Reich's guilt: thousands upon thousands of human corpses. Following the war, Wells emigrated to the United States. Leon Wells passed away on December 19, 2009, at the age of 84.
This new edition includes an Introduction by Steve W. Chadde, maps, and photographs of Lvov and the Janowska Camp.
Wells would later testify that he was the only member of his family, including his parents, six siblings, cousins and uncles, numbering 76 in all, to survive the Holocaust. He survived by becoming part of the "Death Brigade" at Janowska, whose job it was to obliter-ate, with bonfires and bone-crushers, the evidence of the Third Reich's guilt: thousands upon thousands of human corpses. Following the war, Wells emigrated to the United States. Leon Wells passed away on December 19, 2009, at the age of 84.
This new edition includes an Introduction by Steve W. Chadde, maps, and photographs of Lvov and the Janowska Camp.
326 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 2, 2021
I have read probably 500 or more memoirs and diaries as well as non-fiction books on the Holocaust and survivors. This is probably the best or at least one of the best that I have read. It took some time to read because I had to read it in small sections as it was so emotional and so full of details. I had to stop and digest what I had read. It was totally worth the time I ended up putting into it.
The Janowska Road: also published as The Death Brigade is by Leon Weliczker Wells. Leon is a Holocaust survivor and the only one of his family to have survived. He definitely tells the truth about his experiences and does not hesitate to included needed details. The book is written in a very professional manner and yet is easy to read and understand. When he doesn’t remember something himself or can’t remember clearly, he clearly states he doesn’t remember or doesn’t know instead of pretending he does remember a statement he overheard.
Leon’s family consisted of his parents, four sisters and two brothers. His father was well-read; but had little formal education. He made sure his children had the formal education he lacked and made sure they thought about what they did. He
They moved to Lvov for his father’s career and here, Leon grew to love the freedom he had here. Later, however, things began to change. First, they were under Soviet rule and then German. They were forced to work during the day; but usually went home at night. Leon’s father was often ill. He missed several days of work; but had a doctor’s note as required. When his father was ordered down to headquarters to explain is absences, Leon went instead since his record was perfect. Instead of being given a chance to explain, Leon and the others with him were immediately sent to Janowska Camp. He was glad his father wasn’t with him.
Leon was in and out of the camp for a short while, then he was forced to stay. While in the camp, his Mother and sisters were taken in an Action. His Father ended up in a camp, leaving his two brothers alone. Gradually, all of his family disappeared from his life and were killed. Leon went through Janowska and later the Death Brigade by himself. He escaped several times; but was recaptured. For some reason, he was never identified as having escaped, he was just picked up at random. His time in the Death Brigade is horrible, yet he manages to describe it I a way it is tolerable to read about. He even managed to keep a diary while in the Death Brigade which later became a book.
The book is well written and tastefully done. It brings the horrible deeds the Nazis did to light and at the same time manages to show the good side of some of the guards who obviously didn’t want to be there. He shows the good and bad sides of Poles and Ukrainians who lived in the area. Some helped the Nazis and some helped the Jews. He doesn’t make excuses for anyone nor does he blindly hate those who did him wrong. It is definitely a book to make you do a lot of thinking.
The Janowska Road: also published as The Death Brigade is by Leon Weliczker Wells. Leon is a Holocaust survivor and the only one of his family to have survived. He definitely tells the truth about his experiences and does not hesitate to included needed details. The book is written in a very professional manner and yet is easy to read and understand. When he doesn’t remember something himself or can’t remember clearly, he clearly states he doesn’t remember or doesn’t know instead of pretending he does remember a statement he overheard.
Leon’s family consisted of his parents, four sisters and two brothers. His father was well-read; but had little formal education. He made sure his children had the formal education he lacked and made sure they thought about what they did. He
They moved to Lvov for his father’s career and here, Leon grew to love the freedom he had here. Later, however, things began to change. First, they were under Soviet rule and then German. They were forced to work during the day; but usually went home at night. Leon’s father was often ill. He missed several days of work; but had a doctor’s note as required. When his father was ordered down to headquarters to explain is absences, Leon went instead since his record was perfect. Instead of being given a chance to explain, Leon and the others with him were immediately sent to Janowska Camp. He was glad his father wasn’t with him.
Leon was in and out of the camp for a short while, then he was forced to stay. While in the camp, his Mother and sisters were taken in an Action. His Father ended up in a camp, leaving his two brothers alone. Gradually, all of his family disappeared from his life and were killed. Leon went through Janowska and later the Death Brigade by himself. He escaped several times; but was recaptured. For some reason, he was never identified as having escaped, he was just picked up at random. His time in the Death Brigade is horrible, yet he manages to describe it I a way it is tolerable to read about. He even managed to keep a diary while in the Death Brigade which later became a book.
The book is well written and tastefully done. It brings the horrible deeds the Nazis did to light and at the same time manages to show the good side of some of the guards who obviously didn’t want to be there. He shows the good and bad sides of Poles and Ukrainians who lived in the area. Some helped the Nazis and some helped the Jews. He doesn’t make excuses for anyone nor does he blindly hate those who did him wrong. It is definitely a book to make you do a lot of thinking.
May 21, 2020
Having the honor of speaking with many Holocaust survivors and having read numerous memoirs, I can say with the utmost confidence that THE JANOWSKA ROAD is by far the most harrowing narrative on the subject of the Shoah that is out there. Without any personal bias, reading this book was quite a chore to get through. The Janowska Road holds no punches when addressing the shear ugliness of the human atrocities committed by the pig Nazis. This is by no means an endorsement. Personally, I would recommend this book and I do find it to rank a high merit but seriously, this is an account of a real life nightmare that affected millions of human beings. It is traumatic and horrific and is sure to take an emotional toll on even the strongest of readers. Take that as you will.
June 24, 2023
Eine ergreifende Erzählung eines Holocaust-Überlebenden, die in grausamen Details die schrecklichen Erfahrungen eines klugen, geschickten, ausgeglichenen und nahbaren jungen Menschens schildert. Habe die deutsche Ausgabe „Ein Sohn Hiobs“ gelesen.
May 30, 2021
Even with a lot of typos this account of Nazi Germany is difficult to read. This book should be on every high school history reading list.
April 23, 2023
no exaggeration— one of the most important accounts ever published. evocative and raw and truly heartbreaking to read
July 31, 2019
Because of the nature of the story, I would normally stay away from a book like this one. However, I was compelled to start it anyway. From page one, I was riveted. Thank goodness the author stayed away from describing the deaths of children because I couldn't handle that; although, he did mention one mother and baby. Instead, this author described what he saw in the mass graves. The Nazis needed to excavate all the mass graves they knew existed because they didn't want outsiders to see what they had done--they were "covering up" their sins. So the Death Brigade was formed from the inmates at the concentration camp and this author was one of them. Their job was very gruesome, but this group had a system (designed by the Nazis) and eventually they could burn 2,000 victims in under an hour.
November 5, 2017
Amazing personal account
A well written personal account of Mr. Wells experiences during and after the war. His journey and his survival after such loss and hardship is amazing. One of the best personal account I have read.
A well written personal account of Mr. Wells experiences during and after the war. His journey and his survival after such loss and hardship is amazing. One of the best personal account I have read.
June 20, 2016
This is a sad story and not the most interesting book I have read. It is however very important that this story be told. The horrors of the holocaust must not be forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews