I CAN LIVE NO LONGER: The story of an indomitable man, the only volunteer to Auschwitz

by Jeremy Kowalski

He evaded death so many times it seemed it would never take him. The only man in history to go to Auschwitz as a volunteer, to form a resistance movement and document German atrocities. One of the few who succeeded in escaping. He sent drawings from there to his children and wrote letters to his wife, delivering them via the underground conspiracy along with reports. The British historian Michael Foot included him among the six most courageous people of the Second World War. After the war ended, he was treated like a criminal in his homeland now enslaved by the Soviets. He could have saved himself and left the country, but he said, “Not everyone can leave, someone has to stay.” He died at the hands of his Stalinist torturers, shot in the back of the head. At his last meeting with his wife, when he was barely alive, he declared that Auschwitz was nothing compared to the torture in the Stalinist prison, and that he no longer had the strength to live. For a long time his children could not admit to being Pileckis, for fear of punishment, but the communists’ curse haunted them throughout their lives. They only found out where their father was buried 64 years later, when they themselves were approaching the end of their lives.

Genres: History

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 24, 2013

Reviews

[Charles Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYONE should Know His Name

I first came across this incredible story of Captain Pilecki by way of a Sabaton (Excellent Swedish rock band) song called Prisoner #4859 and wanted to know who was, in fact, behind that number. When I found out who he was the amateur World War II researcher/historian in me started doing what I do best: Research! This incredible man and what he volunteered for and what he did is one of, if not the most remarkable heroics that men and women accomplished during that brutal time from the 40’s when man was doing it utmost best to prove that Humans have yet earned the right to exist. This is a DEFINITE MUST READ for anyone interested in learning about World War II and the Holocaust. I have also read and studied Witold’s report and have read the book “The Auschwitz Volunteer: Beyond Bravery, Captain Witold Pilecki (Auschwitz Prisoner No. 4859)

Thank You to the great band Sabaton for first singing about Captain Pilecki which made me aware of this great and inspiring human being who was murdered by a brutal Communist Regime which was a puppet to Stalin and Russia.

[Lea Manning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such an extraordinary hero! This book gives a brief outline of the facts. I would prefer a more in-depth version of his life.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I CAN NO LONGER LIVE: The story of an indomitable man, the only volunteer to Auschwitz is by Jeremy Kowalski. This is the unbelievable story of Witold Pilecki who in addition to many other heroic deeds, actually entered Auschwitz to see what was happening and to report back to those who could help. It is an amazing story and it told without holding back any of the gruesome details. However horrific it is, the book is so compelling, you have to continue reading it. The book is not told chronologically at first. It actually begins at the end of his life, travels back in time to his childhood and marriage then back to the end of his life.
According to his son, Andrzy Pilecki, “Father was always thinking of others, never about himself. He didn’t look at whether the people were left- or right-wing, Poles, Jews, or Gipsies (sic)… All that mattered was that they needed help. That was his crede in life.” (Andrzy Pilecki, Kindle location 647). His need to help led him to enter the Hell of Auschwitz and endure its harshness in order to tell the world exactly what was going on.
The book is compelling but I can not call it good. It is well worth the time it takes to read it.