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Vânătorul de naziști
Vânătorul de naziști este povestea uimitoare a curajului și rezilienței unui supraviețuitor care a transformat suferința de nedescris în putere și a devenit din victimă vânător.
La doar 16 ani, Josef Lewkowicz a devenit un număr, prizonierul 85314, în lagărul de concentrare Krakow-Plaszow. Forțat permanent să muncească până la epuizare în condiții inumane și să trăiască sub amenințarea constantă a violenței extreme și a morții, Josef a fost martorul ororilor din șase dintre cele mai cunoscute lagăre de concentrare naziste, inclusiv Auschwitz, Mauthausen și Ebensee. Dar a supraviețuit. Singurul dintr-o familie extinsă de 150 de persoane.
Pentru a se asigura că astfel de crime nu se vor mai repeta niciodată, Josef s-a alăturat poliției evreiești, iar apoi a fost recrutat ca ofițer de informații pentru Armata SUA, care i-a oferit o echipă pentru a căuta naziști ascunși.
Astfel, Josef a jucat un rol crucial în identificarea și aducerea în fața justiției a celui mai crud torționar al său, Măcelarul din Plaszow, Amon Goeth. El era comandantul lagărului, iar crimele și brutalitatea sa au devenit cunoscute lumii întregi datorită filmului Lista lui Schindler.
Însă nu aceasta a fost răzbunarea lui Josef Lewkowicz. Adevărata sa răzbunare a fost însăși viața care a mers mai departe, de la o generație la alta, prin familia sa, copiii și nepoții care s-au născut şi trăiesc deplin, sfidând astfel dorința naziștilor de a-i extermina.
La doar 16 ani, Josef Lewkowicz a devenit un număr, prizonierul 85314, în lagărul de concentrare Krakow-Plaszow. Forțat permanent să muncească până la epuizare în condiții inumane și să trăiască sub amenințarea constantă a violenței extreme și a morții, Josef a fost martorul ororilor din șase dintre cele mai cunoscute lagăre de concentrare naziste, inclusiv Auschwitz, Mauthausen și Ebensee. Dar a supraviețuit. Singurul dintr-o familie extinsă de 150 de persoane.
Pentru a se asigura că astfel de crime nu se vor mai repeta niciodată, Josef s-a alăturat poliției evreiești, iar apoi a fost recrutat ca ofițer de informații pentru Armata SUA, care i-a oferit o echipă pentru a căuta naziști ascunși.
Astfel, Josef a jucat un rol crucial în identificarea și aducerea în fața justiției a celui mai crud torționar al său, Măcelarul din Plaszow, Amon Goeth. El era comandantul lagărului, iar crimele și brutalitatea sa au devenit cunoscute lumii întregi datorită filmului Lista lui Schindler.
Însă nu aceasta a fost răzbunarea lui Josef Lewkowicz. Adevărata sa răzbunare a fost însăși viața care a mers mai departe, de la o generație la alta, prin familia sa, copiii și nepoții care s-au născut şi trăiesc deplin, sfidând astfel dorința naziștilor de a-i extermina.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2023
396 people are currently reading
2790 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
April 25, 2023
4-1/2 /5*
It is curious to me that there are only 2 reviews of this book. I found a number of ‘ratings’ and 1 one-line review on Amazon.com and 1 one-line review on Amazon.ca. None on GR.
This is not historical fiction, this is a firsthand account of one man who, by the grace of God, survived the horrors of not one but six Nazi camps. Josef attributes his survival to ‘miracles’ and I suspect he must be right.
Josef recounts the horrors he endured through six different camps until the last camp he was in (Ebensee) was liberated in May 1945. His story is gory and disgusting and hard to read but I feel an obligation to do so in deference to the man who lived through these tortures. If he could endure these abominations who am I if I can’t read his words?
If you know anything about Nazis concentration camps these are the names you will likely recognize:
Dachau
Auschwitz / Birkenau
Buchenwald
Ravensbrück
Polish youth Josef Lewkowicz was separated from his entire family at the beginning of the Holocaust and was shuffled from camp to camp under the most horrific circumstances.
Having read numerous books by Holocaust survivors this one feels different for reasons I can’t explain. Josef has introduced me to camps and sub-camps I had never heard of and names I never knew before.
In lesser known camps such as Krakow-Plaszow Mauthausen- Ebensee and Melk he encountered monsters like Julius Ludolf and Amon Goeth (Goeth was portrayed in “Schindler’s List” by Ralph Finnes).
After all he had endured having been liberated from Ebensee by the US Army Josef made it his business to assist the US to locate a number of the SS murderers and in particular the monster Amon Goeth. Josef gave testimony at Goeth’s trial.
Josef’s entire family had been murdered so there was no family with which to reunite. Therefore he chose to move on to his next calling to locate the many dislocated Jewish/Polish children and reunite them with their rightful families.
Many of these camps allow visitors where you can see for yourself and feel the spectre of the murder victims around you.
If you are planning a summer vacation you can visit one of them. I dare you.
Josef leaves us with these words of wisdom: “Education is very, very important, because evil is on the rise.” (Pg. 256)
I have given 4-1/2-stars only because the book has no pictures and I had to spend considerable time on Google looking up places and people. Never mind, it was worth my time.
It is curious to me that there are only 2 reviews of this book. I found a number of ‘ratings’ and 1 one-line review on Amazon.com and 1 one-line review on Amazon.ca. None on GR.
This is not historical fiction, this is a firsthand account of one man who, by the grace of God, survived the horrors of not one but six Nazi camps. Josef attributes his survival to ‘miracles’ and I suspect he must be right.
Josef recounts the horrors he endured through six different camps until the last camp he was in (Ebensee) was liberated in May 1945. His story is gory and disgusting and hard to read but I feel an obligation to do so in deference to the man who lived through these tortures. If he could endure these abominations who am I if I can’t read his words?
If you know anything about Nazis concentration camps these are the names you will likely recognize:
Dachau
Auschwitz / Birkenau
Buchenwald
Ravensbrück
Polish youth Josef Lewkowicz was separated from his entire family at the beginning of the Holocaust and was shuffled from camp to camp under the most horrific circumstances.
Having read numerous books by Holocaust survivors this one feels different for reasons I can’t explain. Josef has introduced me to camps and sub-camps I had never heard of and names I never knew before.
In lesser known camps such as Krakow-Plaszow Mauthausen- Ebensee and Melk he encountered monsters like Julius Ludolf and Amon Goeth (Goeth was portrayed in “Schindler’s List” by Ralph Finnes).
After all he had endured having been liberated from Ebensee by the US Army Josef made it his business to assist the US to locate a number of the SS murderers and in particular the monster Amon Goeth. Josef gave testimony at Goeth’s trial.
Josef’s entire family had been murdered so there was no family with which to reunite. Therefore he chose to move on to his next calling to locate the many dislocated Jewish/Polish children and reunite them with their rightful families.
Many of these camps allow visitors where you can see for yourself and feel the spectre of the murder victims around you.
If you are planning a summer vacation you can visit one of them. I dare you.
Josef leaves us with these words of wisdom: “Education is very, very important, because evil is on the rise.” (Pg. 256)
I have given 4-1/2-stars only because the book has no pictures and I had to spend considerable time on Google looking up places and people. Never mind, it was worth my time.
October 22, 2023
A book of the most harrowing descriptions of the most evil men on earth and the experiences of Josef during the holocaust. Yet this account demonstrates how the human spirit is unbreakable. Deeply humbling. The highest respect.
March 2, 2025
If you think you know what happened to the Jewish people-you don’t but you will once you read Josef’s story.
Very emotional read but it needs to be read!
May their memories be eternal and a blessing to all who knew them.
Am Yisrael Chai
Very emotional read but it needs to be read!
May their memories be eternal and a blessing to all who knew them.
Am Yisrael Chai
January 27, 2026
I picked this one up with full intention of only reading twenty pages. Well, that didn’t happen. The first two thirds are Josef’s horrid and compelling experiences of life in six different camps. It was an interesting and compelling read and then I reached the last 60 pages where he is reflecting on life and the philosophy of “what is the meaning of life”. I don’t think I have ever read a better and more compelling explanation for our existence than this one, and I have studied Philosophy! It profoundly moved my soul, and I know I’m going to be thinking of his eloquent beliefs for some time to come.
May 23, 2025
Mr. Lewkowicz was a survivor of the horrors committed by SS kommandant Amon Goeth at the concentration camp at Plaszow.
Amon Goeth was portrayed by actor Ralph Fiennes in Steven Spielberg's 'Schindler's List.'
But according to Mr. Lewkowicz's personal account, Amon Goeth was far, far more sadistic that that portrayed in the movie.
Josef Lewkowicz persistently pursued Goeth after the war in order to bring him to justice.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the Nazi extermination of the Jews during The Holocaust.
Amon Goeth was portrayed by actor Ralph Fiennes in Steven Spielberg's 'Schindler's List.'
But according to Mr. Lewkowicz's personal account, Amon Goeth was far, far more sadistic that that portrayed in the movie.
Josef Lewkowicz persistently pursued Goeth after the war in order to bring him to justice.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the Nazi extermination of the Jews during The Holocaust.
March 16, 2024
Me gusta leer novelas sobre el Holocausto, me gusta poner una pequeña dosis de realidad sobre lo que pasó en aquella época. Pero esta novela es de las más duras que he leído.
Lo primero que cometí un error cuando decidí leerla, ya que pensaba que era una novela histórica novelada, no un libro de memorias, estos siempre me cuestan más leerlos, pero ya ni os cuento, tratándose de este tema.
En esta novela Josef Lewkowicz nos narra su vida desde su infancia hasta sus 96 años, con la ayuda de Michael Calvin, en esta novela nos narran los momentos más representativos de la vida de Josef, como él y su familia fueron enviados a los campos de concentración, cómo fueron separados él y su padre de su madre y sus hermanos.
Josef pasó por 6 campos de concentración, entre los más conocidos; Auschwitz, Mauthausen, y Plaszow, en este último se topó con Amon Goth, conocido como "el carnicero de Plaszow", éste personaje sale en la película "La lista de Schlinder" y fué magníficamente interpretado por Ralph Fiennes.
Cuando fue liberado de los campos, Josef colaboró con los americanos en la captura de nazis que habían cometido crímenes contra la Humanidad, Lewkowicz fue esencial en la captura de Amon Goth y su declaró en el juicio en su contra.
Hasta aquí la novela me estaba gustando mucho, a pesar de los problemas con su lectura por ser un libro de memorias, a partir el libro se me ha hecho más pesado en su lectura e incluso aburrido, de hecho me he alegrado de terminarlo al fin.
Después de su liberación, y el apresamiento de Amon Goth, Josef nos narra que hizó con su vida, la gente que conoció y la vida y milagros de todas esas personas, además de sus reflexiones sobre la vida, que en su opinión sin fé y sin ayudar al prójimo no se es nadie en la vida.
Toda esta parte tras la liberación, más o menos a partir de la página 200 y pico, a mi me ha sobrado, realmente no he visto el interés de ponerlo en un libro que trata sobre todo del Holocausto.
Lo primero que cometí un error cuando decidí leerla, ya que pensaba que era una novela histórica novelada, no un libro de memorias, estos siempre me cuestan más leerlos, pero ya ni os cuento, tratándose de este tema.
En esta novela Josef Lewkowicz nos narra su vida desde su infancia hasta sus 96 años, con la ayuda de Michael Calvin, en esta novela nos narran los momentos más representativos de la vida de Josef, como él y su familia fueron enviados a los campos de concentración, cómo fueron separados él y su padre de su madre y sus hermanos.
Josef pasó por 6 campos de concentración, entre los más conocidos; Auschwitz, Mauthausen, y Plaszow, en este último se topó con Amon Goth, conocido como "el carnicero de Plaszow", éste personaje sale en la película "La lista de Schlinder" y fué magníficamente interpretado por Ralph Fiennes.
Cuando fue liberado de los campos, Josef colaboró con los americanos en la captura de nazis que habían cometido crímenes contra la Humanidad, Lewkowicz fue esencial en la captura de Amon Goth y su declaró en el juicio en su contra.
Hasta aquí la novela me estaba gustando mucho, a pesar de los problemas con su lectura por ser un libro de memorias, a partir el libro se me ha hecho más pesado en su lectura e incluso aburrido, de hecho me he alegrado de terminarlo al fin.
Después de su liberación, y el apresamiento de Amon Goth, Josef nos narra que hizó con su vida, la gente que conoció y la vida y milagros de todas esas personas, además de sus reflexiones sobre la vida, que en su opinión sin fé y sin ayudar al prójimo no se es nadie en la vida.
Toda esta parte tras la liberación, más o menos a partir de la página 200 y pico, a mi me ha sobrado, realmente no he visto el interés de ponerlo en un libro que trata sobre todo del Holocausto.
September 28, 2024
Absolutely captivated by this incredible story! It's a profound journey that's not just well-written but deeply thought-provoking. Sitting here, I find myself questioning my perspective on life, realizing the importance of kindness, valuing relationships over materials, and cherishing every moment with loved ones. Highly recommend for a soul-stirring experience!
August 27, 2023
In addition to the horrifying account of his experiences in 6 concentration camps, the second half of the narrative, relating the rebuilding of his life after losing his complete extended family of 150 is just as relevant.
“When you listen to a witness, you become a witness.”
E. Wiesel
“When you listen to a witness, you become a witness.”
E. Wiesel
January 24, 2024
“ I always tell people to choose life, choose goodness.”
I don’t feel as though I have any right to give this book anything less than 5 shining stars.
I read some of the other reviews so I know others have criticized the writing style but I had no problem with it.
It’s one of those memoirs that you read and you feel as though you got to know the person throughout the entirety of the book. Josef Lewkowicz is remarkable, first and foremost, for making it through the Holocaust alive.
Through different twists and turns, we get to know him better, post-liberation.
He identifies as just a regular “joe” but his life has been and is still fascinating.
I cried in a few spots in this book as I felt true heartache and emotion.
By wading through the heart-wrenching subject matter, we are exposed to Josef’s bright life-force and enlightened nuances about faith and family.
I loved this book and felt honoured that Mr. Lewkowicz shared his story so honestly, pain and all.
“L’Chaim.”
I don’t feel as though I have any right to give this book anything less than 5 shining stars.
I read some of the other reviews so I know others have criticized the writing style but I had no problem with it.
It’s one of those memoirs that you read and you feel as though you got to know the person throughout the entirety of the book. Josef Lewkowicz is remarkable, first and foremost, for making it through the Holocaust alive.
Through different twists and turns, we get to know him better, post-liberation.
He identifies as just a regular “joe” but his life has been and is still fascinating.
I cried in a few spots in this book as I felt true heartache and emotion.
By wading through the heart-wrenching subject matter, we are exposed to Josef’s bright life-force and enlightened nuances about faith and family.
I loved this book and felt honoured that Mr. Lewkowicz shared his story so honestly, pain and all.
“L’Chaim.”
February 7, 2025
An interesting biography but not as advertised. The first half covers Josef's childhood and time in various Nazi camps. His actual Nazi-hunting proved a short tale that lasted but a chapter, much to my disappointment. The rest relates his post-WWII life living in multiple countries, dealing in diamonds and platinum and meeting his wife and starting a family. I found the timelines unclear and there were many places where I was confused; I suspect a better co-author could have made this much more readable.
March 23, 2025
"We must use the past to learn how to react and behave in the future."
A harrowing story that ends with a twine of hope.
America, it's time to grip that twine and react and behave in a way that our democracy is at stake and we are close to authoritarian rule with a leader who almost daily does something unconstitutional.
Wake up. Take the rope and let's pull our country back from this terrifying movement.
A harrowing story that ends with a twine of hope.
America, it's time to grip that twine and react and behave in a way that our democracy is at stake and we are close to authoritarian rule with a leader who almost daily does something unconstitutional.
Wake up. Take the rope and let's pull our country back from this terrifying movement.
May 2, 2025
''People expect me to be angry at what was taken from us, and them, but anger is like a rocking chair. You keep moving, but it doesn't take you anywhere. Our job is not to exact revenge, but to repair our communities.''
This book was not an easy read, despite how quickly I read this. It is something that is heartbreaking on so many levels and something I hope more people read. It is something I think my family would appreciate. It's a thoughtful book and one I'll be sure to recommend to all the WW2 Buffs that want something new/different.
This book was not an easy read, despite how quickly I read this. It is something that is heartbreaking on so many levels and something I hope more people read. It is something I think my family would appreciate. It's a thoughtful book and one I'll be sure to recommend to all the WW2 Buffs that want something new/different.
Read
June 9, 2025Hope lives when people remember.
March 12, 2024
<< Que mis ayeres enriquezcan sus mañanas >>.
Josef Lewkowicz paso la mayor parte de su infancia y adolescencia entre 6 campos de concentración. Logró sobrevivir y después de ello se dedicó a dar caza a sus verdugos. Una historia de supervivencia inspiradora, donde se aprecia la brutalidad nazi en todo su esplendor.
A pesar de todos los devaneos de su vida Josef es una persona con una resiliencia increíble, del cuál muchos deberíamos de tomar ejemplo. Gracias a su fe fue capaz de aguantar tanto sufrimiento y de formar una familia maravillosa.
Me ha llegado al corazoncito. Esta como tantas otras historias del holocausto es necesario conocerlas, para conocer la maldad del ser humano y no volver a repetir los mismos errores.
Si te gustan la temática de la II Guerra Mundial, súper recomendado 👌🏻.
Josef Lewkowicz paso la mayor parte de su infancia y adolescencia entre 6 campos de concentración. Logró sobrevivir y después de ello se dedicó a dar caza a sus verdugos. Una historia de supervivencia inspiradora, donde se aprecia la brutalidad nazi en todo su esplendor.
A pesar de todos los devaneos de su vida Josef es una persona con una resiliencia increíble, del cuál muchos deberíamos de tomar ejemplo. Gracias a su fe fue capaz de aguantar tanto sufrimiento y de formar una familia maravillosa.
Me ha llegado al corazoncito. Esta como tantas otras historias del holocausto es necesario conocerlas, para conocer la maldad del ser humano y no volver a repetir los mismos errores.
Si te gustan la temática de la II Guerra Mundial, súper recomendado 👌🏻.
April 22, 2024
Josef's story of surviving six concentration camps and going on to have a large family and many loving friends (his revenge against the Nazis) is gut-wrenching, distressing and nothing short of incredible. For decades he wanted to forget and chose not to speak about his experience but was finally convinced to tell his story, to teach and educate others of the evil and cruelty of history so that it will not be repeated.
I grew up in a poor household where we struggled to put food on the table but still had a roof over our heads. To say that I understand the hardships people went through in the concentration camps after hearing Josef's story of survival would be wrong, when in fact, I can't even imagine the unflinching fortitude needed to endure against monsters.
"Our stomachs are not made of glass, so you cannot see whether they are empty, but the eys of the famished reveal all."
I grew up in a poor household where we struggled to put food on the table but still had a roof over our heads. To say that I understand the hardships people went through in the concentration camps after hearing Josef's story of survival would be wrong, when in fact, I can't even imagine the unflinching fortitude needed to endure against monsters.
"Our stomachs are not made of glass, so you cannot see whether they are empty, but the eys of the famished reveal all."
January 28, 2025
Pot împărți această carte în 3 părți.
Partea introductivă a fost destul de plictisitoare și am vrut să dau DNF cărții deoarece s-a întins pe aproape 100 de pagini.
A doua parte a fost cea mai interesantă și cea mai tulburătoare, în care autorul povestește ororile din lagăre. Dintre toate cărțile despre Holocaust pe care le-am citit, cred că aceasta m-a marcat cel mai mult.
A treia parte povestește despre viața autorului după război. Nu se concentrează neapărat pe vânarea naziștilor, ci pe cum a decurs viața lui în general, până în ziua de azi. Unori puțin plictisitoare, alteori emoționantă, această ultimă treime a cărții m-a făcut să prind drag de acest om care a supraviețuit în mod miraculos celor întâmplate.
Partea introductivă a fost destul de plictisitoare și am vrut să dau DNF cărții deoarece s-a întins pe aproape 100 de pagini.
A doua parte a fost cea mai interesantă și cea mai tulburătoare, în care autorul povestește ororile din lagăre. Dintre toate cărțile despre Holocaust pe care le-am citit, cred că aceasta m-a marcat cel mai mult.
A treia parte povestește despre viața autorului după război. Nu se concentrează neapărat pe vânarea naziștilor, ci pe cum a decurs viața lui în general, până în ziua de azi. Unori puțin plictisitoare, alteori emoționantă, această ultimă treime a cărții m-a făcut să prind drag de acest om care a supraviețuit în mod miraculos celor întâmplate.
May 19, 2023
An incredible important book, this is parts harrowing and soulful and discusses a not-so-distant past that we are in constant danger of repeating should we refuse to hear these stories.
April 24, 2024
"I was interested in people, rather than possessions, however precious. Family was everything to me. It was beyond value."
"One of the lessons of my business life is to offer practical solutions to a customer's problem."
"We were also dependent on one of the most basic human emotions, jealously."
"It all went to prove that under a communist regime some people are more equal than others."
"I had to confront a new truth: to do good, I had to rely on bad people."
"I confess that, immediately after my liberation, I was so disgusted with the human race I wanted to run and hide."
"The British had placed a 'dead or alive' bounty of £10,000 on his head during the revolt, but as so often in history, one man's terrorist was another man's freedom fighter."
"As on many occasions, I relied on a combination of charm and cunning to get what I wanted."
"I regret my reaction to this day. I was hot-headed, proud, and walked out of their home without a backward glance. It was an incredibly stupid thing to do. I was only twenty-one and had no one to guide me, to tell me how to behave. I ignored everything I thought I held dear."
"There is no point in dwelling on such missed opportunities. It was just not meant to be. God, in his wisdom, gave me what he decided I should have, and not a cent more. He can give and He can take away. I accept that, without hesitation."
"This risked not only his job, but the lives of his family. As he explained to me, he had no real choice. Far better to disobey the orders of his political superiors than to disobey the law of God and humanity."
"His example is inspiring since it teaches us that what we do today influences tomorrow."
"It was a politically correct answer that disguised the truth, or at least blurred the boundaries."
"What did we, the Jewish people, do that the world still hates us?"
"I have witnessed with my own eyes the work of truly terrible people, but I still believe in human beings. I have trusted many people in my life. I still do. When they talk to me, I listen. When they tell me something, I believe. I have been disappointed many times, though, because I cannot look into their hearts and know whether they are telling the truth."
"Charity is society's medicine. I was brought up to believe that if you save one person, you save the world."
"She left a hole in my heart that has yet to heal."
"It is especially difficult to come to terms with fundamental matters of faith as a young man, when your view of the world is not yet fully formed, and the example set by those closest to you is so lacking in wisdom and certainty."
"The only consolation is that even the most righteous among us is not good, all the time. We all have human faults and failings, but we have the opportunity to help others. I firmly believe we take the good deeds we did in this world on to the next. If you have a positive spirit and a charitable nature you have a better account in the world to come."
"There's a folk tale about successful businessman, who gathered his children around him when he realized he was dying. He left them his factories, his house and other buildings, but didn't give them his gold coin collection, worth millions, because he wanted to take it into the afterlife. He goes to Hell and is burning, suffering and sweating. Suddenly he sees a kiosk where someone is selling soda water. He rushes towards it, carrying his precious collection. 'Give me water,' he pants, taking out a gold coin as payment. 'What is that?' says the Angel, through the serving hatch. ;You don't know?' the man exclaims. 'That coin is worth a million dollars.' The Angel tell him, 'That currency doesn't work here.' The man is scared. 'Well, what does work?' he asks. 'The dimes and quarters you gave to the poor people,' the Angel replies. 'That is the money you can spend here. You did not give in the other world, so you cannot receive here.' My advice? Be as friendly as possible to as many people as possible."
"At the risk of repeating myself, families are priceless. They have a richness and depth which can bring great joy, and great sorrow."
"Who is a wise man? The person with the ability to see the outcome of any effort."
"He realized we live in this world not for ourselves, but for others."
"How did Hitler, a nobody, managed to poison educated minds in one of the most cultured nations on Earth? He wasn't a parliamentarian, a senator or a governor. He hadn't even been a village mayor. Yet this lonely bachelor, a painter who was an anonymous lance corporal in the First World War, became as Angel of Death who destroyed European Jewry and started a conflict that claimed 55 million lives."
"If you have no belief system, what do you cling to? A lamp post? A new car? An expensive watch?"
"People expect me to be angry at what was taken from us, and them, but anger is like a rocking chair. You keep moving, but it doesn't take you anywhere."
"It seems that some youths are simply bored with life. There is an emptiness to their existence. It is fashionable to believe in no one and nothing. The inner being is therebly never nourished."
"Talk is cheap, unless, of course, you are speaking to or through a lawyer, but a lot depends on your audience."
"One of the lessons of my business life is to offer practical solutions to a customer's problem."
"We were also dependent on one of the most basic human emotions, jealously."
"It all went to prove that under a communist regime some people are more equal than others."
"I had to confront a new truth: to do good, I had to rely on bad people."
"I confess that, immediately after my liberation, I was so disgusted with the human race I wanted to run and hide."
"The British had placed a 'dead or alive' bounty of £10,000 on his head during the revolt, but as so often in history, one man's terrorist was another man's freedom fighter."
"As on many occasions, I relied on a combination of charm and cunning to get what I wanted."
"I regret my reaction to this day. I was hot-headed, proud, and walked out of their home without a backward glance. It was an incredibly stupid thing to do. I was only twenty-one and had no one to guide me, to tell me how to behave. I ignored everything I thought I held dear."
"There is no point in dwelling on such missed opportunities. It was just not meant to be. God, in his wisdom, gave me what he decided I should have, and not a cent more. He can give and He can take away. I accept that, without hesitation."
"This risked not only his job, but the lives of his family. As he explained to me, he had no real choice. Far better to disobey the orders of his political superiors than to disobey the law of God and humanity."
"His example is inspiring since it teaches us that what we do today influences tomorrow."
"It was a politically correct answer that disguised the truth, or at least blurred the boundaries."
"What did we, the Jewish people, do that the world still hates us?"
"I have witnessed with my own eyes the work of truly terrible people, but I still believe in human beings. I have trusted many people in my life. I still do. When they talk to me, I listen. When they tell me something, I believe. I have been disappointed many times, though, because I cannot look into their hearts and know whether they are telling the truth."
"Charity is society's medicine. I was brought up to believe that if you save one person, you save the world."
"She left a hole in my heart that has yet to heal."
"It is especially difficult to come to terms with fundamental matters of faith as a young man, when your view of the world is not yet fully formed, and the example set by those closest to you is so lacking in wisdom and certainty."
"The only consolation is that even the most righteous among us is not good, all the time. We all have human faults and failings, but we have the opportunity to help others. I firmly believe we take the good deeds we did in this world on to the next. If you have a positive spirit and a charitable nature you have a better account in the world to come."
"There's a folk tale about successful businessman, who gathered his children around him when he realized he was dying. He left them his factories, his house and other buildings, but didn't give them his gold coin collection, worth millions, because he wanted to take it into the afterlife. He goes to Hell and is burning, suffering and sweating. Suddenly he sees a kiosk where someone is selling soda water. He rushes towards it, carrying his precious collection. 'Give me water,' he pants, taking out a gold coin as payment. 'What is that?' says the Angel, through the serving hatch. ;You don't know?' the man exclaims. 'That coin is worth a million dollars.' The Angel tell him, 'That currency doesn't work here.' The man is scared. 'Well, what does work?' he asks. 'The dimes and quarters you gave to the poor people,' the Angel replies. 'That is the money you can spend here. You did not give in the other world, so you cannot receive here.' My advice? Be as friendly as possible to as many people as possible."
"At the risk of repeating myself, families are priceless. They have a richness and depth which can bring great joy, and great sorrow."
"Who is a wise man? The person with the ability to see the outcome of any effort."
"He realized we live in this world not for ourselves, but for others."
"How did Hitler, a nobody, managed to poison educated minds in one of the most cultured nations on Earth? He wasn't a parliamentarian, a senator or a governor. He hadn't even been a village mayor. Yet this lonely bachelor, a painter who was an anonymous lance corporal in the First World War, became as Angel of Death who destroyed European Jewry and started a conflict that claimed 55 million lives."
"If you have no belief system, what do you cling to? A lamp post? A new car? An expensive watch?"
"People expect me to be angry at what was taken from us, and them, but anger is like a rocking chair. You keep moving, but it doesn't take you anywhere."
"It seems that some youths are simply bored with life. There is an emptiness to their existence. It is fashionable to believe in no one and nothing. The inner being is therebly never nourished."
"Talk is cheap, unless, of course, you are speaking to or through a lawyer, but a lot depends on your audience."
March 28, 2024
Mumu' - per RFS
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Carissime fenici, è stato molto difficile per me scrivere questa recensione.
Sin dall’adolescenza ho letto veramente tanti libri sull’Olocausto, ne comincio almeno uno l’anno per la Giornata della Memoria perché lo trovo un gesto di assoluto rispetto e considerazione per la pagina più oscura nella Storia dell’Umanità.
Ogni libro si è concentrato su un aspetto particolare, ad esempio “Il pianista”, libro autobiografico del pianista ebreo polacco Władysław Szpilman, ci ha mostrato come la vita per la comunità ebraica fosse assolutamente proibitiva anche al di fuori dei campi di concentramento o, ancora, “Gli architetti di Auschwitz” di Karen Bartlett che narra con crudo tecnicismo come si è arrivati a progettare le camere a gas, vere e proprie macchine di sterminio di massa; non dimentichiamo, infine, i celeberrimi “Se questo è un uomo” di Primo Levi e “Diario” di Anna Frank.
Il sopravvissuto di Auschwitz è un libro autobiografico di Josef Lewkowicz che, con spietato realismo, ci catapulta nella sua vita a partire dalla sua adolescenza quando, già dall’emanazione delle prime leggi naziste, la stretta sugli ebrei divenne sempre più ardua. Vennero privati della possibilità di lavorare, dovettero cedere le loro attività lavorative a tedeschi e polacchi che non persero tempo ad approfittare della situazione e arricchirsi sulle loro spalle, spogliati brutalmente dei propri averi.
Ma è quando pensavano che la vita era diventata sempre più proibitiva che la stretta del nazismo comincia a diventare sempre più implacabile: si dà, infatti, il via a una vera e propria caccia all’uomo. Questa povera gente è sempre più terrorizzata e confusa, non si rende subito conto di quanto grave sia la situazione perché sono poche le informazioni che circolano, e le testimonianze che vengono sussurrate di orecchio in orecchio, sono talmente crudeli e spietate che difficilmente vengono date per vere.
L’unica cosa certa è che nessuno è al sicuro, ogni giorno è una lotta alla sopravvivenza.
Josef sarà testimone in prima persona della crudele spietatezza dei nazisti, vivrà l’orrore dell’Olocausto sulla propria pelle, perderà ogni forma di umanità e di dignità, ma mai la fede in Dio.
Credo sia stata questa la parte che più mi ha colpito, l’incrollabile fede di Josef, che ha sempre cercato in Dio la forza per andare avanti e sopravvivere all’inferno su questa terra.
E ce la fa.
Riesce a rimanere vivo sino alla fine della guerra e alla liberazione degli ebrei dai campi di concentramento e decide di consacrare il resto della propria vita a mantenere sempre acceso il ricordo dell’orrore nelle nuove generazioni.
Ma non si limita a questo, infatti, decide di unirsi agli americani alla caccia ai nazisti per consegnarli alla giustizia e ci riesce solo in parte purtroppo. Molti si sono dati alla fuga, soprattutto nei Paesi sudamericani, altri non sono stati mai identificati e i restanti hanno ricevuto una pena troppo lieve rispetto ai crimini commessi.
Il racconto è assolutamente da leggere, dovrebbe addirittura essere adottato in ogni scuola e inserito tra i libri di testo obbligatori a partire dall’ultimo anno di scuola media inferiore, affinché anche le generazioni future non perdano mai memoria di quanto possa essere infinità la crudeltà dell’uomo.
.
Carissime fenici, è stato molto difficile per me scrivere questa recensione.
Sin dall’adolescenza ho letto veramente tanti libri sull’Olocausto, ne comincio almeno uno l’anno per la Giornata della Memoria perché lo trovo un gesto di assoluto rispetto e considerazione per la pagina più oscura nella Storia dell’Umanità.
Ogni libro si è concentrato su un aspetto particolare, ad esempio “Il pianista”, libro autobiografico del pianista ebreo polacco Władysław Szpilman, ci ha mostrato come la vita per la comunità ebraica fosse assolutamente proibitiva anche al di fuori dei campi di concentramento o, ancora, “Gli architetti di Auschwitz” di Karen Bartlett che narra con crudo tecnicismo come si è arrivati a progettare le camere a gas, vere e proprie macchine di sterminio di massa; non dimentichiamo, infine, i celeberrimi “Se questo è un uomo” di Primo Levi e “Diario” di Anna Frank.
Il sopravvissuto di Auschwitz è un libro autobiografico di Josef Lewkowicz che, con spietato realismo, ci catapulta nella sua vita a partire dalla sua adolescenza quando, già dall’emanazione delle prime leggi naziste, la stretta sugli ebrei divenne sempre più ardua. Vennero privati della possibilità di lavorare, dovettero cedere le loro attività lavorative a tedeschi e polacchi che non persero tempo ad approfittare della situazione e arricchirsi sulle loro spalle, spogliati brutalmente dei propri averi.
Ma è quando pensavano che la vita era diventata sempre più proibitiva che la stretta del nazismo comincia a diventare sempre più implacabile: si dà, infatti, il via a una vera e propria caccia all’uomo. Questa povera gente è sempre più terrorizzata e confusa, non si rende subito conto di quanto grave sia la situazione perché sono poche le informazioni che circolano, e le testimonianze che vengono sussurrate di orecchio in orecchio, sono talmente crudeli e spietate che difficilmente vengono date per vere.
L’unica cosa certa è che nessuno è al sicuro, ogni giorno è una lotta alla sopravvivenza.
Josef sarà testimone in prima persona della crudele spietatezza dei nazisti, vivrà l’orrore dell’Olocausto sulla propria pelle, perderà ogni forma di umanità e di dignità, ma mai la fede in Dio.
Credo sia stata questa la parte che più mi ha colpito, l’incrollabile fede di Josef, che ha sempre cercato in Dio la forza per andare avanti e sopravvivere all’inferno su questa terra.
E ce la fa.
Riesce a rimanere vivo sino alla fine della guerra e alla liberazione degli ebrei dai campi di concentramento e decide di consacrare il resto della propria vita a mantenere sempre acceso il ricordo dell’orrore nelle nuove generazioni.
Ma non si limita a questo, infatti, decide di unirsi agli americani alla caccia ai nazisti per consegnarli alla giustizia e ci riesce solo in parte purtroppo. Molti si sono dati alla fuga, soprattutto nei Paesi sudamericani, altri non sono stati mai identificati e i restanti hanno ricevuto una pena troppo lieve rispetto ai crimini commessi.
Il racconto è assolutamente da leggere, dovrebbe addirittura essere adottato in ogni scuola e inserito tra i libri di testo obbligatori a partire dall’ultimo anno di scuola media inferiore, affinché anche le generazioni future non perdano mai memoria di quanto possa essere infinità la crudeltà dell’uomo.
April 29, 2025
"Memories are the price I pay for my miracles." - Josef Lewkowicz
It's hard to critique a story about someone's life, especially a Holocaust survivor as what they went through is not up for debate and cannot be criticized so I will focus on the writing. While I found this book captivating, it was a little hard to follow because the authors frequently switch from describing events in the past to describing present day. It's not a huge distraction but I did wonder what time period the narrator was referring to on several occasions. I had hoped for some photos included in the book besides the author's photo on the inside cover but unfortunately there were none. I always like to see what the people and places in nonfiction look like. I liked Josef Lewkowicz' message at the end, to choose life. To choose to be a light in the dark. To help those around you to the best of your ability.
It's hard to critique a story about someone's life, especially a Holocaust survivor as what they went through is not up for debate and cannot be criticized so I will focus on the writing. While I found this book captivating, it was a little hard to follow because the authors frequently switch from describing events in the past to describing present day. It's not a huge distraction but I did wonder what time period the narrator was referring to on several occasions. I had hoped for some photos included in the book besides the author's photo on the inside cover but unfortunately there were none. I always like to see what the people and places in nonfiction look like. I liked Josef Lewkowicz' message at the end, to choose life. To choose to be a light in the dark. To help those around you to the best of your ability.
May 3, 2024
De recensie werd oorspronkelijk gepubliceerd op: https://bazarow.com/recensie/recensie...
De overlever is het aangrijpende waargebeurde verhaal over Josef Lewkowicz. Hij is slechts zestien jaar jong wanneer hij door de Duitsers voor het eerst gevangengenomen wordt. Als bijna de enige van zijn familie wordt hij naar concentratiekamp Plaszów gestuurd, bijna de rest van zijn familie wordt in Auschwitz vermoord. Na Plaszów volgt Auschwitz, na Auschwitz volgen ook nog Amstetten, Mauthausen, Melk en Ebensee.
In het laatste kamp, Ebensee, wordt Lewkowicz bevrijdt en vrijwel direct krijgt hij van de Amerikaanse inlichtingendienst de opdracht om kampcommandant Amon Göth (ook wel bekend als ‘De slager van Plaszów’) op te sporen en voor het gerecht te slepen. Ook is Jozef na de oorlog actief met het opvangen van door de oorlog verweesde Joodse kinderen, om ze een thuis te bieden. De overlever vertelt het verhaal van Josef, van zijn ontberingen en van zijn sterke geest.
Intrigerend levensverhaal
Er zijn al talloze verhalen over Holocaust overlevenden, ieder op zijn eigen manier hartverscheurend, verschrikkelijk maar soms ook inspirerend. De overlever wekte mijn interesse door het feit dat Josef na de concentratiekampen als nazi-jager aan het werk ging. Ik vind het bijzonder intrigerend hoe iemand die, op jonge leeftijd, afschuwelijke dingen heeft meegemaakt, dit juist als kracht kan gebruiken om het juiste te doen. Ik vind het bijzonder knap dat Josef op zoek ging naar oorlogsmisdadigers, om deze vervolgens voor het gerecht te slepen, en dus niet zelf rechter te spelen.
Toch ligt in het boek de nadruk op de ervaringen van Lewkowicz in de kampen. Je wordt meegenomen in de afschuwelijke dingen die Jozef meemaakt in de kampen, wat enigszins logisch is gezien dit is ook onderdeel van zijn verhaal. De zijn speurtocht naar de nazi’s en de rechtzaken die daar uit voortkwamen, worden maar summier beschreven. Dit had veel uitgebreider gemogen.
Vlak geschreven
Het verhaal van Lewkowicz wordt op een logische volgorde beschreven waarbij je een kijkje krijgt in Josefs afkomst, zijn ervaringen met de verschillende concentratiekampen en hoe hij zijn leven opgepakt heeft na bevrijding. Erg interessant, maar regelmatig toch wat lastiger te volgen. De overlever is monotoon geschreven. Journalist en co-auteur Michael Calvin brengt niets persoonlijks in het verhaal en het voelt soms alsof Calvin letterlijk beschrijft wat Josef vertelt. Het geheel voelt hierdoor wat ‘vlak’ aan, waardoor het weleens voorkwam dat ik mijn interesse verloor. Jammer, want het verhaal is interessant genoeg. Calvin heeft al meerdere titels op zijn naam staan, maar vooral gericht op de sportwereld.
De overlever is een persoonlijk en openhartig verhaal, boeiend wanneer je meer te weten wil komen over onder andere de Holocaust maar een wat lastiger boek om te lezen door de vlakke schrijfstijl van Calvin.
De overlever is het aangrijpende waargebeurde verhaal over Josef Lewkowicz. Hij is slechts zestien jaar jong wanneer hij door de Duitsers voor het eerst gevangengenomen wordt. Als bijna de enige van zijn familie wordt hij naar concentratiekamp Plaszów gestuurd, bijna de rest van zijn familie wordt in Auschwitz vermoord. Na Plaszów volgt Auschwitz, na Auschwitz volgen ook nog Amstetten, Mauthausen, Melk en Ebensee.
In het laatste kamp, Ebensee, wordt Lewkowicz bevrijdt en vrijwel direct krijgt hij van de Amerikaanse inlichtingendienst de opdracht om kampcommandant Amon Göth (ook wel bekend als ‘De slager van Plaszów’) op te sporen en voor het gerecht te slepen. Ook is Jozef na de oorlog actief met het opvangen van door de oorlog verweesde Joodse kinderen, om ze een thuis te bieden. De overlever vertelt het verhaal van Josef, van zijn ontberingen en van zijn sterke geest.
Intrigerend levensverhaal
Er zijn al talloze verhalen over Holocaust overlevenden, ieder op zijn eigen manier hartverscheurend, verschrikkelijk maar soms ook inspirerend. De overlever wekte mijn interesse door het feit dat Josef na de concentratiekampen als nazi-jager aan het werk ging. Ik vind het bijzonder intrigerend hoe iemand die, op jonge leeftijd, afschuwelijke dingen heeft meegemaakt, dit juist als kracht kan gebruiken om het juiste te doen. Ik vind het bijzonder knap dat Josef op zoek ging naar oorlogsmisdadigers, om deze vervolgens voor het gerecht te slepen, en dus niet zelf rechter te spelen.
Toch ligt in het boek de nadruk op de ervaringen van Lewkowicz in de kampen. Je wordt meegenomen in de afschuwelijke dingen die Jozef meemaakt in de kampen, wat enigszins logisch is gezien dit is ook onderdeel van zijn verhaal. De zijn speurtocht naar de nazi’s en de rechtzaken die daar uit voortkwamen, worden maar summier beschreven. Dit had veel uitgebreider gemogen.
Vlak geschreven
Het verhaal van Lewkowicz wordt op een logische volgorde beschreven waarbij je een kijkje krijgt in Josefs afkomst, zijn ervaringen met de verschillende concentratiekampen en hoe hij zijn leven opgepakt heeft na bevrijding. Erg interessant, maar regelmatig toch wat lastiger te volgen. De overlever is monotoon geschreven. Journalist en co-auteur Michael Calvin brengt niets persoonlijks in het verhaal en het voelt soms alsof Calvin letterlijk beschrijft wat Josef vertelt. Het geheel voelt hierdoor wat ‘vlak’ aan, waardoor het weleens voorkwam dat ik mijn interesse verloor. Jammer, want het verhaal is interessant genoeg. Calvin heeft al meerdere titels op zijn naam staan, maar vooral gericht op de sportwereld.
De overlever is een persoonlijk en openhartig verhaal, boeiend wanneer je meer te weten wil komen over onder andere de Holocaust maar een wat lastiger boek om te lezen door de vlakke schrijfstijl van Calvin.
May 12, 2025
Meest indrukwekkende boek over een Holocaust overlever die ik ooit heb gelezen.
Op de manier van schrijven maar ook de schrijnende details van de martelingen die is aangedaan.
Op de manier van schrijven maar ook de schrijnende details van de martelingen die is aangedaan.
May 7, 2023
I shamefully read this book with my heart in my throat it bewilders me that we as humans can find good in the world. This man is a hero to us all and we can learn so much from him. To say I enjoyed this book is a conflict of emotions as I cannot imagine what horrible things happened to this man. And knowing he was one of many is absolutely shocking to say the least. I challenge you to read this book and absorb the history told therein.
March 22, 2025
This is an incredibly emotional memoir of a journey involving the depths of pain and suffering that I really can’t grasp even after reading this life story. The thread he uses to connect his personal story of the holocaust with his own spiritual development and mental anguish is something that more people need to try and study to really understand the ripples from historical events that impact us all today.
August 19, 2024
Not surprisingly this was a difficult book to read. There is not much I can say other than these stories must be told so people are educated about the atrocities of the Holocaust. I have read and heard other survivor accounts. Its the personal aspects that make them so impactful. Thank you Josef Lewkowicz for telling your story, and keeping faith in humanity.
June 30, 2023
These first hand accounts are so important. This survivor is incredible and survived by using his quick thinking, and a little bit of luck. He shares the names and stories of so many who'd otherwise be forgotten and that's just as important as the survivors' stories being told.
January 27, 2024
Una autobiografía de un superviviente del Holocausto. Centrado en todo lo duro que le tocó vivir pero desde una perspectiva más espiritual y religiosa, que es lo que le ayudó a superar lo ocurrido.
Es muy interesante y bastante diferente a otras que he leído.
Estas historias no deben ser olvidadas.
Es muy interesante y bastante diferente a otras que he leído.
Estas historias no deben ser olvidadas.
August 13, 2024
Deeply harrowing and impactful, shocking to think that such a tragic event constructed by humans took place in my grandparents lifetime. But also shows that the human spirit is unbreakable and the importance of educating such events so they never happen again.
October 16, 2023
Interesting read
December 1, 2023
This book was an excellent read. Truly amazing the willpower to survive. And how cruel people are or can be. Definitely worth reading. This man is an inspiration!
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