What do you think?
Rate this book
Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele's Auschwitz
In the shadow of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, Kalman and Leopold— two young boys—meet as unwitting subjects of Josef Mengele's twisted twin experiments. Pulled from their barrack, they are forced to become servants to the SS guards within Mengele's "hospital" camp, bearing daily witness to scenes of obscene viciousness. Within this nightmarish hell Leopold becomes Kalman's guide, helping him to navigate the terrifying complexities of the SS guard shack. Mengele's atrocities are relentless, yet within this darkness a friendship emerges, testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In January 1945, the Russian army liberates Birkenau and the boys part ways.
For fifty-six years Kalman searches tirelessly for his friend and protector, driven by the memory of a boy he knew only by a nickname he had given Lipa. Their story is a reminder of the depths of human immorality, and it is a testament to friendship, faith, and survival against all odds. As intolerance and hate intensify in the world, Kalman and Leopold's voices echo across generations, urging us to remember the horrors of fascism so that history's darkest moments remain in the past.
Never again!
For fifty-six years Kalman searches tirelessly for his friend and protector, driven by the memory of a boy he knew only by a nickname he had given Lipa. Their story is a reminder of the depths of human immorality, and it is a testament to friendship, faith, and survival against all odds. As intolerance and hate intensify in the world, Kalman and Leopold's voices echo across generations, urging us to remember the horrors of fascism so that history's darkest moments remain in the past.
Never again!
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
July 30, 2025
4.5 stars
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and to author Richard Lowy for providing me with a Kindle copy of this outstanding non-fiction book detailing the lives of two Holocaust survivors, Kalman Braun and Leopold Lowy (often referred to as Leo or Lipa and the father of the author). This book is a synthesis of over twenty hours of testimony from those two heroic men.
The book is divided into three main sections. The first section of the book recounted each of Kalman’s and Leo’s childhood growing up in separate cities in Eastern Europe prior to the start of World War II. Leo and Kalman had much different childhoods with the only commonality initially being that each had a twin sister. Leo was a practicing member of the Jewish faith but not an Orthodox Jewish member. Leo was portrayed as street smart, direct, practical, and experienced. On the other hand, Kalman was a practicing Orthodox Jewish member, who went to yeshiva to study the Talmud and the Torah. Kalman was portrayed as innocent, naïve, and sheltered. Though from different backgrounds, the uniqueness of having a twin sibling brought them together at Auschwitz after their respective families were rounded up and sent in packed cattle cars to the largest extermination concentration camp in history located just outside the town of Oswiecim, Poland.
The second section of the book detailed the struggles of each of Kalman and Leo to survive their approximately six-and-a-half-month incarceration and involuntary participation in the “medical experimentation on twins’ program” overseen by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele in the hospital camp within Auschwitz II-Birkenau. While the vast majority of people who arrived at Auschwitz were sent directly for execution in the gas chamber and then quickly cremated, Kalman (and his twin sister Judith) and Leo (and his twin sister Miriam) were spared solely to be used as guinea pigs in a variety of inhuman, experimental, and horrific medical experiments. This section of the book described in detail the terrible smells, the vastly inadequate daily food rations that caused starvation and illness, the daily sights of dead bodies that were stacked in piles up to 10 feet tall, the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of when physical beatings or being shot would occur, the unending fire and smoke that billowed out of the crematoriums as bodies were burned, and the unsanitary and abhorrent living conditions in the barracks. Despite these horrors, the resilience of both Kalman and Leo, who were 14 years old and 15 years old, respectively, at that time, helped them survive. Kalman and Leo became acquainted when they were selected at random from the 5am daily prisoner check to work in one of the SS guard shacks. Their tasks included cleaning the floors, washing the dishes, shining the guards’ boots, and running errands. Their experiences working at the SS guard shacks and what they witnessed daily as prisoners in a concentration camp were examined in vivid detail. The two young men’s interactions with other prisoners like Zvi Spiegel (known generally as the twins’ father as he was in charge of overseeing about eighty boy twins), Uncle Lajos (a small person of middle age who provided Kalman with much advice), and Pipi (a four year old twin whose energy kept the prisoners in the hospital camp barracks going) showed the best of humanity in the worst of times.
The third section of the book explained how each of Kalman and Leo, who were separated around the time that Auschwitz was liberated on January 27, 1945, and did not reconnect with each other for approximately fifty-six years thereafter, handled the aftermath of the war. Both tried to cope with the memories of seeing the brutality and viciousness of Nazi actions in Auschwitz, which resulted in the deaths of countless people, including many of their family members, in a world that could not relate. The world’s inability to relate to their experiences caused both to be reluctant to share their experiences at Auschwitz as others often viewed them as damaged people beyond repair. Eventually, both found the incredible courage to recall and share their experiences as survivors of the Holocaust by speaking to groups, participating in documentary films, and recounting their experiences for this book.
For readers who want to understand more about individuals’ experiences during the Holocaust, I highly recommend this book. In addition to the details of the concentration camp, Kalman and Leo described the various medical experiments and procedures to which they and other twins were subjected. In particular, Leo recounted how he was forced to give so much blood to a member of the SS who was injured during the Auschwitz uprising in October 1944 that Leo almost perished. This work is a great supplement to the 1960 book “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” by William Shirer that described how the Nazis rose to power, enacted their inhuman agenda, and then waged war across Europe and the 2023 film “The Zone of Interest,” which showed the indifference of the German guards and their families to the suffering of others just yards away from their residences. The only caveat to the Kindle version of this book is that the pictures and captions thereto are often difficult to see and read, which would be corrected by picking up a paperback or hardcover copy.
As the remaining living survivors of the Holocaust are reaching the end of their lives, it is more important than ever to read about their experiences and recommend to others works like this to prevent this inhumanity from happening again. On a couple of occasions, the author referenced Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel famous quote “When you listen to a witness, you become a witness.” Please read this book and recommend it to others. Become a witness to the accounts of two brave young men who overcame tremendous odds to survive. Thank you Richard for the countless hours that you devoted to this book and other projects to keep the memories and experiences of your father and of Kalman alive and in the consciousness of younger generations.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and to author Richard Lowy for providing me with a Kindle copy of this outstanding non-fiction book detailing the lives of two Holocaust survivors, Kalman Braun and Leopold Lowy (often referred to as Leo or Lipa and the father of the author). This book is a synthesis of over twenty hours of testimony from those two heroic men.
The book is divided into three main sections. The first section of the book recounted each of Kalman’s and Leo’s childhood growing up in separate cities in Eastern Europe prior to the start of World War II. Leo and Kalman had much different childhoods with the only commonality initially being that each had a twin sister. Leo was a practicing member of the Jewish faith but not an Orthodox Jewish member. Leo was portrayed as street smart, direct, practical, and experienced. On the other hand, Kalman was a practicing Orthodox Jewish member, who went to yeshiva to study the Talmud and the Torah. Kalman was portrayed as innocent, naïve, and sheltered. Though from different backgrounds, the uniqueness of having a twin sibling brought them together at Auschwitz after their respective families were rounded up and sent in packed cattle cars to the largest extermination concentration camp in history located just outside the town of Oswiecim, Poland.
The second section of the book detailed the struggles of each of Kalman and Leo to survive their approximately six-and-a-half-month incarceration and involuntary participation in the “medical experimentation on twins’ program” overseen by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele in the hospital camp within Auschwitz II-Birkenau. While the vast majority of people who arrived at Auschwitz were sent directly for execution in the gas chamber and then quickly cremated, Kalman (and his twin sister Judith) and Leo (and his twin sister Miriam) were spared solely to be used as guinea pigs in a variety of inhuman, experimental, and horrific medical experiments. This section of the book described in detail the terrible smells, the vastly inadequate daily food rations that caused starvation and illness, the daily sights of dead bodies that were stacked in piles up to 10 feet tall, the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of when physical beatings or being shot would occur, the unending fire and smoke that billowed out of the crematoriums as bodies were burned, and the unsanitary and abhorrent living conditions in the barracks. Despite these horrors, the resilience of both Kalman and Leo, who were 14 years old and 15 years old, respectively, at that time, helped them survive. Kalman and Leo became acquainted when they were selected at random from the 5am daily prisoner check to work in one of the SS guard shacks. Their tasks included cleaning the floors, washing the dishes, shining the guards’ boots, and running errands. Their experiences working at the SS guard shacks and what they witnessed daily as prisoners in a concentration camp were examined in vivid detail. The two young men’s interactions with other prisoners like Zvi Spiegel (known generally as the twins’ father as he was in charge of overseeing about eighty boy twins), Uncle Lajos (a small person of middle age who provided Kalman with much advice), and Pipi (a four year old twin whose energy kept the prisoners in the hospital camp barracks going) showed the best of humanity in the worst of times.
The third section of the book explained how each of Kalman and Leo, who were separated around the time that Auschwitz was liberated on January 27, 1945, and did not reconnect with each other for approximately fifty-six years thereafter, handled the aftermath of the war. Both tried to cope with the memories of seeing the brutality and viciousness of Nazi actions in Auschwitz, which resulted in the deaths of countless people, including many of their family members, in a world that could not relate. The world’s inability to relate to their experiences caused both to be reluctant to share their experiences at Auschwitz as others often viewed them as damaged people beyond repair. Eventually, both found the incredible courage to recall and share their experiences as survivors of the Holocaust by speaking to groups, participating in documentary films, and recounting their experiences for this book.
For readers who want to understand more about individuals’ experiences during the Holocaust, I highly recommend this book. In addition to the details of the concentration camp, Kalman and Leo described the various medical experiments and procedures to which they and other twins were subjected. In particular, Leo recounted how he was forced to give so much blood to a member of the SS who was injured during the Auschwitz uprising in October 1944 that Leo almost perished. This work is a great supplement to the 1960 book “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” by William Shirer that described how the Nazis rose to power, enacted their inhuman agenda, and then waged war across Europe and the 2023 film “The Zone of Interest,” which showed the indifference of the German guards and their families to the suffering of others just yards away from their residences. The only caveat to the Kindle version of this book is that the pictures and captions thereto are often difficult to see and read, which would be corrected by picking up a paperback or hardcover copy.
As the remaining living survivors of the Holocaust are reaching the end of their lives, it is more important than ever to read about their experiences and recommend to others works like this to prevent this inhumanity from happening again. On a couple of occasions, the author referenced Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel famous quote “When you listen to a witness, you become a witness.” Please read this book and recommend it to others. Become a witness to the accounts of two brave young men who overcame tremendous odds to survive. Thank you Richard for the countless hours that you devoted to this book and other projects to keep the memories and experiences of your father and of Kalman alive and in the consciousness of younger generations.
February 5, 2025
It is fitting that I began writing this review of “Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz” by Richard K. Lowy today, as it is January 27th, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This date was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp by the Soviet Red Army in 1945 – now 80 years ago.
Most people are aware that millions of people, including six million Jews, died in their many concentration camps including Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most widely known of those infamous facilities. Many other groups were targeted as well including Roma, Soviet Russians, other Slavic peoples, Poles, and other enemies of the Nazi German government during WWII.
Perhaps a lesser-known aspect of the brutality and horror of Auschwitz-Birkenau was the medical experimentation performed in a program led by Doctor Josef Rudolf Mengele. Mengele was particularly interested in studying dwarfism and young twins, both identical and fraternal. When the prisoners were brought to the camps, these twins and little people were set aside from the masses, the majority of whom went straight to the gas chambers. Instead, the twins and little people became the victims of his gruesome procedures, many of which caused agonizing deaths, dismemberments, or deformities in those who survived.
This book is the historical account of two boys, each half of a set of fraternal twins. They bonded and became allies during their imprisonment at Auschwitz. Each boy had a twin sister, and all were subjected to Mengele’s experiments. Kalman Braun (after World War II, Kalman Baro-On), whose twin sister’s name was Judith. Leopold Lowy (Leo), known as “Lipa” to Kalman during their imprisonment in Auschwitz, had a twin sister named Miriam.
The author, Richard Lowy, is the youngest of Leo’s three sons. He researched his father’s life and hometown in what was then Czechoslovakia near Hungary, as well as his time in Auschwitz. He recorded Leo’s reminisces of his experiences and created a documentary film, Leo’s Journey: The Story of the Mengele Twins. The film was shown on Israeli TV in 2001.
Kalman, meanwhile, had been searching for Lipa for decades. He had relocated to Israel where he made a new life. He saw the film, recognized the adult Leo as the boy he knew as Lipa, and contacted Richard. Years later, the ultimate result of that communication is this book, in which Richard incorporated Kalman’s vivid and highly detailed accounts of his early years and his imprisonment.
In addition to the often horrific and excruciating events of Kalman and Leo’s lives as inmates of the camp, the author included an overview of the creation and development of Auschwitz-Birkenau, along with maps and diagrams of the physical environment. There are also photos, many heartbreakingly graphic and gruesome. All material was augmented by meticulous footnoting that provides explanations of unfamiliar terms, cities and towns that have changed names or political designations, and other contextual facts.
To assist the reader in following the narrative, the author included a list of the family members of Kalman and Leo, information on other individuals important to their experiences – both friends and their opposite – the key locations mentioned, and additional details.
Though much of the book is an unsparing account of what Kalman and Leo endured both inside and outside of Auschwitz, there is an important counterpoint that provides balance to this reading experience. The contrast of the bond they forged, versus the treatment they endured, and the kindness and wisdom they experienced in relationships with other prisoners are what allowed them to retain their humanity. Ultimately, for them, goodness triumphed over evil, and their resilience allowed them to eventually build new and productive lives. While Kalman and Leo were able to survive when sadly many others did not, their experiences are still a testimony to what is possible despite great hardship and the worst possible odds, and that positivity is what most readers will take away from this book.
This is a compelling work for adults and late teen readers. Because of its often harrowing material, it would not be appropriate for younger teen readers to read on their own, though it could provoke meaningful family discussions. It also has potential as a text for history and political science courses on the events of the World War II era, specifically the circumstances that led to the Holocaust and its subsequent impact on world events.
Most people are aware that millions of people, including six million Jews, died in their many concentration camps including Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most widely known of those infamous facilities. Many other groups were targeted as well including Roma, Soviet Russians, other Slavic peoples, Poles, and other enemies of the Nazi German government during WWII.
Perhaps a lesser-known aspect of the brutality and horror of Auschwitz-Birkenau was the medical experimentation performed in a program led by Doctor Josef Rudolf Mengele. Mengele was particularly interested in studying dwarfism and young twins, both identical and fraternal. When the prisoners were brought to the camps, these twins and little people were set aside from the masses, the majority of whom went straight to the gas chambers. Instead, the twins and little people became the victims of his gruesome procedures, many of which caused agonizing deaths, dismemberments, or deformities in those who survived.
This book is the historical account of two boys, each half of a set of fraternal twins. They bonded and became allies during their imprisonment at Auschwitz. Each boy had a twin sister, and all were subjected to Mengele’s experiments. Kalman Braun (after World War II, Kalman Baro-On), whose twin sister’s name was Judith. Leopold Lowy (Leo), known as “Lipa” to Kalman during their imprisonment in Auschwitz, had a twin sister named Miriam.
The author, Richard Lowy, is the youngest of Leo’s three sons. He researched his father’s life and hometown in what was then Czechoslovakia near Hungary, as well as his time in Auschwitz. He recorded Leo’s reminisces of his experiences and created a documentary film, Leo’s Journey: The Story of the Mengele Twins. The film was shown on Israeli TV in 2001.
Kalman, meanwhile, had been searching for Lipa for decades. He had relocated to Israel where he made a new life. He saw the film, recognized the adult Leo as the boy he knew as Lipa, and contacted Richard. Years later, the ultimate result of that communication is this book, in which Richard incorporated Kalman’s vivid and highly detailed accounts of his early years and his imprisonment.
In addition to the often horrific and excruciating events of Kalman and Leo’s lives as inmates of the camp, the author included an overview of the creation and development of Auschwitz-Birkenau, along with maps and diagrams of the physical environment. There are also photos, many heartbreakingly graphic and gruesome. All material was augmented by meticulous footnoting that provides explanations of unfamiliar terms, cities and towns that have changed names or political designations, and other contextual facts.
To assist the reader in following the narrative, the author included a list of the family members of Kalman and Leo, information on other individuals important to their experiences – both friends and their opposite – the key locations mentioned, and additional details.
Though much of the book is an unsparing account of what Kalman and Leo endured both inside and outside of Auschwitz, there is an important counterpoint that provides balance to this reading experience. The contrast of the bond they forged, versus the treatment they endured, and the kindness and wisdom they experienced in relationships with other prisoners are what allowed them to retain their humanity. Ultimately, for them, goodness triumphed over evil, and their resilience allowed them to eventually build new and productive lives. While Kalman and Leo were able to survive when sadly many others did not, their experiences are still a testimony to what is possible despite great hardship and the worst possible odds, and that positivity is what most readers will take away from this book.
This is a compelling work for adults and late teen readers. Because of its often harrowing material, it would not be appropriate for younger teen readers to read on their own, though it could provoke meaningful family discussions. It also has potential as a text for history and political science courses on the events of the World War II era, specifically the circumstances that led to the Holocaust and its subsequent impact on world events.
March 23, 2025
"Kalman and Leopold: Surviving Mengele's Auschwitz" by Richard K. Lowy is an unforgettable and deeply moving memoir that captures the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable horror. Through the voices of Kalman and Leopold, we are taken on an emotional journey that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
The bond between the two young boys, forged amidst the unimaginable cruelty of Josef Mengele's experiments, serves as a testament to the power of friendship and hope. Their stories, told with raw honesty, shed light on the atrocities of the Holocaust while also highlighting the enduring strength of survivors.
That said, it took some time to get used to the flow of the narrative, which alternates chronologically between Kalman, Leopold, and other important figures. At times, I found myself momentarily forgetting whose perspective I was reading. However, once adjusted to the structure, this approach added depth and context, enriching the overall story.
Lowy's thoughtful narrative not only preserves the memories of Kalman and Leopold but also ensures that future generations will remember the lessons of this dark chapter in history. This book is a compelling read for anyone seeking to understand the depths of human suffering and the incredible capacity for survival and love. Highly recommended for readers of all backgrounds, this memoir is both a solemn tribute and a call to never forget.
The bond between the two young boys, forged amidst the unimaginable cruelty of Josef Mengele's experiments, serves as a testament to the power of friendship and hope. Their stories, told with raw honesty, shed light on the atrocities of the Holocaust while also highlighting the enduring strength of survivors.
That said, it took some time to get used to the flow of the narrative, which alternates chronologically between Kalman, Leopold, and other important figures. At times, I found myself momentarily forgetting whose perspective I was reading. However, once adjusted to the structure, this approach added depth and context, enriching the overall story.
Lowy's thoughtful narrative not only preserves the memories of Kalman and Leopold but also ensures that future generations will remember the lessons of this dark chapter in history. This book is a compelling read for anyone seeking to understand the depths of human suffering and the incredible capacity for survival and love. Highly recommended for readers of all backgrounds, this memoir is both a solemn tribute and a call to never forget.
March 17, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. All of these thoughts are my own.
This book was amazing. It is so well put together and I learned an incredible about of new information. I have read a lot of accounts of those who experienced concentration camps, but nothing like this. The accounts presented are descriptive and heart-breaking. I can’t recommend this enough.
This book was amazing. It is so well put together and I learned an incredible about of new information. I have read a lot of accounts of those who experienced concentration camps, but nothing like this. The accounts presented are descriptive and heart-breaking. I can’t recommend this enough.
March 10, 2026
Hygge Book Tour Review
I want to thank Palamedes PR for hosting this event and providing me with an e-copy of this book, and thank you to Hygge Book Tours for giving me this opportunity.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a five-star read. It was incredibly well written by Richard, the son of Leopold. The way this story was told was so vivid that it truly felt like it brought me, the reader, right into the experience alongside them.
This story felt different from other books or movies I’ve seen about the Holocaust. It gave deeper insight into the Mengele twins and the horrific experiments they endured under Josef Mengele. Many families were taken into this so-called “medical camp,” where they were immediately stripped of their families, belongings, and dignity. Twins were kept alive for experimentation while their families were often sent away to be executed. The living conditions were cruel, unsanitary, and absolutely heartbreaking.
At the same time, the strength and resilience of both the children and adults during this time was incredible. There was a strong sense of community among the Jewish people even in the darkest circumstances. When Kalman and Leopold met, they formed an unbreakable friendship. The boys looked out for one another, cared for each other, and created a small sense of home when there was none.
I can’t imagine what it took to survive during that time or the weight those memories carried for the rest of their lives.
Fast forward 56 years later, Kalman finally found his Lipa and took a flight to meet him face-to-face again after all those years. Thankfully they were able to reunite when they did, as Leopold sadly passed away about six months later.
This was a story that needed to be told. Richard shared it in such a powerful way, dedicating it to the six million Jewish people who were murdered during the Holocaust, honoring those who survived, and ensuring their history is never forgotten
I want to thank Palamedes PR for hosting this event and providing me with an e-copy of this book, and thank you to Hygge Book Tours for giving me this opportunity.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a five-star read. It was incredibly well written by Richard, the son of Leopold. The way this story was told was so vivid that it truly felt like it brought me, the reader, right into the experience alongside them.
This story felt different from other books or movies I’ve seen about the Holocaust. It gave deeper insight into the Mengele twins and the horrific experiments they endured under Josef Mengele. Many families were taken into this so-called “medical camp,” where they were immediately stripped of their families, belongings, and dignity. Twins were kept alive for experimentation while their families were often sent away to be executed. The living conditions were cruel, unsanitary, and absolutely heartbreaking.
At the same time, the strength and resilience of both the children and adults during this time was incredible. There was a strong sense of community among the Jewish people even in the darkest circumstances. When Kalman and Leopold met, they formed an unbreakable friendship. The boys looked out for one another, cared for each other, and created a small sense of home when there was none.
I can’t imagine what it took to survive during that time or the weight those memories carried for the rest of their lives.
Fast forward 56 years later, Kalman finally found his Lipa and took a flight to meet him face-to-face again after all those years. Thankfully they were able to reunite when they did, as Leopold sadly passed away about six months later.
This was a story that needed to be told. Richard shared it in such a powerful way, dedicating it to the six million Jewish people who were murdered during the Holocaust, honoring those who survived, and ensuring their history is never forgotten
March 9, 2026
Wow, I cried, I cried some more and the worst thing is this is all real.
Kalman & Leopold is an amazing historic piece of work. Richards father, Leopold aka Lipa, deals with his experiences once escaping completely differently to Kalman.
The way the timeline is structured, with Kalman, Leopold and facts around history and what was happening, builds throughout the book. It was lovely at the end to hear how Richard found collating it together, and Kalman's side must have really given the family support, that their father hadn't been alone.
As Mengale twins they were allowed more freedom than the other victims, if you can call it freedom, it was all just awful.
The stories were put together so lovingly and I think it really is a must read, I don't think we did anything around this in history when I was at school and it is just so important. It was really interesting to learn how close to their houses they potentially were but still so far and how much was changed whilst they were locked away.
It is just upsetting, but within the upset families survived and loved each other throughout it all - it is heart wrenching, awful but the book is beautiful, and a true testament to love within families that Richard collated this for Kalman and Leopold
Kalman & Leopold is an amazing historic piece of work. Richards father, Leopold aka Lipa, deals with his experiences once escaping completely differently to Kalman.
The way the timeline is structured, with Kalman, Leopold and facts around history and what was happening, builds throughout the book. It was lovely at the end to hear how Richard found collating it together, and Kalman's side must have really given the family support, that their father hadn't been alone.
As Mengale twins they were allowed more freedom than the other victims, if you can call it freedom, it was all just awful.
The stories were put together so lovingly and I think it really is a must read, I don't think we did anything around this in history when I was at school and it is just so important. It was really interesting to learn how close to their houses they potentially were but still so far and how much was changed whilst they were locked away.
It is just upsetting, but within the upset families survived and loved each other throughout it all - it is heart wrenching, awful but the book is beautiful, and a true testament to love within families that Richard collated this for Kalman and Leopold
September 30, 2025
This was a fascinating. although heartbreaking book. Hearing more details about Mengele's experiments on twins. was disturbing. Seeing how Kalman and Leopold each handled the years after their internment just showed how each person handles these unthinkable situations in different ways. It was so nice that after 56 years, they could finally reunite and close that sad time in their shared history.
June 3, 2026
Very moving Holocaust story of Mengele and his experiments. Survival and perseverance. The reunion of long lost friends/brothers
We will never forget.
October 7, 2023: We will not go silently into the night….
We will never forget.
October 7, 2023: We will not go silently into the night….
September 4, 2025
What an incredible and impactful recounting of 2 boys experiences in the concentration camps during the Holocaust.
March 22, 2026
Richard wrote his father’s story and also went to Israel to meet and interview Kalman. He presents an unedited account of their stories, transcribed from video interviews.
REVIEW
My interest in Auschwitz and the Holocause goes back decades. I can’t even remember when or how it started but I think I read Anne Frank’s Diary as a teenager and maybe that was the beginning. But I seem to have always been interested in it (and Hiroshima) and have read many books on the subject over the years. So I was keen to read this one.
Kalman and ‘Lipa’ worked together for 6 ½ months in Dr. Josef Mengele’s hospital camp in Auschwitz II – Birkenau, from June to December 1944. After 56 years, in 2001, Kalman is in Israel where he watches a TV programme and recognises Lipa as the Leo Lowy he knew.
Mengele was fascinated by twins and dwarfs. Leo had a twin sister Miriam, who died in 1999. With her gone and suffering from early dementia, he agreed to talk to his son about his past. Richard, his brothers Gary and Stephen, their mum and Leo set out in 2000 to film a documentary. From their home in Canada, they travelled to his old family home on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border.
At the start of the book, there are some facts about the concentration camps, maps, photos and a list of people mentioned in the book. There are other photos throughout the book, which are all interesting.
Mengele was known as ‘the Angel of Death’ – there are updates about his life alongside Kalman and Leo’s lives, so you can see what each is doing around a particular time. Mengele arrived in Auschwitz in May 1943.
The story begins with ‘The Early Years’ – Leopold was born in Czechoslovakia in 1928, he was Jewish, the only son with five sisters. He is a twin. Then Kalman was born in 1930, in Yugoslavia, also a twin and Jewish. Their family consists of mum, dad and five kids, but their father dies, and they move to Hungary.
You see how it becomes harder for the Jews over the years, beginning with having stones and snowballs thrown at them in the street. By September 1941, Leopold is finding some of his family have been deported and executed by the Nazis. In 1944, at the age of nearly fourteen, Kalman ends up in a Hungarian detention camp, just because he is a Jew. Later that year, aged fifteen, he ends up in Auschwitz-Birkenau.
It isn’t an easy read at times, but it’s an important read. I knew some things about Mengele before, but this book goes into more detail about his experiments and how evil he really was.
I liked how we could read the unedited words of both Leo and Kalman, so we could understand their lives and what happened to them before, after and during their years in the concentration camp.
One slight criticism is that in the e-book version I read, the notes are mixed in with the main text, which was a bit confusing. I would therefore recommend the book instead, because that should be easier to follow.
It’s a fascinating book, I felt it was a privilege to hear the words of these men, to read a first-hand account and I’m so pleased Richard undertook all the work to get this project out there. It’s a compelling read and one you will keep reading because you want to know what happens and how both boys survive.
REVIEW
My interest in Auschwitz and the Holocause goes back decades. I can’t even remember when or how it started but I think I read Anne Frank’s Diary as a teenager and maybe that was the beginning. But I seem to have always been interested in it (and Hiroshima) and have read many books on the subject over the years. So I was keen to read this one.
Kalman and ‘Lipa’ worked together for 6 ½ months in Dr. Josef Mengele’s hospital camp in Auschwitz II – Birkenau, from June to December 1944. After 56 years, in 2001, Kalman is in Israel where he watches a TV programme and recognises Lipa as the Leo Lowy he knew.
Mengele was fascinated by twins and dwarfs. Leo had a twin sister Miriam, who died in 1999. With her gone and suffering from early dementia, he agreed to talk to his son about his past. Richard, his brothers Gary and Stephen, their mum and Leo set out in 2000 to film a documentary. From their home in Canada, they travelled to his old family home on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border.
At the start of the book, there are some facts about the concentration camps, maps, photos and a list of people mentioned in the book. There are other photos throughout the book, which are all interesting.
Mengele was known as ‘the Angel of Death’ – there are updates about his life alongside Kalman and Leo’s lives, so you can see what each is doing around a particular time. Mengele arrived in Auschwitz in May 1943.
The story begins with ‘The Early Years’ – Leopold was born in Czechoslovakia in 1928, he was Jewish, the only son with five sisters. He is a twin. Then Kalman was born in 1930, in Yugoslavia, also a twin and Jewish. Their family consists of mum, dad and five kids, but their father dies, and they move to Hungary.
You see how it becomes harder for the Jews over the years, beginning with having stones and snowballs thrown at them in the street. By September 1941, Leopold is finding some of his family have been deported and executed by the Nazis. In 1944, at the age of nearly fourteen, Kalman ends up in a Hungarian detention camp, just because he is a Jew. Later that year, aged fifteen, he ends up in Auschwitz-Birkenau.
It isn’t an easy read at times, but it’s an important read. I knew some things about Mengele before, but this book goes into more detail about his experiments and how evil he really was.
I liked how we could read the unedited words of both Leo and Kalman, so we could understand their lives and what happened to them before, after and during their years in the concentration camp.
One slight criticism is that in the e-book version I read, the notes are mixed in with the main text, which was a bit confusing. I would therefore recommend the book instead, because that should be easier to follow.
It’s a fascinating book, I felt it was a privilege to hear the words of these men, to read a first-hand account and I’m so pleased Richard undertook all the work to get this project out there. It’s a compelling read and one you will keep reading because you want to know what happens and how both boys survive.
March 5, 2026
Kalman and Leopold is an emotional story of resilience and finding a brotherhood and unbreakable bond in the worst period in history.
Richard Lowy (son of Leo) transports the reader, through his father's words, to the truely horrific landscape of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Both Kalman and Leo are teenage boys from vastly different backgrounds but its their similarities that bring them both to the same place in time and in history. Both Kalman and Leo are both Jewish but more importantly, both twins.
When the two boys lives collide when they are selected to clean the guardhouse, allowing them a glimpse behind the walls of their barracks.
They have little understanding of why Dr Mengele - a name that provokes an almost God like reverie amongst the Nazis, is so interested in them.
This story follows the senseless suffering carried out under the guise of science and research and later, the liberation. But these young men never forgot each another and the life long impact they made on one another's life.
Being able to read the lived experience, so raw and uncensored is harrowing. The writing is honest and non descriptive in the lyrical sense but full of so many emotions and senses. The description of the realisation of what the chimney represented brought tears to my eyes, that he could never look away from the symbols of such unnecessary cruelty that robbed him and, so many other children, of their childhood innocence.
Richard is able to expertly convey the brutality of the camp and the treatment whilst underpinning the friendships and relationships with hope, warmth and resilience.
I think that the additon of the maps and diagrams help to better understand tad the hostile environment. I enjoyed the glossary and the education of the Yidish language, further immersing me. The story was incredibly well researched with references being well balanced.
This moving story is a living, breathing testiment of the atrocities of the Holocaust. Stories such as Leo's are important and vital so that we can bear witness to the inhumanity.
This was an incredibly hard and uncomfortable read and for every new account from this period in history, it never ceases to amaze and horrify me the depth and breadth of the devastation. Whilst uncomfortable, this stories need to told and I'd encourage everyone to read this book.
Richard Lowy (son of Leo) transports the reader, through his father's words, to the truely horrific landscape of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Both Kalman and Leo are teenage boys from vastly different backgrounds but its their similarities that bring them both to the same place in time and in history. Both Kalman and Leo are both Jewish but more importantly, both twins.
When the two boys lives collide when they are selected to clean the guardhouse, allowing them a glimpse behind the walls of their barracks.
They have little understanding of why Dr Mengele - a name that provokes an almost God like reverie amongst the Nazis, is so interested in them.
This story follows the senseless suffering carried out under the guise of science and research and later, the liberation. But these young men never forgot each another and the life long impact they made on one another's life.
Being able to read the lived experience, so raw and uncensored is harrowing. The writing is honest and non descriptive in the lyrical sense but full of so many emotions and senses. The description of the realisation of what the chimney represented brought tears to my eyes, that he could never look away from the symbols of such unnecessary cruelty that robbed him and, so many other children, of their childhood innocence.
Richard is able to expertly convey the brutality of the camp and the treatment whilst underpinning the friendships and relationships with hope, warmth and resilience.
I think that the additon of the maps and diagrams help to better understand tad the hostile environment. I enjoyed the glossary and the education of the Yidish language, further immersing me. The story was incredibly well researched with references being well balanced.
This moving story is a living, breathing testiment of the atrocities of the Holocaust. Stories such as Leo's are important and vital so that we can bear witness to the inhumanity.
This was an incredibly hard and uncomfortable read and for every new account from this period in history, it never ceases to amaze and horrify me the depth and breadth of the devastation. Whilst uncomfortable, this stories need to told and I'd encourage everyone to read this book.
February 26, 2026
Kalman and Leopold is a story about two survivors of Auschwitz. The book is written by Leopold’s son, Richard Lowy, which gives it a deeply personal perspective while still remaining historically detailed and accurate.
The book is divided into three sections. The first section focuses on Kalman’s and Leo’s childhoods. They grew up in different cities in Eastern Europe before the war began and had very different upbringings. The only thing they had in common was that they both had a twin sister. Leo was a practising member of the Jewish religion, though not Orthodox. He came across as street smart, direct, and experienced. Kalman, on the other hand, was a practising Orthodox Jew and appeared more innocent and na?ve. Despite their differences, it was the fact that they were both twins that ultimately brought them together at Auschwitz, after they and their families were rounded up, forced onto trains, and sent to the largest extermination concentration camp outside the town of Oswiecim in Poland.
The second part of the book details the struggles they experienced trying to survive their six to seven months of incarceration. They were forced into the “twin medical experiments program,” overseen by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. These young boys, along with others even younger, were used as guinea pigs in a variety of horrific experiments. This section of the book is very descriptive — the smells, the constant hunger due to the lack of food, the daily sights they were forced to witness, and the ongoing fear they lived with. It is a very hard read. You know these events happened, but it is still difficult to comprehend how one human being could treat another in such a way. Kalman and Leo were only 14 and 15 years old at the time. They were sent to work at one of the SS guard shacks, which is where they met and began looking out for each other. During this time, Leo clearly became the more protective of the two.
The third section explains how they were separated once Auschwitz was liberated. It was many years before they reconnected. This part of the book also explores how they each handled the aftermath of the war and the long-lasting impact those experiences had on their lives. I found this section especially important, as it shows that survival did not mean the end of their struggles.
This book is incredibly accurate in its historical detail, particularly in its portrayal of Mengele and the twin experiments. What makes it especially powerful is that it is written by Leopold’s son, which adds another layer of meaning and responsibility to the storytelling. For anyone who wants to better understand individual experiences from that time, I would highly recommend this book. However, it is not an easy read in parts due to the confronting realities it describes. This is a part of history that should never be forgotten.
The book is divided into three sections. The first section focuses on Kalman’s and Leo’s childhoods. They grew up in different cities in Eastern Europe before the war began and had very different upbringings. The only thing they had in common was that they both had a twin sister. Leo was a practising member of the Jewish religion, though not Orthodox. He came across as street smart, direct, and experienced. Kalman, on the other hand, was a practising Orthodox Jew and appeared more innocent and na?ve. Despite their differences, it was the fact that they were both twins that ultimately brought them together at Auschwitz, after they and their families were rounded up, forced onto trains, and sent to the largest extermination concentration camp outside the town of Oswiecim in Poland.
The second part of the book details the struggles they experienced trying to survive their six to seven months of incarceration. They were forced into the “twin medical experiments program,” overseen by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. These young boys, along with others even younger, were used as guinea pigs in a variety of horrific experiments. This section of the book is very descriptive — the smells, the constant hunger due to the lack of food, the daily sights they were forced to witness, and the ongoing fear they lived with. It is a very hard read. You know these events happened, but it is still difficult to comprehend how one human being could treat another in such a way. Kalman and Leo were only 14 and 15 years old at the time. They were sent to work at one of the SS guard shacks, which is where they met and began looking out for each other. During this time, Leo clearly became the more protective of the two.
The third section explains how they were separated once Auschwitz was liberated. It was many years before they reconnected. This part of the book also explores how they each handled the aftermath of the war and the long-lasting impact those experiences had on their lives. I found this section especially important, as it shows that survival did not mean the end of their struggles.
This book is incredibly accurate in its historical detail, particularly in its portrayal of Mengele and the twin experiments. What makes it especially powerful is that it is written by Leopold’s son, which adds another layer of meaning and responsibility to the storytelling. For anyone who wants to better understand individual experiences from that time, I would highly recommend this book. However, it is not an easy read in parts due to the confronting realities it describes. This is a part of history that should never be forgotten.
May 22, 2026
Kalman and Leopold tells the extraordinary story of two boys who were both swept up in the Nazis’ web of evil. One a studious yeshiva student, and one a more street-wise, less religious Jew. But to the third reich they were both less than human, objects of contempt to be used or discarded at will. Both boys had twin sisters, and so when they arrived at Auschwitz during the selection they were assigned to Joseph Mengele’s twins barracks where children were placed and chosen as subjects, or more accurately victims, of cruel experimental medical procedures. At one point the two were chosen to work together in the SS soldiers’ barracks where they served as custodians and servants, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms and polishing boots, always on the edge, the slightest slip could result in horrible abuse. Yet the boys survived, liberated by Russian troops. They went their separate ways to make new lives until they miraculously reconnected 56 years later.
The book consists of actual transcribed testimony from the two, each telling their own life story, even of the time they spent together. This writing format makes the book even more moving and intimate. We meet their families, their tormentors, and the people who helped them survive, each man telling hisown story. Richard Lowy, the son of Leopold, transcribed the testimony and provides some additional material, with photos, maps of the camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau and more. It is a very special memoir of two survivors, a very powerful and compelling story, and ultimately a triumph of the human spirit.
You can view more on the website—kalmanandleopold.com.
The book consists of actual transcribed testimony from the two, each telling their own life story, even of the time they spent together. This writing format makes the book even more moving and intimate. We meet their families, their tormentors, and the people who helped them survive, each man telling hisown story. Richard Lowy, the son of Leopold, transcribed the testimony and provides some additional material, with photos, maps of the camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau and more. It is a very special memoir of two survivors, a very powerful and compelling story, and ultimately a triumph of the human spirit.
You can view more on the website—kalmanandleopold.com.
February 9, 2025
This extraordinary book is an account of what two young teenaged boys, each one half of sets of fraternal twins, experienced, in the time preceding, and during their incarceration, in Auschwitz during World War II.
They were subjects of cruel, invasive, and horrific medical experimentation performed by Dr. Josef Mengele and his staff of doctors and technicians. Mengele's particular subjects of interest were sets of twins and dwarfs, who upon their arrival at the concentration camp, were separated from other family members who were often sent directly to their deaths in the gas chambers, or worked to death if they were deemed fit enough upon entry.
The two boys were Kalman Braun, who became Kalman Baro-On in his new post-war life in Israel, and Leopold Lowy, who emigrated to Canada where he married and became the father of three, including Richard K. Lowy, a filmmaker and the author of this book.
In Auschwitz, the two boys worked together on whatever duties were assigned to them by their Nazi handlers. Any mistake or misstep resulted in harsh punishment, but their solidarity helped them to survive, with Leopold (known as "Lipa"), the older and more worldly wise, often advising and protecting Kalman.
Many years later, Richard Lowy made a film about his father's life, which was shown on Israeli TV. Kalman, who had been searching fruitlessly for Lipa for decades, saw it, and that ultimately led to their being reunited. Kalman contacted Richard, and with his reminisces, along with his father's, this extraordinary book came about.
The book includes accounts of their Auschwitz experiences from Kalman and Leopold, maps, and other supporting documents, all carefully annotated and footnoted. Reading what these boys and the other inmates experienced is horrifying.
Yet, the reader leaves on a positive note, because both of these boys, as men, were able to create new and productive lives, a testament to the resilience of their humanity, and a lesson about what can be accomplished in life despite an experience of the worst that humankind can inflict on one another.
I highly recommend this book with the caveat that it is not sparing in its recounting of what Kalman and Leopold and millions others experienced at the hands of the Nazi regime. It does not whitewash or excuse any of the crimes that were perpetrated, or diminish their impact. We must never forget, but we can heal.
They were subjects of cruel, invasive, and horrific medical experimentation performed by Dr. Josef Mengele and his staff of doctors and technicians. Mengele's particular subjects of interest were sets of twins and dwarfs, who upon their arrival at the concentration camp, were separated from other family members who were often sent directly to their deaths in the gas chambers, or worked to death if they were deemed fit enough upon entry.
The two boys were Kalman Braun, who became Kalman Baro-On in his new post-war life in Israel, and Leopold Lowy, who emigrated to Canada where he married and became the father of three, including Richard K. Lowy, a filmmaker and the author of this book.
In Auschwitz, the two boys worked together on whatever duties were assigned to them by their Nazi handlers. Any mistake or misstep resulted in harsh punishment, but their solidarity helped them to survive, with Leopold (known as "Lipa"), the older and more worldly wise, often advising and protecting Kalman.
Many years later, Richard Lowy made a film about his father's life, which was shown on Israeli TV. Kalman, who had been searching fruitlessly for Lipa for decades, saw it, and that ultimately led to their being reunited. Kalman contacted Richard, and with his reminisces, along with his father's, this extraordinary book came about.
The book includes accounts of their Auschwitz experiences from Kalman and Leopold, maps, and other supporting documents, all carefully annotated and footnoted. Reading what these boys and the other inmates experienced is horrifying.
Yet, the reader leaves on a positive note, because both of these boys, as men, were able to create new and productive lives, a testament to the resilience of their humanity, and a lesson about what can be accomplished in life despite an experience of the worst that humankind can inflict on one another.
I highly recommend this book with the caveat that it is not sparing in its recounting of what Kalman and Leopold and millions others experienced at the hands of the Nazi regime. It does not whitewash or excuse any of the crimes that were perpetrated, or diminish their impact. We must never forget, but we can heal.
March 6, 2026
Thank you so much to Palamedes PR, the author and Hygge Book Tours for the opportunity to read this incredible book.
I've never read anything like it. I'm not one for things to do with war - as a pacifist it doesn't intrigue me at all - and my historical knowledge cuts off at the year nine curriculum because option blocks meant I couldn't take history. However, I've been hearing people talk about the fact that soon we will not have any Holocaust survivors alive to tell their stories, and I felt that it was thus a socially responsible act to learn more about that time. I went into this book having not heard of Mengele, and I've come out of it infinitely more educated and horrified.
The way this book is told is brilliant. The dual POV follows the titular men fairly chronologically, alternating between their stories as needed. The two different perspectives told me a lot about life just before the Holocaust for Jewish families, and the way their lives then changed under Nazi rule. I had such a superficial understanding before reading this book. The atrocities that the men witnessed and endured are unfathomable to anyone who wasn't there - to the point that they even described their families not believing them when they got out.
The reunion between Kalman and Leopold was beautiful, and a very special inclusion in such an eye-opening novel.
If you're interested in history or interested in humanity, I recommend you read this book.
I've never read anything like it. I'm not one for things to do with war - as a pacifist it doesn't intrigue me at all - and my historical knowledge cuts off at the year nine curriculum because option blocks meant I couldn't take history. However, I've been hearing people talk about the fact that soon we will not have any Holocaust survivors alive to tell their stories, and I felt that it was thus a socially responsible act to learn more about that time. I went into this book having not heard of Mengele, and I've come out of it infinitely more educated and horrified.
The way this book is told is brilliant. The dual POV follows the titular men fairly chronologically, alternating between their stories as needed. The two different perspectives told me a lot about life just before the Holocaust for Jewish families, and the way their lives then changed under Nazi rule. I had such a superficial understanding before reading this book. The atrocities that the men witnessed and endured are unfathomable to anyone who wasn't there - to the point that they even described their families not believing them when they got out.
The reunion between Kalman and Leopold was beautiful, and a very special inclusion in such an eye-opening novel.
If you're interested in history or interested in humanity, I recommend you read this book.
July 30, 2026
Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele's Auschwitz is a profoundly moving testament to friendship, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable evil.
What I appreciated most is that Richard K. Lowy tells this story through the enduring bond between two boys rather than focusing solely on the atrocities surrounding them. While the horrors of Auschwitz are never diminished, the friendship between Kalman and Leopold becomes a powerful reminder that even in humanity's darkest moments, compassion and hope can endure.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its emotional scope. The story does not end with liberation. Kalman's decades-long search for the friend who helped him survive gives the memoir extraordinary depth, transforming it into a reflection on gratitude, memory, and the lifelong impact of kindness. That search becomes every bit as compelling as the events that first brought the two boys together.
At its heart, Kalman & Leopold is a reminder that history is ultimately about people. It honors the victims of the Holocaust while celebrating the courage, faith, and humanity that refused to be extinguished. It is both an essential historical testimony and an unforgettable story of friendship that deserves to be remembered for generations.
A powerful and deeply important read for anyone interested in Holocaust history, memoir, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
What I appreciated most is that Richard K. Lowy tells this story through the enduring bond between two boys rather than focusing solely on the atrocities surrounding them. While the horrors of Auschwitz are never diminished, the friendship between Kalman and Leopold becomes a powerful reminder that even in humanity's darkest moments, compassion and hope can endure.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its emotional scope. The story does not end with liberation. Kalman's decades-long search for the friend who helped him survive gives the memoir extraordinary depth, transforming it into a reflection on gratitude, memory, and the lifelong impact of kindness. That search becomes every bit as compelling as the events that first brought the two boys together.
At its heart, Kalman & Leopold is a reminder that history is ultimately about people. It honors the victims of the Holocaust while celebrating the courage, faith, and humanity that refused to be extinguished. It is both an essential historical testimony and an unforgettable story of friendship that deserves to be remembered for generations.
A powerful and deeply important read for anyone interested in Holocaust history, memoir, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
March 10, 2026
A copy of this book was supplied through Hygge Book Tours/Palamedes PR in exchange for an honest review.
This is a hugely important book for several reasons. It immediately calls out the fear that survivors stories may go unheard as time goes on.
I liked that the book was split into key parts, easily segmenting the lives of Kalman and Leopold into before, during, and after this devastating part of history. It was clearer to understand the impacts of being unable to practice their religion, to see the contrasts.
It was tragic reading the men refer to themselves as mice and sheep, a symptom of how their humanity had been torn from them.
The details of Mengele's experiments were heartbreaking, unfathomable how a human being could treat people like this. I also hadn't been aware before of the treatment of dwarves, so the inclusion here was eye-opening. There are photos from inside the camp that are really shocking but must not be shied away from as we cannot forget.
I couldn't believe how they were treated after "liberation" from the camp, still struggling to find where they belong and get support, eventually completely relocating to different countries and taking whatever means necessary to get there in their desperation to seek a home.
A must-read.
This is a hugely important book for several reasons. It immediately calls out the fear that survivors stories may go unheard as time goes on.
I liked that the book was split into key parts, easily segmenting the lives of Kalman and Leopold into before, during, and after this devastating part of history. It was clearer to understand the impacts of being unable to practice their religion, to see the contrasts.
It was tragic reading the men refer to themselves as mice and sheep, a symptom of how their humanity had been torn from them.
The details of Mengele's experiments were heartbreaking, unfathomable how a human being could treat people like this. I also hadn't been aware before of the treatment of dwarves, so the inclusion here was eye-opening. There are photos from inside the camp that are really shocking but must not be shied away from as we cannot forget.
I couldn't believe how they were treated after "liberation" from the camp, still struggling to find where they belong and get support, eventually completely relocating to different countries and taking whatever means necessary to get there in their desperation to seek a home.
A must-read.
March 12, 2026
Somehow after reading this book I don’t think any review or words I write could do it justice. It’s a heartbreaking, harrowing read but one that everyone needs to know about. I would hope that the more people are aware of the exact details of what happened the less chance of history repeating itself but the current state of the world makes me worry that sadly this is not true.
The book had me hooked from the introduction. Over the years I’ve read many books on Auschwitz and thought I had pretty much read everything without learning anything new but this book proved me wrong!
Although I’ve read books on Mengele and what he did I’ve never read such a heartbreaking first account from a victim and a first hand account of the awful experiments he put twins through. The style of writing throughout the book with the different views from both men led to a real understanding of what they went through and kept you wanting to carry on reading to get to the next chapter.
Two weeks ago I went to visit Auschwitz for the first time and maybe it’s just seeing the camp in the flesh so recently that led me to be able to imagine it all happening so much clearer when reading about it or maybe it is just how well the book is written.
The book had me hooked from the introduction. Over the years I’ve read many books on Auschwitz and thought I had pretty much read everything without learning anything new but this book proved me wrong!
Although I’ve read books on Mengele and what he did I’ve never read such a heartbreaking first account from a victim and a first hand account of the awful experiments he put twins through. The style of writing throughout the book with the different views from both men led to a real understanding of what they went through and kept you wanting to carry on reading to get to the next chapter.
Two weeks ago I went to visit Auschwitz for the first time and maybe it’s just seeing the camp in the flesh so recently that led me to be able to imagine it all happening so much clearer when reading about it or maybe it is just how well the book is written.
July 7, 2026
New book coming January 27th. This is a must read for everyone. A true heart wrenching story written by Richard K. Lowy - Author / Producer / Creative Director Richard K. Lowy is an internationally acclaimed producer and creative director in the global event industry, celebrated for delivering award-winning, high-impact experiences. His expertise in producing world-class events is exemplified by his leadership at the prestigious APEC CEO Summit, featuring seven world leaders, 21 ministers of state, and over 200 top executives. Lowy’s distinguished career includes collaborations with legendary artists and thought leaders such as Van Morrison, the Doobie Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Malcolm Gladwell, William Shatner, Chris Hadfield, and George Foreman, consistently crafting transformative experiences that inspire and engage audiences worldwide. #ebook #kindle #kindleebooks #kindlepaperwhite #wwii #historicalfiction #warbooks #ebookhaul #bücher #wwiifiction #worldwartwobooks #mustread #bücherlesen #wargirls #kindlelover #readersofinstagram #fiction #truestory
March 14, 2025
I was randomly scrolling through Goodreads giveaways and entered to win this book (and I did win it, so here is a review).
Over the last 8 months or so, there has sadly been an increase in anti-semitism in some Christian Reformed circles. It's a small group, but they are very vocal and boast a fairly large following. Some pastors are even ok with their members questioning the Holocaust (and making bold assertions about how great Nazi Germany was).
This book should be read by all of them. The firsthand details given by Kalman and Leopold are amazing. What they went through just because they were Jews (and from sets of twins) is unconscionable.
If you are someone who is "questioning", I urge you to take a fresh look at what actually happened in history and read what Richard Lowy has compiled from the eyewitness testimony of Kalman and Leopold. Thank you for finally publishing these stories, Richard.
Over the last 8 months or so, there has sadly been an increase in anti-semitism in some Christian Reformed circles. It's a small group, but they are very vocal and boast a fairly large following. Some pastors are even ok with their members questioning the Holocaust (and making bold assertions about how great Nazi Germany was).
This book should be read by all of them. The firsthand details given by Kalman and Leopold are amazing. What they went through just because they were Jews (and from sets of twins) is unconscionable.
If you are someone who is "questioning", I urge you to take a fresh look at what actually happened in history and read what Richard Lowy has compiled from the eyewitness testimony of Kalman and Leopold. Thank you for finally publishing these stories, Richard.
March 17, 2026
This perverted monster was born and raised in my hometown and it's still a stigma the small town has to carry. When I was in High School, a survivor of his torture and evil experiments visited and told his story. He told the most horrific things one can imagine, this poor old man lost his twin sister and his parents and was one of the very lucky ones who survived. He was shaking the entire time while talking, it was incredible brave of him to tell his story, in the end everyone cried. There are plenty of rumors, told by the elder generation, that he visited his remaining family after the war, in secret.
Poor Kalman& Leopald what they had to face. This book told their stories and I can’t give it anything less than 5 stars.
Poor Kalman& Leopald what they had to face. This book told their stories and I can’t give it anything less than 5 stars.
March 2, 2026
I am an avid reader of World War Two fiction and in particular the stories from the Nazi Camps. I find books like Levi’s hard to review because I don’t like to say “I enjoyed reading it” because that doesn’t seem appropriate. It was beautifully written to capture the experiences and reality of the world they were living in. The story gave a valuable insight into Mengele and the atrocities he committed in the name of “science”. A must read for everyone as it is so important that these stories are remembered.
March 6, 2026
Kalman and Leopold is a harrowing, deeply personal tale of resilience and survival during one of the very worst genocides in human history.
The author details his Father, Leo's excruciating, life altering experiences in Auschwitz-Birkenau and how, even amongst such terror, hope and brotherhood can be found.
It's a graphic, incredibly hard hitting story of two youngsters amidst the evil being committed around them.
It's important to read these stories and to keep them at the forefront of our minds in order that these histories are never forgotten.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
The author details his Father, Leo's excruciating, life altering experiences in Auschwitz-Birkenau and how, even amongst such terror, hope and brotherhood can be found.
It's a graphic, incredibly hard hitting story of two youngsters amidst the evil being committed around them.
It's important to read these stories and to keep them at the forefront of our minds in order that these histories are never forgotten.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
March 20, 2026
I worked in healthcare, cared for an elderly woman from England who would tell me stories .. doctors always said she had dementia and she was 97 that she would pass away soon, you could tell she was sick but her memory, her words, her stories always made sense. She had numbers tatted on her arm close to her wrist almost fading off..she always said those numbers were used to identify her . She even told me her son never really believed her because of what the drs said about her memory. I wish I would’ve have gotten more out of her.
This book reminded me of her. May she rest in peace.
This book reminded me of her. May she rest in peace.
March 1, 2026
I really liked this book. It sheds light on parts of the Holocaust that are not often talked about. It goes beyond the general history and focuses on personal experiences that many people may not know. More than once, I had goosebumps while reading. Some scenes were hard to process because they felt so real and close. The emotions stayed with me even after I put the book down. It’s a powerful reminder of how much was endured and how important it is to keep these stories alive.
March 7, 2026
I have read a few books about Auschwitz and the Nazi Party because I want to understand history better. This book gave another heartbreaking look into a topic that is often mentioned but not fully explained in many books the twin experiments done by Josef Mengele.
The whole book is painful to read. Many times I had to remind myself that this is not fiction. These events really happened, and that thought leaves a heavy and disturbing feeling.
The whole book is painful to read. Many times I had to remind myself that this is not fiction. These events really happened, and that thought leaves a heavy and disturbing feeling.
March 7, 2026
I love historical non fiction and this was one that captured my attention from reading the blurb, I find the accounts fascinating and this one was heartbreaking in places. I have read quite a few books recently based on true stories of the atrocities of the Holocaust and have been reading more and more on World War II in general, this has included quite few books that have been released from those that found themselves in the terror camp that was Auschwitz too.
March 9, 2026
I work in pharmaceutical research, and this book shares a very touching and heartbreaking part of history by telling a the holocaust survivor’s story in a personal and meaningful way. Stories like this deserve to be told.
I am interested in reading about historical human experiments because they have shaped the work I do today. In my field, a lot of focus is placed on protecting people who take part in research, including making sure there is proper informed consent.
I am interested in reading about historical human experiments because they have shaped the work I do today. In my field, a lot of focus is placed on protecting people who take part in research, including making sure there is proper informed consent.
March 10, 2026
I read this book over the course of a few evenings and I kept thinking about it during the day when I wasn’t reading. The story raises difficult questions about humanity, cruelty, and survival. It’s heartbreaking to see what people had to endure, but it also shows how strong people can be when they are pushed to their limits.
This is the kind of book that encourages reflection and conversation, which I think is very important.
This is the kind of book that encourages reflection and conversation, which I think is very important.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews