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A Year In Treblinka: An Inmate Who Escaped Tells The Day-To-Day Facts Of One Year Of His Torturous Experiences
Jankiel Wiernik was a Jewish property manager in Warsaw when the Nazis invaded Poland and was forced into the ghetto in 1940. Despite surviving the horrors of the ghetto at the advanced age of 52, he was sent to a fate course than death at the notorious death camp at Treblinka which he immortalized in his memoirs.
“On his arrival at Treblinka aboard the Holocaust train from Warsaw, Wiernik was selected to work rather than be immediately killed. Wiernik's first job with the Sonderkommando required him to drag corpses from the gas chambers to mass graves. Wienik was traumatized by his experiences. He later wrote in his book: "It often happened that an arm or a leg fell off when we tied straps around them in order to drag the bodies away." He remembered the horrors of the enormous pyres, where "10,000 to 12,000 corpses were cremated at one time." He wrote: "The bodies of women were used for kindling" while Germans "toasted the scene with brandy and with the choicest liqueurs, ate, caroused and had a great time warming themselves by the fire." Wiernik described small children awaiting so long in the cold for their turn in the gas chambers that "their feet froze and stuck to the icy ground" and noted one guard who would "frequently snatch a child from the woman's arms and either tear the child in half or grab it by the legs, smash its head against a wall and throw the body away.” At other times "children were snatched from their mothers' arms and tossed into the flames alive." However, he was also encouraged by the occasional scenes of brave resistance. In chapter 8, he describes seeing a naked woman escape the clutches of the guards and leap over a ten foot high barbed wire fence unscathed. When accosted by a Ukrainian guard on the other side, she wrestled his machine gun out of his grasp and shot two guards before being killed herself.
“Wiernik escaped Treblinka during the revolt of the prisoners on "a sizzling hot day" of August 2, 1943. A shot fired into the air signalled that the revolt was on. Wiernik wrote that he "grabbed some guns" and, after spotting an opportunity to make a break for the woods, an axe...”
“In Warsaw he made contact with members of Jewish underground working in the 'aryan' part of Warsaw and was recognised by them as a valuable eyewitness of the extermination process in Treblinka. He was persuaded in late 1943 to write A Year in Treblinka in spite of his initial reluctance.”
“On his arrival at Treblinka aboard the Holocaust train from Warsaw, Wiernik was selected to work rather than be immediately killed. Wiernik's first job with the Sonderkommando required him to drag corpses from the gas chambers to mass graves. Wienik was traumatized by his experiences. He later wrote in his book: "It often happened that an arm or a leg fell off when we tied straps around them in order to drag the bodies away." He remembered the horrors of the enormous pyres, where "10,000 to 12,000 corpses were cremated at one time." He wrote: "The bodies of women were used for kindling" while Germans "toasted the scene with brandy and with the choicest liqueurs, ate, caroused and had a great time warming themselves by the fire." Wiernik described small children awaiting so long in the cold for their turn in the gas chambers that "their feet froze and stuck to the icy ground" and noted one guard who would "frequently snatch a child from the woman's arms and either tear the child in half or grab it by the legs, smash its head against a wall and throw the body away.” At other times "children were snatched from their mothers' arms and tossed into the flames alive." However, he was also encouraged by the occasional scenes of brave resistance. In chapter 8, he describes seeing a naked woman escape the clutches of the guards and leap over a ten foot high barbed wire fence unscathed. When accosted by a Ukrainian guard on the other side, she wrestled his machine gun out of his grasp and shot two guards before being killed herself.
“Wiernik escaped Treblinka during the revolt of the prisoners on "a sizzling hot day" of August 2, 1943. A shot fired into the air signalled that the revolt was on. Wiernik wrote that he "grabbed some guns" and, after spotting an opportunity to make a break for the woods, an axe...”
“In Warsaw he made contact with members of Jewish underground working in the 'aryan' part of Warsaw and was recognised by them as a valuable eyewitness of the extermination process in Treblinka. He was persuaded in late 1943 to write A Year in Treblinka in spite of his initial reluctance.”
61 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 15, 2016
There is no real way to rate this. Out of the four "pure" extermination camps, Treblinka, Belzec, Sobibor and Chelmno came 82 survivors. This is the story of one of them. "Everyone" knows the stories out of Auschwitz, too few know the stories from the four above mentioned. It's every bit as depressing as one can imagine. I think it's important to know, so yes, I recommend it. Five stars? How do you rate a life story like this?
February 19, 2015
Gruesome...
A story that needs to be told I know but the details are gruesome for sure. But the ending I did not get at all. It totally cuts off and does not explain how he got out of the woods and where he went.
A story that needs to be told I know but the details are gruesome for sure. But the ending I did not get at all. It totally cuts off and does not explain how he got out of the woods and where he went.
February 6, 2017
I have read quite a few books about the Nazi concentration/extermination camps including some by survivors. This book is quite graphic about what the author saw while he was captive in Treblinka and is one of the best with respect to day to day operations and conditions in the camp. The only negative for me is there was not much shared about the author before being incarcerated and it ends rather abruptly with his escape to a nearby woods. Obviously he survived because he wrote and published this book. But I am curious about how he made his escape from the immediate area around the camp to ultimate freedom. Still, all things considered, it was an eye opener for the detailed observation of the operations withing the camp.
May 4, 2019
Heart-breaking
The author was determined to survive his internment in Treblinka and bear witness to the atrocities committed. His skills as a carpenter spared him from immediate death. However, Treblinka was a death camp and he was aware that everyone would eventually be killed. He managed to escape the camp, and spread the truth to the world. His mental health was severely damaged, resulting in major depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. He survived but did not thrive. I recommend this book highly. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Already, we have people who deny that the Holocaust ever happened.
The author was determined to survive his internment in Treblinka and bear witness to the atrocities committed. His skills as a carpenter spared him from immediate death. However, Treblinka was a death camp and he was aware that everyone would eventually be killed. He managed to escape the camp, and spread the truth to the world. His mental health was severely damaged, resulting in major depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. He survived but did not thrive. I recommend this book highly. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Already, we have people who deny that the Holocaust ever happened.
January 6, 2025
a horrific testimony of what was not just a death camp, but one of the worst of them even by nazi standards. the reason the book ends so abruptly, I can only assume, is probably because he wrote it very close to the events while still hiding and exposed to great dangers after joining the Polish resistance. the book itself was circling around due to the Polish underground.
on the Eichman trial (session 66), Wiernik gave a testimony, an impressive man, an unforgettable historical face, he lectured about Treblinka with a wooden model he had built himself. outrageously, the judge stopped his session in the midst because of what seemed to be his annoyance with the microphone. now just imagine people, stopping the testimony of one of the only very few and rare-knowledge survivors of this historical pit of hell of a camp, just like that - postponed. outrageous! I can't even imagine the insult.
on the Eichman trial (session 66), Wiernik gave a testimony, an impressive man, an unforgettable historical face, he lectured about Treblinka with a wooden model he had built himself. outrageously, the judge stopped his session in the midst because of what seemed to be his annoyance with the microphone. now just imagine people, stopping the testimony of one of the only very few and rare-knowledge survivors of this historical pit of hell of a camp, just like that - postponed. outrageous! I can't even imagine the insult.
December 30, 2013
I found this by pure chance. this story told by one man and his time at Treblinka is one every person should read. to read how the people were treated and the fate of every person who walked through its gates, there are no words. for someone to say that this never happened, they need their heads examined. for this did happen and the people who did it are the sickest in the world.
February 18, 2021
EBook Review: A YEAR IN TREBLINKA by Jankiel Wiernik
(A) ctual
(Y) ear...
(E) very
(A) ssault
(R) ecompence...
( I ) nsist
(N) ow
(T) hat
(R) eap...
(E) xacting
(B) lame...
(L) isting
( I ) ndividually...
(N) eedless
(K) illing
(A) cknowledged
A YEAR IN TREBLINKA, captured in detail.
Seen through his eyes, cannot be denied.
Though many will try, ignoring their part.
But ashes and bones, reveal their lies.
En masse brought down, men-women-children.
Without a single tear, sense of regret.
To be held accountable, is his plea.
That not happen again, is his cry.
Memories of lives with, cannot be erased.
To this day still, haunts him daily.
That is reason why, put on paper.
What he did experience, is not forgotten.
So please acquaint yourself, as he asked.
That you may understand, what took place.
His heart and soul, in every word.
As shows on face, witness to suffering.
Life torn to pieces, never fully recover.
Now given a purpose, reason for living.
**********************
Worth Every Dollar I Paid.
**********************
(A) ctual
(Y) ear...
(E) very
(A) ssault
(R) ecompence...
( I ) nsist
(N) ow
(T) hat
(R) eap...
(E) xacting
(B) lame...
(L) isting
( I ) ndividually...
(N) eedless
(K) illing
(A) cknowledged
A YEAR IN TREBLINKA, captured in detail.
Seen through his eyes, cannot be denied.
Though many will try, ignoring their part.
But ashes and bones, reveal their lies.
En masse brought down, men-women-children.
Without a single tear, sense of regret.
To be held accountable, is his plea.
That not happen again, is his cry.
Memories of lives with, cannot be erased.
To this day still, haunts him daily.
That is reason why, put on paper.
What he did experience, is not forgotten.
So please acquaint yourself, as he asked.
That you may understand, what took place.
His heart and soul, in every word.
As shows on face, witness to suffering.
Life torn to pieces, never fully recover.
Now given a purpose, reason for living.
**********************
Worth Every Dollar I Paid.
**********************
November 18, 2020
C'est tout de même terrible de mettre 5 étoiles à ce témoignage d'une horreur sans nom au sein de ce camp d'extermination de Treblinka. Et pourtant impossible de faire autrement. Comment l'homme a t-il pu perpétrer autant de tortures sur d'autres être humains sans aucune once de pitié et parfois en y prenant plaisir ? Comment peut-on réussir à construire une vie après avoir été le témoin de telles atrocités, comme ce fut le cas pour l'auteur. Il faut espérer que ces témoignages éviteront dans l'avenir d'autres massacres.
April 3, 2021
Emotional and heartbreaking
Wow...
What can I say? This is such an emotional read & I found it difficult to understand how anyone could treat others so appallingly! The details that are described are disturbing, unfathomable and absolutely heart-wrenching.
This author is an incredible human being who somehow miraculously escaped his terrifying and brutal life at Treblinka & is someone I truly admire and respect.
God bless you Jankiel Weirnik for sharing your story with us all and keeping the memory of all those poor lost souls alive ❤️❤️
Wow...
What can I say? This is such an emotional read & I found it difficult to understand how anyone could treat others so appallingly! The details that are described are disturbing, unfathomable and absolutely heart-wrenching.
This author is an incredible human being who somehow miraculously escaped his terrifying and brutal life at Treblinka & is someone I truly admire and respect.
God bless you Jankiel Weirnik for sharing your story with us all and keeping the memory of all those poor lost souls alive ❤️❤️
September 21, 2018
An interesting read
I found this book gave a true account of the need of desperation to escape. I can only begin to imagine how these cruel acts affected these poor people. The bravery to get this plan to work was of brilliance but could have easily gone so wrong.
To then write about it, must have been equally as traumatic to the days of the actual events.
A highly recommended read and not too long.
I found this book gave a true account of the need of desperation to escape. I can only begin to imagine how these cruel acts affected these poor people. The bravery to get this plan to work was of brilliance but could have easily gone so wrong.
To then write about it, must have been equally as traumatic to the days of the actual events.
A highly recommended read and not too long.
February 24, 2019
A must read if you're looking to visit the camps
I wish I could rate this higher than five stars, a beautifully written account of life (if that's would you would call it, it's more an existence) in treblinka, and to be honest this man probably had one of the most harrowing jobs in there. I am humbled reading this. No man should ever have to watch the bodies of men women and children burn whilst their tormentors drink laugh at eat at the side. This book is a must read!
I wish I could rate this higher than five stars, a beautifully written account of life (if that's would you would call it, it's more an existence) in treblinka, and to be honest this man probably had one of the most harrowing jobs in there. I am humbled reading this. No man should ever have to watch the bodies of men women and children burn whilst their tormentors drink laugh at eat at the side. This book is a must read!
June 6, 2019
Powerful, Heartbreaking
I appreciate Jankiel Wiernik ' s effort to impart his experience in Treblinka to readers living far into the future. Sadly, his story is all too relevant. Without this successful escape, the Nazis would have been able to hide their beastly actions. Even then, there are others waiting to pick up where the Nazis left off. Wiernik's potent work helps remind us of the importance of remembering.
I appreciate Jankiel Wiernik ' s effort to impart his experience in Treblinka to readers living far into the future. Sadly, his story is all too relevant. Without this successful escape, the Nazis would have been able to hide their beastly actions. Even then, there are others waiting to pick up where the Nazis left off. Wiernik's potent work helps remind us of the importance of remembering.
July 22, 2019
Terrible time in Treblinka
I have a 4 star rating to this book, it was very descriptive.what a tragic time the Jewish people had to go through.not only them but also the gypsies and others. My heart goes out to all of you .I thought the author did a wonderful job with this book. I imagine it had to be hard to bring up all those memories. God bless you and all involved in the process
I have a 4 star rating to this book, it was very descriptive.what a tragic time the Jewish people had to go through.not only them but also the gypsies and others. My heart goes out to all of you .I thought the author did a wonderful job with this book. I imagine it had to be hard to bring up all those memories. God bless you and all involved in the process
September 21, 2019
I have come away with three very strong feelings about this book, one was that although it's true, it's almost impossible to believe, two is sadness, how could human beings be so cruel and enjoy doing the terrible they did to other human beings and three is anger. The bottom line is, once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. I wish we could have heard more about Mr. Quentin after he escaped.
December 4, 2019
A Great but Wrenching Read
This book goes right to business from deportation on, and relates in. Vivid detail just what life in the He'll of Treblinka was like. No was red words at all here, and some of the most horrifying specifics I've read in all of Holocaust literature - and that's saying something. Not for the sqeamish, but if you want to know the full realities, this is the book.
This book goes right to business from deportation on, and relates in. Vivid detail just what life in the He'll of Treblinka was like. No was red words at all here, and some of the most horrifying specifics I've read in all of Holocaust literature - and that's saying something. Not for the sqeamish, but if you want to know the full realities, this is the book.
February 19, 2024
I read this book after watching the pianist and I am in absolute shock. It’s hard to imagine the horrors that happened during this time period but the way they are described here is absolutely unbelievable. This man survived so that we could have a glimpse into the unimaginable. In just 77 pages, this should be required reading for everyone so that this terror may never be forgotten and never be allowed to happen again.
Read
June 2, 2025Every person who cares to truly understand the horrors of the death camps from the point of view of a Jewish prisoner should read this book. It’s a hard read, maybe the most difficult to read book I’ve ever read. Many Holocaust novels are described as “harrowing” but I think this book is goes beyond just the word harrowing. Disgusting is the only way to convey the brutality described in this book.
June 29, 2018
Good read
A good easy read book, honest and to the point.
Learnt things I had never known before
Heart wrenching, terribly sad what this man lived through.
All those beautiful souls destroyed by this terrible death camp :-( rest in peace all the men, women, children.
Thank you jankiel for writing your story :-)
A good easy read book, honest and to the point.
Learnt things I had never known before
Heart wrenching, terribly sad what this man lived through.
All those beautiful souls destroyed by this terrible death camp :-( rest in peace all the men, women, children.
Thank you jankiel for writing your story :-)
November 4, 2018
Very informative book it makes readers think this must not happen again to anybody no matter what religion colour or country the people come from
This book should make anyone who read it must shout out this should never happen again to anyone ever again to Jews Muslim Catholics prodison Hindu or a any ones beliefs
This book should make anyone who read it must shout out this should never happen again to anyone ever again to Jews Muslim Catholics prodison Hindu or a any ones beliefs
March 6, 2019
A tough read about the concentration camp at Treblinka. What the survivors witnessed, well hell doesnt even begin to describe it. Its important to remember what happened in the holocaust, it must never be forgotton so that it is not repeated.
This book is fairly short, but it packs a punch. Very emotional.
This book is fairly short, but it packs a punch. Very emotional.
April 30, 2019
Treblinka
I really was interested in this book of Nazi atrocities. I had watched a movie on Treblinka and this book gave a much more detailed account of this death camp. This is not for the squeamish. Parts of the book are disturbing. Overall it is a historical tale of how the death camps worked. No one was safe from Nazi brutality.
I really was interested in this book of Nazi atrocities. I had watched a movie on Treblinka and this book gave a much more detailed account of this death camp. This is not for the squeamish. Parts of the book are disturbing. Overall it is a historical tale of how the death camps worked. No one was safe from Nazi brutality.
September 10, 2019
The depravity of the the country of Germany and the Ukraine
Just so you know the vile things that were done to a group of people because who those people are. And let's not forget that these people were murdered methodically and in a industrial way. Thought of and executed with by another nation of people. May this stain forever be on German history. Long live Israel.
Just so you know the vile things that were done to a group of people because who those people are. And let's not forget that these people were murdered methodically and in a industrial way. Thought of and executed with by another nation of people. May this stain forever be on German history. Long live Israel.
November 6, 2019
Read on one seating.
Like many other books about this terrible time in history, a lot seems totally unbelievable and most of us are unable to even remotely comprehend how it could happen. I truly feel this book is one of the best as it seems to be more of a personal story than some.
Like many other books about this terrible time in history, a lot seems totally unbelievable and most of us are unable to even remotely comprehend how it could happen. I truly feel this book is one of the best as it seems to be more of a personal story than some.
February 20, 2020
The horrors of Treblinka
I rated this book "4" because it is truthful, but rough. Vivid descriptions of the brutality and vulgarity that the prisoners endured are not pleasant reading, but I think each generation needs to know what depravity man is capable of perpetrating on other men.
I rated this book "4" because it is truthful, but rough. Vivid descriptions of the brutality and vulgarity that the prisoners endured are not pleasant reading, but I think each generation needs to know what depravity man is capable of perpetrating on other men.
June 27, 2020
Reality Struck Home
I gave this 5 stars because I was totally absorbed in Wiernik's detailed and honest telling of the horrors of the camp. His goal to tell this to others helped him survive
as well as his clear mind and skilled hands. I recommend this book to others like me who have read other WW2 books, especially Holocaust testaments.
I gave this 5 stars because I was totally absorbed in Wiernik's detailed and honest telling of the horrors of the camp. His goal to tell this to others helped him survive
as well as his clear mind and skilled hands. I recommend this book to others like me who have read other WW2 books, especially Holocaust testaments.
June 28, 2020
Intense and suspenseful
This was a great read and it kept me on my toes the entire time. I'm not a fast reader but I read it in a matter of hours, although the book is a little bit short anyways. I never wanted to put it down and really enjoyed reading about this experience from a survivors point of view!
This was a great read and it kept me on my toes the entire time. I'm not a fast reader but I read it in a matter of hours, although the book is a little bit short anyways. I never wanted to put it down and really enjoyed reading about this experience from a survivors point of view!
October 21, 2023
Truth not romance.
It's impossible to dislike a book that tells ànd shows the truth but in many books of this genre no-one could like and àppreciate the circumstances people especially Jewish people found themselves as the victims. Not þhe only victims but the most exposed victims.
It's impossible to dislike a book that tells ànd shows the truth but in many books of this genre no-one could like and àppreciate the circumstances people especially Jewish people found themselves as the victims. Not þhe only victims but the most exposed victims.
February 28, 2018
Have read lots of holocaust books
But nothing like this one. Comes at the subject from a different perspective. I did find the book really interesting but the very abrupt ending was a tad annoying.
But nothing like this one. Comes at the subject from a different perspective. I did find the book really interesting but the very abrupt ending was a tad annoying.
March 31, 2019
Never forget
So much tragedy in such a short book. Most of the books I read are survivor stories. I did read babi yar where they were forced to dig up the dead and cremate them. This is just as gori!! God bless you sir!! Would love to here your after story.
So much tragedy in such a short book. Most of the books I read are survivor stories. I did read babi yar where they were forced to dig up the dead and cremate them. This is just as gori!! God bless you sir!! Would love to here your after story.
April 24, 2019
Horrifying Truth Told
Horrifying truth reveals what it was like at Treblinka. I have read many books on the Holocaust but this one was riveting. This is a must read. We must never forget what happened.
Horrifying truth reveals what it was like at Treblinka. I have read many books on the Holocaust but this one was riveting. This is a must read. We must never forget what happened.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews