An Unbroken Chain: My Journey Through the Nazi Holocaust

by Henry A. Oertelt, Stephanie Oertelt Samuels

A Holocaust survivor chronicles the chain of events that kept him alive, providing first-hand accounts of Hitler's rise to power, Kristallnacht, and confinement in various concentration camps.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Book Club, Holocaust

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always approach books about the Holocaust with some trepidation, because they both fascinate and frighten me so greatly. In March, Henry Oertelt was mentioned/quoted in a Star Tribune article because the 87-year-old St. Paul resident had spoken at St. Cloud State University following a rash of hate crimes, which included graffiti of swastikas around campus. The article mentioned a bit about his life, which included survival of a few concentration camps (including Auschwitz), and he seemed like such an interesting fellow--plus, he was 87 and looked so vital. At the end of the article, it mentioned he had written a book a few years ago, so I decided to try to locate it at the library. I did, and found it compelling. He tells his story of survival so matter-of-factly, and I cannot help but marvel at his strength of mind, body and soul. My son, Gordy, usually avoids this type of book (because I think it "gets" to him, too), but I convinced him to read it and he appreciated it, as well. It's a quick read (esp. for all of you SUPER readers), but worth the investment. Reading it makes me want to write to Mr. Oertelt and thank him for going to the effort to write down his story before it was too late--and to congratulate him again on having survived and lived a worthwhile life.

[Bubba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about the main characters struggle through the holocaust. Each chapter is a different link that add to the chain of his survival. He moves around to different camps. He loses friends and family.he tells about how every event in his life leads to his survival.

This book is a very good read.The author string the story along greatly like its a chain to his survival ending each chapter saying "another link in my chain of survival".I recommend this book. This is a great book to read for anyone interested in things like the holocaust. Its also a good book to read if your apart of the Jewish community.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally received this from ILL and it was well worth the wait. Henry Oertelt has written a very accessible account of his memories of the Holocaust. Henry was a young 22 year old when he first narrowly escapes a truck looking for Jews while at work. He relates eighteen incidents or links, whether they be people or circumstances, that had they not played out as told, he probably wouldn't have survived to tell his story. My copy, from another library system, is actually labeled as teen non-fiction. It's a good work and a very quick read.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did I love reading this book, but I'm so honored to have met the man and spent time hearing his story. It was a pleasure to see him at work every day.

A true blessing in my life that's for sure. This was a simple book with an immense story. I liked that it was a book for any age. I do need to get a new copy as my oldest daughter swiped mine and has never given it back.

Highly recommended.

[Ursala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the moving story story of Henry Oertelt, a Holocaust survivor. Reflecting on that period in his life, Oertelt realizes that there are eighteen key factors that contributed to his survival.
The book is clearly written, and, while affecting, it manages to avoid sentimentality. I found that interesting given the topic.

[Kashia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in high school. My uncle, who happened to be my teacher, knew the author. He used to come and visit our school and discuss his book. Unfortunately, he was unable to visit the year I took the class. Great book!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author used to speak to classes at my son’s school, but has since passed away. I wish my son could have met this extraordinary man!

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of my book was An Unbroken Chain by Henry Oertelt with Stephanie Oertelt Samuels. This book covers the time frame of 1933-1999. The main character is Henry. Near the end of the book Henry meets Will Kuscheck who influences him a lot. Henry chose to write this book to educate people on how destructive the Nazi holocaust was and how many innocent lives were lost.
On June 16, 1943 Henry and his family were picked up by the Nazis. While he was there he got transferred to many different camps, and suffers the loss of his girlfriend and mom. Henry is very detailed with all that happened to him while he was there and the links to his survival. After he was liberated he explains his life after the Holocaust.
I personally loved this book and thought it was very inspiring. Henry puts in so much detail about what happened and how he survived it all. I don’t think any part of the book was boring. There was always something going on, not always in a good way. I was very surprised with how much he remembered with so much detail. This book made me want to learn more about the Holocaust.
Overall I think this was a great book with amazing detail because of how well he explained the links and what the Nazis did.I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about how destructive the Nazi Holocaust was.

[Deepmalaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any memoir accounts for a good read specially related to Holocaust if it is well documented. An Unbroken Chain provides the same fascinations. For someone like me who is lucky enough not to born in that era,it always interest me to know life during the Holocaust. the book recounts the horror of the time, the struggle, the pain and the emotions.It left a lasting impact as a reader. The book moved me. The journey of a Holocaust survivor is well chronicled in this book.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that tells an amazing story of the holocaust that all can read, absorb and appreciate.

[K. Lang-Slattery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read with a new, personal perspective. The author bases the retelling of his experiences on the personal characteristics and strokes of luck that led to his survival.

[Toni Jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

"An Unbroken Chain" by Henry A. Oertelt is a memoir about his survival during the Holocaust. Oertelt, a Jewish boy from Germany, describes the brutal conditions he faced in concentration camps, the loss of his family, and his hopes to survive. Even in the most extreme situations he did everything he could to survive . As he recalls his journey, he writes, “I had to learn to become a man in the worst possible conditions... My struggle for survival was a daily test of my will to live.” This quote reflects his fighting and his unimaginable suffering.

I gave this book 3 stars because the book was quite predictable at times. The book also shows the importance of remembering the past and honoring those who suffered. Oertelt believes that the memories of those lost should never be forgotten. He writes, “I carry the memories of those lost with me every day, a chain that binds me to them and reminds me of what it means to endure.” His story is not just about survival, but also about teaching future generations to understand the lessons of history.

[Kristin T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this at least twice, as I had a connection with the author's family member. I read it in one day, barely setting it down, because I was so engrossed in the stories that were woven together so thoughtfully. While the book could have used some more editing, it was fine as is, knowing that the author and co-author were focused more on telling a story. The chain of significant incidents in the author's experience made it more meaningful, knowing that if even one of those encounters had not occurred, he probably would have not survived. It sheds more light and meaning on our daily encounters, subtly helping the reader to be more present and grateful.

[LEONARD OPPENHEIMER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of knowing Henry Oertelt (z"l). He was a long-standing member of my congregation. He had a beautiful singing voice, was a skilled woodworker, and was a constant teacher/speaker on the holocaust. His auto-biographical work attempts to answer the question of why he survived the holocaust when so many around him did not. As the generation of holocaust survivors passes from amidst us, we need to hear the first-hand stories that they have left to us.

[Anne Vandenbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry describes each link in a chain that enable him to survive the Holocaust. A tip-off from a sympathetic boss, access to a back stairway when visiting his friends while they were being rounded up, a camp political prisoner who forced him to stay by his side rather than go with other Jews as instructed......and many more in a sequence of events that saved his life. Great book!

[Edmund Lokstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked An Unbroken Chain because it tells what happened during the Holocaust. It tells Henry A. Oertelt's story of his life. I know it would break some people's heart.
It reminds me of the African-American segregation but way worse. It is a story that is really sad, but then it gets happy.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

More enlightenment from a first person narrative on a tough topic.

[Simi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel Study for school

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like I was really there the whole time and felt the emotions they were feeling during the book. Also, this book taught me about many things during WW2 I did not know about.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's granddaughter gave me this compelling book. I read it in one sitting and offered to make a film based on Henry's story. It was a clear account of the author's experiences as a Jewish boy in Germany when Hitler came to power. 7 years later, we have posted a short seven minute film called Becoming Henry based on the true story about when Henry met his liberator after the war. It's a great introduction to the book and to this topic in history. Our dream was to make the entire story into a full length feature film but we were not able to secure the funds by the time Henry died at age 90. You can see the short at http://becominghenry.com. There's also a great study guide available for educators online by the co author, Henry's daughter, Stephanie Oertelt Samuels.

[Madi Treptow · Rating 1 out of 5]

So far this book is decent, it's very interesting to learn about the things that Henry went through when in the Holocaust. I like it also because it relates to what we're learning and it relates to things that I am interested in. I don't like this book because it is a lot of repetition and the author often expresses his feelings in a similar way all the time. Overall it is a good read, there a just a lot of parts that are boring and repetitive.

[Rachael Dashiell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My father was lucky enough to know this man for many years, and his story has stuck with me since I read it years ago. I am sad I was not able to meet Henry before he passed, but this is a powerful memoir. I highly recommend it. He had hopes for his story to make it to film, and it finally has. "Becoming Henry" is shown at festivals around the country - it's one of my goals to view it some day.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I read this book. As a memoir, it was not particularly well-written. But as a means through which many people can get a vivid glimpse of the experience of those most immediately and profoundly impacted by the Holocaust, it was perfect.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating facts, not well written....but I learned a lot of new things.

[DM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by one of my patients.