From Belsen to Buckingham Palace

by Paul Oppenheimer

From Belsen to Buckingham Palace

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Holocaust, Memoir

211 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2001

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of listening to Paul's brother, Rudi (or Ruzzi as he is called in this book) talk about his experiences to a hall full of local people at the university where I study, and I purchased this book afterwards, which happens to be signed by Rudi himself. The story of Paul, Rudi, sister Eve, and the rest of their family, is a tragic story which really shows just how human spirit can overcome everything. Paul describes his experiences during the war with clarity and it was truly wonderful to meet his brother. A deeply thought-provoking book and one that is very important - history like this is sad but should never be forgotten.

[Keira Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an informative account of the authors experience of the holocaust and opened my eyes to the way in which the concentration camps worked. I’d definitely recommend giving it a read, it covers a story not widely told but interesting nonetheless.

[John]

I had the honour of meeting the brother of Paul Oppenheimer recently.

I was more than moved to tears by his love of humanity.

How can people give so much when they have had everything stripped away from them? Where does the hate and despair go?

The holocaust survivors get less and less.... embrace them whilst you can.

[Alice Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the privilege of hearing Paul tell his story when I was in high school and he signed my copy of this book. Revisiting it 18 years on brings it more to life than when I was a teen. Interesting read and good to see there was life after Belsen

[Estee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting personal account of the authors experiences as a child survivor of the Holocaust and in the Belson Berger Camp.

[Det · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an in depth look at how the war affected Paul and his family.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a poignant, accessible, important account of the atrocities of The Holocaust. Thank you for sharing your experiences Paul Oppenheimer.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy to read account of Paul Oppenheimer's experience during the holocaust. I went to a talk by his brother, Ruzzi, at my school which was equally remarkable. It was interesting to read a book about people from a "star camp", to see how they were treated. It was also interesting to see how a British passport potentially saved lives.

This is another book to be added to the many holocaust accounts, and we should appreciate this and that these people are brave enough to retell their stories. As Oppenheimer said in the last line of the book, "for the future."

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and easily read. It is an unemotional step by step account of what happened to this family, especially the writer and his brother, and although they did suffer they were actually amongst the lucky few and survived. Paul Oppenheimer's story brings home how methodical the Nazi regime was and how easily it operated completely unopposed within what is thought of as civilised society. I think this book should be used in schools as an introduction to others that are more specific in their descriptions as to what it was like inside the Nazi labour and death camps.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book, got to listen to a talk from the brother of the author and was really inspirational! Really enjoyed this book

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really powerful book.


If you want to know what the pain was like, this is the book for you!