Auschwitz: A Doctor's Story

by Lucie Adelsberger, Susan H. Ray (Translator), Deborah E. Lipstadt (Contributor)

"A taut, terse Holocaust narrative that is all the more powerful for its ironic reserve." -- Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Holocaust, History, Nonfiction, Memoir, World War II, Biography

176 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 1995

Reviews

[Rose]

"Despite it all, life is still stronger than death. Some day a new life would arise; phoenixlike, from the ashes of the dead of Auschwitz."

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

An account of the author's deportation and experiences at the infamous death camp. A medical scientist, she could have escaped Germany but was unable to obtain a visa for her mother, and thus stayed in Berlin as the world crumbled for Jews. At the infamous death factory, she was assigned to various details, trying to help prisoners in her care under the most vile circumstances, with hardly any medicine or equipment. The sickening dehumanizing recounting of what the prisoners endured is told, quite eloquently many times. The author nearly died throughout her stay at Birkenau, the women's camp. She was situated beside the infamous crematoria and recounts the heart-rending liquidation of the Gypsy camp - they had been allowed to live in a family camp but then were abruptly liquidated, of course they all knew where they were being transported to.

This book gives another eye-witness survivor's account of the organized murder factory at Auschwitz - including an account of the death march, and the author's eventual relocation to Ravensbruck, from where she was eventually freed, and the joyous aftermath of being free after about two years in confinement.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read many books on the Holocaust and Auschwitz so unfortunately none of the information in this book is new to me. With the title “A Doctors Story” I did expect more of just that…doctor/patient stories. Instead it read as most other camp prisoners stories.

I did feel like the book lacked feeling/emotion. However with trying to retell this horrific time in their life, I’m not sure how anyone could write it with any feeling other then anger and hate!

[Alana Nicolopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read. truely eye opening and heartbreaking at the same time.

I personally love a good non-fiction read here and there. I have always loved history and reading. to combine the two is always a winner.

i highly recommend this for anyone who likes to read or learn about the concentration camps.

a memoir to all those who died & survived.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book by chance. It’s one of the most outstanding Holocaust books I’ve ever read.

[Dannie]

“A little bit of drawing-room anti-Semitism, some political and religious opposition, rejection of political dissidents- in itself a harmless mixture, until a madman comes along and turns it into dynamite. We have to understand this synthesis if the things that happened in Auschwitz are to be prevented in the future. When hatred and defamation quietly germinate, it’s then, at that very moment, that we have to be alert and on guard. That is the legacy of the victims of Auschwitz.
The dead were strong; in their destruction they displayed a strength bordering on colossal. Can the living afford to be any weaker?”

One of the more challenging Auschwitz memoirs I have read. First published in 1956, the English translation published in 1995 contains many links and references in the back to other memoirs and more updated statistics.
Of the surviving Jewish women medical provider survivors of Auschwitz, Adelsberger seemed to have had the fewest protections. She does not try to shield sensitive readers, the tension she describes during her years of torture is palpable. “Cooking was forbidden in the concentration camp, but that didn’t mean much. Living wasn’t allowed, either, and we tried that, too.”
After liberation and trying to adjust to reintegration: “After so much brutality and so much cruel misfortune, one expects an excess of kindness and good fortune, and that’s just not the way it is in this world.”
Later, “On the other hand, we take increased enjoyment in the little things of everyday life.”
Other memorable quotes:
“It’s a miracle and a gift of God that we survived Auschwitz; it’s also an obligation. The legacy of the dead rests in our hands; it’s incumbent upon us to tell their story.”
“The world has to know that one small spark of hate can kindle an overwhelming conflagration that soon gets out of control.”

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting because I have never heard of or read a book that had to do with the Dr. who sent the people to their death... and experimented on twins.

It was interesting to hear about how twins were I treated... becuase in every other holocaust book.. they never mention twins...

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-1/2

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leaves a scar, asks important questions

[Beverley Chalmers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good resources for exploring prisoner doctors' roles during the Holocaust