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I Am Juden: Undercover in the SS
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"An auspicious debut... One of the more impressive books based on the horrors of WW2. I AM JUDEN is an extraordinary reading experience... Stephen Uzzell has woven facts with the skill of a documentarian and enhanced those facts with the burnish of a thriller. Highly recommended." The San Francisco Review of Books
Inspired by the life of forgotten hero Haim Michael Klar, I Am Juden is the triumphant, epic tale of one man's incredible courage and resistance during the twentieth century's darkest days.
Jozef Siegler leads a perilous double life as an SS officer in Krakow and ultimately Auschwitz. His life is a tightrope walk through the Holocaust unlike any other. Nazi by day and resistance agent by night, any false move would result in certain death and exposure of the Jewish underground.
Kiel, Germany, 1938. Jozef Siegler has been a pacifist since his father died fighting in the anti-Jewish pogroms of the Russian Empire. Jozef now leads a quiet life as a university professor, but his days of innocence are numbered. With the final tightening of the Nuremberg Race Laws, he loses his job and flees Germany with his younger sister Shoshana. Aided by their Aryan looks and gift for languages, they are recruited into the Jewish resistance to transport orphans across the border into neutral Lithuania. But war soon envelops the continent. Brother and sister become separated. Jozef's quest to find Shoshana begins. Constantly on the move, never certain who to trust, it is his inventive ingenuity, the kindness of strangers, and the most hair-raising strokes of luck that ensure his survival.
When Jozef stumbles upon the dead body of SS Oberfuhrer Harry Mohnke, he faces the biggest decision of his life. If he can bring himself to wear the hated uniform and impersonate a Nazi, how many lives could he save ?
Fans of Schindler's List, All The Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz are gripped by this riveting saga of history, suspense and heroism.
"An auspicious debut... One of the more impressive books based on the horrors of WW2. I AM JUDEN is an extraordinary reading experience... Stephen Uzzell has woven facts with the skill of a documentarian and enhanced those facts with the burnish of a thriller. Highly recommended." The San Francisco Review of Books
Inspired by the life of forgotten hero Haim Michael Klar, I Am Juden is the triumphant, epic tale of one man's incredible courage and resistance during the twentieth century's darkest days.
Jozef Siegler leads a perilous double life as an SS officer in Krakow and ultimately Auschwitz. His life is a tightrope walk through the Holocaust unlike any other. Nazi by day and resistance agent by night, any false move would result in certain death and exposure of the Jewish underground.
Kiel, Germany, 1938. Jozef Siegler has been a pacifist since his father died fighting in the anti-Jewish pogroms of the Russian Empire. Jozef now leads a quiet life as a university professor, but his days of innocence are numbered. With the final tightening of the Nuremberg Race Laws, he loses his job and flees Germany with his younger sister Shoshana. Aided by their Aryan looks and gift for languages, they are recruited into the Jewish resistance to transport orphans across the border into neutral Lithuania. But war soon envelops the continent. Brother and sister become separated. Jozef's quest to find Shoshana begins. Constantly on the move, never certain who to trust, it is his inventive ingenuity, the kindness of strangers, and the most hair-raising strokes of luck that ensure his survival.
When Jozef stumbles upon the dead body of SS Oberfuhrer Harry Mohnke, he faces the biggest decision of his life. If he can bring himself to wear the hated uniform and impersonate a Nazi, how many lives could he save ?
Fans of Schindler's List, All The Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz are gripped by this riveting saga of history, suspense and heroism.
- GenresHistorical FictionWar
554 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
689 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Uzzell
3 books14 followersSeveral years ago, while researching World War II in his capacity as a UK secondary school teacher, Stephen Uzzell stumbled upon the name Haim Michael Klar, a Jewish man who impersonated a Nazi officer in order to help those trapped in the ghettos and concentration camps. The survivors’ subsequent recollections to the Association of Descendants of The Shoah, based in Illinois, USA, are all that remain of Haim Michael’s extraordinary legacy.
Stephen was so enthralled by what he’d read that he first set out to write Haim Michael’s biography. Unfortunately a lack of corroborating sources slowed progress, and the project was shelved. But Haim Michael’s story could not be so easily forgotten. The novel ‘I Am Juden’ was conceived in 2014, with the character Jozef Siegler standing as a testimony to this unique and unsung hero.
Published to acclaim in January 2019, ‘I Am Juden’ has climbed to the Amazon UK Top 60 list in Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction.
During his school holidays, Stephen can be found working on a follow-up novel that explores the life of Jozef Siegler’s daughter.
twitter: @StephenUzzell2
facebook.com/stephen.uzzell.16
Stephen was so enthralled by what he’d read that he first set out to write Haim Michael’s biography. Unfortunately a lack of corroborating sources slowed progress, and the project was shelved. But Haim Michael’s story could not be so easily forgotten. The novel ‘I Am Juden’ was conceived in 2014, with the character Jozef Siegler standing as a testimony to this unique and unsung hero.
Published to acclaim in January 2019, ‘I Am Juden’ has climbed to the Amazon UK Top 60 list in Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction.
During his school holidays, Stephen can be found working on a follow-up novel that explores the life of Jozef Siegler’s daughter.
twitter: @StephenUzzell2
facebook.com/stephen.uzzell.16
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 26, 2019
Stephen Uzzel has done a remarkable job in writing this novel to honour Haim Michael Klarr, who helped fellow Jews during the horrors of Nazi Germany. The story's main character is Jozef Siegler who walks a tight rope as a Jew operating as an undercover SS Officer. As so little is known about the real life hero, Haim Michael Klarr, Uzzel has written a fictional story and incorporated those facts that are known about Klarr. There are passages that are long winded and wordy and there are some inaccuracies but the book is well researched and the story carries you along. We all know about the atrocities carried out in the concentration camps, but I found the depictionsof the daily humiliations and casual brutality in the ghettos almost as shocking. It will be a long time before I forget this book, in fact I hope I never do.
June 1, 2019
Brilliant Book
I was reduced to tears many times but had to know what happened next. No one should forget what took place.
I was reduced to tears many times but had to know what happened next. No one should forget what took place.
February 2, 2020
A story like no other
There are many hundreds if not thousands of stories from WW2 and the horror faced by the Jews, this is the story of one Jew whose bravery and fortune helped others just how many we will never know. This is a story based on a truth but as the real hero's full story isn't known this is an eye opener that its based on a truth and when you read it you will see why it has to be told.
The book is in 3 parts with each telling the story of the horrors faced by Jews in some of their Blackest moments. The Jews have faced struggle throughout their history (the early days well documented in the Bible) and even to day they are persecuted in some parts of our planet in different forms but still persecution. But this is a story of how one Jewish man found a way of discussing himself as a SS Officer and help the Jews in a Ghetto in Poland as well as other areas. It is fantastically written and deals incredibly well with the tightrope he walked between success and discovery. But there is also a story told of before the new identify as a SS Officer and the life of the young Jew and his family's survival before the war even began.
Like i said to start with this is a story like i haven't read before the subject matter, not just of the holocaust the plight of Jews and others the Nazis choose to hate and used to climb to power but never from this angle. It's worth 5 stars or15 if you could give 5 for each part. 3 books in one another bonus.
There are many hundreds if not thousands of stories from WW2 and the horror faced by the Jews, this is the story of one Jew whose bravery and fortune helped others just how many we will never know. This is a story based on a truth but as the real hero's full story isn't known this is an eye opener that its based on a truth and when you read it you will see why it has to be told.
The book is in 3 parts with each telling the story of the horrors faced by Jews in some of their Blackest moments. The Jews have faced struggle throughout their history (the early days well documented in the Bible) and even to day they are persecuted in some parts of our planet in different forms but still persecution. But this is a story of how one Jewish man found a way of discussing himself as a SS Officer and help the Jews in a Ghetto in Poland as well as other areas. It is fantastically written and deals incredibly well with the tightrope he walked between success and discovery. But there is also a story told of before the new identify as a SS Officer and the life of the young Jew and his family's survival before the war even began.
Like i said to start with this is a story like i haven't read before the subject matter, not just of the holocaust the plight of Jews and others the Nazis choose to hate and used to climb to power but never from this angle. It's worth 5 stars or15 if you could give 5 for each part. 3 books in one another bonus.
March 11, 2019
‘The boy was born with his boots on’
British author/teacher Stephen Uzzell makes an auspicious writing debut with I AM JUDEN: UNDERCOVER IN THE SS. The concept of the novel is grounded in his research on World War II and his discovery of one Haim Michael Klar, a Jewish man who impersonated a Nazi officer in order to help those trapped in the ghettos and concentration camps. With that stimulus Stephen created his character Jozef Siegler to exemplify the in novel form the heroic acts of a true person. The result, a novel that is fascinating, engrossing as a story, and one of the more impressive books based on the horrors of WW II.
As Stephen offers in his Introduction, ‘In the annals of World War Two heroism, the name Haim Michael Klar deserves to be as widely known as Oskar Schindler. Although Haim may not have saved lives on Schindler’s scale (the truth is we cannot know; the facts are few and far between), his individual sacrifice was almost beyond comprehension. During the final years of the war, Haim impersonated an SS officer at Auschwitz and helped ease the suffering of prisoners, who regarded him as their ‘Guardian Angel’. When we consider that Haim was also Jewish, his courage in walking that most precarious of tightropes is astonishing.’
Told in the voice of the main character’s recollections of his history and the trials he would face and endure, I AM JUDEN is an extraordinary reading experience, a novel based on fact but rendered as an engrossing story with a new cast of created characters. Stephen Uzzell has woven facts with the skill of a documentarian and enhanced those facts with the burnish of a thriller and the result is a novel that is both informative in reflection of a significant man’s heroic life and substantial novel.
The quality of writing is excellent and appears as a storyboard for a film adaptation, not unlike the much lauded ‘Shindler’s List.’ It is satisfying to see that a sequel of sorts is to follow. Highly recommended.
British author/teacher Stephen Uzzell makes an auspicious writing debut with I AM JUDEN: UNDERCOVER IN THE SS. The concept of the novel is grounded in his research on World War II and his discovery of one Haim Michael Klar, a Jewish man who impersonated a Nazi officer in order to help those trapped in the ghettos and concentration camps. With that stimulus Stephen created his character Jozef Siegler to exemplify the in novel form the heroic acts of a true person. The result, a novel that is fascinating, engrossing as a story, and one of the more impressive books based on the horrors of WW II.
As Stephen offers in his Introduction, ‘In the annals of World War Two heroism, the name Haim Michael Klar deserves to be as widely known as Oskar Schindler. Although Haim may not have saved lives on Schindler’s scale (the truth is we cannot know; the facts are few and far between), his individual sacrifice was almost beyond comprehension. During the final years of the war, Haim impersonated an SS officer at Auschwitz and helped ease the suffering of prisoners, who regarded him as their ‘Guardian Angel’. When we consider that Haim was also Jewish, his courage in walking that most precarious of tightropes is astonishing.’
Told in the voice of the main character’s recollections of his history and the trials he would face and endure, I AM JUDEN is an extraordinary reading experience, a novel based on fact but rendered as an engrossing story with a new cast of created characters. Stephen Uzzell has woven facts with the skill of a documentarian and enhanced those facts with the burnish of a thriller and the result is a novel that is both informative in reflection of a significant man’s heroic life and substantial novel.
The quality of writing is excellent and appears as a storyboard for a film adaptation, not unlike the much lauded ‘Shindler’s List.’ It is satisfying to see that a sequel of sorts is to follow. Highly recommended.
June 28, 2020
The story was both moving and distressing. If I were to rate it based solely on the story, I would offer 3.5 stars rounding up to four. That said, there were a couple of problems with the narrative that pestered me. The first, only annoyed me during the transitions between each section of the novel. The second, irritated me throughout my reading.
The first aspect which felt troublesome is the order in which the story is told. The middle third is the protagonist’s retelling of his life up until the beginning of the novel. I thought perhaps this was done as a literary device, but I can find no reason for it. There is nothing revealed in this section that would spoil or affect the reader’s understanding in the first section. Instead, it seems contrived and spurious. Because of this, I dropped the rating down a bit.
Secondly, there are an incredible amount of grammatical errors, factual errors, misspellings, typesetting issues, timeline mistakes, and more that constantly interrupted my reading.
Here are just a few examples. The spelling of two character’s names changed from one chapter to the next – and then both were misspelled. Often a sentence would stop in the middle of one line of text and then begin again as a new, indented paragraph. The author used decidedly British phrases that never would have been part of the vernacular of a German or Polish speaker. Words were left out of sentences. One sentence read, “We set off out the Ghetto.” Another said, “I thought you might me German.” The dates of events at the end of the story were incorrect – off by a year, in one case.
As the story progressed, I kept wondering if anyone at all had proofread it. It was frustrating to try to stay within the story while wading through error after error. Consequently, I dropped the rating a bit more.
I read an average of two books a week. Of these, approximately a third are set during WWII and are split fairly evenly between fiction and non-fiction. I can’t say that I gained anything from reading this novel that I haven’t encountered in one much more well-written.
The first aspect which felt troublesome is the order in which the story is told. The middle third is the protagonist’s retelling of his life up until the beginning of the novel. I thought perhaps this was done as a literary device, but I can find no reason for it. There is nothing revealed in this section that would spoil or affect the reader’s understanding in the first section. Instead, it seems contrived and spurious. Because of this, I dropped the rating down a bit.
Secondly, there are an incredible amount of grammatical errors, factual errors, misspellings, typesetting issues, timeline mistakes, and more that constantly interrupted my reading.
Here are just a few examples. The spelling of two character’s names changed from one chapter to the next – and then both were misspelled. Often a sentence would stop in the middle of one line of text and then begin again as a new, indented paragraph. The author used decidedly British phrases that never would have been part of the vernacular of a German or Polish speaker. Words were left out of sentences. One sentence read, “We set off out the Ghetto.” Another said, “I thought you might me German.” The dates of events at the end of the story were incorrect – off by a year, in one case.
As the story progressed, I kept wondering if anyone at all had proofread it. It was frustrating to try to stay within the story while wading through error after error. Consequently, I dropped the rating a bit more.
I read an average of two books a week. Of these, approximately a third are set during WWII and are split fairly evenly between fiction and non-fiction. I can’t say that I gained anything from reading this novel that I haven’t encountered in one much more well-written.
June 17, 2024
I am Juden by Stephan Uzzell audiobook narrated by Sean Patrick Hopkins. Published by Tantor Audio, listened to using Audible 4 Stars.
This title is based on the real life of Haim Michael Klar.
Jozef Siegler leads a perilous double life as a SS officer in the Krakow Ghetto and then Auschwitz as well as a Jewish resistance agent because he is Jewish. Back in 1938 Jozef lost his job as a professor at a university in Germany, but he lost his job because of his race. Jozef with his younger sister flee back to their native Poland, but soon the Germans have invaded their country so are no longer safe. On the move again he is soon relying on the kindness of strangers with the most incredible luck at times. When Jozef comes across the dead body of SS Oberfuhrer Harry Mohnke can he bring himself to wear the hated uniform and impersonate a Nazi.
This story is told in the way of a memoir a bit like Schindler’s List rather than the Tattooist of Auschwitz story style. It makes you think about what would you do to survive, pretending to be the opposite of what you are, living with the stress of being found out. Of watching men, women and children murdered for no reason at all, apart from someone deciding that your religion was the wrong one.
Not that if was just Jewish people that were persecuted, Communist, Romany, Homosexual and the Disabled were put to death because they were not seen to be racially acceptable. I would like to think if everyone reads enough of these stories it would no longer be happening but it does. Men, women and children are massacred all over just because their face doesn’t fit.
This title is based on the real life of Haim Michael Klar.
Jozef Siegler leads a perilous double life as a SS officer in the Krakow Ghetto and then Auschwitz as well as a Jewish resistance agent because he is Jewish. Back in 1938 Jozef lost his job as a professor at a university in Germany, but he lost his job because of his race. Jozef with his younger sister flee back to their native Poland, but soon the Germans have invaded their country so are no longer safe. On the move again he is soon relying on the kindness of strangers with the most incredible luck at times. When Jozef comes across the dead body of SS Oberfuhrer Harry Mohnke can he bring himself to wear the hated uniform and impersonate a Nazi.
This story is told in the way of a memoir a bit like Schindler’s List rather than the Tattooist of Auschwitz story style. It makes you think about what would you do to survive, pretending to be the opposite of what you are, living with the stress of being found out. Of watching men, women and children murdered for no reason at all, apart from someone deciding that your religion was the wrong one.
Not that if was just Jewish people that were persecuted, Communist, Romany, Homosexual and the Disabled were put to death because they were not seen to be racially acceptable. I would like to think if everyone reads enough of these stories it would no longer be happening but it does. Men, women and children are massacred all over just because their face doesn’t fit.
August 4, 2020
The book was just okay. I always find it very off putting when a book contains so many misspelled words, omitted words like "of" and "the", spellings of names that changed through-out the story. Was the book not edited??? The sloppiness I'm seeing in a lot of books today is unacceptable. Plus the author had some dates and facts wrong. Just one example, it was mentioned they overheard a broadcast on a transistor radio in a park in 1942. There were no transistor radios at that time. The book could also be a lot shorter. It is way too long and some passages go on and on and on without adding to the story. It is just filler. The book is also disjointed in its story-telling. Why can't today's author's tell a story from beginning to end? As I was reading it, I would suddenly be thrown into the past or another setting and wondered if I skipped a few pages or if some sections had been omitted in my Kindle version. Plus, the transitions between the main character's places and settings was not smooth at all. Again, I was confused while reading. The ending is terrible. I felt like I was reading an entirely different book. Again, I flipped back several pages to see if I had somehow skipped ahead or something. No, again it was just sloppy writing and story organization on the author's part.
March 12, 2019
I Am Juden: Undercover in the SS by Stephen Uzzell is a superb undertaking by the author, one that distills history into a fictionalized format that pulls the reader in and doesn't let go. A book written taking its inspiration from a real life hero, that of Haim Michael Klar to a fiction character by the name of Jozef Siegler who embodies the spirit of the stalwart and fearless Klar. Jozef assumes the persona of an SS officer, rescuing Jews from concentration camps and horrific conditions. This embodiment is tortuous and emotional but the journey that is relayed in this novel is formidable and relentless, truly depicting the horrors of war, and what one race went through. The human spirit does actually triumph at times, thanks to people like Siegler. The author has obviously done his research well, parlaying his knowledge onto the pages of this at once sad yet redemptive tale. Well done and highly recommended for an immersive historical fiction read.
May 28, 2019
A thorough and mindfully researched piece of historical fiction can be like being at the helm and whim of a fantastical time-machine, tugging the reader away into lost or forgotten worlds under a magician's spell of verisimilitude; Stephen Uzzel's debut WW2 thriller employs much of that dark magic here in parachuting us straight into a Central European landscape on the cusp of war to experience the insidious, creeping horror of the Nazi rise as experienced by the dynamic figure of the novel's hero, Jewish resistance fighter Joseph Siegler. That the real-world source material on Haim Michael Klar - on whom the novel is based and pays homage - is so sparse, pays tribute in turn to the achievement of the author here who spins a seat-of-your-pants survival adventure to equal the best of Patricia Highsmith. A must read for fans of the genre and a roller-coaster ride for fans of adventure fiction.
September 12, 2022
So I'm not sure where I heard about this book. It might have been Chirp, it might have been somewhere on Bookstagram...no matter though here we are. So at this point I'm still well into the beginning of the audiobook. Normally I don't bother putting my audiobook experiences here as they are not physically read, but upon seeing this edition listed I opted to do so as why not. So far so good, although harrowing of course because I wonder with a great deal of suspense what will happen to the titled character Josef (modeled after Haim Michael Klar) as he navigates pretending to be a Nazi...
Now that I've finished the book, I have to say that this is one of the few audiobooks I listened to very intently. It took me a bit longer than it was meant to because I kept rewinding it when I realized I'd missed something significant. I do find myself wondering how much of the story was true to history as well as what Mr. Klar looked like...
Now that I've finished the book, I have to say that this is one of the few audiobooks I listened to very intently. It took me a bit longer than it was meant to because I kept rewinding it when I realized I'd missed something significant. I do find myself wondering how much of the story was true to history as well as what Mr. Klar looked like...
March 13, 2019
Set in Germany and Lithuania, I Am Juden follows Jozef Siegler, a pacifist who flees his quiet life as a university professor. Together with his sister, he begins to smuggle Jews across the borders to escape the SS. Jozef comes upon a dead SS agent and has to decide whether he wants to take this opportunity. Can he successfully pull off a disguise and act like an SS agent while continuing to help people? Or will he be unable to stomach everything that job entails and be found out.
I like historical fiction novels and this one was no exception. The research done into the time period, the cultures and lifestyles of the people was apparent, and the author was able to accurately paint a picture for us. He did a great job in putting the plot together so that it read as if it actually happened. A great job and a great book to picl up if you like this era.
I like historical fiction novels and this one was no exception. The research done into the time period, the cultures and lifestyles of the people was apparent, and the author was able to accurately paint a picture for us. He did a great job in putting the plot together so that it read as if it actually happened. A great job and a great book to picl up if you like this era.
August 26, 2020
I had thought this was a true story but it is a novel based on an actual person... nothing wrong with that and it was well written except... the author has the disconcerting idea that randomly dropping F bombs is a good idea. That is totally off-putting and unnecessary. Had I realized it was not a true story [per se, my fault I realize] I would have stopped at the first F bomb. I wish more writers would realize they lose a lot of readers by using unnecessary foul language. I doubt many people refuse to read a book because there is not enough foul language but there are plenty of us who don't read books we know contains unnecessary "blue" vocabulary.
There are a few other problems as well [grammatical, anachronisms*, etc.] but these didn't bother me near as much as the language problem.
*I laughed to read of a transistor radio being used before 1945.
There are a few other problems as well [grammatical, anachronisms*, etc.] but these didn't bother me near as much as the language problem.
*I laughed to read of a transistor radio being used before 1945.
April 6, 2019
I have recently finished this absorbing and compelling World War 2 novel based on the extraordinary true story of a Jewish translator who assumes the identity of a dead SS officer in Poland. He uses his new identity to assist fellow Jews, Schindler style, in the Cracow ghetto. The novel balances narrative thrills, psychological dilemmas and wonderfully well researched details about the horrors of life under the Nazis.
I thoroughly recommend the book as a pacey page turner, with plenty of stand out episodes of tension, and as a way of learning more about this grim chapter of history. The novel, despite its challenging subject matter, is very readable. I look forward to seeing where Stephen Uzzell takes us next.
I thoroughly recommend the book as a pacey page turner, with plenty of stand out episodes of tension, and as a way of learning more about this grim chapter of history. The novel, despite its challenging subject matter, is very readable. I look forward to seeing where Stephen Uzzell takes us next.
September 18, 2020
Only very very loosely based on a true story
When I bought the novel I thought it was historical fiction about someone who we had a lot of information about and it was just fictionalized because you didn’t know literally every word he said every time. I enjoy reading those kind of books. But at the end you find out that it’s only based on a man at the end of the war whose timeline we only know extremely briefly. So it’s really a novel. there’s virtually no history in it and that was disappointing. if I’d known that going in I would have bought something else. However it was well written and very interesting so if you simply want the novel that takes place in World War II you will enjoy this
When I bought the novel I thought it was historical fiction about someone who we had a lot of information about and it was just fictionalized because you didn’t know literally every word he said every time. I enjoy reading those kind of books. But at the end you find out that it’s only based on a man at the end of the war whose timeline we only know extremely briefly. So it’s really a novel. there’s virtually no history in it and that was disappointing. if I’d known that going in I would have bought something else. However it was well written and very interesting so if you simply want the novel that takes place in World War II you will enjoy this
March 12, 2019
A great historical fiction
This is the story of Jozef Siegler, a man who was a shoe maker held in jail with Ronen and then became an SS agent and took on the task of rescuing jews from the concentration camps. This story is emotional and very addicting. The scene and descriptions are very detailed and the main character is based on Haim Michael Klar, who was a real life man who worked tirelessly to save the jews from the Nazi torture chambers. This is a well written story that was a great read and I recommend this one to anyone who is looking for a great story about a single individual who made a huge difference in the world. Check it out folks, it is well worth it.
This is the story of Jozef Siegler, a man who was a shoe maker held in jail with Ronen and then became an SS agent and took on the task of rescuing jews from the concentration camps. This story is emotional and very addicting. The scene and descriptions are very detailed and the main character is based on Haim Michael Klar, who was a real life man who worked tirelessly to save the jews from the Nazi torture chambers. This is a well written story that was a great read and I recommend this one to anyone who is looking for a great story about a single individual who made a huge difference in the world. Check it out folks, it is well worth it.
February 19, 2021
Literally stunning. I think this story will be on my mind for a while to come.
It is a thriller, following the protagonist as he dons various guises as he navigates his way in WW2. It is a fictional story, but is inspired by the real life Haim Michael Klar who was Jewish and worked undercover as an SS officer at Auschwitz. Though fictional, it has lots of facts, and written in an engaging style that make the story so absorbing. There are some scenes such as those in ghetto that are reminiscent of Schindler’s List which added to making the story believable and my respect for those people who actually lived and died in these circumstances.
It is a thriller, following the protagonist as he dons various guises as he navigates his way in WW2. It is a fictional story, but is inspired by the real life Haim Michael Klar who was Jewish and worked undercover as an SS officer at Auschwitz. Though fictional, it has lots of facts, and written in an engaging style that make the story so absorbing. There are some scenes such as those in ghetto that are reminiscent of Schindler’s List which added to making the story believable and my respect for those people who actually lived and died in these circumstances.
March 19, 2019
Excellent story telling of trying to survive in an evil time. The fictionalized story of Haim Michael Klar's life as he impersonates a dead Nazi officer and assists Jews in escaping the horrors of the Holocaust.
It is history everyone of us should remember so that the words "never again" are true.
"I am Juden" is well researched and Klar's life is interwoven with the events of the time to make it a good read. I Am Juden: Undercover in the SS
It is history everyone of us should remember so that the words "never again" are true.
"I am Juden" is well researched and Klar's life is interwoven with the events of the time to make it a good read. I Am Juden: Undercover in the SS
December 8, 2019
To paraphrase a well-know quote - the best fiction has an element of truth.
I Am Juden, inspired by the life of Hain Michael Klar, is gripping, fascinating and appalling all at once. This account of a Jewish prisoner turned SS impersonator opened my eyes to both the daily goings-on in the Jewish Ghettos, as well as many more atrocities carried out during WW2 that i hadnt previously known about.,
The characters are often deeper than expected, and as the tension rises i found i couldn't put this down.
I Am Juden, inspired by the life of Hain Michael Klar, is gripping, fascinating and appalling all at once. This account of a Jewish prisoner turned SS impersonator opened my eyes to both the daily goings-on in the Jewish Ghettos, as well as many more atrocities carried out during WW2 that i hadnt previously known about.,
The characters are often deeper than expected, and as the tension rises i found i couldn't put this down.
August 13, 2020
Well written. Very in depth descriptions of life under Nazi rule in Poland, especially, within the Jewish Ghetto set up and controlled by the SS.
Overwhelmingly, sad, and the author captures and shares the true horrors of the Holocaust. The author also shares the stark and almost "insane" contrast between the lives of the SS and the lives of Polish Jews during the German occupation of Poland.
Sadly, this scenario was matched throughout Europe from 1939 - 1945. All I can say and think is, "Please G-D, NEVER AGAIN".
Overwhelmingly, sad, and the author captures and shares the true horrors of the Holocaust. The author also shares the stark and almost "insane" contrast between the lives of the SS and the lives of Polish Jews during the German occupation of Poland.
Sadly, this scenario was matched throughout Europe from 1939 - 1945. All I can say and think is, "Please G-D, NEVER AGAIN".
November 29, 2019
This story needs to be told.
This story needs to be told, the generation that experienced the holocaust is passing into history. This story it’s well written, the research of the history in Poland and the surrounding lands during this time of history is spot on. The story sucks you into Jozef’s life. It’s an emotional journey, you feel the fear and the heartbreak. Thank you for this book.
This story needs to be told, the generation that experienced the holocaust is passing into history. This story it’s well written, the research of the history in Poland and the surrounding lands during this time of history is spot on. The story sucks you into Jozef’s life. It’s an emotional journey, you feel the fear and the heartbreak. Thank you for this book.
September 25, 2019
Shocking and unput downable
A book I will not forget quickly.
Shocking heart breaking and compulsive reading.
The Holocaust makes uncomfortable and shocking reading and this book is all that but also a remarkable story of fact and fiction and is a must read..
( I could see a remarkable film here to rival Shindlers list - a story that should be told )
A book I will not forget quickly.
Shocking heart breaking and compulsive reading.
The Holocaust makes uncomfortable and shocking reading and this book is all that but also a remarkable story of fact and fiction and is a must read..
( I could see a remarkable film here to rival Shindlers list - a story that should be told )
October 13, 2019
Frustrating
My overwhelming feeling of reading this is frustration. It is overlong, requires serious editing, was disjointed in places, there were errors in the spelling of names and some dates were wrong. Evidently there was no proofreading either. All this conspired to spoil the story.
My overwhelming feeling of reading this is frustration. It is overlong, requires serious editing, was disjointed in places, there were errors in the spelling of names and some dates were wrong. Evidently there was no proofreading either. All this conspired to spoil the story.
March 19, 2020
An amazing story of a dark time
A truly imaginatively and creative account of a an exceptionally brave man. A vivid picture of life in the Krakow ghetto and all the horrors that were experienced by the Jewish community. I couldn't put it down and would definitely recommend this story to anyone who is interested in this horrific period of time. First class writing!
A truly imaginatively and creative account of a an exceptionally brave man. A vivid picture of life in the Krakow ghetto and all the horrors that were experienced by the Jewish community. I couldn't put it down and would definitely recommend this story to anyone who is interested in this horrific period of time. First class writing!
April 19, 2020
A good book
I am an avid reader of WWIIbooks and this one did not disappoint. However, one third into the book the third I had just read. I wasn't interested in going backward, the story reverted back to events prior to what I had just read. I skipped over that part to get back to the story
I am an avid reader of WWIIbooks and this one did not disappoint. However, one third into the book the third I had just read. I wasn't interested in going backward, the story reverted back to events prior to what I had just read. I skipped over that part to get back to the story
April 25, 2020
Really good storytelling
Very accurate of the time, found it a bit confusing halfway through to jump between timeframes, felt like I had started a new book without finishing the first and the "dream" at the end was too long and detailed, again felt like I'd skipped to a new book but overall a really different point of view on a Jewish survivors story.
Very accurate of the time, found it a bit confusing halfway through to jump between timeframes, felt like I had started a new book without finishing the first and the "dream" at the end was too long and detailed, again felt like I'd skipped to a new book but overall a really different point of view on a Jewish survivors story.
September 1, 2021
Worthy of your time
I have read many books regarding Europe in WWII and the treatment and murder of Jews. This book is loosely based upon a true story and gives much greater detail of the roundup, imprisonments and Ghettos leading to the annihilation of the Jewish population in Poland.
I have read many books regarding Europe in WWII and the treatment and murder of Jews. This book is loosely based upon a true story and gives much greater detail of the roundup, imprisonments and Ghettos leading to the annihilation of the Jewish population in Poland.
February 18, 2019
Worthwhile and informative Read
It look me a few pages to get going with this book and then I could hardly put it down. It was exciting and also horrifying to realise how much of the story would have been true. I would highly recommend this book.
It look me a few pages to get going with this book and then I could hardly put it down. It was exciting and also horrifying to realise how much of the story would have been true. I would highly recommend this book.
April 26, 2019
Absolutely fantastic book. Heavy reading and took me a long time. Wanted to get to the end but didn't want to finish. One of the best books of its genre. It had a lot of harrowing facts which may put people off reading it but I would strongly recommend that you give it a try.
June 8, 2019
I am Judan
A very sad story especially where putting hose pipes down people's throats. A book where so much fear torture
and death in detail must have been horrific for all who suffered .God Bless those souls.
A very sad story especially where putting hose pipes down people's throats. A book where so much fear torture
and death in detail must have been horrific for all who suffered .God Bless those souls.
October 19, 2019
A Nightmare of history
I bought this book thinking it would be another Holocaust novel.But it's been a great read that grIps the reader from the first page with
the truth of what "normality" in the eyes! Germans
I bought this book thinking it would be another Holocaust novel.But it's been a great read that grIps the reader from the first page with
the truth of what "normality" in the eyes! Germans
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews