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Trains to Treblinka
"Hard to put down...a profoundly memorable story!" Publishers Weekly
Treblinka, Poland--1942. Daily, thousands of passengers including Bronka and Tchechia arrive at a destination they believe is a resettlement work camp, only to be immediately separated from their families and told to remove their clothing. Within moments, the masses disappear into a long-fenced passageway down the center of the camp called the tube, except for those indiscriminately chosen out of the lines by the SS. While ordered to carefully organize the discarded valuables of the passengers, the young men and women begin to unravel the mysterious truth about Treblinka, yet they are not allowed to ask questions. Only later, when the workers search for their loved ones to no avail do the Nazi’s menacing grins tell them all they need to know—that they must keep working or they will also end up entering the tube.
As the sobering truth about Treblinka sinks deeply into the workers’ hearts, a few of the men and women begin to plan a revolt. Based on a magnificent true story, Trains to Treblinka deftly interweaves the lives of several revolt organizers who pledge everything for the chance to burn down the camp and escape into the woods. When the day comes for the uprising, the young workers are barely able to contain their excitement and they risk betraying their own motives under the watchful eyes of the continually distrusting Nazis.
This well-researched, inspiring historical book is an authentic look at Treblinka written as a suspense novel. From Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize review, “It may be difficult and heart-wrenching to read the in-depth details about the atrocities that occurred at the Treblinka concentration camp, but this book is hard to put down. Causey presents a powerful linear approach to the arrival of the victims, the losses, the physical and emotional tortures, and the escape attempts. This profoundly memorable story about Treblinka serves as a reminder that every individual victim's name is worth remembering.” Learn about the beauty of hope, the tragedy of war, and the enduring power of the human heart, all in Trains to Treblinka.
Treblinka, Poland--1942. Daily, thousands of passengers including Bronka and Tchechia arrive at a destination they believe is a resettlement work camp, only to be immediately separated from their families and told to remove their clothing. Within moments, the masses disappear into a long-fenced passageway down the center of the camp called the tube, except for those indiscriminately chosen out of the lines by the SS. While ordered to carefully organize the discarded valuables of the passengers, the young men and women begin to unravel the mysterious truth about Treblinka, yet they are not allowed to ask questions. Only later, when the workers search for their loved ones to no avail do the Nazi’s menacing grins tell them all they need to know—that they must keep working or they will also end up entering the tube.
As the sobering truth about Treblinka sinks deeply into the workers’ hearts, a few of the men and women begin to plan a revolt. Based on a magnificent true story, Trains to Treblinka deftly interweaves the lives of several revolt organizers who pledge everything for the chance to burn down the camp and escape into the woods. When the day comes for the uprising, the young workers are barely able to contain their excitement and they risk betraying their own motives under the watchful eyes of the continually distrusting Nazis.
This well-researched, inspiring historical book is an authentic look at Treblinka written as a suspense novel. From Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize review, “It may be difficult and heart-wrenching to read the in-depth details about the atrocities that occurred at the Treblinka concentration camp, but this book is hard to put down. Causey presents a powerful linear approach to the arrival of the victims, the losses, the physical and emotional tortures, and the escape attempts. This profoundly memorable story about Treblinka serves as a reminder that every individual victim's name is worth remembering.” Learn about the beauty of hope, the tragedy of war, and the enduring power of the human heart, all in Trains to Treblinka.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
11 people are currently reading
9977 people want to read
About the author
Charles Causey
8 books211 followersCharles Causey's family comes from Hangingdog, North Carolina, a quaint community hidden deep inside the Smoky Mountains. As a boy he ran through lush, green fields alongside his grandfather’s Black Angus cows and swam in the cool creeks and lakes - always with a wary eye out for water moccasins. The tales he heard down those beautifully wooded country roads formed in him a love for people, the outdoors, and good stories, usually told by World War II veterans while rocking together on their front porches. Now Charles has the privilege to serve veterans every day as a military chaplain stationed in Washington D.C. He is married and has four children. His website is: causeybooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 35 reviews
August 14, 2020
Don't Miss This One
Wow, up until this point I’ve pretty much only encountered minor details of Treblinka in WWII non-fiction books and via WWII documentaries but Charles Causey has managed to bring the story to life and in such a concise telling. I do not want to spoil any aspect of the book but I’ll just say. . .very few books cause tears to well up and spill over. I can’t even describe how such a dark subject-matter could have such a thread of hope. My heart just broke for these people’s story that represent the millions of stories of very real tragedies, loss, resilience and courage! All I have to say is if you love WWII fiction do not miss out on this one about a little-known camp called Treblinka. The story is just unfathomable.
Check out the YouTube video Trains to Treblinka
Wow, up until this point I’ve pretty much only encountered minor details of Treblinka in WWII non-fiction books and via WWII documentaries but Charles Causey has managed to bring the story to life and in such a concise telling. I do not want to spoil any aspect of the book but I’ll just say. . .very few books cause tears to well up and spill over. I can’t even describe how such a dark subject-matter could have such a thread of hope. My heart just broke for these people’s story that represent the millions of stories of very real tragedies, loss, resilience and courage! All I have to say is if you love WWII fiction do not miss out on this one about a little-known camp called Treblinka. The story is just unfathomable.
Check out the YouTube video Trains to Treblinka
November 29, 2020
Just wow. Charles Causey’s Trains to Treblinka is a powerful and moving homage to the brave men and women who were persecuted at Treblinka during the Holocaust. There were so many horrifying details that were hard to read, but which must be read to never forget what happened. I really enjoyed Causey’s style of taking real people and their testimony and bringing it to life. This is an important book I can’t wait to share with others. A big thank you to Charles Causey for the signed copy I won in a Goodreads giveaway!
April 14, 2022
A well-researched and well-written book about events at the Treblinka Death Camp during WWII.
November 4, 2020
A novelization of the revolt at the Treblinka concentration camp, it is very well researched. I won this via Goodreads' Firstreads.
January 10, 2021
Trains to Treblinka puts us in the shoes of prisoners and walks us through life in one of the most deadly concentration camps in World War II. I found myself often shocked at what they had to endure on a daily basis. Based on historical research and enhanced character development, Charles Causey masterfully opens the gates of this evil extermination camp so that we will never forget what happened there.
September 13, 2025
Very powerful read. Not for the faint of heart. Descriptions of horrible actions by humans that are almost unbelievable. Especially the cold hearted lack of remorse of those who perpetrated them. Should be required reading for any student of history and the holocaust. Can't imagine the difficulty of researching such an event and not being affected.
September 17, 2022
treblinka
I learned a lot that I did not know about Treblinka. We all know about Auschwitz but little is know of Treblinka. Interesting read
I learned a lot that I did not know about Treblinka. We all know about Auschwitz but little is know of Treblinka. Interesting read
December 10, 2020
This book is not to be missed. At times the descriptions are harrowing; however, what is recounted is an inspiring story of the power of human courage in the face of unimaginable oppression. This novel recounts the successful uprising of Jewish slave labourers in Treblinka in 1943, one of the Nazis' mass-murder facilities designed to eliminate the Jewish population of Europe.
April 1, 2023
My life long friend Ken wrote a review of Trains to Treblinka that I commented on and he graciously sent it to me to read. I had visited the Memorial at Terezin and mistakenly told him I had visited there. It is sad that there were multiple locations where the Nazi's carried out their horrors. Once I began reading Trains to Treblinka I made the realization I had told Ken incorrect information. It is my hope that the families of the ever shrinking survivors of the camps continue to share their stories so that generations to come can read, learn, and not allow such horrendous treatment of fellow human beings to ever occur again. Trains to Treblinka is a very poignant story, well worth any readers time.
April 21, 2021
I won this through GoodReads First Reads.
This was based on real people and true events. An inspiring, albeit disturbing, book. Well written.
This was based on real people and true events. An inspiring, albeit disturbing, book. Well written.
May 8, 2020
I was given a copy of the transcript of this book to read by the author prior to its release.
This book takes a horrible historic event and turns it into an exciting story which is told as though it was a fictional novel. Causey tells the story of the Nazi concentration camp in Treblinka, Poland that was responsible for the death of an estimated 1.2 million Jews. He does so with dialogue from both the Jewish prisoners and the Nazi tormentors. This is my favorite way to tell a historical story.
You get descriptions of the horrific events that make you feel like you are actual there. The train cars stuffed with Jews so crammed that human waste covered the floors of the rail cars. The torture and murder of Jews by sadistic Nazis such as the Doll. The disposal of the bodies which at first took place in pits and then when the Nazis wanted to cover up that the Final Solution even took place, by burning the corpses including digging up those that had been previously buried.
You become attached to many of the actual people who were there hoping that they will somehow escape and be safe. For each one that dies, you feel like a part of yourself actually dies. You also find yourself cheering when the Revolt takes place and some are able to escape.
Causey ties it all up at the end telling you what happened to each of the Jews you came to care about and what happened to each of the Nazis you found yourself despising. This book brings out a roller coaster of emotions and teaching you what actually happened during a sad part of our history.
This book would make a very good movie.
This book takes a horrible historic event and turns it into an exciting story which is told as though it was a fictional novel. Causey tells the story of the Nazi concentration camp in Treblinka, Poland that was responsible for the death of an estimated 1.2 million Jews. He does so with dialogue from both the Jewish prisoners and the Nazi tormentors. This is my favorite way to tell a historical story.
You get descriptions of the horrific events that make you feel like you are actual there. The train cars stuffed with Jews so crammed that human waste covered the floors of the rail cars. The torture and murder of Jews by sadistic Nazis such as the Doll. The disposal of the bodies which at first took place in pits and then when the Nazis wanted to cover up that the Final Solution even took place, by burning the corpses including digging up those that had been previously buried.
You become attached to many of the actual people who were there hoping that they will somehow escape and be safe. For each one that dies, you feel like a part of yourself actually dies. You also find yourself cheering when the Revolt takes place and some are able to escape.
Causey ties it all up at the end telling you what happened to each of the Jews you came to care about and what happened to each of the Nazis you found yourself despising. This book brings out a roller coaster of emotions and teaching you what actually happened during a sad part of our history.
This book would make a very good movie.
January 13, 2022
Good story but tough subject matter with gruesome imagery. I Didn’t know about Treblinka before this book. It reads more like a nonfiction story, a bit robotic. A touch too much telling instead of showing but overall a solid, worthwhile read. Only 150ish pages. Thank you for the Goodreads Giveaway!
May 23, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed the book even though the subject matter is horribly gruesome and depressing. The story focuses on only a small group of prisoners and guards so it is easy to follow along with their individual struggles. I found I was really rooting for some of the characters. Well researched and easy to read.
August 9, 2023
This book is very sad and sobering. It depicts the atrocities committed in Treblinka during the Holocaust. Survivors during a revolt helped to put away war criminals who were beyond depraved. I had no idea of the extraordinary mass executions that took place here. I believe the author tried to depict the power of the human spirit under circumstances that should never be experienced.
July 21, 2020
Recieved as a free giveaway book from the author. Thanks again.
Hard to read but then hard to put down. Many tragedies documented.
Heroics keep you reading. If things seem tough today this book is a dose of reality.
The story of the uprising made me cheer.
PR
Hard to read but then hard to put down. Many tragedies documented.
Heroics keep you reading. If things seem tough today this book is a dose of reality.
The story of the uprising made me cheer.
PR
May 20, 2020
Trains to Treblinka
Let me preface this by saying, reading about the Holocaust is rarely anything but difficult. The event was a horrible, horrible stain on humanity and any person with a soul will inevitably be moved by any recounting of it. This being said, Charles Causey's book on Treblinka was engaging from the first few paragraphs to the end, and put a very engrossing narrative on a rarely reported on story of this time. It is often very difficult to get through some of the content - not because it's tough to read, it is absolutely not - but because it is hard to even comprehend the horror some people inflicted on other people. It is simply beyond the ability to express. However, it should NEVER be forgotten, and thanks to Charles' book, and others like it, hopefully it never will be. This is a must read, a MUST read. Do yourself a favor and buy it - and then get someone else to read it.
Let me preface this by saying, reading about the Holocaust is rarely anything but difficult. The event was a horrible, horrible stain on humanity and any person with a soul will inevitably be moved by any recounting of it. This being said, Charles Causey's book on Treblinka was engaging from the first few paragraphs to the end, and put a very engrossing narrative on a rarely reported on story of this time. It is often very difficult to get through some of the content - not because it's tough to read, it is absolutely not - but because it is hard to even comprehend the horror some people inflicted on other people. It is simply beyond the ability to express. However, it should NEVER be forgotten, and thanks to Charles' book, and others like it, hopefully it never will be. This is a must read, a MUST read. Do yourself a favor and buy it - and then get someone else to read it.
November 10, 2025
This was absolutely heart & gut wrenching. It broke my heart, but unfortunately this is history & I learned so much that I didn’t know about the horrible things that happened at Treblinka. All I could ask myself over & over as I read about the evilness of the millions of murders that happened there, is HOW? How could any human being be that evil? HOW could someone murder over & over-even babies- without any remorse? It’s honestly perplexing & so so evil.
The bravery shown in the prisoners to revolt is amazing & I’m so grateful Bronka escaped & survived.
The author did so well in writing the story of true events in a story-like read & in a way that truly made me connect with the real-life people who were victims of Treblinka who’s lives were described in the book.
Thank you Charles Causey & GoodReads for the giveaway copy of this book.
The bravery shown in the prisoners to revolt is amazing & I’m so grateful Bronka escaped & survived.
The author did so well in writing the story of true events in a story-like read & in a way that truly made me connect with the real-life people who were victims of Treblinka who’s lives were described in the book.
Thank you Charles Causey & GoodReads for the giveaway copy of this book.
May 21, 2020
The juxtaposition of the Nazi force fervently and systematically exterminating the Jewish people against the sheer will to live and incredible perseverance of the Treblinka prisoners unfolds in this historical novel.
The author gives this true story and real characters the upmost respect through intensive research and attention to detail.
A must read for everyone, but especially those who study the holocaust and WWll. Treblinka is a lesser known concentration camp but only because they were so successful in their mission that few survivors lived to tell of the horrors.
Please honor the survivors by reading their story.
The author gives this true story and real characters the upmost respect through intensive research and attention to detail.
A must read for everyone, but especially those who study the holocaust and WWll. Treblinka is a lesser known concentration camp but only because they were so successful in their mission that few survivors lived to tell of the horrors.
Please honor the survivors by reading their story.
August 6, 2020
Trains to Treblinka invites one to enter into one of humanity's darkest hours in the Treblinka death camp. Dr. Causey does an excellent job of bringing the scene to life, and he constructs a narrative that flows and draws one in. The issues Dr. Causey raises in the book are challenging but necessary and leads one to examine themselves and society as a whole. Most importantly, Dr. Charles' book honors the memory of those murdered and those who bravely laid down their lives that their fellow man, woman, and child may live in freedom.
November 25, 2023
I won this during a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the author for the copy of the book and the beautifully written card that accompanied it.
It took me nearly a year to finish reading this book. It was a very heartbreaking and intense read. Charles Causey provided a well researched and easy to read novel of the horrors at Treblinka. This is something that is going to stick with me forever.
It took me nearly a year to finish reading this book. It was a very heartbreaking and intense read. Charles Causey provided a well researched and easy to read novel of the horrors at Treblinka. This is something that is going to stick with me forever.
February 21, 2023
The Nazi's extermination camp at Treblinka, Poland is brought to life by using eyewitness testimony then weaving [it] into a short novel. The scope of death, evil and cruelty is just unfathomable. The descriptions are harrowing; however, what is recounted is an inspiring story of the power of human courage in the face of unimaginable oppression. Recommended for readers of WWII historical fiction.
May 25, 2020
Reading this book will change your thinking. The story is well written and the research is so crazy extensive!! It is history that needs to be heard and should be read by us all!
July 16, 2020
A phenomenal read by Charles Causey.
I've never heard much on Treblinka throughout my years, so I am glad I got the chance to read this.
I can not fathom the amount of fear, heartache, and pain the thousands upon thousands of people here endured.
I am so glad that they banded together as much as possible to get through and attempt to escape.
A very well written, in depth story learning how Treblinka ran, and some of those key players with an in depth look at their life while there.
A must read!
I've never heard much on Treblinka throughout my years, so I am glad I got the chance to read this.
I can not fathom the amount of fear, heartache, and pain the thousands upon thousands of people here endured.
I am so glad that they banded together as much as possible to get through and attempt to escape.
A very well written, in depth story learning how Treblinka ran, and some of those key players with an in depth look at their life while there.
A must read!
August 6, 2020
Great book! Heartbreaking.
September 12, 2020
Not just another war story, Causey raises the bar for research and delivery.
Yes this is harrowing, yes you will want to shut yourself off emotionally.
Gripping story, worth the effort.
Yes this is harrowing, yes you will want to shut yourself off emotionally.
Gripping story, worth the effort.
April 1, 2024
This was an excellent book!
January 9, 2025
Trains to Treblinka is a remarkable book that everyone should read. It tells the story of men and women who were sent to what they thought was a work camp but was in fact a death camp. It tells of the conditions the laborers lived under - the cooks, laundresses, and those who sorted belongings of those sent to their death. It is also an inspiring story of the revolt the planned and executed by the laborers. Of the 800 workers 1/2 were killed in the revolt. 100 - 125 fled but only 67 survived the war. But their survival meant that there were witnesses to testify at the war crimes trial 20 years later. Between 900,00o 1.2 million people perished at Treblinka, men, women and children.
January 16, 2021
Well-researched and based on true accounts and testimonies, though written as a fiction book, it was a riveting albeit incredibly difficult book to read. I am inspired by the resilient human spirit of the camp prisoners, and simultaneously appalled at the evil that the human heart is capable of. I appreciated the opportunity to gain the perspective of the prisoner workers, who dared to fight back against such an inhumane and torturous imprisonment. My heart is further inspired to face my extremely small (by comparison) challenges with the grace and determination that these people did, while knowing that Jesus is the only real Savior for this sin-filled world.
January 1, 2025
I was given a free copy of "Trains to Treblinka" via Charles Causey, the author and goodreads. Thank you so much! Mr Causey did a great job researching and writing this book. I admit, I knew nothing about Treblinka before reading this book. I think it is important to learn history even when it is difficult to comprehend. This is one of those times. I have trouble understanding how human beings can be so evil. Mr Causey did a great job detailing the evil but also the strength of the survivors. I appreciate the bibliography and the notes in the back of the book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 35 reviews