What do you think?
Rate this book
Two Who Survived: Keeping Hope Alive While Surviving the Holocaust
Two Who Survived chronicles the true story of two children from different worlds: a city boy and a country girl. When the persecution of Jews begins, both are plucked from their reality and thrust into concentration camps. They are stripped of everything they know and forced to navigate a truly incomprehensible, volatile, dangerous and unpredictable world. Even when separated from support systems and family members, their drive to survive helps them cope. Despite their exposure to the horrors of the Holocaust, they endure and carry on with a determination that shapes their character forever. Follow the lives of Rose and Max as they learn to adapt to a reality beyond belief and emerge stronger than ever. When they are finally liberated from their concentration camps, they navigate a new world individually before eventually coming together to form what each so tragically lost: A FAMILY
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2019
89 people are currently reading
818 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 26, 2019
This is truly an amazing story of two children who survived the holocaust. Yes, children. Rose and Max were only young teenagers when they were sent to the camps! These stories are always horrifying, but the optimism and hope that these two had is what makes their story so hopeful and beautiful. I met Rose at a book signing and she was such a joyful lady! Her inscription in my book: “Never give up hope.” I am so thankful she and her husband Max shared their story in this book.
March 16, 2022
I bought this book after listening to Rose speak on a podcast in February. What a remarkable story of resilience and survival. It is simply amazing to hear the stories of these two and how they were able to survive when so many did not. Their strength and courage is awe inspiring!
January 21, 2020
I had the honor of hearing Rose speak a couple of weeks ago. What a courageous person, with an amazing story of survival and hope after enduring the absolute worst of humanity.
July 6, 2020
An incredible story about survival.
January 7, 2023
This book was so beautiful, the story was written incredibly. At times it was hard to read, just because of how in depth they discussed what they went through. But other than that it was a great book, and I feel so empowered after reading it, and so inspired after hearing their stories.
June 1, 2023
I didn’t think the storytelling was the most amazing ever, but it’s clear and important to keep telling these stories so we never forget.
April 21, 2020
Reading the first 10 pages or so, it could have been my Mom writing. Mom grew up in the 30's on a rural farm in No Missouri, no indoor plumbing till the 60's. So similar, Until the war! I was crying though part of the book about the conditions for a 14 year old girl in the camp. I was excited when they were rescued by the Russians. Well done, followed what her family wanted, tell the world what has been happening to us.
Such a painful young life, how could the world ignore what was happening in Germany!! Shocking!!
Thank you Rose Schindler for telling the story.
Such a painful young life, how could the world ignore what was happening in Germany!! Shocking!!
Thank you Rose Schindler for telling the story.
July 1, 2025
This book tells the stories of Rose and Max’s separate journeys. It starts mostly with Rose’s childhood, she grew up on a farm living in the country. She had a large family and they were Jewish mainly on holidays. The rules started getting stricter when Germany invaded Poland and the Polish people started working with the Germans to hurt them. Eventually she was sent to the Auschwitz Concentration camp. She talked about what it was like to arrive and the humiliation tactics the guards used. One prisoner told her to say that she was 18 instead of 14 and this saved her life. She had a family member that told her and her sisters to stay together because they had better chances being together. She talks about the struggle to stay with her sisters when they keep trying to separate them. The germans would put them in groups depending on if they could work or not and she had to sneak into a working line because she was so thin and they were trying to put her in the gas chamber line. She worked with little food and had to live in awful living conditions. She lost many family members in the Holocaust and later she joined a group of holocaust orphans that were sent to Europe to rehabilitate and teach them. Max grew up in Germany in the city and his parents wanted him to only speak German. When Hitler came into power they were forcefully removed from Germany and had to go to Poland with almost nothing. Soon after his bar mitzvah they had to start forced labor which was hard labor. He had to go on a death march to another camp. The German characters moved him around multiple times to evade the war. Finally they are freed and he loses all of his family except his brother. They join a group of holocaust orphans that were sent to Europe to rehabilitate and teach them. This is where Max and Rose meet. They do not know the same languages but eventually both learn English and they can understand each other. Eventually, they fell in love and were engaged for a while until they got married. They start doing advocacy work, traveling and speaking about their experiences so that they can educate the world on how to never let this happen again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
Great story-into the very depths and back up again. The conversations both families had to have with their kids about survival were unthinkable. Rose and Max particularly touched me with their appreciation of small things when they were free again, especially the scene with Joe the handyman in the German factory, showing the isolated women a little human respect. Also the way that both healed by working with their hands, feeling connected to the ost and present, is a beautiful icon! The understated romance got me-they deserve something good after everything they went through. Max designed the wedding himself and had a jeweler friend in New York make it-before the internet. (If he wanted to he would.) He also casually became a crazy good computer guy!
Extra grateful for my regular life today and for examples of other people in dark political times who survived and found a good life on the other side.
Rose would “go shopping in the wardrobe.”
“1938 is not my best year.”
“Some of us dont remember what it feels like to be happy.”
“I realize that rose means something to me that I am willing to work this hard to see her.” 😍
Extra grateful for my regular life today and for examples of other people in dark political times who survived and found a good life on the other side.
Rose would “go shopping in the wardrobe.”
“1938 is not my best year.”
“Some of us dont remember what it feels like to be happy.”
“I realize that rose means something to me that I am willing to work this hard to see her.” 😍
February 9, 2022
I was very fortunate to see and hear Rose Schindler's story (via a pre-recorded video because she was having health issues) October 2021. What a courageous woman she is to listen to the advice of strangers, seek out information on her own at Auschwitz, and find a way to survive so she could honor her family and tell others about her experience.
The book is written from the perspective of Rose, raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in a small town in Czechoslovakia, and that of her husband Max, who was raised in Berlin, Germany. Understanding the suffering they both endured and kept their hope alive for liberation is truly inspiring. Although there may have been many things that could have discouraged them the love of their family kept them alive.
This book teaches many lessons about the way politics can coerce and manipulate public opinion and force their will because of their own need for power and control.
The book is written from the perspective of Rose, raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in a small town in Czechoslovakia, and that of her husband Max, who was raised in Berlin, Germany. Understanding the suffering they both endured and kept their hope alive for liberation is truly inspiring. Although there may have been many things that could have discouraged them the love of their family kept them alive.
This book teaches many lessons about the way politics can coerce and manipulate public opinion and force their will because of their own need for power and control.
October 23, 2022
"Live so you can tell the world what they are doing to us."
I had the privilege of listening to Rose speak via a virtual event in February 2021, and her courageous and inspiring talk made me eager to read her memoir as well. This succinct telling of Rose and Max Schindler's experiences before, during, and after WWII is told through the alternating perspectives of Rose and Max themselves; and while this may not be the most refined book you will read on the Holocaust, it's heart, courage, honesty, and message of hope deserve all 5 stars.
If you have even just a remote interest in WWII, this book is for you. If you have read a lot of WWII literature, this book is for you. And if you have the chance to listen to Rose speak, do it. Her story, like those of all Holocaust survivors, will leave you a changed person.
A huge thank you to Rose and Max for being willing to share their incredible story of loss, resilience, and ultimately, of survival and triumph over evil.
I had the privilege of listening to Rose speak via a virtual event in February 2021, and her courageous and inspiring talk made me eager to read her memoir as well. This succinct telling of Rose and Max Schindler's experiences before, during, and after WWII is told through the alternating perspectives of Rose and Max themselves; and while this may not be the most refined book you will read on the Holocaust, it's heart, courage, honesty, and message of hope deserve all 5 stars.
If you have even just a remote interest in WWII, this book is for you. If you have read a lot of WWII literature, this book is for you. And if you have the chance to listen to Rose speak, do it. Her story, like those of all Holocaust survivors, will leave you a changed person.
A huge thank you to Rose and Max for being willing to share their incredible story of loss, resilience, and ultimately, of survival and triumph over evil.
April 12, 2020
Beautifully written and memorable!
I learned about this book from a Jocko podcast, where Rose Schindler was interviewed by Jocko and provided an emotional recount of raw, tragic, and moving events chronicled in this book. After, I couldn’t wait to read it. I love how the book begins being written from a child’s perspective and progresses as Rose and Max progress in age. This book gave a glimpse into the harsh and painful recollections of two strong individuals while giving light to those who helped them along the way. This was a sad time in world history, and the experiences are truly hard to fathom, but must never be forgotten. I enjoyed the unique perspective on Rose and Max’s survival of the Holocaust that this book provided and highly recommended this book.
I learned about this book from a Jocko podcast, where Rose Schindler was interviewed by Jocko and provided an emotional recount of raw, tragic, and moving events chronicled in this book. After, I couldn’t wait to read it. I love how the book begins being written from a child’s perspective and progresses as Rose and Max progress in age. This book gave a glimpse into the harsh and painful recollections of two strong individuals while giving light to those who helped them along the way. This was a sad time in world history, and the experiences are truly hard to fathom, but must never be forgotten. I enjoyed the unique perspective on Rose and Max’s survival of the Holocaust that this book provided and highly recommended this book.
April 20, 2021
About a year ago, I met Rose Schindler at my school and bought Two Who Survived. What was unique about this book was that it was the memoir of two people that merged into one. What I also found interesting was that this memoir not only about the Holocaust but also about the lives of the two people in this memoir before and after that event. I also liked the photos, because it makes you feel like you know these people. The interior of the cover was also an intriguing design aspect because it makes you feel like your walking through one of the camps, which is symbolic of the story.
January 16, 2022
Very fast read. While obviously sad, not as detailed and gruesome as other holocaust surviver books I have read so if you want to dip your toes into this world but not DIVE in, this may be a good book for you.
I originally heard Rose’s story on Jocko’s podcast and knew I wanted to read the book. It still boggles my mind that these events actually happened and I can’t even imagine what it took to survive. Rose and Max’s stories are unimaginable, and the fact that they still were able to thrive and be such positive influences on the world is inspiring ❤️
I originally heard Rose’s story on Jocko’s podcast and knew I wanted to read the book. It still boggles my mind that these events actually happened and I can’t even imagine what it took to survive. Rose and Max’s stories are unimaginable, and the fact that they still were able to thrive and be such positive influences on the world is inspiring ❤️
February 22, 2022
I bought this book after hearing Rose speak last week at my child’s school.
What an honor to bear witness to her testimony in person and in print. The atrocities she and her husband endured are beyond comprehension. And her words will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m humbled and inspired. And just so grateful she was able to find the inner strength to have such hope that led to her survival. The incredible thing is she only survived, she thrived. And continues to give back at 92 years old ... gives wisdom and hope.... what a woman!
What an honor to bear witness to her testimony in person and in print. The atrocities she and her husband endured are beyond comprehension. And her words will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m humbled and inspired. And just so grateful she was able to find the inner strength to have such hope that led to her survival. The incredible thing is she only survived, she thrived. And continues to give back at 92 years old ... gives wisdom and hope.... what a woman!
March 27, 2020
My kids were able to hear Rose speak at their school and I’m so glad I could also read the Schindler‘s story. It is an amazing book and I loved how each chapter switched back-and-forth telling their stories until they met. It is truly a miracle that they survived and such an inspiration! I also loved that this book was appropriate for middle school and up. It is so good for kids to understand what happened but it is not too graphic.
May 26, 2020
Interesting and important to never forget the atrocity of the Holocaust! I met this woman at a talk on the subject and admired her strength to go on after this horror and to teach other about it first hand.
Very good life study from two people that went through hell and decided to move forward in a positive way and were blessed with constructive lives and a beautiful family. Written for young people, so a quick read.
Very good life study from two people that went through hell and decided to move forward in a positive way and were blessed with constructive lives and a beautiful family. Written for young people, so a quick read.
March 23, 2022
Nothing short of an incredible and amazing story of bravery and hope!
I have read Man's Search for Meaning which I think is also a must read for everyone, however this story of these kids with amazing courage and unwavering faith in the face of unthinkable atrocities and horror...it is something that must never be forgotten and must never ever happen again! I was deeply touched. God Bless Rose and Max and all who survived and all who played a part in their liberation!
I have read Man's Search for Meaning which I think is also a must read for everyone, however this story of these kids with amazing courage and unwavering faith in the face of unthinkable atrocities and horror...it is something that must never be forgotten and must never ever happen again! I was deeply touched. God Bless Rose and Max and all who survived and all who played a part in their liberation!
March 23, 2023
In February 2020 my children and I met Rose Schindler when she spoke at a middle school in San Diego. She is a woman with spunk and determination. The telling of her and her husband’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps is beautiful but heartbreaking. They honor family members who lost their lives and emphasize that they never gave up hope. “Just survive so you can tell the world what they did to us.”
September 3, 2023
A very quick listen. Powerful stuff. Timely in a world trying to snuff out uncomfortable history.
Could see uses of this or other recordings of their experiences in history classes across the globe.
I both loved and didn't love that the authors narrated the audiobook. Rose's cadence was stilted, likely because English isn't her first language. That made the listening less pleasant. That feels like a silly complaint given the important topic, but it matters to audiobook readers.
Would recommend.
Could see uses of this or other recordings of their experiences in history classes across the globe.
I both loved and didn't love that the authors narrated the audiobook. Rose's cadence was stilted, likely because English isn't her first language. That made the listening less pleasant. That feels like a silly complaint given the important topic, but it matters to audiobook readers.
Would recommend.
February 17, 2022
I read this in preparation of listening to Rose Schindler speak to my WW2 class I’m teaching tomorrow. Loved reading their story and am so in awe of the hope, perseverance, and resilience of people who lived through such horrifying times. I am so grateful they share their stories for us to learn from and not let this happen again.
March 15, 2022
Max and Rose are amazing people who did unthinkable things as teens. I can’t imagine losing so much family at that age. And then being a success story as an adult. Bravo. I learned about camps I hadn’t heard of. I enjoyed hearing their stories as they grew up as well. Bravo to them.
June 3, 2023
Audio book
This book is a selection from the program One Book, One City of San Diego. Has San Diego ties-heartbreaking to hear the authors talk in tearful halting voices recalling the memories and struggles.
This book is a selection from the program One Book, One City of San Diego. Has San Diego ties-heartbreaking to hear the authors talk in tearful halting voices recalling the memories and struggles.
February 12, 2025
This is a very good memoir written by two survivors who ended up married, but had very different backgrounds. I met their son,Steven, in San Diego at a program last year and he was kind enough to send me the book. It would be excellent to use with junior high or high school students.
April 7, 2020
We met Rose Schindler at a community event.
Her scrappy, fun personality makes her story even more effective.
Loved her and her book was a delight.
Her scrappy, fun personality makes her story even more effective.
Loved her and her book was a delight.
August 23, 2020
Just an amazing book... I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn more about the Holocaust. Rose and Max are 2 amazing people
March 20, 2021
Wow! Such a moving NONFICTION story told by 2 teenagers who survived the Holocaust. Their stories are heart wrenchingly detailed.
You should read... so we never forget or doubt it happened.
You should read... so we never forget or doubt it happened.
June 18, 2021
An incredible story of hope in the midst of horror. And they built a beautiful life after the Holocaust, refusing to let bitterness keep them from trying to live a full, good life.
January 31, 2022
Powerful story
December 14, 2022
I listened and Rose reads her own parts. It was touching that after all this time certain parts still made her very emotional.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews