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The Upstander: How Surviving the Holocaust Sparked Max Glauben's Mission to Dismantle Hate
Holocaust survivor Max Glauben is on a mission—to outlast hate, to preserve memory, and to compel the world to embrace tolerance.
The stench of decay pierced the air aboard the boxcar of trapped Jews. “Why me?” fifteen-year-old Max asked himself, as a convoy rumbled from the Warsaw Ghetto to Majdanek death camp in May 1943.
The Nazis had destroyed the Glauben family’s business, upended their rights, and ultimately decimated their neighborhood. The deluge of questions would only intensify after the Nazis murdered Max’s mother, father, and brother. Max channeled grit, determination, and a fortuitous knack for manufacturing airplane parts to outlast six horrific concentration camps in his quest to survive.
This memoir explores Max’s mischievous childhood and teen years as a go-to ghetto smuggler. Max journeys from displaced person to American immigrant and Korean veteran. He reveals how he ached as he dared to court love and rear children. For decades, he bottled up his trauma. Then he He could transform his pain into purpose.
Infused with raw emotion and vivid detail, historical records and Max’s poignant voice, this memoir relays the true story of the harrowing violence and dehumanization Max endured. It relays Max’s powerful lifetime commitment to actively thwarting hate and galvanizing resilience. Max insists you, too, can transform your adversity into your greatest strength.
In the seventy-five years since his liberation, Max has ceased to ask himself, “Why me?” Instead, he reframes his focus, eager to partner with you and “What can we do next?”
The stench of decay pierced the air aboard the boxcar of trapped Jews. “Why me?” fifteen-year-old Max asked himself, as a convoy rumbled from the Warsaw Ghetto to Majdanek death camp in May 1943.
The Nazis had destroyed the Glauben family’s business, upended their rights, and ultimately decimated their neighborhood. The deluge of questions would only intensify after the Nazis murdered Max’s mother, father, and brother. Max channeled grit, determination, and a fortuitous knack for manufacturing airplane parts to outlast six horrific concentration camps in his quest to survive.
This memoir explores Max’s mischievous childhood and teen years as a go-to ghetto smuggler. Max journeys from displaced person to American immigrant and Korean veteran. He reveals how he ached as he dared to court love and rear children. For decades, he bottled up his trauma. Then he He could transform his pain into purpose.
Infused with raw emotion and vivid detail, historical records and Max’s poignant voice, this memoir relays the true story of the harrowing violence and dehumanization Max endured. It relays Max’s powerful lifetime commitment to actively thwarting hate and galvanizing resilience. Max insists you, too, can transform your adversity into your greatest strength.
In the seventy-five years since his liberation, Max has ceased to ask himself, “Why me?” Instead, he reframes his focus, eager to partner with you and “What can we do next?”
224 pages, Hardcover
Published March 30, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 23, 2021
I have read a good amount of Holocaust biographies. But this one hit close to home. I grew up with Max’s granddaughter, our parents spent a lot of time together when we were growing up. Reading the story of someone I know, a s whose family I know, was so tough. But Jori did such a wonderful job making you feel like even if you didn’t know Max, you knew him now. I am so thankful for books like this one to continue the stories. And I am so thankful more of the world will now know Max’s incredible story.
November 30, 2021
The Upstander: How Surviving the Holocaust Sparked Max Glauben’s Mission to Dismantle Hate was written by Jori Epstein with a Forward by Michael Berenbaum. This biography/memoir is one of the better ones I have read lately and it is written is such a way that it is almost impossible to put down. I have been lucky enough to have heard Max Glauben speak and as I read the book, I could hear and see him telling this story. Jori did an amazing job of keeping Max’s voice as the storyteller. He doesn’t shy away from telling the worst parts of his life in the camps; but he doesn’t dwell on those. It is not the shock factor he is after; but the ideas behind what is happening that matter. Max doesn’t tell his story to exact pity from the reader; but to get the reader to realize he/she must look to the future no matter what happens to you. Dwelling on the unthinkable can contribute nothing to your life; but seeing and doing what is right contributes much to your life. Max wants people to remember the victims of the Holocaust as individuals whose potential was lost forever. No one can imagine what those individuals would have contributed to our lives had they lived. We must acknowledge the hatred we each carry inside us and learn to discard it and help others to do the same. We must strive to make a new World in which hatred of every kind does not exist and something like the Holocaust can never happen again. We have a long way to go and Max leads the way to a better world for all.
This book is written in such a way that it is acceptable to be used in middle school as well as above. It would especially be useful when discussing the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising since Max lived through it. I highly recommend it.
This book is written in such a way that it is acceptable to be used in middle school as well as above. It would especially be useful when discussing the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising since Max lived through it. I highly recommend it.
April 24, 2021
Capturing a Soul
Jodi Epstein has captured the very soul of Max Glauben. This wonderful man stands as a reminder to all that hate never wins. I feel as if I know Max personally after reading this book.
Jodi Epstein has captured the very soul of Max Glauben. This wonderful man stands as a reminder to all that hate never wins. I feel as if I know Max personally after reading this book.
May 28, 2021
Amazing read
Book was a deeply personal and profound history of Max’s experience in the Holocaust. He provides important information to which we all need to bear witness.
Book was a deeply personal and profound history of Max’s experience in the Holocaust. He provides important information to which we all need to bear witness.
June 22, 2021
A necessary read for everyone and definitely puts life in perspective.
July 6, 2021
I'm just an unabashed Max fan. I'm honored to have met him. He's a treasure and his story is remarkable.
March 10, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audio book in return for an honest review.
Synopsis
Holocaust survivor Max Glauben is on a mission—to outlast hate, to preserve memory, and to compel the world to embrace tolerance.
The stench of decay pierced the air aboard the boxcar of trapped Jews. “Why me?” fifteen-year-old Max asked himself, as a convoy rumbled from the Warsaw Ghetto to Majdanek death camp in May 1943.
The Nazis had destroyed the Glauben family’s business, upended their rights, and ultimately decimated their neighborhood. The deluge of questions would only intensify after the Nazis murdered Max’s mother, father, and brother. Max channeled grit, determination, and a fortuitous knack for manufacturing airplane parts to outlast six horrific concentration camps in his quest to survive.
This memoir explores Max’s mischievous childhood and teen years as a go-to ghetto smuggler. Max journeys from displaced person to American immigrant and Korean veteran. He reveals how he ached as he dared to court love and rear children. For decades, he bottled up his trauma. Then he realized: He could transform his pain into purpose.
Infused with raw emotion and vivid detail, historical records and Max’s poignant voice, this memoir relays the true story of the harrowing violence and dehumanization Max endured. It relays Max’s powerful lifetime commitment to actively thwarting hate and galvanizing resilience. Max insists you, too, can transform your adversity into your greatest strength.
In the seventy-five years since his liberation, Max has ceased to ask himself, “Why me?” Instead, he reframes his focus, eager to partner with you and ask: “What can we do next?”
Another remarkably powerful story of hope love and inspiration from a holocaust survivor. Max’s aim is simple yet so complicated it is that we all let go of the hate within. I truly hope that someday we live in the ideal that Max wants. It is possible, he teaches us so. A truly beautiful soul.
Synopsis
Holocaust survivor Max Glauben is on a mission—to outlast hate, to preserve memory, and to compel the world to embrace tolerance.
The stench of decay pierced the air aboard the boxcar of trapped Jews. “Why me?” fifteen-year-old Max asked himself, as a convoy rumbled from the Warsaw Ghetto to Majdanek death camp in May 1943.
The Nazis had destroyed the Glauben family’s business, upended their rights, and ultimately decimated their neighborhood. The deluge of questions would only intensify after the Nazis murdered Max’s mother, father, and brother. Max channeled grit, determination, and a fortuitous knack for manufacturing airplane parts to outlast six horrific concentration camps in his quest to survive.
This memoir explores Max’s mischievous childhood and teen years as a go-to ghetto smuggler. Max journeys from displaced person to American immigrant and Korean veteran. He reveals how he ached as he dared to court love and rear children. For decades, he bottled up his trauma. Then he realized: He could transform his pain into purpose.
Infused with raw emotion and vivid detail, historical records and Max’s poignant voice, this memoir relays the true story of the harrowing violence and dehumanization Max endured. It relays Max’s powerful lifetime commitment to actively thwarting hate and galvanizing resilience. Max insists you, too, can transform your adversity into your greatest strength.
In the seventy-five years since his liberation, Max has ceased to ask himself, “Why me?” Instead, he reframes his focus, eager to partner with you and ask: “What can we do next?”
Another remarkably powerful story of hope love and inspiration from a holocaust survivor. Max’s aim is simple yet so complicated it is that we all let go of the hate within. I truly hope that someday we live in the ideal that Max wants. It is possible, he teaches us so. A truly beautiful soul.
April 17, 2022
This book, so lovingly written about one mans journey is a gift to anyone who read it. It is a must read or listen for anyone with a pulse. It is the story of Max Glauben and how he not only survived the absolute horrors of the Holocaust, the Nazi regime and all that followed Hitler, the loss of his family and all he knew and yet survived with hope and love in his heart. Max was and is a true warrior of the heart and soul. In these current times with so much hatred, bigotry, racism and anti-semitism this is the antidote to it all. His courage to move forward, strive to save so many, let love in, raise a family and live the best life he could having been through and sen the worst of humanity is a testament to the man he is and person we should all strive to be. If you want thread about courage, kindness and what it means to stare down the impossible and thrive this is the story for you. And I dare anyone to not fall just a little bit in love with Max!
I received a copy of this audiobook from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. My gratitude to HighBridge Audio and of course to Max for so selflessly sharing his story in hopes that we never ever repeat the behaviors of the past.
I received a copy of this audiobook from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. My gratitude to HighBridge Audio and of course to Max for so selflessly sharing his story in hopes that we never ever repeat the behaviors of the past.
March 20, 2022
Thank you to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this title.
When Max Glauben was a teenager, his family was forced into the Warsaw Ghetto. From there, they were sent to a concentration where Max was the only member of his immediate family to survive. In fact, Max survived six concentration camps. For decades, Max kept these horrific memories to himself. As he grew older, he realized that sharing his story could help others become upstanders instead of bystanders. Upstanders have the power to fight against history repeating itself.
I feel terrible for not loving this book! It just read too much like a school project to me.
When Max Glauben was a teenager, his family was forced into the Warsaw Ghetto. From there, they were sent to a concentration where Max was the only member of his immediate family to survive. In fact, Max survived six concentration camps. For decades, Max kept these horrific memories to himself. As he grew older, he realized that sharing his story could help others become upstanders instead of bystanders. Upstanders have the power to fight against history repeating itself.
I feel terrible for not loving this book! It just read too much like a school project to me.
July 1, 2022
Excellent chronicle of living through the Holocaust and having a life afterwards.
How this man can survive this and not have hate in his heart is truly remarkable.
Helped create the Holocaust Memorial Museum here in Dallas and is a giant here.
i wish I was half as decent as this late, great man!
How this man can survive this and not have hate in his heart is truly remarkable.
Helped create the Holocaust Memorial Museum here in Dallas and is a giant here.
i wish I was half as decent as this late, great man!
March 24, 2023
Very good. Enough holocaust information to let you know he went through horrors (as they all did) but not enough to overwhelm you where you have to have a break from it. Wish I had been able to meet him before he passed last year.
April 15, 2024
A readable and informative survivor narrative.
January 28, 2025
This is a must read for all ages. Such a well written novel inciting hope in a world of hate. So inspiring and thought provoking.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews