What do you think?
Rate this book
Maybe You Will Survive: A Holocaust Memoir
The remarkable autobiography of a Holocaust escapee.
"Go on, my son. Maybe you will survive..."
Aron Goldfarb was fifteen years old when he was ripped from his bed in Poland and forced to enter a Jewish work camp. Watching helplessly as Nazis murdered his friends and family, he and his brother, Abe, made their courageous escape after hearing rumours of fellow prisoners being executed in gas chambers. With astonishing bravery and an unshakeable will to survive, the brothers hid together in underground holes on an estate controlled by the Gestapo. In this moving testament to the strength of human endurance and the power of relationships, co-written with acclaimed author Graham Diamond, Goldfarb tells his unbelievable true tale at long last.
Vivid, compelling and frequently harrowing, Maybe You Will Survive is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the human condition.
Marking seventy-five years since the end of the Holocaust and Aron's liberation, this edition includes a foreword his from sons, Morris & Ira.
"Go on, my son. Maybe you will survive..."
Aron Goldfarb was fifteen years old when he was ripped from his bed in Poland and forced to enter a Jewish work camp. Watching helplessly as Nazis murdered his friends and family, he and his brother, Abe, made their courageous escape after hearing rumours of fellow prisoners being executed in gas chambers. With astonishing bravery and an unshakeable will to survive, the brothers hid together in underground holes on an estate controlled by the Gestapo. In this moving testament to the strength of human endurance and the power of relationships, co-written with acclaimed author Graham Diamond, Goldfarb tells his unbelievable true tale at long last.
Vivid, compelling and frequently harrowing, Maybe You Will Survive is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the human condition.
Marking seventy-five years since the end of the Holocaust and Aron's liberation, this edition includes a foreword his from sons, Morris & Ira.
242 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
839 people are currently reading
3954 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 112 reviews
October 23, 2020
Awesome and terrific account of a jewish family sufferings under the Nazis in WWII..
Aron Goldfarb and his story is indeed astounding and will let you see with his eyes what happened to him and his family!!
I strongly recommend this book to all my friends!!!
I would say a lot more..but first I'm trying to cope with all this sufferings and hell which the Nazis created in Poland and Europe..
It is a very good narration, well written, and feels like reading a thriller!!
Honestly, I was glued to the pages..
Dean;)
Aron Goldfarb and his story is indeed astounding and will let you see with his eyes what happened to him and his family!!
I strongly recommend this book to all my friends!!!
I would say a lot more..but first I'm trying to cope with all this sufferings and hell which the Nazis created in Poland and Europe..
It is a very good narration, well written, and feels like reading a thriller!!
Honestly, I was glued to the pages..
Dean;)
September 26, 2020
This book gets five stars for the incredible story, but loses two for the way it is told.
This is the story of Aron Goldfarb and his family. A Jewish family in Nazi occupied Poland, I cannot even begin to imagine what they must have gone through, what it must have felt to have been the victim of such a devastating persecution.
Trouble is, this book doesn't bring you much closer. It feels rushed, condensed, too much telling not enough showing. I want to feel what Aron felt, smell the smells, picture the sights, but there's never quite enough detail, at no point are we fully immersed into Aron's mind.
Throughout the whole book I felt as though we were watching events unfold from afar, rather than feeling as if I was there with the characters, their emotions intertwined with mine.
It's still a good book, and as I said a the start, the story of Aron and his family is truly remarkable - it just nags me that it could have been that much better
This is the story of Aron Goldfarb and his family. A Jewish family in Nazi occupied Poland, I cannot even begin to imagine what they must have gone through, what it must have felt to have been the victim of such a devastating persecution.
Trouble is, this book doesn't bring you much closer. It feels rushed, condensed, too much telling not enough showing. I want to feel what Aron felt, smell the smells, picture the sights, but there's never quite enough detail, at no point are we fully immersed into Aron's mind.
Throughout the whole book I felt as though we were watching events unfold from afar, rather than feeling as if I was there with the characters, their emotions intertwined with mine.
It's still a good book, and as I said a the start, the story of Aron and his family is truly remarkable - it just nags me that it could have been that much better
September 11, 2018
Surviving the madness
From Poland to the concentration camps to hiding in a bunker in the winter and finally to freedom in Israel and finally to America Aaron and his brother Abe survived. He learned to survive when survival was impossible. He learned that some are evil and others are good. Most of all he learned to live again.
From Poland to the concentration camps to hiding in a bunker in the winter and finally to freedom in Israel and finally to America Aaron and his brother Abe survived. He learned to survive when survival was impossible. He learned that some are evil and others are good. Most of all he learned to live again.
June 4, 2019
I love reading anything about the Holocaust & still find it hard to comprehend that these stories are true, how these poor people had to fight for their survival just for being a Jew. This was a fab little read I found on Amazon Prime & comes highly recommended from me.
February 27, 2019
Just an amazement
I am so happy that I chose to read this book. All I have to say about this book is i am in all.
I am so happy that I chose to read this book. All I have to say about this book is i am in all.
May 28, 2020
This book is touching. I am so happy I decided to borrow this from my neighbor! It is so amazing and touching! I fell in love with this book!
October 5, 2024
Maybe You Will Survive was a story documenting the horrors of the Holocaust. While this told the story of escaped prisoner Aron, this was not told in the first person.
For some reason this narration did not turn this impactful tale into a moving memoir. This was written like a novel, and it just did not flow. Some things were given too little attention, and moved too fast off these important developments. Of course, the story of Aron’s harrowing survival was amazing. But the storytelling needed to be crafted in way that made this more compelling.
Aron’s fervent desire to survive was clear from everything he did. His journey out of a camp to freedom after the war was just incredible. And yet, this felt stiff and forced. Much of the conversation was overly formal and just hard to read. I wanted to like this so much more than I did.
For some reason this narration did not turn this impactful tale into a moving memoir. This was written like a novel, and it just did not flow. Some things were given too little attention, and moved too fast off these important developments. Of course, the story of Aron’s harrowing survival was amazing. But the storytelling needed to be crafted in way that made this more compelling.
Aron’s fervent desire to survive was clear from everything he did. His journey out of a camp to freedom after the war was just incredible. And yet, this felt stiff and forced. Much of the conversation was overly formal and just hard to read. I wanted to like this so much more than I did.
January 21, 2025
Wow!!!! Just wow!!! No matter how many time I read a recount from this harrowing time, they are all so powerful ! I can't help but feel emotional. How they dealt with everything all they lost needs to be fresh in the minds of the future. Arons story is amazing, wrecked with sadness but no less miraculous. A true tale of survival, loss, luck and the prayers from his father to carry him till the end. How they managed to survive I will never truly understand but to share his story and the story of the other witnesses to this diabolical time in history is my job.
July 26, 2021
The power of love and brotherhood
This true story moved me because the brothers did not succumb to apathy or despair. They kept using their brains and goodwill to survive. Their survival exceeded expectations largely be used they believed in their family. Strongly urge others to read this book.
This true story moved me because the brothers did not succumb to apathy or despair. They kept using their brains and goodwill to survive. Their survival exceeded expectations largely be used they believed in their family. Strongly urge others to read this book.
April 3, 2023
Wow, what an amazing and miraculous true story of survival.
July 5, 2023
Interesting story of a Holocaust survivor written by his two sons.
March 29, 2018
Amazing
Wonderful story, slightly different to other holocaust stories I have read. The bond of the brothers is incredible. Shame about the typing and grammar errors
Wonderful story, slightly different to other holocaust stories I have read. The bond of the brothers is incredible. Shame about the typing and grammar errors
March 17, 2019
A Poignant Statement- Maybe You Will Survive
This is the story of a Jewish boy and the things he did to survive World War II in Poland. It is full of graphic details about how the young boy was able to survive the war and extermination efforts by the Nazis. He had to beg for food and lived in a hole in a field with straw to protect him. Mice and then rats joined him in the hole and took what little food he had been able to obtain. This is definitely a book I will never forget.
This is the story of a Jewish boy and the things he did to survive World War II in Poland. It is full of graphic details about how the young boy was able to survive the war and extermination efforts by the Nazis. He had to beg for food and lived in a hole in a field with straw to protect him. Mice and then rats joined him in the hole and took what little food he had been able to obtain. This is definitely a book I will never forget.
January 24, 2019
An amazing read
I enjoyed this book immensely. The history, the struggle, the depth. It was a trip back in time to a much different time and place. A place of terror and helplessness, but of hope. I cried and was disgusted, but cheered and was hopeful for Aron. I recommend this book to anyone who may be interested in seeing WWII from the polish aspect and experience a view from an escapee.
I enjoyed this book immensely. The history, the struggle, the depth. It was a trip back in time to a much different time and place. A place of terror and helplessness, but of hope. I cried and was disgusted, but cheered and was hopeful for Aron. I recommend this book to anyone who may be interested in seeing WWII from the polish aspect and experience a view from an escapee.
October 19, 2019
The Author takes you right there.
The story plot was frightening and suspenseful. The description of the final battle between the Soviets and the Nazis was detailed and excellent. The escapees analysis of possible citizens who might help them was wonderful. You are made to feel the same emotions of the escapees, disappointment, when they are let down by citizens who could help. You are enchanted with those who helped the escapees right under the noses of the Nazis.
The story plot was frightening and suspenseful. The description of the final battle between the Soviets and the Nazis was detailed and excellent. The escapees analysis of possible citizens who might help them was wonderful. You are made to feel the same emotions of the escapees, disappointment, when they are let down by citizens who could help. You are enchanted with those who helped the escapees right under the noses of the Nazis.
July 14, 2018
This book was well written and you could engage with the characters
I enjoyed the fact that Aaron and. Abe throughout all. They endured remained strong and helped each other and had support of some good friends I think they are an inspiration for all they had been through and. Managed to achieve latter on in their lives. Well done.
I enjoyed the fact that Aaron and. Abe throughout all. They endured remained strong and helped each other and had support of some good friends I think they are an inspiration for all they had been through and. Managed to achieve latter on in their lives. Well done.
September 21, 2018
?
I am truly amazed how all survived the whole thing! I'm so happy for the ones who survived to tell their story to the world,saddened for the ones that didn't ! We can never never allow this to happen ever again. Beautifully written book. Hope all of you are at peace and happy! 💓✌🌞
I am truly amazed how all survived the whole thing! I'm so happy for the ones who survived to tell their story to the world,saddened for the ones that didn't ! We can never never allow this to happen ever again. Beautifully written book. Hope all of you are at peace and happy! 💓✌🌞
November 23, 2018
3 of 5 stars. A good book overall.
It sometimes read as a fictional portrayal of a non-fictional event. The foundational story is inspiring and moving. However, I found the quoted conversations and some of the imagery too frequent or too over-the-top, to the point it sometimes distracted from the story.
It sometimes read as a fictional portrayal of a non-fictional event. The foundational story is inspiring and moving. However, I found the quoted conversations and some of the imagery too frequent or too over-the-top, to the point it sometimes distracted from the story.
January 24, 2019
Unbelievable bravery and resilience
The true story surrounding Aron, his family, and the atrocities they went through during the Nazi reign, is both heartbreaking and wonderfully uplifting. No one should dare complain about trivial life problems after reading about the horrors these people experienced for months and years during the Holocaust. God bless them.
The true story surrounding Aron, his family, and the atrocities they went through during the Nazi reign, is both heartbreaking and wonderfully uplifting. No one should dare complain about trivial life problems after reading about the horrors these people experienced for months and years during the Holocaust. God bless them.
August 7, 2018
Harrowing tale of survival
This writing is a harrowing tale of survival. It has heartwrenching drama and devilish deeds of the Nazi regime. I highly recommend reading this book of you are interested in survival stories of the WWII oppressed Jewish people.
This writing is a harrowing tale of survival. It has heartwrenching drama and devilish deeds of the Nazi regime. I highly recommend reading this book of you are interested in survival stories of the WWII oppressed Jewish people.
September 16, 2018
Enthralling story
It's hard to fathom how these 3 brothers made it, but the detail with how they managed without food and warm shelter illustrates the tenacity of life. I enjoyed the story and the afterword.
It's hard to fathom how these 3 brothers made it, but the detail with how they managed without food and warm shelter illustrates the tenacity of life. I enjoyed the story and the afterword.
October 13, 2018
New twist on the Holocaust survivers
Aaron and Abe, two survivors with a bond so strong imprinted by their father, could only survive as a team, and never lost focus of that fact. Wonderfully written !
Aaron and Abe, two survivors with a bond so strong imprinted by their father, could only survive as a team, and never lost focus of that fact. Wonderfully written !
November 24, 2018
Survival
This story made me cry! It continually amazed me that anyone survived at all. I just can't imagine all they went though. I'm so happy that they were able to find other family members. Please God may we never repeat this history!
This story made me cry! It continually amazed me that anyone survived at all. I just can't imagine all they went though. I'm so happy that they were able to find other family members. Please God may we never repeat this history!
December 16, 2018
Surviving
Wonderful book of you are interested in the lives of the Jewish people during the Holocaust. It is horrible to read what these people went through. Thank God for the survivors who went thru hell, but did survive.
Wonderful book of you are interested in the lives of the Jewish people during the Holocaust. It is horrible to read what these people went through. Thank God for the survivors who went thru hell, but did survive.
February 24, 2019
Maybe...
I chose this rating because it is well written, and tells the truth about the atrocities committed by the nazis upon the Jewish people during WWII. This should on every high school library shelf in America.
I chose this rating because it is well written, and tells the truth about the atrocities committed by the nazis upon the Jewish people during WWII. This should on every high school library shelf in America.
March 26, 2019
Humbling
It is difficult to grasp the pain and suffering of Jewish people during WW2 this is a small taste. I am in awe of the perseverance and determination. I don't think I would have been able to endure that journey
It is difficult to grasp the pain and suffering of Jewish people during WW2 this is a small taste. I am in awe of the perseverance and determination. I don't think I would have been able to endure that journey
March 26, 2019
Excellent account of jewish trials during ww2
A jewish family suffers countless episodes of prejudice and persecution in Poland. They eventually arrive in the holy land and from there to America.
A jewish family suffers countless episodes of prejudice and persecution in Poland. They eventually arrive in the holy land and from there to America.
April 21, 2019
A sad story of guts and determination
It’s nice to read a book about the holocaust that doesn’t focus around Auchwitz. This family suffered so much heartbreak and yet showed the most tenacity and bravery ever. A great read.
It’s nice to read a book about the holocaust that doesn’t focus around Auchwitz. This family suffered so much heartbreak and yet showed the most tenacity and bravery ever. A great read.
July 18, 2019
Excellent read
I felt this book did a great job in helping to raise awareness over the Holocaust. I feel like I know these brothers like my own brothers. I thought it was amazing to find their brothers remains and t o give him a proper burial finally. I highly recommend this book
I felt this book did a great job in helping to raise awareness over the Holocaust. I feel like I know these brothers like my own brothers. I thought it was amazing to find their brothers remains and t o give him a proper burial finally. I highly recommend this book
October 23, 2019
Goodread
Very easy to follow and captivating in not not wanting to put it down. Ended as it should have with the families left in Israel or the US. Plus finding some of their killed family and properly burying them.
Very easy to follow and captivating in not not wanting to put it down. Ended as it should have with the families left in Israel or the US. Plus finding some of their killed family and properly burying them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews