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The Nazis Knew My Name: A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz
The extraordinarily moving memoir by a Holocaust survivor who saved an untold number of lives at Auschwitz through everyday acts of courage and kindness—in the vein of A Bookshop in Berlin and The Nazi Officer’s Wife.
In March 1942, twenty-five-year-old kindergarten teacher Magda Hellinger and nearly a thousand other young women were deported as some of the first Jews to be sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The SS soon discovered that by putting prisoners in day-to-day charge of the accommodation blocks, they could deflect attention away from themselves. Magda was one such prisoner selected for leadership and put in charge of hundreds of women in the notorious Experimental Block 10. She found herself constantly walking a dangerously fine line: saving lives while avoiding suspicion by the SS and risking execution. Through her inner strength and shrewd survival instincts, she was able to rise above the horror and cruelty of the camps and build pivotal relationships with the women under her watch, and even some of Auschwitz’s most notorious Nazi senior officers.
Based on Magda’s personal account and completed by her daughter’s extensive research, this awe-inspiring tale offers us incredible insight into human nature, the power of resilience, and the goodness that can shine through even in the most horrific of conditions.
In March 1942, twenty-five-year-old kindergarten teacher Magda Hellinger and nearly a thousand other young women were deported as some of the first Jews to be sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The SS soon discovered that by putting prisoners in day-to-day charge of the accommodation blocks, they could deflect attention away from themselves. Magda was one such prisoner selected for leadership and put in charge of hundreds of women in the notorious Experimental Block 10. She found herself constantly walking a dangerously fine line: saving lives while avoiding suspicion by the SS and risking execution. Through her inner strength and shrewd survival instincts, she was able to rise above the horror and cruelty of the camps and build pivotal relationships with the women under her watch, and even some of Auschwitz’s most notorious Nazi senior officers.
Based on Magda’s personal account and completed by her daughter’s extensive research, this awe-inspiring tale offers us incredible insight into human nature, the power of resilience, and the goodness that can shine through even in the most horrific of conditions.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2021
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September 6, 2021
This remarkable memoir is written by Magda Hellinger’s daughter, Maya Lee, with the assistance of David Brewster after Magda died at the age of eighty-nine in a Melbourne nursing home. Magda had previously put parts of her story on paper, but when Maya investigated, she was astounded by how much was missing from her mother’s words and set about to find as much as she could to honour her mother’s memory and to not let anyone forget the Holocaust.
Magda was deported in a cattle truck in March of 1942 to Auschwitz for no other reason than she was a Jew. That was to begin the next three years of her life where she fought to stay alive and fought to keep others alive. The horrors of Auschwitz and the camp next door, Birkenau, are well known and it’s extraordinary that anyone survived these camps. Magda was put in a position of power as a Blockälteste – a block leader responsible for day-to-day organization of the block, with hygiene one of the main focuses. In that way she was able to keep prisoners safe, saving countless lives over the period and up to liberation. The whole time, she herself was in constant danger.
The Nazis Knew My Name is an exceptional rendition of Magda Hellinger’s selfless, caring life and the quite amazing story of her survival, the survival of the man she met in Birkenau who would later become her husband, and the survival – against all odds – of many others. Many, many stories of the Holocaust have been told and this is another; truth, warts and all. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Simon & Shuster for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Magda was deported in a cattle truck in March of 1942 to Auschwitz for no other reason than she was a Jew. That was to begin the next three years of her life where she fought to stay alive and fought to keep others alive. The horrors of Auschwitz and the camp next door, Birkenau, are well known and it’s extraordinary that anyone survived these camps. Magda was put in a position of power as a Blockälteste – a block leader responsible for day-to-day organization of the block, with hygiene one of the main focuses. In that way she was able to keep prisoners safe, saving countless lives over the period and up to liberation. The whole time, she herself was in constant danger.
The Nazis Knew My Name is an exceptional rendition of Magda Hellinger’s selfless, caring life and the quite amazing story of her survival, the survival of the man she met in Birkenau who would later become her husband, and the survival – against all odds – of many others. Many, many stories of the Holocaust have been told and this is another; truth, warts and all. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Simon & Shuster for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2024
The Nazis Knew My Name by Magda Hellinger
Synopsis /
In March 1942, twenty-five-year-old kindergarten teacher Magda Hellinger and nearly a thousand other young women were deported as some of the first Jews to be sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The SS soon discovered that by putting prisoners in day-to-day charge of the accommodation blocks, they could deflect attention away from themselves. Magda was one such prisoner selected for leadership and put in charge of hundreds of women in the notorious Experimental Block 10. She found herself constantly walking a dangerously fine line: saving lives while avoiding suspicion by the SS and risking execution. Through her inner strength and shrewd survival instincts, she was able to rise above the horror and cruelty of the camps and build pivotal relationships with the women under her watch, and even some of Auschwitz’s most notorious Nazi senior officers.
Based on Magda’s personal account and completed by her daughter’s extensive research, this awe-inspiring tale offers us incredible insight into human nature, the power of resilience, and the goodness that can shine through even in the most horrific of conditions.
My Thoughts /
It would be no easy task for an author to write a biographical account of a particular person's life. I'm imagining it would require hours of time spent with that person in interviews, having conversations and pouring through documented research. Imagine then, if the person you were having these conversations with was your mother, and your mother was a Holocaust survivor. Imagine then, how difficult a task it might be for that person, your mother, to recall memories about the most painful time in their life. And knowing that you are not only asking her to recall those memories, but to recall them in all the most infamous detail. I cannot. Yet every story about every Holocaust survivor I've read pours their lives onto the pages of the written word in the hopes that, by telling their story, history will never repeat.
Magda Hellinger was born on 19 August 1916 in Michalovce, a town in eastern Slovakia. The only daughter in a family of five children, Magda's father taught Jewish history in the local schools and Magda grew up learning Hebrew songs and listening to stories from her father about Jewish history.
Growing up in a time before the war, before the bombings, the bloodshed, and the Nazis, Magda lived a normal life. She studied to become a kindergarten teacher and worked to establish a new chapter of the Jewish Scouts. She was someone who strongly believed in the Zionist cause and helped organize programs for the Jewish National Fund to raise money for buying land in Palestine. It was Magda's nature to work 'with' and to 'help' people.
Then, in March of 1942, Magda Hellinger, (together with other unmarried Jewish women in her town) was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau on the second transport from Slovakia. They were told that they were being taken to work in a shoe factory, but instead were sent via cattle train to Poland, where they would be interned in a camp full of slave labour and, death. Magda, was twenty-five-years old.
Auschwitz Birkenau was the principal and most notorious of the six concentration and extermination camps established by Nazi Germany to implement its Final Solution policy which had as its aim the mass murder of the Jewish people in Europe.
Over the coming six months, three more crematoria would start operating; historians record that at its peak this slaughter factory was able to destroy almost 5000 human beings every day.
Each barrack could have been used to stable around forty horses comfortably, but now a thousand women would be crammed into each one.
Magda Hellinger would spend three years in Auschwitz-Birkenau, and during that time she held various prisoner functionary positions - like 'Lagerälteste': a camp elder or senior camp inmate, and 'Blockalteste': a concentration camp inmate appointed to be the leader of a barrack. These positions were never voluntary, and inmates were usually told of such appointments by the barrack guards. Such positions came with a few perks, but mainly it came with a whole stack of problems. Because Magda had direct dealings with prominent SS personnel in her functionary positions, she was, in effect, able to save hundreds of lives.
What I found fascinating with this read were the accounts of life in Auschwitz. The veracity with which these accounts have been passed down is impressive, astounding and, horrifying all at the same time. The story is littered with exceptional and remarkable accounts of her life within the confines of Auschwitz.
Then one of the girls opened her pants and shirt. ‘Let’s distract ourselves by cracking lice,’ she said, picking an insect off her skin and crushing it between two fingers. Lice were always with us, sometimes crawling under the skin and leaving infected, itchy welts. Just as often they were crawling all over us, including in our hair. All these insects were constants in our lives and while they couldn’t be completely ignored, we had no choice but to learn to live with them. We joined in with the cracking of lice.
Magda's story gives the reader insight into how the camp worked from a grass roots level and up. I've read many stories about life as a Holocaust survivor and, while each individual story has been memorable and an important story to tell, none have gone into this much detail about how Auschwitz worked from a logistical standpoint.
If you have any interest in learning more about the Holocaust and its survivors, you really must add this book to your shelf.
Words like thought-provoking and compelling do not seem worthy enough to describe how utterly unputdownable this book is.
Synopsis /
In March 1942, twenty-five-year-old kindergarten teacher Magda Hellinger and nearly a thousand other young women were deported as some of the first Jews to be sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The SS soon discovered that by putting prisoners in day-to-day charge of the accommodation blocks, they could deflect attention away from themselves. Magda was one such prisoner selected for leadership and put in charge of hundreds of women in the notorious Experimental Block 10. She found herself constantly walking a dangerously fine line: saving lives while avoiding suspicion by the SS and risking execution. Through her inner strength and shrewd survival instincts, she was able to rise above the horror and cruelty of the camps and build pivotal relationships with the women under her watch, and even some of Auschwitz’s most notorious Nazi senior officers.
Based on Magda’s personal account and completed by her daughter’s extensive research, this awe-inspiring tale offers us incredible insight into human nature, the power of resilience, and the goodness that can shine through even in the most horrific of conditions.
My Thoughts /
It would be no easy task for an author to write a biographical account of a particular person's life. I'm imagining it would require hours of time spent with that person in interviews, having conversations and pouring through documented research. Imagine then, if the person you were having these conversations with was your mother, and your mother was a Holocaust survivor. Imagine then, how difficult a task it might be for that person, your mother, to recall memories about the most painful time in their life. And knowing that you are not only asking her to recall those memories, but to recall them in all the most infamous detail. I cannot. Yet every story about every Holocaust survivor I've read pours their lives onto the pages of the written word in the hopes that, by telling their story, history will never repeat.
Magda Hellinger was born on 19 August 1916 in Michalovce, a town in eastern Slovakia. The only daughter in a family of five children, Magda's father taught Jewish history in the local schools and Magda grew up learning Hebrew songs and listening to stories from her father about Jewish history.
Growing up in a time before the war, before the bombings, the bloodshed, and the Nazis, Magda lived a normal life. She studied to become a kindergarten teacher and worked to establish a new chapter of the Jewish Scouts. She was someone who strongly believed in the Zionist cause and helped organize programs for the Jewish National Fund to raise money for buying land in Palestine. It was Magda's nature to work 'with' and to 'help' people.
Then, in March of 1942, Magda Hellinger, (together with other unmarried Jewish women in her town) was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau on the second transport from Slovakia. They were told that they were being taken to work in a shoe factory, but instead were sent via cattle train to Poland, where they would be interned in a camp full of slave labour and, death. Magda, was twenty-five-years old.
Auschwitz Birkenau was the principal and most notorious of the six concentration and extermination camps established by Nazi Germany to implement its Final Solution policy which had as its aim the mass murder of the Jewish people in Europe.
Over the coming six months, three more crematoria would start operating; historians record that at its peak this slaughter factory was able to destroy almost 5000 human beings every day.
Each barrack could have been used to stable around forty horses comfortably, but now a thousand women would be crammed into each one.
Magda Hellinger would spend three years in Auschwitz-Birkenau, and during that time she held various prisoner functionary positions - like 'Lagerälteste': a camp elder or senior camp inmate, and 'Blockalteste': a concentration camp inmate appointed to be the leader of a barrack. These positions were never voluntary, and inmates were usually told of such appointments by the barrack guards. Such positions came with a few perks, but mainly it came with a whole stack of problems. Because Magda had direct dealings with prominent SS personnel in her functionary positions, she was, in effect, able to save hundreds of lives.
What I found fascinating with this read were the accounts of life in Auschwitz. The veracity with which these accounts have been passed down is impressive, astounding and, horrifying all at the same time. The story is littered with exceptional and remarkable accounts of her life within the confines of Auschwitz.
Then one of the girls opened her pants and shirt. ‘Let’s distract ourselves by cracking lice,’ she said, picking an insect off her skin and crushing it between two fingers. Lice were always with us, sometimes crawling under the skin and leaving infected, itchy welts. Just as often they were crawling all over us, including in our hair. All these insects were constants in our lives and while they couldn’t be completely ignored, we had no choice but to learn to live with them. We joined in with the cracking of lice.
Magda's story gives the reader insight into how the camp worked from a grass roots level and up. I've read many stories about life as a Holocaust survivor and, while each individual story has been memorable and an important story to tell, none have gone into this much detail about how Auschwitz worked from a logistical standpoint.
If you have any interest in learning more about the Holocaust and its survivors, you really must add this book to your shelf.
Words like thought-provoking and compelling do not seem worthy enough to describe how utterly unputdownable this book is.
August 31, 2024
O carte foarte dură despre atrocitățile din lagărul Auschwitz-Birkenau și despre modul în care au reușit unii dintre prizonieri să supraviețuiască peste 3 ani acolo. O poveste pe care ar trebui să o cunoască toată lumea astfel încât așa ceva să nu se mai întâmple niciodată.
September 9, 2021
I read this book in one sitting & could not put it down. I have read many different memoirs about the Holocaust. This book was very different to the others I have read. It was written in a way that really made me understand, and feel like I was actually going through the experiences with Magda. The daily balancing act she lived with due to the difficult jobs she was forced into was handled with such care, honesty and compassion. She remained true to herself and her personal integrity at all times even if it meant that she may die. Her insights into people, working as a team, her understanding of human nature, her ability to build rapport with people on all levels and nationalities, make her a very likeable person to read about. I rate this book highly. I would recommend it to anyone. Not for one minute did she allow herself or others to lose hope. She kept going, till she survived and she helped as many people as she was able to on that journey to survival.
December 3, 2024
Am citit destul de greu această carte, căci evenimentele relatate nu sunt ușor de digerat.
Am citit multe cărți legate de Holocaust și mi se pare cea mai neagră pată a umanității, a arătat de ce sunt în stare ființele umane și ca răul chiar sălășluiește uneori în oameni.
Oamenii ca Magda sunt de admirat, e greu să nu-ți pierzi umanitatea în astfel de împrejurări, o apreciez pentru lupta sa aprigă pentru supraviețuire- a ei și a altora. Însă, citind atât despre naziști, mi-e greu să cred că în jurul Magdei s-au strâns cei mai lași și îngăduitori Ss-isti.. naziștii împușcau oameni pt cele mai banale lucruri, iar Magda îi înfrunta fățiș și scăpa mereu nepedepsită, ba chiar era recompensată. Aici am unele dubii legat de povestea sa. În rest, o carte greu de digerat, pe care o recomand celor interesați de această perioadă neagră din istoria umanității.
Am citit multe cărți legate de Holocaust și mi se pare cea mai neagră pată a umanității, a arătat de ce sunt în stare ființele umane și ca răul chiar sălășluiește uneori în oameni.
Oamenii ca Magda sunt de admirat, e greu să nu-ți pierzi umanitatea în astfel de împrejurări, o apreciez pentru lupta sa aprigă pentru supraviețuire- a ei și a altora. Însă, citind atât despre naziști, mi-e greu să cred că în jurul Magdei s-au strâns cei mai lași și îngăduitori Ss-isti.. naziștii împușcau oameni pt cele mai banale lucruri, iar Magda îi înfrunta fățiș și scăpa mereu nepedepsită, ba chiar era recompensată. Aici am unele dubii legat de povestea sa. În rest, o carte greu de digerat, pe care o recomand celor interesați de această perioadă neagră din istoria umanității.
March 13, 2022
Indrukwekkend verhaal. Magda bezat veel lef en wist daarmee velen te redden van de gaskamer door haar (gedwongen) positie. Niks meer dan respect voor die vrouw en het is een wonder dat ze de Holocaust overleefde ondanks de risico's die ze nam in het kamp.
Bevat foto's en een verklarende woordenlijst achterin het boek. Wat me met momenten ernaar liet bladeren tijdens het lezen.
Bevat foto's en een verklarende woordenlijst achterin het boek. Wat me met momenten ernaar liet bladeren tijdens het lezen.
November 11, 2022
When I was younger I read alot of holocaust stories essp Anne Frank however the time period angered me and upset me but it needs to be known this story is not for the faint of heart its brutal and honest the story centers around a woman named Magda H. Who was a kindergarten Teacher and jewish she gets sent to the horrible concentration camp but this woman I swear is incredible how she just never gave up! Her determination saved lives it made me cry it made me mad it made me go wow I still can't get over that period of history how wrong it was how pointless it was! Her daughter also wrote this book along with another co writer it was amazing but yes uncomfortable too but her story needs to be told and remembered as well!
June 8, 2022
In memory of her mother, Magda Hellinger who died at the age of 89 daughter Maya Lee sets about investigating beyond what her mother wrote of her internment in the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz. Magda was only twenty five, a kindergarten teacher and was one of the first Jews to be deported.
Amongst the brutality and deprivation that has been well documented by many, this read brings to light a very personal experience. In many respects it's hard reading as one cannot help but be emotionally affected by what Magda and others like her endured to live and survive while so much death surrounded them. Magda's position as a Block Leader gave her much responsibility and to keep everyone safe she had to make quick judgements, like slapping a woman who believed what the Nazis told them, conning them into believing their lives would improve by accepting a proposition of any sort, while Magda knew it would be the gas chamber for their stupidity.
Later on in life Magda was held responsible for these "slaps" and had to endure investigations after the war to clear her name. Fortunately each time the question was asked of the complainant "if you had been allowed to do what you wanted" what would have been the outcome, the answer always "death". The complainant was promptly told to go away.
During her life Magda did not reveal much of her experiences of her time in Auschwitz, like many she locked it away in a locked chamber of her mind but she knew that to write it down, someone at sometime would find her account and tell the world of the evil that had been perpetrated on so many innocent people.
Amongst the brutality and deprivation that has been well documented by many, this read brings to light a very personal experience. In many respects it's hard reading as one cannot help but be emotionally affected by what Magda and others like her endured to live and survive while so much death surrounded them. Magda's position as a Block Leader gave her much responsibility and to keep everyone safe she had to make quick judgements, like slapping a woman who believed what the Nazis told them, conning them into believing their lives would improve by accepting a proposition of any sort, while Magda knew it would be the gas chamber for their stupidity.
Later on in life Magda was held responsible for these "slaps" and had to endure investigations after the war to clear her name. Fortunately each time the question was asked of the complainant "if you had been allowed to do what you wanted" what would have been the outcome, the answer always "death". The complainant was promptly told to go away.
During her life Magda did not reveal much of her experiences of her time in Auschwitz, like many she locked it away in a locked chamber of her mind but she knew that to write it down, someone at sometime would find her account and tell the world of the evil that had been perpetrated on so many innocent people.
December 1, 2023
Am citit destul de multe cărți despre Holocaust astfel că acum dacă și mai aleg vreo carte cu această tematică tind să caut un sinopsis mai diferit. Romanul de față mi-a atras atenția în primul rând prin titlu și inscripția de pe copertă cum că ar fi vorba de o supraveghetoare de la Auschwitz. Am fost curioasă să aflu o istorie a cuiva aflat mai mult sau mai puțin de partea cealaltă a baricadei, căci totuși este vorba de o deportată evreică, chiar dacă a activat în administrarea lagărului.
Magda Hellinger, o tânără din Slovacia, a fost deportată în martie 1942, la doar 25 de ani. Datorită faptului că vorbea limba germană a fost inclusă în sistemul de administrare al lagărului încă din primele zile. Înțelegând cum funcționează sistemul nazist Magda le-a câștigat încrederea unora dintre cei mai periculoși criminali naziști aflați în fruntea lagărului. Astfel, ea avea posibilitatea, cu riscul propriei vieți, de a salva sute de vieți măcar pentru încă câteva zile.
Magda căuta mereu modalități pentru a le ușura viața deținutelor: fie oferindu-le prizonierelor mâncare sau lucruri cu ajutorul relațiilor de la bucătărie sau de la depozitele Kanada, fie protejându-le pe cele bolnave în timpul apelurilor sau exploatând slăbiciunile paznicilor SS. O altă modalitate de salvare a prizonierelor o costituia influențarea transferurilor într-o anumită fabrică.
Multe prizoniere i-au rămas profund recunoscătoare pentru viața salvată. Cu toate acestea, după terminarea războiului s-au găsit și din acelea care au acuzat-o de colaboraționism. Adesea acestea o făceau pentru a găsi un țap ispășitor și o persoană pe care să se răzbune pentru traumele primite în timpul Holocaustului.
Abia mai târziu Magda avea să afle că evreii din Slovacia au fost strămutați în Polonia ca monedă de schimb, ca urmare a încheierii unui tratat între Germania și Slovacia. Țara sa avea să achite cheltuielile de transport pentru toți evreii deportați pentru rezolvarea problemei evreiești. Până în octombrie 1942, 57.000 de evrei slovaci (aproape două treimi din populația evreiască) a fost deportată în Polonia.
“Imperturbabilă? Așa am încercat să par în fața lui Kramer. Dar, în adâncul sufletului, mă simțeam mistuită de o vâltoare de sentimente, vâltoare în care înnotăm de doi ani. Eram bântuită de o teamă nimicitoare, o teamă cu care trăiau toți prizonierii, zi de zi. De spaima că își puteau pierde viață, indiferent ce aș fi făcut. Dar eram animată și de hotărârea de a-mi continua misiunea pe care zeii mi-o încredințaseră fără doar și poate - aceea de a salva, cu orice preț, cat mai multe vieți cu putință.”
“Naziștii îmi spuneau pe nume” de Magda Hellinger, Maya Lee, David Brewster
Magda Hellinger, o tânără din Slovacia, a fost deportată în martie 1942, la doar 25 de ani. Datorită faptului că vorbea limba germană a fost inclusă în sistemul de administrare al lagărului încă din primele zile. Înțelegând cum funcționează sistemul nazist Magda le-a câștigat încrederea unora dintre cei mai periculoși criminali naziști aflați în fruntea lagărului. Astfel, ea avea posibilitatea, cu riscul propriei vieți, de a salva sute de vieți măcar pentru încă câteva zile.
Magda căuta mereu modalități pentru a le ușura viața deținutelor: fie oferindu-le prizonierelor mâncare sau lucruri cu ajutorul relațiilor de la bucătărie sau de la depozitele Kanada, fie protejându-le pe cele bolnave în timpul apelurilor sau exploatând slăbiciunile paznicilor SS. O altă modalitate de salvare a prizonierelor o costituia influențarea transferurilor într-o anumită fabrică.
Multe prizoniere i-au rămas profund recunoscătoare pentru viața salvată. Cu toate acestea, după terminarea războiului s-au găsit și din acelea care au acuzat-o de colaboraționism. Adesea acestea o făceau pentru a găsi un țap ispășitor și o persoană pe care să se răzbune pentru traumele primite în timpul Holocaustului.
Abia mai târziu Magda avea să afle că evreii din Slovacia au fost strămutați în Polonia ca monedă de schimb, ca urmare a încheierii unui tratat între Germania și Slovacia. Țara sa avea să achite cheltuielile de transport pentru toți evreii deportați pentru rezolvarea problemei evreiești. Până în octombrie 1942, 57.000 de evrei slovaci (aproape două treimi din populația evreiască) a fost deportată în Polonia.
“Imperturbabilă? Așa am încercat să par în fața lui Kramer. Dar, în adâncul sufletului, mă simțeam mistuită de o vâltoare de sentimente, vâltoare în care înnotăm de doi ani. Eram bântuită de o teamă nimicitoare, o teamă cu care trăiau toți prizonierii, zi de zi. De spaima că își puteau pierde viață, indiferent ce aș fi făcut. Dar eram animată și de hotărârea de a-mi continua misiunea pe care zeii mi-o încredințaseră fără doar și poate - aceea de a salva, cu orice preț, cat mai multe vieți cu putință.”
“Naziștii îmi spuneau pe nume” de Magda Hellinger, Maya Lee, David Brewster
July 24, 2022
How do you even rate books that describe the unthinkable? Magda Hellinger was sent to Auschwitz in March of 1942 in the second transport and survived to see the end of the war. Her memoir of that hellish life is shocking every time. She was able to save many many hundreds of people with her quick thinking and rare nerve in split second decisions. A truly unforgettable story.
January 25, 2024
Considerato che la Giornata della Memoria si avvicina, ho deciso di leggere un’ulteriore testimonianza delle atrocità perpetrate nei campi di concentramento durante il periodo della Shoah.
Preferisco evitare commenti triti e ritriti che sfocerebbero solo in un’inutile retorica, ma ci tengo a sottolineare come io abbia apprezzato la lettura di “AUSCHWITZ BLOCCO 10. UNA STORIA VERA” soprattutto per il suo stile chiaro e diretto, quasi telegrafico, ma prontamente incisivo grazie alle descrizioni particolareggiate.
Però, come asserisce la figlia dell’autrice, Maya Lee, «è impossibile comprendere fino in fondo la vita del campo di concentramento (…), le condizioni in cui erano tenuti i prigionieri, la crudeltà, la morte onnipresente. Le parole arrivano solo fino a un certo punto». Eppure, Magda Hellinger, così come altri sopravvissuti allo sterminio nazista, non ha potuto esimersi dallo scrivere la propria storia, svelando le complesse e spietate leggi che vigevano nell’infernale campo di Auschwitz-Birkenau, rivelando l’orrore delle vessazioni, delle torture gratuite, delle camere a gas, dei forni crematori, degli esperimenti compiuti nel Blocco 10, affrontandone con coraggio il terribile ricordo assieme agli incubi che hanno continuato a tormentarla in seguito alla liberazione, per tramandare ai posteri la propria esperienza, «per evitare che la radice del male trovi in futuro un terreno su cui attecchire» (anche se, come ci dimostrano gli eventi odierni, il male trova sempre la modalità di esprimersi nelle sue forme più tragiche e brutali).
Preferisco evitare commenti triti e ritriti che sfocerebbero solo in un’inutile retorica, ma ci tengo a sottolineare come io abbia apprezzato la lettura di “AUSCHWITZ BLOCCO 10. UNA STORIA VERA” soprattutto per il suo stile chiaro e diretto, quasi telegrafico, ma prontamente incisivo grazie alle descrizioni particolareggiate.
Però, come asserisce la figlia dell’autrice, Maya Lee, «è impossibile comprendere fino in fondo la vita del campo di concentramento (…), le condizioni in cui erano tenuti i prigionieri, la crudeltà, la morte onnipresente. Le parole arrivano solo fino a un certo punto». Eppure, Magda Hellinger, così come altri sopravvissuti allo sterminio nazista, non ha potuto esimersi dallo scrivere la propria storia, svelando le complesse e spietate leggi che vigevano nell’infernale campo di Auschwitz-Birkenau, rivelando l’orrore delle vessazioni, delle torture gratuite, delle camere a gas, dei forni crematori, degli esperimenti compiuti nel Blocco 10, affrontandone con coraggio il terribile ricordo assieme agli incubi che hanno continuato a tormentarla in seguito alla liberazione, per tramandare ai posteri la propria esperienza, «per evitare che la radice del male trovi in futuro un terreno su cui attecchire» (anche se, come ci dimostrano gli eventi odierni, il male trova sempre la modalità di esprimersi nelle sue forme più tragiche e brutali).
July 23, 2023
Deze vrouw overleefde Auschwitz’ en hielp veel anderen ook te overleven. Deze vrouw heeft zoveel goede dingen gedaan, terwijl ze ondertussen op moest letten haar eigen leven niet te verliezen. Een inspiratiebron voor velen, ook hoe ze na de oorlog met haar verhaal omging!
September 19, 2022
This book was so beautiful. 100% read it. Magda's story is my horrifying, inspirational and touching ❤️
May 16, 2022
‘A remarkable story of survival and courage in Auschwitz.’
In March 1942, twenty-five-year-old Magda Hellinger was deported from Michalovce, Slovakia to Auschwitz. She, together with almost one thousand other young women, were some of the first Jewish people to be sent to Auschwitz. She survived and helped many others to survive as well. This memoir was written by Magda’s daughter, Maya Lee, with David Brewer, after Magda’s death in 2006 at the age of 89.
‘Very few can understand what it was like to be a prisoner at Auschwitz-Birkenau – really only those who were there. Fewer still can understand what it was like to be forced into the role of ‘prisoner functionary’ within the concentration camp.’
Magda was one of the prisoners put in a position of power as a Blockälteste - a block leader responsible for the day-to day organisation of an accommodation block. By focussing on hygiene, she was able to keep some of the prisoners safe. Sometimes, Magda asked for (and received) some of the items the women needed. As this account shows, she was a very brave woman.
Magda had put parts of her story in writing before her death, but as Maya discovered there was much that was missing. This remarkable memoir reminds us of both the horrors of the Holocaust and the courage shown by many.
We must not forget the Holocaust.
‘Magda was resilient, courageous, fearless and daring. She was always hopeful and optimistic.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In March 1942, twenty-five-year-old Magda Hellinger was deported from Michalovce, Slovakia to Auschwitz. She, together with almost one thousand other young women, were some of the first Jewish people to be sent to Auschwitz. She survived and helped many others to survive as well. This memoir was written by Magda’s daughter, Maya Lee, with David Brewer, after Magda’s death in 2006 at the age of 89.
‘Very few can understand what it was like to be a prisoner at Auschwitz-Birkenau – really only those who were there. Fewer still can understand what it was like to be forced into the role of ‘prisoner functionary’ within the concentration camp.’
Magda was one of the prisoners put in a position of power as a Blockälteste - a block leader responsible for the day-to day organisation of an accommodation block. By focussing on hygiene, she was able to keep some of the prisoners safe. Sometimes, Magda asked for (and received) some of the items the women needed. As this account shows, she was a very brave woman.
Magda had put parts of her story in writing before her death, but as Maya discovered there was much that was missing. This remarkable memoir reminds us of both the horrors of the Holocaust and the courage shown by many.
We must not forget the Holocaust.
‘Magda was resilient, courageous, fearless and daring. She was always hopeful and optimistic.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
October 25, 2024
Un libro bélico, basado en hechos reales, en la IIGM.
Nos narra la historia de Magda, quien llegó en los primeros trenes a Auschwitz y con El Paso de los días fue convirtiéndose en encargada de bloques en los campos de concentración, nos cuentan cómo fue su experiencia en los campos y cómo se las ingenió para poder ayudar a las demás presas, con alimentos, medicinas e incluso en asignarles otras tareas.
Desconozco hasta que punto la historia de Magda puede ser real, pues incluso hay partes que me parecen increíbles más no imposibles, cómo subir al carro con los alemanes para recorrer el campo, así como pedirles cosas para las chicas, no sé, esa parte me pudiera parecer increíble, más no me consta.
Nos narra la historia de Magda, quien llegó en los primeros trenes a Auschwitz y con El Paso de los días fue convirtiéndose en encargada de bloques en los campos de concentración, nos cuentan cómo fue su experiencia en los campos y cómo se las ingenió para poder ayudar a las demás presas, con alimentos, medicinas e incluso en asignarles otras tareas.
Desconozco hasta que punto la historia de Magda puede ser real, pues incluso hay partes que me parecen increíbles más no imposibles, cómo subir al carro con los alemanes para recorrer el campo, así como pedirles cosas para las chicas, no sé, esa parte me pudiera parecer increíble, más no me consta.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2021
Over the past several years there has been so many histories and biographies about World War II released. I personally believe it is a good thing, and important for humanity to prevent anything like that from ever happening again.
Having said that, I found this biography to be impressive, and beautifully told. Magda, like all other Jews at this time, did whatever she had to to survive,
While, to me, it seems wrong to say that I 'enjoyed' a story that tells of the death of so many, and the attempted annihilation of an entire race, I found the book to be a fascinating read and I stand in awe and admiration of horrors that Magda endured.
Having said that, I found this biography to be impressive, and beautifully told. Magda, like all other Jews at this time, did whatever she had to to survive,
While, to me, it seems wrong to say that I 'enjoyed' a story that tells of the death of so many, and the attempted annihilation of an entire race, I found the book to be a fascinating read and I stand in awe and admiration of horrors that Magda endured.
February 12, 2022
What an incredible memoir. I’ve read so many books regarding the holocaust and I still can’t comprehend what actually happened. I admire people like Magda Hellinger who after all they went through, had the courage to speak about it. What an inspiration!
January 11, 2023
I'm sounding like a broken record when I say that I read/listen to Holocaust books, primarily fact but some fiction as well, because of the light of a single candle that the darkness cannot blow out, that can light other candles to eventually, one day, blind the darkness forever.
This book was SO POWERFUL. I listened to the audio book and it was the more powerful for that I think, though the narrator did lower her voice a tad too much when there was voice lowering in the book, so I had to raise the volume to hear what she was saying. It wasn't too bad, just kind of annoying.
Magda was nothing short of amazing. A strong woman with the courage to always do what she could to save as many as she could, even if it was only for a day. She wasn't going to let the darkness win.
And she called a spade a spade. NEVER did she refer to what was done re: the extermination of innocent lives, as "killing/killed". The victims were all murdered and that is the word that was used throughout the book. No euphemisms, just the unvarnished truth.
My favorite part of her story was how she somehow found love in Auschwitz and how they both managed to survive and end up together. That is the candle, turning into a flame thrower there. Love will survive, no matter what.
5, we must NEVER forget and must teach our children and their children that this happened, that it is happening in the world NOW and that we need to be that candle for those who are trapped and can only see the darkness, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Simon and Schuster Audio for an advanced copy of this book to listen to and review.
This book was SO POWERFUL. I listened to the audio book and it was the more powerful for that I think, though the narrator did lower her voice a tad too much when there was voice lowering in the book, so I had to raise the volume to hear what she was saying. It wasn't too bad, just kind of annoying.
Magda was nothing short of amazing. A strong woman with the courage to always do what she could to save as many as she could, even if it was only for a day. She wasn't going to let the darkness win.
And she called a spade a spade. NEVER did she refer to what was done re: the extermination of innocent lives, as "killing/killed". The victims were all murdered and that is the word that was used throughout the book. No euphemisms, just the unvarnished truth.
My favorite part of her story was how she somehow found love in Auschwitz and how they both managed to survive and end up together. That is the candle, turning into a flame thrower there. Love will survive, no matter what.
5, we must NEVER forget and must teach our children and their children that this happened, that it is happening in the world NOW and that we need to be that candle for those who are trapped and can only see the darkness, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Simon and Schuster Audio for an advanced copy of this book to listen to and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 27, 2022A very different look at the horrors of Nazi concentration camps.
As much as I have read on the subject I did not know of the Jewish functionaries used in the camps. While they were forced into these untenable positions it also gave them an opportunity to offer some help and solace to those they were in charge of.
I appreciate a daughter’s effort to tell her mother’s story.
I appreciate that Magda Hellinger did what she could to offer assistance when she could.
I appreciate that this is an important story about a courageous woman.
However, I decline to rate this book because of the writing and in fact I did not read to the end.
As much as I have read on the subject I did not know of the Jewish functionaries used in the camps. While they were forced into these untenable positions it also gave them an opportunity to offer some help and solace to those they were in charge of.
I appreciate a daughter’s effort to tell her mother’s story.
I appreciate that Magda Hellinger did what she could to offer assistance when she could.
I appreciate that this is an important story about a courageous woman.
However, I decline to rate this book because of the writing and in fact I did not read to the end.
November 9, 2021
The Nazis Knew My Name by Magda Hellinger, Maya Lee, David Brewster is another extraordinary touching memoir by a Holocaust survivor.
Set in 1942, the story is based on Magda’s story and it is very well researched by his daughter.
Magda is a twenty-five years old kindergarten teacher who was amongst the first group of Jews that were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
She was selected to be in charge of a hundred other women in experimental Block 10. She worked hard and built good relationships with women she was in charge of as well as several other Nazis senior officers.
Concentration camp stories always hit me hard. This was another touching story. A story of courage, hope, and survival.
Set in 1942, the story is based on Magda’s story and it is very well researched by his daughter.
Magda is a twenty-five years old kindergarten teacher who was amongst the first group of Jews that were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
She was selected to be in charge of a hundred other women in experimental Block 10. She worked hard and built good relationships with women she was in charge of as well as several other Nazis senior officers.
Concentration camp stories always hit me hard. This was another touching story. A story of courage, hope, and survival.
March 16, 2022
I was conflicted about this book, but gave it four stars anyway. I didn't like the tone of this book. I didn't like what the author had to do to survive, and I don't like the tone in which she told it. But having never gone through something as hellish as what she went through, I also can't say I wouldn't have the same tone when it was all said and done. I think it's an important book for everyone to read, to understand the holocaust actually happened. But some thing seemed off to me and I don't know what it was. Still it resonated with me, and I read it in one sitting.
April 15, 2022
"Very few can understand what it was like to be a prisoner at Auschwitz–Birkenau but fewer still can understand what it was like to be forced into the role of ‘prisoner functionary’ within the concentration camp. To find yourself in a position in which, if you were brave and clever, you might be able to save a few lives… while being powerless to prevent the ongoing slaughter of most of those around you."
Magda Hellinger Blau, an Australian Slovakian Holocaust survivor, was one such prisoner who had done whatever she could in a truly horrific time to ease the sufferings of inmates like herself - be it by making arrangements for clean clothing or a mattress or some extra food to help sick inmates heal better, or be it slapping them to stop them from going to the "sanatorium" where they would be killed. This is the story of one woman's bravery, of her little acts of rebellion that she carried out because she believed that her life's mission was to help and save her fellow Jews- and she did so, one life at a time, one day at a time.
This is the story of love and humanity finding a way to survive even when faced with the most inhuman conditions.
December 12, 2022
Short Review: This is one of the most stunning memoirs I've ever read. If you don't read another book this year; read this one.
"So I turn to you, parents, teachers, professors, scientists, preachers, priests, rabbis. Educate the children and the general public about those horrors perpetrated on all nations, not only Jews under the Nazi regime. I witnessed myself that nobody was exempt. We must make the wrong right...Don't minimize the Holocaust story as an old story. Do work against it, so that tragedies like the Holocaust never have the chance to happen again...ever."
Long Review: I read this book in one day. I was not expecting to be completely drawn in, but that's what happened. I couldn't put it down. The writing is absolutely captivating and you feel as if you are right there with Magda as she navigates (and against all odds survives) 3+ years of Nazi regime hell. It's not an easy book to read. It will break your heart. But as the quote above states, we must never let it become an old story. It must never be allowed to happen again.
"So I turn to you, parents, teachers, professors, scientists, preachers, priests, rabbis. Educate the children and the general public about those horrors perpetrated on all nations, not only Jews under the Nazi regime. I witnessed myself that nobody was exempt. We must make the wrong right...Don't minimize the Holocaust story as an old story. Do work against it, so that tragedies like the Holocaust never have the chance to happen again...ever."
Long Review: I read this book in one day. I was not expecting to be completely drawn in, but that's what happened. I couldn't put it down. The writing is absolutely captivating and you feel as if you are right there with Magda as she navigates (and against all odds survives) 3+ years of Nazi regime hell. It's not an easy book to read. It will break your heart. But as the quote above states, we must never let it become an old story. It must never be allowed to happen again.
August 29, 2022
I enjoyed reading this one though sometimes it felt like it was a little defensive or trying to convey how important Magda was or how many people she saved. I would rather that we, the reader make our own conclusions. Very important for understanding the Holocaust.
July 26, 2022
Absolutely fantastic story! About a woman who is a hero and should be raised to the highest level with medals and accolades.
June 2, 2024
O lectură impresionantă despre un lider model chiar și la Auschwitz. Magda Hellinger a fost numită în nenumărate rânduri conducătoare de blocuri și a ocupat diverse poziții înalte în lagărele de la Auschwitz cu toate că era evreică. Ea și-a propus prin pozițiile ei să încerce să salveze cât mai multe persoane în ciuda faptului că își risca propria viață.
Ce mă lasă cu gust amar este faptul că până și în lagărele de exterminare, corupția și nepotismul erau în floare. Cu cât aveai mai multe relații, cu atât șansele de supraviețuire erau mai mari.
Mi-a plăcut mult că am găsit similitudini cu datele din "Violonista de la Auschwitz", carte pe care am citit-o recent. Se întâlnesc aceleași nume fiind vorba de același lagăr, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Ce mă lasă cu gust amar este faptul că până și în lagărele de exterminare, corupția și nepotismul erau în floare. Cu cât aveai mai multe relații, cu atât șansele de supraviețuire erau mai mari.
Mi-a plăcut mult că am găsit similitudini cu datele din "Violonista de la Auschwitz", carte pe care am citit-o recent. Se întâlnesc aceleași nume fiind vorba de același lagăr, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
July 1, 2022
A memoir chronicling the experiences of a Holocaust survivor, Magda Hellinger, who was deported from her hometown in Slovakia and ended up in Auschwitz. Magda survived mostly thanks to an ability to organize, which caused the Nazis tonuse her as a functionary in the camp, eventually looking after about 30,000 women prisoners. She needed all her wits and courage to deal with the SS and try to survive and also help save as.many people as she could. This is an interesting read. For one, we don't have a lot of memoirs written by women survivors. It seems that the more well-known ones were focused on the male side. Secondly, we don't really have accounts from the Jews forced by the Nazis to positions of responsibility. Sure, there are those who abuse their position for personal gain. But as mentioned in this book, there are many who do not and try to do their best to lessen the suffering in those appalling circumstances.
As the years past, it's more important than ever for these memoirs and testimonies to be read and understood. Sadly, humanity have very short memories but the Holocaust is something we should remember so as not to have history repeat itself. One only has to look at current events to see that this is a very real, very scary possibility.
As the years past, it's more important than ever for these memoirs and testimonies to be read and understood. Sadly, humanity have very short memories but the Holocaust is something we should remember so as not to have history repeat itself. One only has to look at current events to see that this is a very real, very scary possibility.
January 3, 2023
Als ich zu dem Buch griff, fragte mich mein Mann, ob ich wirklich das neue Jahr mit einer solch harten Lektüre starten möchte. Meine Antwort hat sich auch nachdem ich das Buch gelesen habe nicht geändert!
Magda Hellinger überlebte drei Jahre in Auschwitz und diente als Lagerleiterin, wobei sie, wo immer sie konnte, Leben rettete. Magdas eigene Worte, ergänzt durch die ausführlichen Recherchen ihrer Tochter, ergeben einen unübertrefflichen Bericht! Es ist eine bemerkenswerte Geschichte über Mut, Widerstandskraft und die Macht des Mitgefühls im Angesicht des von Menschen verursachten Grauens!
Definitv ein FÜNF-Sterne-Buch !!!
Magda Hellinger überlebte drei Jahre in Auschwitz und diente als Lagerleiterin, wobei sie, wo immer sie konnte, Leben rettete. Magdas eigene Worte, ergänzt durch die ausführlichen Recherchen ihrer Tochter, ergeben einen unübertrefflichen Bericht! Es ist eine bemerkenswerte Geschichte über Mut, Widerstandskraft und die Macht des Mitgefühls im Angesicht des von Menschen verursachten Grauens!
Definitv ein FÜNF-Sterne-Buch !!!
April 16, 2024
Wow. Ok, there are books that are so horrible but good at the same time. This biography told terrible truths about the Holocaust but it also told beautiful stories about friends and loyalty in gross situations. Magda's unselfish care of the prisoners around her was incredible. She gave up her life every day to save those around her. I really enjoyed this book and highly suggest it if you wish to understand more about the Holocaust.
March 24, 2022
4.5⭐️ A very touching memoir about a period of history we should never forget. And what a woman! Magda was incredibly courageous, kind, compassionate, and full of chutzpah. A truly inspiring human.
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