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I Survived to Tell: A Holocaust Memoir about Survival in the Warsaw Ghetto and 7 Camps
In no less than seven concentration and extermination camps, the Polish-Jew Noach (Natan) Żelechower was imprisoned during World War II. His first wife and their daughter were transported from the Warsaw Ghetto to Treblinka and perished there during the Great Deportation of the Warsaw Jews in the summer of 1942, and he was left alone to face the threat of Nazi persecution and death.
With great resilience, fortitude, and the hope to be reunited with his wife and daughter, Noach was able to withstand and survive the hardships of the camp world, forced labor, and death marches. Throughout the war he kept repeating his daughter’s words in her last note:
“Daddy, save yourself! Perhaps fate will bring us back together again.”
He wrote his memoir in 1946, a few months after he returned to Warsaw and after confirming that his family had perished. In his memoir “I SURVIVED TO TELL”, with detailed descriptions of knowing hunger and the methods of torture by which his captors tormented him and his friends, Noach wrote about the prisoners’ relationships with one another and emphasizes the loss of hope. Alongside manifestations of sympathy and help, he powerfully illustrates the despair, the suffering, and the pain that dulled people’s emotions.
After the war, Noach married Paulina Weinreb, a Holocaust survivor as well, and in 1947 their only daughter Hana (Ani) was born.
On Hana’s initiative with her joint translation from Polish to Hebrew with her husband Stefan Cytron, the Hebrew version of her father’s memoir was published in January 2020 by Yad Vashem Publications (The World Holocaust Remembrance Center) under the title “המחנה השביעי שלי” (“My Seventh Camp”). And now, the translated memoir from Polish to English is published on Amazon.
With great resilience, fortitude, and the hope to be reunited with his wife and daughter, Noach was able to withstand and survive the hardships of the camp world, forced labor, and death marches. Throughout the war he kept repeating his daughter’s words in her last note:
“Daddy, save yourself! Perhaps fate will bring us back together again.”
He wrote his memoir in 1946, a few months after he returned to Warsaw and after confirming that his family had perished. In his memoir “I SURVIVED TO TELL”, with detailed descriptions of knowing hunger and the methods of torture by which his captors tormented him and his friends, Noach wrote about the prisoners’ relationships with one another and emphasizes the loss of hope. Alongside manifestations of sympathy and help, he powerfully illustrates the despair, the suffering, and the pain that dulled people’s emotions.
After the war, Noach married Paulina Weinreb, a Holocaust survivor as well, and in 1947 their only daughter Hana (Ani) was born.
On Hana’s initiative with her joint translation from Polish to Hebrew with her husband Stefan Cytron, the Hebrew version of her father’s memoir was published in January 2020 by Yad Vashem Publications (The World Holocaust Remembrance Center) under the title “המחנה השביעי שלי” (“My Seventh Camp”). And now, the translated memoir from Polish to English is published on Amazon.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2022
413 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 20, 2022
Unbelievable Account!
I venture to say that this book is the epitome of what occurred during the holocaust. The extreme detail of their day-to-day lives paints a surrealistic view of what these folks faced.
I venture to say that this book is the epitome of what occurred during the holocaust. The extreme detail of their day-to-day lives paints a surrealistic view of what these folks faced.
March 27, 2022
A must read for every generation.
Let us never forget. Genocides continue to this day around the world. It must end before it is us next time. Deeply moving.
Let us never forget. Genocides continue to this day around the world. It must end before it is us next time. Deeply moving.
August 24, 2022
Abuse and treatment from Germans to Jews, all that suffering made me sick to my stomach. It is just horrible and uncomprehensible how such cruelty did happen.
October 25, 2025
Very interesting and can be scary
I really enjoyed this book. I have read many books on this subject and this is one of the most detailed. I can't imagine reliving the horror to put it to paper. I'm glad they did.
I really enjoyed this book. I have read many books on this subject and this is one of the most detailed. I can't imagine reliving the horror to put it to paper. I'm glad they did.
November 19, 2025
A very interesting and intriguing book
I read this book with disgust of the German army and SS and Hitler and what they did especially to the Jews but to other ethnic groups as well.
I read this book with disgust of the German army and SS and Hitler and what they did especially to the Jews but to other ethnic groups as well.
October 13, 2025
Mesmerizing
Must read! This is the most detailed, raw accounting I have read about the Holocaust. Thank you for sharing your miraculous story and God bless!
Must read! This is the most detailed, raw accounting I have read about the Holocaust. Thank you for sharing your miraculous story and God bless!
January 13, 2023
The really best story about the Hitler the deranged murderer
I am not Jewish. However I hate Hitler from the bottom of my heart. He was evil and I will never forgive him.
I am not Jewish. However I hate Hitler from the bottom of my heart. He was evil and I will never forgive him.
August 25, 2025
Should Be Required Reading
I’ve read hundreds of books on The Holocaust. This was by far the most comprehensive and disturbing. This book should be required reading for all high school students
I’ve read hundreds of books on The Holocaust. This was by far the most comprehensive and disturbing. This book should be required reading for all high school students
January 20, 2024
I Survived to Tell is a haunting memoir by Noach (Natan) Żelechower's. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and conquered the country, Noach and other Jews were forced into ghettos. This was only the beginning of Noach's experiences in the Holocaust. He was sent to several camp such as Majdanek, Auschwitz and Buchenwald and others. The worst of it was he lost his first wife and daughter. He was left alone to face the barbaric atrocities of the Nazis. He describes the conditions the prisoners in these camps had to endure on a daily basis and writing about the pain, suffering, loss of hope, and despair the Jews and other victims of the Holocaust experienced. To keep going he repeated the words his daughter left to him in a letter: "Daddy, save yourself! Perhaps fate will bring us back together again.”
I have read multiple Holocaust memoirs and they all have a different and unique story to share. I appreciate the survivors like Mr. Żelechower sharing their stories with us. There are lessons we can learn from history to improve our future. This book is not an easy read. However, it is necessary for us to learn about the dark moments in history.
I have read multiple Holocaust memoirs and they all have a different and unique story to share. I appreciate the survivors like Mr. Żelechower sharing their stories with us. There are lessons we can learn from history to improve our future. This book is not an easy read. However, it is necessary for us to learn about the dark moments in history.
March 11, 2024
Most detailed Holocaust memoir I've read
Thank you for bringing this memoir to the masses. The writing, being so detailed and descriptive, really painted a vivid picture of the horrors and persecution of the Holocaust. It's a story that needs to be forever told in hopes nothing remotely close to the Holocaust ever happens again.
Thank you for bringing this memoir to the masses. The writing, being so detailed and descriptive, really painted a vivid picture of the horrors and persecution of the Holocaust. It's a story that needs to be forever told in hopes nothing remotely close to the Holocaust ever happens again.
May 2, 2024
This books breaks me in ways I can’t even explain. The fact that humans could do this to other humans blows my mind! No one should ever have to go through the years that these people had to nor endure the things they had to. My heart goes out to every victim of the holocaust.
March 14, 2022
I could hardly read it, I can’t imagine living through it.
April 6, 2022
Infomitive
Very well written and informative , learned many things I had never heard of , thank you very much for this opportunity. Also thank you for putting it in English!
Very well written and informative , learned many things I had never heard of , thank you very much for this opportunity. Also thank you for putting it in English!
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December 12, 2022Great detail
The book describes in great detail the physical and emotional degradation the jews were put through by the nazis. Such a dark period in human history.
The book describes in great detail the physical and emotional degradation the jews were put through by the nazis. Such a dark period in human history.
January 28, 2022
‘I decided to live’ – An extraordinary revelation of the horrors of the Holocaust
Noach (Natan) Żelechower wrote this stunning memoir in 1946 in Polish, and now his daughter Hana Cytron has translated his memoir from Polish to Hebrew, and her husband Stefan Cytron has translated the work form Hebrew to English, enabling an even wider audience to experience and be moved by this impressive recording of the impact of the WW II Holocaust.
The book covers the period 1942 – 1945 and addresses life in the Warsaw Ghetto as well as the concentration and forced labor camps of Alter Fluhafen, Majdanek, Auschwitz, Jawiszowice and Brzecze coalmines, Buchenwald, Ohrdruf, Crawinkel, Dora Quarry, and Espenfeld. – many of the names are unknown to contemporary times, but after reading this memoir the names will be imprinted on all our minds. Hana’s dedicatory note shares it best: ‘To my parents Noach (Natan) and Paulina, who in spite of the seven circles of Hell they endured which cut the routine of their lives short and dashed their dreams, they overcame the wounds of body and soul, thanks to their inherent love and sense of humor, they succeeded in building a new life of freedom together in the new Jewish state [Israel] despite the difficulties of that period which were dwarfed in comparison to the horrors they had experienced.’ And after that moving note, Hana gives a detailed history of her father’s and her mother’s life form inception to the end – a quality roadmap of the history of Jews in WW II, copiously illustrated with photographs of her family’s life. Additional excellent background history is presented by Dr. Bella Gutterman before the actual memoir begins.
One of the many reasons this book makes such an impact on the reader is the personal quality of Noach’s writing, suggested as he opens, ‘My story begins in the spring of 1942. The Warsaw Ghetto, with its main traffic artery, squeezed tightly within a dense ring of walls, was located adjacent to the capital like an embryo ejected from its mother’s womb but still connected to the umbilical cord. The people, the street’s blood cells, moved along this umbilical cord, absorbing the horrid and ugly vomit of the capital. The black ghetto streets and squares were populated with hundreds of thousands of people that filled every available space at all hours of the day, gathering at crossroads, engrossed in endless debates with the slimmest hope for Germany’s swift defeat.’ The degree of quality writing pervades this memoir, telling the events of the Holocaust better than most authors basing their books on historical sources. Noach was there, and the events are shared – the horrors and unbelievable events he witnessed – all underlined by the bravery when condemned to humiliation, oppression, and death.
This is an important book for many reasons, not the least of which Is that it serves as the most succinct and realistic horrors suffered by the Jews in WW II. Very highly recommended to read – and share, lest we forget!
Noach (Natan) Żelechower wrote this stunning memoir in 1946 in Polish, and now his daughter Hana Cytron has translated his memoir from Polish to Hebrew, and her husband Stefan Cytron has translated the work form Hebrew to English, enabling an even wider audience to experience and be moved by this impressive recording of the impact of the WW II Holocaust.
The book covers the period 1942 – 1945 and addresses life in the Warsaw Ghetto as well as the concentration and forced labor camps of Alter Fluhafen, Majdanek, Auschwitz, Jawiszowice and Brzecze coalmines, Buchenwald, Ohrdruf, Crawinkel, Dora Quarry, and Espenfeld. – many of the names are unknown to contemporary times, but after reading this memoir the names will be imprinted on all our minds. Hana’s dedicatory note shares it best: ‘To my parents Noach (Natan) and Paulina, who in spite of the seven circles of Hell they endured which cut the routine of their lives short and dashed their dreams, they overcame the wounds of body and soul, thanks to their inherent love and sense of humor, they succeeded in building a new life of freedom together in the new Jewish state [Israel] despite the difficulties of that period which were dwarfed in comparison to the horrors they had experienced.’ And after that moving note, Hana gives a detailed history of her father’s and her mother’s life form inception to the end – a quality roadmap of the history of Jews in WW II, copiously illustrated with photographs of her family’s life. Additional excellent background history is presented by Dr. Bella Gutterman before the actual memoir begins.
One of the many reasons this book makes such an impact on the reader is the personal quality of Noach’s writing, suggested as he opens, ‘My story begins in the spring of 1942. The Warsaw Ghetto, with its main traffic artery, squeezed tightly within a dense ring of walls, was located adjacent to the capital like an embryo ejected from its mother’s womb but still connected to the umbilical cord. The people, the street’s blood cells, moved along this umbilical cord, absorbing the horrid and ugly vomit of the capital. The black ghetto streets and squares were populated with hundreds of thousands of people that filled every available space at all hours of the day, gathering at crossroads, engrossed in endless debates with the slimmest hope for Germany’s swift defeat.’ The degree of quality writing pervades this memoir, telling the events of the Holocaust better than most authors basing their books on historical sources. Noach was there, and the events are shared – the horrors and unbelievable events he witnessed – all underlined by the bravery when condemned to humiliation, oppression, and death.
This is an important book for many reasons, not the least of which Is that it serves as the most succinct and realistic horrors suffered by the Jews in WW II. Very highly recommended to read – and share, lest we forget!
May 9, 2022
OMG! What He Experienced!!!
This book was written by Natan immediately after he was liberated and recovered from his multi-concentration camp life. It was translated decades later by his daughter with help from her husband. Both her parents were survivors of the atrocious Nazi extermination camp system. Having read many Holocaust memoirs, I can definitely say this is one of the best. He purposely only included his own tale rather than comments about what he heard or observed of others. That gives it an immediacy and feeling of veracity. Natan's memory for detail really bring the grueling days to life in a way I have not read before. One can only read a bit at a time because of the horror and degradation of it all. What kept him going when he was close to giving up was the note his 15 year old daughter left for him telling him to survive, though she and her mother, his first wife, did not...unbeknownst to him at the time. Unbelievably graphic and horrific. Bless his soul for writing this to enable the rest of us to bear witness and remember what human beings are capable of, both good and bad, and to appreciate the hard fought and precarious freedom we enjoy today.
This book was written by Natan immediately after he was liberated and recovered from his multi-concentration camp life. It was translated decades later by his daughter with help from her husband. Both her parents were survivors of the atrocious Nazi extermination camp system. Having read many Holocaust memoirs, I can definitely say this is one of the best. He purposely only included his own tale rather than comments about what he heard or observed of others. That gives it an immediacy and feeling of veracity. Natan's memory for detail really bring the grueling days to life in a way I have not read before. One can only read a bit at a time because of the horror and degradation of it all. What kept him going when he was close to giving up was the note his 15 year old daughter left for him telling him to survive, though she and her mother, his first wife, did not...unbeknownst to him at the time. Unbelievably graphic and horrific. Bless his soul for writing this to enable the rest of us to bear witness and remember what human beings are capable of, both good and bad, and to appreciate the hard fought and precarious freedom we enjoy today.
February 23, 2025
I’ve read several holocaust books. The prisoners’ strength, mental fortitude and determination to survive always astounds me. However, this must be the most honest and graphic memoir I have ever read.
We know there was a shortage of food, that they lived in horrific conditions, and died from terrible diseases, never mind the constant dread of going to the gas chambers. But this book goes into details in such depth, that it left me astounded. Things I had never contemplated or realised before made me have to read the book over several days, as it affected me so deeply.
I became overwhelmed by the malice and brutality he and his fellow prisoners endured. He lists every punishment, work placement, the walk of death, the railway carriages, the mines he was forced to work and live in, and the times where sheer luck kept him from the gas chambers.
This book should be read at least once by everyone, in the hopes of things like this never happening again. Unfortunately, we never seem to learn.
We know there was a shortage of food, that they lived in horrific conditions, and died from terrible diseases, never mind the constant dread of going to the gas chambers. But this book goes into details in such depth, that it left me astounded. Things I had never contemplated or realised before made me have to read the book over several days, as it affected me so deeply.
I became overwhelmed by the malice and brutality he and his fellow prisoners endured. He lists every punishment, work placement, the walk of death, the railway carriages, the mines he was forced to work and live in, and the times where sheer luck kept him from the gas chambers.
This book should be read at least once by everyone, in the hopes of things like this never happening again. Unfortunately, we never seem to learn.
February 21, 2022
Excellent, how detailed of his experiences, great memory. If people would read about this time written by survivors, how can they not believe what did happen. I read the books whenever I get the chance. I am a retired history educator who taught about this time and actually was a child when this happened. I remember when war was over and we saw news trailers at the movies about this. That is when we could truly believe. Thanks for the read
April 17, 2022
Hell on earth
A brilliant book that I wish never had to be written. How Noach survived such a horrific time at the hands of the sadistic Nazi SS is hard to believe. A courageous man that needed to tell his story for the world to know what went on. A well written book I couldn't put down.
A brilliant book that I wish never had to be written. How Noach survived such a horrific time at the hands of the sadistic Nazi SS is hard to believe. A courageous man that needed to tell his story for the world to know what went on. A well written book I couldn't put down.
April 19, 2022
Very important memoir!
This is the most detailed account ( & historically documented) I’ve read of a Holocaust survivors ordeal; & I’ve read many!
It should be required reading in schools for this period in history. He wrote it immediately after the war & it was recently translated to Hebrew English largely by his daughter. It’s truely a miracle he survived.
Never again!
This is the most detailed account ( & historically documented) I’ve read of a Holocaust survivors ordeal; & I’ve read many!
It should be required reading in schools for this period in history. He wrote it immediately after the war & it was recently translated to Hebrew English largely by his daughter. It’s truely a miracle he survived.
Never again!
June 11, 2022
A must read!!!!
His daughter is correct the story must be told, it must not be allowed to happen again. My mind went to the Ukrainian crisis. What ever happens this cannot repeat itself, and sadly there is nothing that states we can end this. Please let's all come together as humans, and don't let history repeat itself. Have your hankie ready. It you can't be human.
His daughter is correct the story must be told, it must not be allowed to happen again. My mind went to the Ukrainian crisis. What ever happens this cannot repeat itself, and sadly there is nothing that states we can end this. Please let's all come together as humans, and don't let history repeat itself. Have your hankie ready. It you can't be human.
July 13, 2022
Riveting
The details describing this man's experiences are humbling and unbelievable at the same time. Of the hundreds of memoirs that I have read to date, this is the first one telling of a man who lived on the edge of death through working for years. It is the best memoir I have ever read.
The details describing this man's experiences are humbling and unbelievable at the same time. Of the hundreds of memoirs that I have read to date, this is the first one telling of a man who lived on the edge of death through working for years. It is the best memoir I have ever read.
September 25, 2022
The Holocaust Memoir
This book was very illuminating because it was a story told by an actual survivor. The horrors that this author had to endure and overcome are almost beyond belief. I have always been fascinated, yet appalled by the fact that human beings can be as evil as the Nazis were.
This book was very illuminating because it was a story told by an actual survivor. The horrors that this author had to endure and overcome are almost beyond belief. I have always been fascinated, yet appalled by the fact that human beings can be as evil as the Nazis were.
May 25, 2023
Even today, I'm amazed with what the human being is able to endure to survive. More than ever the world needs to say "Never Again". Anti semitism, intolerance, racism, hate are rising. This book should be mandatory in every country so people could never forget what happened. We can't ignore it because one day we can become the victims.
May 4, 2023
Overwhelming read
This is the most in depth account of a holocaust survivor that I have ever read. It is beyond belief that Noach and others lived through such horror. Impossible to comprehend what they endured.
This is the most in depth account of a holocaust survivor that I have ever read. It is beyond belief that Noach and others lived through such horror. Impossible to comprehend what they endured.
February 27, 2022
Interesting. Can't believe anyone lived through what these men were put through. Absolutely horrific!
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April 18, 2023""
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews