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The Fighter of Auschwitz: The incredible true story of Leen Sanders who boxed to help others survive
The story of Dutch boxer Leen Sanders who was spared to entertain the Nazi guards and helped others survive Auschwitz.
'He had the dream again last night... He taps the gloves of his unbeaten Polish opponent. There are rumours that the loser will be sent to the gas chamber.'
In 1943 Leen Sanders, Dutch champion boxer, was sent to Auschwitz. His wife and children were put to death while he was sent 'to the left' with the others fit enough for labor. Recognised by an SS officer, he was earmarked for a 'privileged' post in the kitchens in exchange for weekly boxing matches for the entertainment of the Nazi guards. From there, he enacted his resistance to their limitless cruelty.
With great risk and danger to his own life, Leen Sanders stole, concealed and smuggled food and clothing from SS nursing units for years to alleviate the unbearable suffering of the prisoners in need. He also regularly supplied extra food to the Dutch women in Dr. Mengele's experiment Block 10. To his fellow Jews in the camp, he acted as a rescuer, leader and role model, defending them even on their bitter death march to Dachau towards the end of the war.
A story of astonishing resilience and compassion, The Fighter of Auschwitz is a testament to the endurance of humanity in the face of extraordinary evil.
'He had the dream again last night... He taps the gloves of his unbeaten Polish opponent. There are rumours that the loser will be sent to the gas chamber.'
In 1943 Leen Sanders, Dutch champion boxer, was sent to Auschwitz. His wife and children were put to death while he was sent 'to the left' with the others fit enough for labor. Recognised by an SS officer, he was earmarked for a 'privileged' post in the kitchens in exchange for weekly boxing matches for the entertainment of the Nazi guards. From there, he enacted his resistance to their limitless cruelty.
With great risk and danger to his own life, Leen Sanders stole, concealed and smuggled food and clothing from SS nursing units for years to alleviate the unbearable suffering of the prisoners in need. He also regularly supplied extra food to the Dutch women in Dr. Mengele's experiment Block 10. To his fellow Jews in the camp, he acted as a rescuer, leader and role model, defending them even on their bitter death march to Dachau towards the end of the war.
A story of astonishing resilience and compassion, The Fighter of Auschwitz is a testament to the endurance of humanity in the face of extraordinary evil.
336 pages, Paperback
Published November 14, 2023
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559 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 9, 2023
It's amazing that, eight decades later, we are still getting these Holocaust stories about notable yet unknown survivors. Just goes to show there's still a lot to tell, and makes you wonder how much is being left untold because nobody has taken up the task of writing it.
History buffs will remember that, in the Auschwitz concentration camp, there existed collectives of "privileged" prisoners that, by nature of their occupation and usefulness to the Nazi administration & guards, were treated and fed better and had more responsibilities and privileges than the rest of the inmates. One of these collectives was boxers. Yes, actual professional boxers, not just unfortunate inmates forced into boxing by the SS maniacs.
History buffs will also recognise some of these boxers' stories from films and books, such as Teddy Pietrzykowski and Salamo Arouch, who got their tragic experience as KL boxers made into films, and Harry Haft, who has a graphic novel about him and an upcoming film too. These names are very famous in the annals of the Holocaust, as these men were able to survive by the strength of their fists. Their feats are worthy of blockbusters, too, like Pietrzykowski's, a Polish political prisoner that became the first All-weight Champion of Auschwitz.
But there's one name that isn't as famous: Dutch boxer Leendert Josua Sanders, Leen for short, who defeated Pietrzykowski to become the second (and last) Auschwitz boxing champion. For some reason, his story hasn't been told in a book until now, and I can tell you his story is just as worthy of a film and blockbuster as the other famous boxers. In fact, some enterprising historian or writer should collect all these boxers' stories and write a dedicated book about them, because this is better than "Rocky," with the bonus that it was all real, tragically and heartwrenchingly real.
You'll wonder how come there was boxing in Hell? Well, the answer lies in the SS being bored. On Sunday afternoons, the camp had a day off, and guards and prisoners were all bored and wanted some entertainment. One day, a German Kapo with an inveterate love of boxing threw a challenge at the Polish and Jewish inmates that he'd box their man, offering attractive rewards to anyone ballsy enough to step forward and risk being turned into a pulp by the enormous and well-fed German. Teddy Pietrzykowski, smaller and famished, stepped forward and the one that got beaten was the Kapo (I'd have cheered!).
Leen Sanders was Jewish, and at first didn't want to box because if he won the risk of retaliation was too high, and he'd already suffered the loss of his wife and two children to the gas chambers. Just to give you an idea, Pietrzykowski was injected with some foul solution by the camp doctor after he won a match where the doctor had bet on his opponent and he didn't die by miracle. So, whilst the losers of a match weren't always punished, all it took was an SS officer or SS doctor having a bad hair day to end a boxer's life, and thus Leen at first only acted as a coach to another celebrity camp boxer. But eventually, he was matched against Pietrzykowski and, shockingly, won by points.
Thus he became a camp celebrity himself, a status that allowed him to get better food and more privileges, that he used to help others whenever he could. This way, he endured Auschwitz till the end, surviving the long march out of the camp when the Nazis decided to evacuate it, and eventually was able to return to his native Rotterdam, marry again, father another child, and immigrate to the Caribbean, where he opened a gym and a restaurant, and finally settled in the US.
Leen Sanders' life might not be as riveting as the life of other celebrity boxers, but it's still an interesting one. Author Erik Brouwer did it justice for the most part, by presenting his story so matter-of-factly, avoiding speculations and gossip, and avoiding sensationalism, too. His style, in present tense, can read very dry indeed, but not boring. Personally, I'd have liked this book to have more pictures, because I had to Google Leen Sanders to see some pictures, and I also would've liked the Auschwitz portion to be longer, because it reads too short to me. But of course, that's the part I found more interesting, and so naturally I'd love more about it. It's a very complete biography, covering his early life and his life post-Auschwitz, so you do get a full picture of the man and his tormented life.
3.5 stars rounded up!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
History buffs will remember that, in the Auschwitz concentration camp, there existed collectives of "privileged" prisoners that, by nature of their occupation and usefulness to the Nazi administration & guards, were treated and fed better and had more responsibilities and privileges than the rest of the inmates. One of these collectives was boxers. Yes, actual professional boxers, not just unfortunate inmates forced into boxing by the SS maniacs.
History buffs will also recognise some of these boxers' stories from films and books, such as Teddy Pietrzykowski and Salamo Arouch, who got their tragic experience as KL boxers made into films, and Harry Haft, who has a graphic novel about him and an upcoming film too. These names are very famous in the annals of the Holocaust, as these men were able to survive by the strength of their fists. Their feats are worthy of blockbusters, too, like Pietrzykowski's, a Polish political prisoner that became the first All-weight Champion of Auschwitz.
But there's one name that isn't as famous: Dutch boxer Leendert Josua Sanders, Leen for short, who defeated Pietrzykowski to become the second (and last) Auschwitz boxing champion. For some reason, his story hasn't been told in a book until now, and I can tell you his story is just as worthy of a film and blockbuster as the other famous boxers. In fact, some enterprising historian or writer should collect all these boxers' stories and write a dedicated book about them, because this is better than "Rocky," with the bonus that it was all real, tragically and heartwrenchingly real.
You'll wonder how come there was boxing in Hell? Well, the answer lies in the SS being bored. On Sunday afternoons, the camp had a day off, and guards and prisoners were all bored and wanted some entertainment. One day, a German Kapo with an inveterate love of boxing threw a challenge at the Polish and Jewish inmates that he'd box their man, offering attractive rewards to anyone ballsy enough to step forward and risk being turned into a pulp by the enormous and well-fed German. Teddy Pietrzykowski, smaller and famished, stepped forward and the one that got beaten was the Kapo (I'd have cheered!).
Leen Sanders was Jewish, and at first didn't want to box because if he won the risk of retaliation was too high, and he'd already suffered the loss of his wife and two children to the gas chambers. Just to give you an idea, Pietrzykowski was injected with some foul solution by the camp doctor after he won a match where the doctor had bet on his opponent and he didn't die by miracle. So, whilst the losers of a match weren't always punished, all it took was an SS officer or SS doctor having a bad hair day to end a boxer's life, and thus Leen at first only acted as a coach to another celebrity camp boxer. But eventually, he was matched against Pietrzykowski and, shockingly, won by points.
Thus he became a camp celebrity himself, a status that allowed him to get better food and more privileges, that he used to help others whenever he could. This way, he endured Auschwitz till the end, surviving the long march out of the camp when the Nazis decided to evacuate it, and eventually was able to return to his native Rotterdam, marry again, father another child, and immigrate to the Caribbean, where he opened a gym and a restaurant, and finally settled in the US.
Leen Sanders' life might not be as riveting as the life of other celebrity boxers, but it's still an interesting one. Author Erik Brouwer did it justice for the most part, by presenting his story so matter-of-factly, avoiding speculations and gossip, and avoiding sensationalism, too. His style, in present tense, can read very dry indeed, but not boring. Personally, I'd have liked this book to have more pictures, because I had to Google Leen Sanders to see some pictures, and I also would've liked the Auschwitz portion to be longer, because it reads too short to me. But of course, that's the part I found more interesting, and so naturally I'd love more about it. It's a very complete biography, covering his early life and his life post-Auschwitz, so you do get a full picture of the man and his tormented life.
3.5 stars rounded up!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2023
I could not gel with this book at all. I normally really enjoy reading stories which follow similar narratives about the war, but this one just wasn’t for me and I’m very disappointed by that.
I found this book to be incredibly descriptive of names of places, streets and buildings which I don’t feel was necessary or added to the story. There was a lot of characters and in the early parts of the book, there was a lot of reference to people who I can only assume are supposed to be well known boxers but I’m not quite sure - I think perhaps my lack of general knowledge about boxing was part of my issue in not getting on with this book (although I don’t think you should ever need to have specific knowledge about something like that in order to read it!)
The narrative itself is very factual and I think the story could’ve have been told a little bit better. I found it to be very stop start, with sentences and paragraphs not quite flowing together.
All in all, I’m disappointed I didn’t love this book but you can’t win them all - perhaps it’ll be one I go back to and try again.
I found this book to be incredibly descriptive of names of places, streets and buildings which I don’t feel was necessary or added to the story. There was a lot of characters and in the early parts of the book, there was a lot of reference to people who I can only assume are supposed to be well known boxers but I’m not quite sure - I think perhaps my lack of general knowledge about boxing was part of my issue in not getting on with this book (although I don’t think you should ever need to have specific knowledge about something like that in order to read it!)
The narrative itself is very factual and I think the story could’ve have been told a little bit better. I found it to be very stop start, with sentences and paragraphs not quite flowing together.
All in all, I’m disappointed I didn’t love this book but you can’t win them all - perhaps it’ll be one I go back to and try again.
August 29, 2023
This book is visceral.
In the prologue, the author Erik Brouwer explains why this story has to be told. In the 1970s, Leen Sanders was forced to prove his resistance to the Nazi regime during the occupation and during his time in Auschwitz, in order to receive an Extraordinary War pension. This is his story as compiled by the author.
It is a challenging read, not because it is poorly written – quite the opposite – but because of the horrors faced by those incarcerated by the Nazis, particularly the Jewish community of which Leen is a part. There is a warning to this effect on the inside cover, so you are made aware.
Divided into six parts, Brouwer tells us the true life story of Dutch Boxing champion, Leen Sanders, his life before and after the war, as well as the horrific almost unreadable time he spent in concentration camps during the war, predominantly in Auschwitz. The story is created from interviews, eye-witness accounts, newspaper and magazine articles, diaries and testimony from survivors and the author’s own research conducted for a previous biography.
In part I, you can smell, taste and hear the atmosphere of the fleapits of Rotterdam’s vice-ridden slums in 1925, thanks to the author’s immersive descriptions of Sanders’ fights. Written in the present tense, Brouwer adds resonance to the events he’s describing, often more horrific than we can imagine. It actually places us in the scene, in the moment.
You don’t have to be a fan of boxing, but there are detailed descriptions of the bouts Sanders takes part in or observes. However, the author also gives us an insight into societal issues – poverty, unemployment, social unrest – the political tensions between the war years, such as the sinister stirrings of the Nazis and Hitler as well as the lifestyle and occupations within the Jewish community in Rotterdam. The late 1920s and the early to mid-1930s is an era I do not often read about so I found it informative as well as haunting, knowing what was to come.
There’s no dialogue throughout the book, other than brief conversations recalled by survivors and Leen himself. It is unusual to read a story without dialogue, but I didn’t miss it as the evocative descriptions were more than sufficient to tell the story.
Brouwer’s words are blunt. There’s no lengthy, winsome prose, but his writing is factual, honest and unapologetic. It’s as brutal as an uppercut. The gut punches follow one after the other and to read this novel is to be in the ring with a prizefighter themselves. There are of course harrowing accounts of physical and mental torture; no account of ‘life’ in Auschwitz comes without this. Unbelievable cruelty inflicted by one human to another becomes the norm and yet in between comes extraordinary compassion in equal measure, as Sanders and others risk their lives to help the dying to survive.
Not only did Leen Sanders put himself in constant danger to improve the lives of others, indeed save their lives whilst incarcerated, but he also took the punishment for others. So while this is a difficult read, I firmly believe we owe it to him, his fellow survivors and the six million slaughtered to listen.
Lest we forget; never to repeat.
In the prologue, the author Erik Brouwer explains why this story has to be told. In the 1970s, Leen Sanders was forced to prove his resistance to the Nazi regime during the occupation and during his time in Auschwitz, in order to receive an Extraordinary War pension. This is his story as compiled by the author.
It is a challenging read, not because it is poorly written – quite the opposite – but because of the horrors faced by those incarcerated by the Nazis, particularly the Jewish community of which Leen is a part. There is a warning to this effect on the inside cover, so you are made aware.
Divided into six parts, Brouwer tells us the true life story of Dutch Boxing champion, Leen Sanders, his life before and after the war, as well as the horrific almost unreadable time he spent in concentration camps during the war, predominantly in Auschwitz. The story is created from interviews, eye-witness accounts, newspaper and magazine articles, diaries and testimony from survivors and the author’s own research conducted for a previous biography.
In part I, you can smell, taste and hear the atmosphere of the fleapits of Rotterdam’s vice-ridden slums in 1925, thanks to the author’s immersive descriptions of Sanders’ fights. Written in the present tense, Brouwer adds resonance to the events he’s describing, often more horrific than we can imagine. It actually places us in the scene, in the moment.
You don’t have to be a fan of boxing, but there are detailed descriptions of the bouts Sanders takes part in or observes. However, the author also gives us an insight into societal issues – poverty, unemployment, social unrest – the political tensions between the war years, such as the sinister stirrings of the Nazis and Hitler as well as the lifestyle and occupations within the Jewish community in Rotterdam. The late 1920s and the early to mid-1930s is an era I do not often read about so I found it informative as well as haunting, knowing what was to come.
There’s no dialogue throughout the book, other than brief conversations recalled by survivors and Leen himself. It is unusual to read a story without dialogue, but I didn’t miss it as the evocative descriptions were more than sufficient to tell the story.
Brouwer’s words are blunt. There’s no lengthy, winsome prose, but his writing is factual, honest and unapologetic. It’s as brutal as an uppercut. The gut punches follow one after the other and to read this novel is to be in the ring with a prizefighter themselves. There are of course harrowing accounts of physical and mental torture; no account of ‘life’ in Auschwitz comes without this. Unbelievable cruelty inflicted by one human to another becomes the norm and yet in between comes extraordinary compassion in equal measure, as Sanders and others risk their lives to help the dying to survive.
Not only did Leen Sanders put himself in constant danger to improve the lives of others, indeed save their lives whilst incarcerated, but he also took the punishment for others. So while this is a difficult read, I firmly believe we owe it to him, his fellow survivors and the six million slaughtered to listen.
Lest we forget; never to repeat.
December 9, 2024
I made the mistake of judging this book by its cover. I saw a movie on Max called The Survivor about a Jewish boxer in Auschwitz who survived The Holocaust. This book made me think of that movie.
I mean no disrespect to Leen Sanders, but the author of this book did not do his story justice. Holocaust memoirs or biographies that I have read were powerful and left an impression on me. This book was poorly written. The author did not seem to have much to work with and was just cramming in what he could. I was not engaged in this story at all. Books about tragic events like Jim Crow, slavery, The Holocaust etc. should be powerful with important lessons for us to learn from the past. This book failed on all accounts. A better author should have written this book.
I mean no disrespect to Leen Sanders, but the author of this book did not do his story justice. Holocaust memoirs or biographies that I have read were powerful and left an impression on me. This book was poorly written. The author did not seem to have much to work with and was just cramming in what he could. I was not engaged in this story at all. Books about tragic events like Jim Crow, slavery, The Holocaust etc. should be powerful with important lessons for us to learn from the past. This book failed on all accounts. A better author should have written this book.
July 16, 2024
I found this book to be quite difficult to follow. There is a large chunk of the book covering his boxing career before the war. It was a good read and the gentleman concerned was certainly a hero.
April 10, 2024
So much respect for this man and the way he looked after people and survived.
But the writing style was horrendous. It changed between past and present tense, there were so many lists, and colons and semi colons. It was painful to read! The first half of the book was about his boxing career but it was recited in the most boring way! I feel that the author did not do Leen Sanders life justice. Finished out of respect for all Sanders did for others, otherwise it would have quickly been a DNF.
But the writing style was horrendous. It changed between past and present tense, there were so many lists, and colons and semi colons. It was painful to read! The first half of the book was about his boxing career but it was recited in the most boring way! I feel that the author did not do Leen Sanders life justice. Finished out of respect for all Sanders did for others, otherwise it would have quickly been a DNF.
September 17, 2023
First let me say that I read ALOT of historical fiction and each story is heartbreaking and differently told. With that said this story was written poorly. Half the book was on boxing and tons of different characters than the other half was where it picked up with the concentration camps and how he helped alot of people but the writing was terrible! Would not recommend.
April 16, 2024
This book reads more like a historical text than a story. While interesting, it wasn’t quite as compelling as it could have been with a little more storytelling.
December 19, 2023
Leendert Josua Sanders was a middleweight European boxing champion from the Netherlands in the 1930’s. Even avid boxing fans and historians may have trouble remembering much about his boxing career as he wasn’t one to avidly promote his fights. He was also a Jewish boxer in Rotterdam and this was the time when the Nazis were gaining power in Europe.
Sanders, who would often fight under the name “Lee” or “Leen” to try to mask his Jewish identity, would eventually be captured with his family and sent to Auschwitz. This excellent book by Erik Brouwer covers both of these segments of Sanders’ life.
Sanders wasn’t keen to pursue the sport at first but with some encouragement from his family, including his brother who became his trainer and manger, Leen did work his way up in weight and prestige, with his biggest boxing accomplishment winning the above mentioned title.
But once Sanders and his family were arrested in Rotterdam as the Netherlands fell to Nazi occupation, this book gets even better. There are many books that describe the brutal conditions Jewish prisoners faced at these concentration camps and this one is just as graphic. Sanders is spared the worst treatment, conditions and work detail when it is learned he was a professional boxer.
Boxers and other prisoners who had special talents that could be used by the SS guards in the camps would receive privileges that other prisoners could have, such as better food and clothing ans special detail such as the kitchen or laundry. Because Leen beat a well-known fighter in one of the Sunday boxing matches held for the “entertainment”of the guards, Leen became one of these privileged prisoners and as such, received this type of detail.
However, as Brouwer tells in vivid matter-of-fact detail, the other prisoners had much harsher conditions and more brutal work. Leen would help out many less privileged, especially new arrivals to Auschwitz, by providing extra food, clothing or blankets. This was done at great risk to his own safety as if he were caught, he would certainly have faced swift execution. This went on for nearly two years, until Leen and other survivors of the evacuation of Aucwitz were rescued by advancing Allied troops. For a final touch, to make this book complete, Brouwer informs the reader that Sanders had some good and bad experiences in his life after surviving Auschwitz. Even there , Sanders had struggles as he was wrongfully denied the Extraordinary War Pension he deserved until close to his death.
What I really liked about this book is that while the majority of it talks about his heroic feats at Auschwitz, it also gives the reader an inside look at his boxing success as well as his life in the concentration camp. It’s the complete story of a man whose story needed to be told.
I wish to thank Octopus Publishing US for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Sanders, who would often fight under the name “Lee” or “Leen” to try to mask his Jewish identity, would eventually be captured with his family and sent to Auschwitz. This excellent book by Erik Brouwer covers both of these segments of Sanders’ life.
Sanders wasn’t keen to pursue the sport at first but with some encouragement from his family, including his brother who became his trainer and manger, Leen did work his way up in weight and prestige, with his biggest boxing accomplishment winning the above mentioned title.
But once Sanders and his family were arrested in Rotterdam as the Netherlands fell to Nazi occupation, this book gets even better. There are many books that describe the brutal conditions Jewish prisoners faced at these concentration camps and this one is just as graphic. Sanders is spared the worst treatment, conditions and work detail when it is learned he was a professional boxer.
Boxers and other prisoners who had special talents that could be used by the SS guards in the camps would receive privileges that other prisoners could have, such as better food and clothing ans special detail such as the kitchen or laundry. Because Leen beat a well-known fighter in one of the Sunday boxing matches held for the “entertainment”of the guards, Leen became one of these privileged prisoners and as such, received this type of detail.
However, as Brouwer tells in vivid matter-of-fact detail, the other prisoners had much harsher conditions and more brutal work. Leen would help out many less privileged, especially new arrivals to Auschwitz, by providing extra food, clothing or blankets. This was done at great risk to his own safety as if he were caught, he would certainly have faced swift execution. This went on for nearly two years, until Leen and other survivors of the evacuation of Aucwitz were rescued by advancing Allied troops. For a final touch, to make this book complete, Brouwer informs the reader that Sanders had some good and bad experiences in his life after surviving Auschwitz. Even there , Sanders had struggles as he was wrongfully denied the Extraordinary War Pension he deserved until close to his death.
What I really liked about this book is that while the majority of it talks about his heroic feats at Auschwitz, it also gives the reader an inside look at his boxing success as well as his life in the concentration camp. It’s the complete story of a man whose story needed to be told.
I wish to thank Octopus Publishing US for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
June 25, 2024
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 336
Publisher - Cassell
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
The story of Dutch boxer Leen Sanders who was spared to entertain the Nazi guards and helped others survive Auschwitz.
'He had the dream again last night... He taps the gloves of his unbeaten Polish opponent. There are rumours that the loser will be sent to the gas chamber.'
In 1943 Leen Sanders, Dutch champion boxer, was sent to Auschwitz. His wife and children were put to death while he was sent 'to the left' with the others fit enough for labor. Recognised by an SS officer, he was earmarked for a 'privileged' post in the kitchens in exchange for weekly boxing matches for the entertainment of the Nazi guards. From there, he enacted his resistance to their limitless cruelty.
With great risk and danger to his own life, Leen Sanders stole, concealed and smuggled food and clothing from SS nursing units for years to alleviate the unbearable suffering of the prisoners in need. He also regularly supplied extra food to the Dutch women in Dr. Mengele's experiment Block 10. To his fellow Jews in the camp, he acted as a rescuer, leader and role model, defending them even on their bitter death march to Dachau towards the end of the war.
A story of astonishing resilience and compassion, The Fighter of Auschwitz is a testament to the endurance of humanity in the face of extraordinary evil.
My Review
I had never heard of Leen Saunders, a famous Jewish boxer who ended up in Auschwitz, this is his story. The first 100 pages of the book is all about Leen, his family, upbringing, career and then how things slowly change as the ward takes hold. As with many of these books prepare for emotive responses, anger, heartache, absolutely jaw dropping that these things happened, were allowed to happen and how so many innocent people were tortured/abused/murdered by Nazi's.
Leen's boxing career is interesting and for the first quarter plus you could actually forget what is coming as you absorb in his achievements/career. Then we meet Leen the survivor, how he gets through his time in Auschwitz but the absolute acts of bravery/heroism using the small "privileges" he had to ease the suffering of his fellow men and women. There is brief mention of "Doctor" Mengele in this one and some of what he did, I have read a fair few of these types of books but none had mentioned him, absolutely horrified. I think it is the absolute barbaric hate/abuse that people inflicted upon others, some because they were ordered, some because the believed the hate rhetoric spewed by Hitler and some purely because they enjoyed it.
We hear a little about Leen after the war, the impact and cost it was to him and even when he should have been cared for yet more failures from people who should have known better. This man deserved praise, comfort - someone even said about a statue, something, anything - it is horrible that when humanity has the chance for good, often they fail. A lot of emotions from this one and I think another that stays with you long after you put the book down 4.5/5 from us.
Pages - 336
Publisher - Cassell
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
The story of Dutch boxer Leen Sanders who was spared to entertain the Nazi guards and helped others survive Auschwitz.
'He had the dream again last night... He taps the gloves of his unbeaten Polish opponent. There are rumours that the loser will be sent to the gas chamber.'
In 1943 Leen Sanders, Dutch champion boxer, was sent to Auschwitz. His wife and children were put to death while he was sent 'to the left' with the others fit enough for labor. Recognised by an SS officer, he was earmarked for a 'privileged' post in the kitchens in exchange for weekly boxing matches for the entertainment of the Nazi guards. From there, he enacted his resistance to their limitless cruelty.
With great risk and danger to his own life, Leen Sanders stole, concealed and smuggled food and clothing from SS nursing units for years to alleviate the unbearable suffering of the prisoners in need. He also regularly supplied extra food to the Dutch women in Dr. Mengele's experiment Block 10. To his fellow Jews in the camp, he acted as a rescuer, leader and role model, defending them even on their bitter death march to Dachau towards the end of the war.
A story of astonishing resilience and compassion, The Fighter of Auschwitz is a testament to the endurance of humanity in the face of extraordinary evil.
My Review
I had never heard of Leen Saunders, a famous Jewish boxer who ended up in Auschwitz, this is his story. The first 100 pages of the book is all about Leen, his family, upbringing, career and then how things slowly change as the ward takes hold. As with many of these books prepare for emotive responses, anger, heartache, absolutely jaw dropping that these things happened, were allowed to happen and how so many innocent people were tortured/abused/murdered by Nazi's.
Leen's boxing career is interesting and for the first quarter plus you could actually forget what is coming as you absorb in his achievements/career. Then we meet Leen the survivor, how he gets through his time in Auschwitz but the absolute acts of bravery/heroism using the small "privileges" he had to ease the suffering of his fellow men and women. There is brief mention of "Doctor" Mengele in this one and some of what he did, I have read a fair few of these types of books but none had mentioned him, absolutely horrified. I think it is the absolute barbaric hate/abuse that people inflicted upon others, some because they were ordered, some because the believed the hate rhetoric spewed by Hitler and some purely because they enjoyed it.
We hear a little about Leen after the war, the impact and cost it was to him and even when he should have been cared for yet more failures from people who should have known better. This man deserved praise, comfort - someone even said about a statue, something, anything - it is horrible that when humanity has the chance for good, often they fail. A lot of emotions from this one and I think another that stays with you long after you put the book down 4.5/5 from us.
May 21, 2024
I found this a very tedious read. Small print aside, if you're not interested in boxing this is probably not for you.
Too many boxing facts, figures and references. Seemed like every second word was in German or Dutch in places.
Added to that it's supposed to be about Auschwitz, it's not even mentioned until page 160 and he's not arrived yet.
The character's actual stay in Auschwitz is not half as horrendous as that of most. Favoured and privileged because of his boxing fame, seeming to help mainly other boxers, musicians or countrymen.
I found the last few chapters and the epilogue of better reading.
Too many boxing facts, figures and references. Seemed like every second word was in German or Dutch in places.
Added to that it's supposed to be about Auschwitz, it's not even mentioned until page 160 and he's not arrived yet.
The character's actual stay in Auschwitz is not half as horrendous as that of most. Favoured and privileged because of his boxing fame, seeming to help mainly other boxers, musicians or countrymen.
I found the last few chapters and the epilogue of better reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
Perhaps Leen Sanders’ story would have faded into the backdrop of time had it not been for his “celebrity” as a first class boxer of his time, or the efforts of the author here to bring it to life. Brouwer’s writing style is certainly a bit dry and “matter of fact”, and he spends alot of time describing Sanders’ pre-war boxing career for a sizable chunk of the book, but I think the ultimate point in championing this story was not necessarily the matches Sanders’ fought (and quite often won) in the ring, but the subsequent fights he was also forced to take on during and after the horrific times in the camps. He used his boxing skills/prowess and the “privileges” it (unexpectedly) brought him,to fight for his countrymen and fellow prisoners, for clothing, for scraps of food, against the elements, sickness, numerous diseases and the constantly hovering specter of beatings and random death, and finally against the ravages of all the physical and mental trauma caused to his body by the Nazis, as well as for a war pension. It’s a tragic story, but one of unsung heroism borne out of Sanders’ sheer will to fight for the right for him and his fellow man (and woman) to live. For me, while this story is about Sanders the “boxer”, it’s really a testament to the fighter that lives within us when pushed far beyond our limits.
March 23, 2025
4 stars; 5 stars for relevance, 3 stars for the story; there is a risk of the total commodification of the phenomenon Auschwitz into an endless stream of largely uniform survivor testimonies; so this is both important and familiar; worth your time and contemplation.
November 14, 2023
The Fighter of Auschwitz by Erik Brouwer is an extraordinary true story about the life of Dutch boxer Leendert Josua Sanders. Along with millions of others during the Holocaust, Leen was forced into extreme physical (and mental) labour at a killing camp. Some celebrities such as himself were revered by the SS to a degree so Leen earned extras not afforded to most prisoners. Not only was he generous with those even worse off than he (including Dr. Mengele's horrendous female experiments), he smuggled food other ways, too. Auschwitz reeked with despair and desperation every second of every day, especially when prisoners discovered "up the chimney" actually happened. I am always astonished to realize some people continued to will themselves to survive when surrounded by death at their heels.
Leen's boxing story is also told in detail. Though not interested in boxing, I was riveted to (and disgusted by) the stories of Auschwitz and subcamp Gross-Rosen (which was incredibly even more hideous than the former). I have read a LOT about this deplorable time in history and each book has something different to add, perhaps in the details, perspectives, geographic locations...and the difference here is the boxing slant and how "sport" was viewed in murder camps. Polish boxer Pietrzykowski was also at Aushwitz and endured a brutal attempted murder. Boxing was entertainment for the evil SS.
Survival at such camps over 90 days was rare. Illnesses, meagre "food" rations, endless roll calls in subzero temperatures, humiliation, beatings and jobs are detailed. Such explanations are difficult to read in more than short bits but survivor stories are crucial to know about. Leen returned to Rotterdam, married again and had another child, moved to the Caribbean and finally to the US but was shamefully only awarded Extraordinary War Pension shortly before his death. His daughter worked tirelessly for the recognition he deserved.
As all Holocaust books involving true personal stories, details are difficult to read. But if you choose this one, you will be rewarded.
My sincere thank you to Octopus Publishing US and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this heartbreaking yet inspiring book, one which I will not forget.
Leen's boxing story is also told in detail. Though not interested in boxing, I was riveted to (and disgusted by) the stories of Auschwitz and subcamp Gross-Rosen (which was incredibly even more hideous than the former). I have read a LOT about this deplorable time in history and each book has something different to add, perhaps in the details, perspectives, geographic locations...and the difference here is the boxing slant and how "sport" was viewed in murder camps. Polish boxer Pietrzykowski was also at Aushwitz and endured a brutal attempted murder. Boxing was entertainment for the evil SS.
Survival at such camps over 90 days was rare. Illnesses, meagre "food" rations, endless roll calls in subzero temperatures, humiliation, beatings and jobs are detailed. Such explanations are difficult to read in more than short bits but survivor stories are crucial to know about. Leen returned to Rotterdam, married again and had another child, moved to the Caribbean and finally to the US but was shamefully only awarded Extraordinary War Pension shortly before his death. His daughter worked tirelessly for the recognition he deserved.
As all Holocaust books involving true personal stories, details are difficult to read. But if you choose this one, you will be rewarded.
My sincere thank you to Octopus Publishing US and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this heartbreaking yet inspiring book, one which I will not forget.
August 24, 2023
This is a little different from my usual choice in books however some may or may not know that I do like to try and read different stories of Auschwitz and the Holocaust in general. Mostly because I believe that it should never be forgotten and in reading peoples personal accounts of those atrocities, we won’t ever forget.
Leen’s story is not only of his time in Auschwitz but his life beforehand, as a professional boxer. I found this account very interesting and it was the first account I have read so far that has clearly shown me the gradual progression of the Nazi’s way of thinking and how that slowly encroaches upon the Jewish community.
This account is very factual and whilst of course Leen loses several family members there are few entries around his feelings on those matters nor of his witness to countless horrific things he encounters throughout his time in Auschwitz. I found this more hard hitting than the accounts I have read where we see the prisoners mourn the loss of family and friends and also relaying the trauma of what was done.
He is getting a job done - and the job is to keep people alive the best he can. And to do so he is relying upon his boxing skills, the favour that brings him and his ‘organisation’. You will come to know what is meant by ‘organisation’ when you read this fantasticly inspiring book.
It goes to show that, no matter your circumstances, you must keep your humanity - as this is what keeps not only you alive but allows you to keeps those around you alive.
Thank you to Leen for the lives you saved.
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” - The Talmud
Leen’s story is not only of his time in Auschwitz but his life beforehand, as a professional boxer. I found this account very interesting and it was the first account I have read so far that has clearly shown me the gradual progression of the Nazi’s way of thinking and how that slowly encroaches upon the Jewish community.
This account is very factual and whilst of course Leen loses several family members there are few entries around his feelings on those matters nor of his witness to countless horrific things he encounters throughout his time in Auschwitz. I found this more hard hitting than the accounts I have read where we see the prisoners mourn the loss of family and friends and also relaying the trauma of what was done.
He is getting a job done - and the job is to keep people alive the best he can. And to do so he is relying upon his boxing skills, the favour that brings him and his ‘organisation’. You will come to know what is meant by ‘organisation’ when you read this fantasticly inspiring book.
It goes to show that, no matter your circumstances, you must keep your humanity - as this is what keeps not only you alive but allows you to keeps those around you alive.
Thank you to Leen for the lives you saved.
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” - The Talmud
September 4, 2023
The incredible true story of Leendert Josua Sanders, a professional Dutch boxer who boxed to help others survive. This is a book I knew was going to a hard read because of the genre, but one that I was looking forward to read. We are told the story of Leen before and after his time in Auschwitz. On 18th August 1942, Leen his wife, Selli and children, Jopie and David left home on Paviljoensgracht for the last time, but always having hope that one day they would return. On 14th January 1943 Leen walked through the gates to Auschwitz with the words "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" (Work sets you free) above the gates. After walking through those gates, he was sent to the left as he was healthy and fit and could work, unlike his family that were put to death. Working in the kitchen, Leen could hide food to give to others as well as other things. Leen knew he had to fight and win if it means someone doesn't go to the gas chamber. Boxing became more of a job for him, that brought helped himself as well as his 'organisation' (You will learn what his organisation means through reading the book). We learn the way Nazi's thought and how they invaded the Jewish community. After the war Leen became an American citizen, but will never forget what he had to do or saw. His left arm bears his concentration camp number: 86764, something that holds a lot of memories.
I found this an emotional book but one that needs to be read. The back of the book holds a lot of information, Bibliography, Testimonies of Auschwitz survivors, Articles, Newpapers archives, Magazines and other sources.
I found this an emotional book but one that needs to be read. The back of the book holds a lot of information, Bibliography, Testimonies of Auschwitz survivors, Articles, Newpapers archives, Magazines and other sources.
October 1, 2023
This is the very first book that I've read on this subject - not because I'm not interested, but because I knew that it was going to be emotionally hard-hitting and difficult to face.
My daughter, however, has read lots of these accounts, and as I love to challenge my reading genres, I decided that it was time that I stepped out of my comfort zone.
I was not wrong! This was such an emotional rollercoaster and I'm not even sure that this book really dealt with too many of the finer details of all the atrocities that went on during this time.
We follow Dutch champion boxer, Leen Sanders, who along with his family are sent to Auschwitz.
His family were sent to their deaths but Leen, being fit enough to work, was sent off to the labour camps where he eventually wa spotted and picked out to entertain the Nazis with his fighting skills.
We see a lot of Leen's life before which detracts from.the actual camps somewhat, but does show us the slow change in the Nazi mindset which brought about the hideous suffering of the Jewish community.
Leen was such an inspiring character and despite the risk to his own life, he still did all that he could to help his fellow Jews in the camp, stealing food and clothing and offering hope in a desperate situation.
A most moving but inspiring read that has definitely sparked a need to read more books in this genre.
My daughter, however, has read lots of these accounts, and as I love to challenge my reading genres, I decided that it was time that I stepped out of my comfort zone.
I was not wrong! This was such an emotional rollercoaster and I'm not even sure that this book really dealt with too many of the finer details of all the atrocities that went on during this time.
We follow Dutch champion boxer, Leen Sanders, who along with his family are sent to Auschwitz.
His family were sent to their deaths but Leen, being fit enough to work, was sent off to the labour camps where he eventually wa spotted and picked out to entertain the Nazis with his fighting skills.
We see a lot of Leen's life before which detracts from.the actual camps somewhat, but does show us the slow change in the Nazi mindset which brought about the hideous suffering of the Jewish community.
Leen was such an inspiring character and despite the risk to his own life, he still did all that he could to help his fellow Jews in the camp, stealing food and clothing and offering hope in a desperate situation.
A most moving but inspiring read that has definitely sparked a need to read more books in this genre.
March 7, 2025
‘The story of Dutch boxer Leen Sanders who was spared to entertain the Nazi guards and helped others survive Auschwitz.
‘He had the dream again last night… He taps the gloves of his unbeaten Polish opponent. There are rumours that the loser will be sent to the gas chamber.’
In 1943, the Dutch champion boxer, Leen Sanders, was sent to Auschwitz. His wife and children were put to death while he was sent ‘to the left’ with the others who were fit enough for labour. Recognised by an SS officer, he was earmarked for a ‘privileged’ post in the kitchens in exchange for weekly boxing matches for the entertainment of the Nazi guards. From there, he enacted his resistance to their limitless cruelty.
With great risk and danger to his own life, Leen stole, concealed, and smuggled food and clothing from SS nursing units for years to alleviate the unbearable suffering of the prisoners in need. He also regularly supplied extra food to the Dutch women in Dr. Mengele’s experiment, Block 10. To his fellow Jews in the camp, he acted as a rescuer, leader, and role model, defending them even on their bitter death march to Dachau towards the end of the war.
A story of astonishing resilience and compassion, The Fighter of Auschwitz is a testament to the endurance of humanity in the face of extraordinary evil.’
This story was extraordinary.
This is one of those books that was equally heartbreaking and inspiring. I went into this book expecting a moving read but I had no idea that this book was going to affect me as much as it did. I went through a roller-coaster of emotions while reading this book and it has stayed with me ever since I finished reading it.
One of the things that I didn’t expect but thoroughly enjoyed was that the story didn’t end once the War did; which is often the case with books like this. Instead, readers got the chance to learn about Leen’s life after the war as well as some of the people who Leen met and in many ways saved during his time in Auschwitz.
Erik Brouwer did a fantastic job in bringing Leen Sanders’ personality and emotions to the forefront of this story without forgoing any of the important details and historical events. The way in which he lead readers on a journey through Leen’s life before, during, and after World War II made for a truly moving reading experience.
The Fighter of Auschwitz by Erik Brouwer is a must-read for everyone as Leen Sanders’ story deserves to be known.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
‘He had the dream again last night… He taps the gloves of his unbeaten Polish opponent. There are rumours that the loser will be sent to the gas chamber.’
In 1943, the Dutch champion boxer, Leen Sanders, was sent to Auschwitz. His wife and children were put to death while he was sent ‘to the left’ with the others who were fit enough for labour. Recognised by an SS officer, he was earmarked for a ‘privileged’ post in the kitchens in exchange for weekly boxing matches for the entertainment of the Nazi guards. From there, he enacted his resistance to their limitless cruelty.
With great risk and danger to his own life, Leen stole, concealed, and smuggled food and clothing from SS nursing units for years to alleviate the unbearable suffering of the prisoners in need. He also regularly supplied extra food to the Dutch women in Dr. Mengele’s experiment, Block 10. To his fellow Jews in the camp, he acted as a rescuer, leader, and role model, defending them even on their bitter death march to Dachau towards the end of the war.
A story of astonishing resilience and compassion, The Fighter of Auschwitz is a testament to the endurance of humanity in the face of extraordinary evil.’
This story was extraordinary.
This is one of those books that was equally heartbreaking and inspiring. I went into this book expecting a moving read but I had no idea that this book was going to affect me as much as it did. I went through a roller-coaster of emotions while reading this book and it has stayed with me ever since I finished reading it.
One of the things that I didn’t expect but thoroughly enjoyed was that the story didn’t end once the War did; which is often the case with books like this. Instead, readers got the chance to learn about Leen’s life after the war as well as some of the people who Leen met and in many ways saved during his time in Auschwitz.
Erik Brouwer did a fantastic job in bringing Leen Sanders’ personality and emotions to the forefront of this story without forgoing any of the important details and historical events. The way in which he lead readers on a journey through Leen’s life before, during, and after World War II made for a truly moving reading experience.
The Fighter of Auschwitz by Erik Brouwer is a must-read for everyone as Leen Sanders’ story deserves to be known.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
November 30, 2025
I really wanted to love this book. The premise sounds incredible: a Dutch-Jewish boxing champion surviving Auschwitz. But I’m giving up and I feel zero guilt.
The first 120 pages are an absolute slog.
It reads like a hyper-detailed local Rotterdam newspaper from 1940: endless lists of Dutch boxers I’ve never heard of, street names, minor gym owners, pre-war fight results, who trained where, who promoted what… If you’re not already obsessed with 1930s–40s Dutch boxing scene, you will be completely lost and bored out of your mind.
I kept waiting for the story to move to the camps (that “famous” Auschwitz part everyone talks about, but by page 128 we’re still talking about sponsorships, posters, and which hall got bombed. The writing feels very dry and encyclopedic, almost no dialogue, no emotional pull. I don’t feel attached to Leen Sanders at all yet; he just feels like a name in a very long list.
Maybe it gets amazing later (I’ve heard it does), but life is too short and my TBR is too long. I’ll probably watch a documentary or YouTube summary instead.
If you’re Dutch or a hardcore boxing history nerd, you might enjoy the level of detail. For everyone else: be prepared to skim heavily or DNF without regret.
The first 120 pages are an absolute slog.
It reads like a hyper-detailed local Rotterdam newspaper from 1940: endless lists of Dutch boxers I’ve never heard of, street names, minor gym owners, pre-war fight results, who trained where, who promoted what… If you’re not already obsessed with 1930s–40s Dutch boxing scene, you will be completely lost and bored out of your mind.
I kept waiting for the story to move to the camps (that “famous” Auschwitz part everyone talks about, but by page 128 we’re still talking about sponsorships, posters, and which hall got bombed. The writing feels very dry and encyclopedic, almost no dialogue, no emotional pull. I don’t feel attached to Leen Sanders at all yet; he just feels like a name in a very long list.
Maybe it gets amazing later (I’ve heard it does), but life is too short and my TBR is too long. I’ll probably watch a documentary or YouTube summary instead.
If you’re Dutch or a hardcore boxing history nerd, you might enjoy the level of detail. For everyone else: be prepared to skim heavily or DNF without regret.
October 8, 2023
Brouwer is an exceptional storyteller, with meticulous research. This was clearly going to be a hard read (it is! Especially when he lost his wife and children) but it was very inspiring too. Leen really was a special person who put others first even in the face of such evil.
I enjoyed Leen’s back story and his boxing career, to the point I almost forgot where the book was heading! I can’t even imagine what it must have felt like having to entertain the SS officers while surrounded by such suffering.
The Fighter of Auschwitz reminded me of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris, The Women at Hitler’s Table by Rosella Postorino and The Sisters of Auschwitz by Roxane van Iperen. It deserves to be mentioned alongside such impactful books. I’d strongly recommend all of them!
I now need to read Spartacus, Brouwer’s award-winning book about Jewish Olympic athletes at the start of the Second World War!
Thank you for the gifted copy @erikbrouwerr @randomthingstours @octopus_books_
June 22, 2024
Part of the current wave of what I call "Auschwitz porn" and something I'd avoid. I'd rather read a history book than something like this. That said, it was okay. Informative rather than engaging. Definitely not incredible nor fully successful in joining up the story's 3 parts - pre War as a boxer, life in the concentration camps and life post War. Not sure if this is translated into English from Dutch or just badly written in parts - maybe that explains the distancing it created in me as a reader. It all came across as a bit too easy for Leen to get into an influential position in the camp. No questions asked whether this was fully legit or not. And a big no for me is the frequent use of the word GOY to describe non Jews. I find it perjorative. Didn't notice the word YID being used and quite right too. So I thank my pal for lending it to me but I will be avoiding the endless Auschwitzes from now on...Tailor, Tattooist, sisters, nun, brothers, Englishman and British soldier sneaked into the camp. There are others I'm sure.
September 1, 2023
This book. Such a touching tale of strength, pain, loss and survival. I was so moved by Leen’s story that I was frequently brought to tears. The never ending pressure to to ensure he helped others survive, whilst the is king his own life, on a daily basis. There was so much pain and loss and sadness to this story, but at the same time it was a representation of strength, honour and saving others, at the risk of your own life. Not many people have ever been in such a position, nor would many be willing to give their own lives for others. It was such a special honour to read this book and Leen is the kind of person that it’s once in a lifetime to meet and such a special person to read about. The author gave us something special by writing this story.
September 4, 2023
This was such a hard hitting and emotional book, that shows the devastation and the strength of individuals in Auschwitz.
The story gave a lot of background and allowed us insight into Leen's life before the war and this was interesting to read, but also showed a change and a build up in regards to the perception of Jews.
Leen and many others during that time showed determination and strength in the most hardest of times and I liked how we were told what happened after the war, to not only Leen, but to many of the other characters mentioned along the way.
The story also highlighted the effects on individuals even after everything was over, showing the true impact such cruelty and hardship had on them.
This was such a harrowing and emotional read that I would recommend anyone to pick up.
The story gave a lot of background and allowed us insight into Leen's life before the war and this was interesting to read, but also showed a change and a build up in regards to the perception of Jews.
Leen and many others during that time showed determination and strength in the most hardest of times and I liked how we were told what happened after the war, to not only Leen, but to many of the other characters mentioned along the way.
The story also highlighted the effects on individuals even after everything was over, showing the true impact such cruelty and hardship had on them.
This was such a harrowing and emotional read that I would recommend anyone to pick up.
August 23, 2023
Leen Saunders's family are dead, but he has been spared. But for how long?
While he is an entertainer for the Nazis he is a fighter for those who have been imprisoned and a hope for survival.
I love historical novels but have to be in the mood to read them as I find these very hard-hitting and this was no exception, Brouwer writes a powerful and heartwarming novel about survival and companionship.
The narrative is well-written and the description has you feeling all different emotions. Definitely a book I would recommend.
September 5, 2023
This is a truly sad story about a well known Dutch boxer called Leen Sandert who happens to be Jewish and gets taken by the Nazis to Auschwitz.
The book tells the story of how he used boxing to not only save his own life but help other Dutchmen in the camp, not without risk to his own safety!
I enjoyed reading this book although I’ve never been in to boxing. These stories are always horrific and I always wonder how it could ever have happened. I also learnt a bit more about the different camps and it’s the first Auschwitz book I’ve read from a Dutchman’s point of view.
The book tells the story of how he used boxing to not only save his own life but help other Dutchmen in the camp, not without risk to his own safety!
I enjoyed reading this book although I’ve never been in to boxing. These stories are always horrific and I always wonder how it could ever have happened. I also learnt a bit more about the different camps and it’s the first Auschwitz book I’ve read from a Dutchman’s point of view.
February 19, 2024
DNF
This genre is right up my alley but man it was hard to read. I got about half way and just couldn’t pick it back up. The intense detail about boxing seemed honestly pointless unless you’re reading it specifically because you’re a fan of boxing. Which I am not.
I wanted to get to the struggles and how the environment changed getting closer to the war. Which it did touch on but not much… the first real part that he was directly involved in conflict was skimmed over - he was captured but oh he escaped and now back to boxing again.
Wasn’t for me.
This genre is right up my alley but man it was hard to read. I got about half way and just couldn’t pick it back up. The intense detail about boxing seemed honestly pointless unless you’re reading it specifically because you’re a fan of boxing. Which I am not.
I wanted to get to the struggles and how the environment changed getting closer to the war. Which it did touch on but not much… the first real part that he was directly involved in conflict was skimmed over - he was captured but oh he escaped and now back to boxing again.
Wasn’t for me.
April 15, 2025
leens story is amazing what he went through to survive just blows my mind about how evil people can be. This book just wasn’t written great imo there is a lot at the start that could have been shorter and there could have been more at the camp and train.
The death of his wife and children should have brought a tear to my eye how ever it didn’t. What did though was the end when he was recognised then died but I just feel like this book could have been more emotional and a little less matter a fact.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for leen
The death of his wife and children should have brought a tear to my eye how ever it didn’t. What did though was the end when he was recognised then died but I just feel like this book could have been more emotional and a little less matter a fact.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for leen
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2023
A fascinating account which gives great insights into boxing as a sport and social phenomenon prior to the Second World War, as well as devastatingly moving insights into Leen Sanders’ experiences in Auschwitz and beyond. It’s very well written, being clear and well structured. It is also an important historical record. Another excellent addition to the very important biographical accounts of the Holocaust.
October 11, 2023
An unusual take on captivity in Auschwitz. There is a good deal of introduction boxing detail which initially seemed relevant but went on a bit too long. The hero's passage through the notorious death camp seemed almost comfortable compared with the majority of the other unfortunate inmates and his luck if it can be called that, seemed a bit too good to be true. It was readable but not outstanding!
November 9, 2023
A well researched book detailing the life of Dutch boxer Leen Sanders, and his experiences before, during and after being interred in Auschwitz. Despite his own enormous losses, his strength of character along with his physical strength sees him taking great risks to help others. That he had to fight so long for an Extraordinary Pension seems awful.
Yes, there are many books detailing the horrors of Auschwitz and other concentration camps, but the horrors of these should not be forgotten.
Yes, there are many books detailing the horrors of Auschwitz and other concentration camps, but the horrors of these should not be forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews