Memoirs of a Holocaust Survivor: Icek Kuperberg

by Icek Kuperberg, Abraham Kuperberg (Editor)

Powerful in its stark simple language, Icek Kuperberg chronicles his personal experiences as a concentration camp prisoner during World War II. Interned in various work and death camps, Icek had to use his guile and wits to simply stay alive. That he persevered despite tremendous horrors and obstacles, testifies to his strong will to survive.

Genres: Holocaust, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Autobiography, World War II, Historical

86 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2000

Reviews

[Doug DePew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book months ago and kept it on my Kindle waiting for a time when I felt prepared to read it. I'm so glad I bought it. "Memoirs of a Holocaust Survivor: Icek Kuperberg" is a tremendous addition to the historical record. It was uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. Mr. Kuperberg is a survivor. Listening to him tell all he went through to make it through the war was extremely moving. To hear the words of a man who survived Auschwitz and Buchenwald with not only his life but his spirit intact is something anyone who's a member of the human race can learn from. Seeing the way he used his talents, wits, and will to make it moved me.

I've seen criticism in other reviews of the style. I must disagree strongly with that criticism. As the story progressed, I found myself hearing Mr. Kuperberg's voice talking to me. It was transcribed directly from tapes, and it's told the way he remembered it. Additional backstory or dialogue would make it seem contrived and fake. As it's written, it seemed authentic. It's told in his voice. Last night, I literally started hearing his voice in my head. That's when I knew it worked. I think it came across in a way that made the story very real. It's his story. The book was well edited and clear. It's just one man telling his story. It's a story that everyone should hear.

I thank him and everyone else who helped put this together. I recommend this book to anyone.

[Irina]

I cannot bring myself to put any kind of ratings on this book. It just seems disrespectful. I read it in one sitting. It was absolutely horrific and was basically a series of events during that occurred during Kuperberg's time in various camps. Absolutely brutal and very graphic. This memoir will make you want to hug your kids closer and pray for the survivors. How they managed to survive is beyond me; this is the true measure of human strength. Must read,

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it hard to rate any personal account of this kind as I believe that it doesn't really matter about writing style ect as it is a personal account not needing to be judged.

I thought this relatively short memoir to be very simplistic, if not with some emotional detachment which under the circumstances I can understand. This is not a bad thing as I found that I would have no worry about my 12 year old reading it, understanding and not being grossed out by it.

I'd certainly recommend it for all ages from 12 years up.

Bought for 79p. Kindle. Approximate 80 pages.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read that evokes so much emotion in a short amount of time. Some of the events this mad went through were so horrific that I had to stop reading. At one point in the book a couple sentances summed up exactly what I was thinking while reading, "No one could understandthe cruelty to which we had been subjected. It is unbelievable how one human being could treat another so cruelly. All this just because we were Jews." I still cannot because to even try to understand how exactly someone could act this way to people.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another horrific description of the holocaust, firsthand. Reading the experiences of the author, it is so unbelievable to believe people can treat others so inhumanly.

[mrs c tolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help on Earth

Icek gives us an almost unbelievable account of human atrocity at its wicked best. Like a relatively few others he had the luck and temerity to survive a situation that many of us cannot even imagine. I am so pleased that he found happiness after the holocaust and am happy to recommend his story to all. One can hardly enjoy reading of the Nazi animals antics but one can try to absorb the dismal human story!

[Andrea Eller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Heros Survived

There is no such thing as a "review" for a book like this. It has been 21 years since the last picture of Icek was taken. If he is still alive, I'd like him to know my belief: His best revenge against the damned-by-G-d germans is that yarmulke on his head and his Jewish observant children and grandchildren.

[Carolyn Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book wriiten in detail. Such s terible time in history. God blees you Icek and all tbevother survivors and families.

I liked that he began his book at the beginning and went thru to the end. Well written in detail.

[John Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling memoir

This short book once again demonstrates the will to survive even under the most harsh of conditions. I have such respect for men and women who survived the holocaust, and such sadness for those who did not.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well-written report

This memoir is an easy-to-read, honest account of the horror endured by Jews in concentration camps during World War 2.

[Gracee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal account of Icek Kuperberg's time through the Holocaust, and numerous concentration camps. Much of his focus was on food, and how to beg, borrow, or steal it. Obviously being a survivor of the Holocaust, food became his reason to live, and one of the reasons why he lived. Less focus on "in depth" friendships, (unless they involve "food connections"). Icek fascinatingly does not comment on the presence of a "Higher Being" or the feeling of being abandoned. I suppose if you're forced to attend "roll call" stark naked, one is more aware of the need of clean clothes, bedding and a blanket maybe, than prayer to keep you warm. Interesting first person account of time spent surviving. This was a .99c steal on the Kindle. Definitely worth it!

[Carla JFCL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book, and I zipped right through it for both that reason and also because it was pretty short. However, it couldn't really be longer I suppose because it was written by someone else (Icek's son) from the memories of Icek. It's narrated in a straightforward, almost detached manner (the reason for this tone is explained by his son in the introduction, and makes sense.) Many of the events related are horrific, but not surprising given what we know about the holocaust. Several photos are included as well. As a result of reading this, I will probably add a visit to the Holocaust Museum to my bucket list.

[Mom Taxi Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is obviously a book about the Holocaust. It starts when Irving is young boy of 15 and follows him through about 4 years I think it was of being in concentration camps. Icek was lucky in that he was very skilled at making things so was used as work labor. He was also very smart.

Those things saved his life on more than one account. This was a pretty short book and had a few pictures so you could get a bit of a visual of some people and how things were. It was a good history lesson. It always amazes me just how many people were killed. Seeing a picture of a pile of shoes really brings that to life. Scary scary times.

[Lizzie Blueyondercouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy book to read, written simply, to the point, being a survivior continually on the move, did not labour on the atrocities too much almost matter of factly, but thats how it was, and he did what ever he could just to get to the next day. A reminder to humanity that these things happened and should never be forgotten..

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal account of Icek Kuperberg's visits to many concentration camps. His focus is on food and how he got extra food. He talks about the guards and how horribly they treated the prisoners and himself. This was more of an account than a story. It was a quick read. I finished in a couple of hours. This mans desire to live was amazing. I don’t know if I would have made it.

[Ben Ditmars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the most in depth memoir you can find. It is not the best written. But, Kuperberg offers a unique perspective and composite view of his time in several different concentration camps. If you want to discover what the Holocaust was like across a broad range of territory this book is for you.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short, simple book. It is disturbing and haunting and very to the point. While it gets its point accross, this book really would have benefited from an editor or a co-writer or someone to fill in the gaps. Well worth the read, but could have been better with better guidance.

[Devan Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written with minimal description of his inner struggle. He describes the need to for food, the hunger, and brutality. But he never describes how his inner strength managed, how he survived. A very educational read, and as I always say and believe, each story needs to be heard.

[Patty Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Abraham Kuperberg for giving us his father's story. But more importantly thanks to Icek Kuperberg for recalling his painful memories in order to share them with the world...so that we never forget.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true account of the Holocaust. It is amazing to me how so many people believe the Holocaust never happened. This is a great account of his life!

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stark language that needed an editor to help fill in some of the missing connections in the story. Extremely lucky and blessed to have survived.

[reeeeeeeeeeeeeee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and informative.

[Kevin Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & very matter of factly written, but quite powerful. Very sad to think humans could be treated in this manner.

[Kazimiera pendrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

a touching and heart breaking story of a very lucky man

[Michael Cargill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but detailed personal account of the holocaust.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

we must never forget.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cold and unemotional, a story of doing whatever it took to live. Incredibly sad.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, The human spirit is unbreakable.