DOC Five Chimneys: A Woman Survivor's True Story of Auschwitz by Olga Lengyel in History

Review

76 of 77 people found the following review helpful. An incredibly important work.By Mary A FanelliThis is a scary and disturbing book. I am a middle aged woman; and have read my share of Holocaust books- and this one gave me nightmares. There's been a lot written about life in concentration and death camps; but what makes this book unique is that the author is not Jewish. She wasn't taken from her home or even forced to go- she went because her husband was sent. So she willingly went along; with her children and parents as well so the family could at least be together. The smiling authorities assured them of their safety. All would be well; they wouldn't be separated; the war would be over soon and everyone would go back to their happy lives. Of course that couldn't be further from the reality.... the author was the only survivor and her guilt is palpable. More than Ann Frank's diary; this is the book that should be given to high school students who would have a hard time understanding how normal; every day people were placed in almost unbelievable positions of master and slave. How many of us would have gone along with the Nazi regime; and followed orders? On the other hand; how many of us could survive the unspeakable conditions of the camps. The absolutely arbitrary chance of surviving is difficult to wrap your head around; there was no such thing as a predictable way to survive. And to survive and have your life but nothing else- no family; no home; nothing at all. Perhaps the most poignant moment was when the author finally found her way to the family home; the neighborhood she lived in with everything and everyone she knew gone forever. Unimaginable. Humanity at its absolute worst in this book; with very little in the way of redemption; yet highly readable and very critical that future generations never forget what happened and how easily it can happen again -and indeed; has.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A must read!!By Laura BThis was by far the most in depth book that I have read; regarding the underground dealings among the prisoners. My heart truly ached for each and every person held captive by the Germans. This book made me question the humanity of some human beings. How can the concentration camps and the poor treatment of the prisoners be justified? It's sad that one man influenced a country; where their people were "the superior race"; yet they couldn't think for themselves. Did they not know right from wrong? We're the Germans that feeble?1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. UnbelievableBy Lori StraussBooks about the Holocost have always interested me. As many as I have read; they are all different and equally disturbing. I can't begin to imagine the utter Hell these poor people had to endure day after day!! Only my faith gives me peace knowing that God is just!!