The Auschwitz Escape

Page turner .,so life like and an eye opener

Jean-Luc Leclerc is a Protestant pastor in France at the outset of World War II. He and his entire town decide to help the Jews fleeing from the Nazis, but eventually the Nazis enter France and catch on to what Luc and his friends are doing. He is arrested and sent to Auschwitz. Jacob Weisz is a teenager in Germany at the outset of WWII. Despite the obvious anti-semitism spreading, his Jewish parents refuse to evacuate when his uncle Avi gives them a chance. They are convinced that since they are good Germans nothing will happen to them. When Nazi police show up at their house chasing Jacob's uncle, they realize only too late how right Uncle Avi was and Jacob barely manages to escape with his life. He eventually finds Avi and joins him in the Resistance. Jacob and Avi are quite successful in the Resistance and carry out many operations to save Jews and frustrate the Nazis. They start to hear strange rumors about a labor camp in Poland called Auschwitz, that it is much more deadly than the average work camp. They hatch a plan to intercept a transport train of Jews headed to this camp, but things don't go according to plan and instead Jacob finds himself stuck in the horrors of Auschwitz. Upon arrival, Jacob soon sinks into despair that he'll ever make it out of the camp except through the chimneys, but that starts to change when he meets members of the Resistance in Auschwitz and is recruited to be one of the men to risk an escape and get the word out to the world that what is going on in Auschwitz is truly nightmarish and must be stopped. Luc is also part of the Resistance in Auschwitz and is selected to be one of the men to risk an escape attempt along with Jacob. Together, they must put together the necessary supplies in the camp without being caught, manage to get outside the wires without getting shot, and then make their way to the Resistance in Slovakia. It is a herculean task fraught with dangers, but they are both convinced the world must know what's going on inside Auschwitz.It took me a little while to get into this, primarily just because I started it just as I received a new batch of books students were waiting for so those had to be read first. Once I did have time to really get into this story, I devoured it. I've read several books on WWII, both fictional and factual, but none has ever mentioned the town of Le Chambon's efforts to save thousands of Jews or successful Auschwitz escapes. Both really happened (I suggest taking the time to check out the author's notes to find out exactly what was inspired by real events). So even though there are many, many books on WWII out there, I still felt this one had something fresh to offer. I did sometimes find the perspectives of characters in the opening years of the war to have perhaps too perceptive of an outlook on the war (it felt like it was written by someone looking back instead of someone present in the middle of it), but that is a relatively minor thing. Apart from the interesting history, I also liked the way Rosenberg wove in Jacob and Luc's faiths into the story. Neither comes off as preachy (nor does the book), and moments talking about faith matters felt much more natural than the average Christian fiction. Overall, a good historical fiction read with a touch of inspirational moments, but not always easy (but I would guess readers would expect that from the title).Notes on content: No language issues. No sex scenes. It is mentioned that many of the prisoners working as secretaries are forced to perform sexual favors for the commandant, but there are no scenes depicting this and no graphic details given. The violence level is high, as is typical of WWII books that focus on the horrors of Auschwitz. Several people are fatally shot or beaten to death, or dying of dysentery or starvation, and of course there's the massive numbers being sent to the gas chambers.

I am not a super emotional person, and I cried on and off for about 3 hours while reading this book. The weight – that 500,000 people relied on someone that I knew would never succeed – was heartbreaking. The fact that Roosevelt and Churchill really knew about Auschwitz and could have at least bombed it – that broke my heart too. The fact that Jacob grew so much as a character, and his uncle never saw this, really broke my heart.While my two favorite characters were dying, I just bawled my eyes out. The events leading up to a certain character’s death was incredibly emotional, especially since they were talking over an issue I feel very strongly about. I really enjoyed Jacob’s development as a character. He starts out as a meek peacemaker, and ends with astounding courage and the urge to help others. He is definitely not without his faults, even as the novel lingers to a closing, but he is a great character. I also think Jacob may be the only Christian fiction protagonist that isn’t a Christian… I really admire this.This is a Christian fiction novel written by a Christian with an Orthodox Jewish background. An extra bonus to the fantastic characters and emotional writing; religion, Christianity in particular, was handled surprisingly and refreshingly realistically, yet it wasn’t bashed like some secularists do. It is very realistic, yet is full of hope. At the end of the story, although secular Jacob does become more Jewish (this is mostly due to Jacob’s religious Jewish wife, whom he loves dearly), although no Jew becomes a Christian.Jean-Luc, a Protestant pastor at Le Chambon in France, is a great Christian man, who is not arrogant, pushy or ignorant, and he certainly is not your typical Christian. (And Rosenberg knows it) Luc is the only main character in the story that is a Christian. Luc is perfect, but in a quite, humble way, not like your typical Christian fiction character. Never does he get preachy or boast – directly or indirectly – “I’m not perfect, but Jesus is!!” in a way that really implies he is stuck up and he never tries to convert any of his Jewish friends. In fact, he doesn’t really bring it up – but you can completely see it in his lifestyle and when the other Jewish characters notice it, they do ask about his faith. Actions speak a LOT louder than words. His perfect, humble nature is very realistic to the plot, as well, as most Christian resistance members were similar to Luc. He truly reminded me of my all-time favorite book character Johannes from I Am David by Anne Holm.Other realistic aspects are: A bunch of the Nazis went to “church” on Easter Sunday. One of the most inspiring and brave characters is an atheist. My admiration for Rosenberg went up 1,000% when he brought up…MARTIN LUTHER and his role during the Holocaust, and not in a positive light. Luc admits that Luther was pretty much a jerk and was responsible for most of Hitler’s propaganda.I was very surprised at how much research Rosenberg put into this – from the Twentieth Train (which I have heard of but not researched – was proud of myself for recognizing this), to Witold Pilecki, to the little town of Le Chambon in France (which I love). The back has a list of documentaries and books related to the story, and I will definitely be placing them on my top-priority list. He really did write the Auschwitz Protocol and try to get the word out to the Allies.THE REAL STORY: Slovakian Jew Rudolf Vrba, who Jacob is based on, escaped Auschwitz in the exact same way Jacob and Luc did – by hiding in a wood stack and waiting three agonizing long days. Vrba really did use tobacco/gasoline to fool the guards and he really did tie straps of flannel around his mouth so he would not cough. The only main difference is, although Vrba did hide with a friend, his friend…survived… (SHAME on you, Rosenberg!!) Other events like the Twentieth Train incident (lantern and all) really did happen. A man with three of his friends really did drive out of Auschwitz in the Commandant’s car. Le Chambon is known for rescuing 5,000 Jews.

Well written ,credible plot revealing the atrocities committed in the camps.Add to this the stories of selfless love ,risk and sacrifice by so many in difficult circumstances, makes this book a must read for anyone and everyone interested in the human spirit. Rosenberg s writing is compelling and sincere,sensitive to the quest of youth to find reality and truth without hypocrisy ..This is the first book I have read by this author & found the storyline well construed, the characters well developed and credible ,the atrocities inside the camp evident without being overplayed .A book that everyone of faith or not should read simply to gain an understanding of the condition of humankind. An excellent novel written with sensitivity and the desire to demonstrate the power of truth and love rising above evil and apathy. Excellent.!

A fast-paced action-packed novel that read more like a film than a novel. The author has cleverly woven together details from many of the horrific events that came to light after WWII of the heinous crimes committed against the Jews, and others.. Lest we forget comes to mind, for which I commend the author in his writing of this book.The fact that it came across as action-packed, in a writing style I found very clichéd influenced my rating of this book, as did - at the end - what to me seemed a treatise on religion - Judaism and Christianity.I finished it because I was intrigued by the high ratings it had received - somewhat undeserved (in my opinion!).

Just finished reading "The Auschwitz Escape" by Joel C Rosenberg. I love his books and though this is not his best it is certainly a gripping tale. Just didn't like the way he puts Americanisms into Polish people's mouths in 1943. At one point one guy is speaking and it was so American it sounded like someone from down south in the bible belt. Kind of "Put your hands up there, boy and don't you move." He even has Polish people getting Cookies and milk out for the Gestapo. Did they have cookies and milk as a treat back then in war-time Poland? Apart from that is a well told tale of the horrors of the Nazi regime.

Another very readable page turner from Joel Rosenberg. Has pace, detail and effectively weaves fact and fiction. As with the other Joel Rosenberg books I have read I found myself wanting to read on, and then the book finishes!! Another great advantage of Joel Rosenberg is of course, no bad language, no blasphemy and enough description of violence to leave you in no doubt as to what is going on, but not gratuitous. A teenager could read this book and learn something of a dark time and place in history, as well as adults.

I am sure that no one can understand the full horrors of Auschwitz and the other death camps without being there - we can only be very thankful that we didn't have to experience it. This is an excellent work of fiction that brings some of the horrors to life through the story of Jacob and those he suffers with. Anything that helps us to remember this dark period in history is in my opinion a ' must read'. Be warned, a book that you will become emotionally involved in!