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beckyquick's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars!!
As expected, this book was heart wrenching and disturbing. An insightful account into life at Auschwitz written by a doctor who unfortunately had first hand experience there.
Nyiszli's writing was great, which I didn't really expect as I thought this would be more of a documentary about his position as a doctor. Although the book did describe some of his work (which I'm sure would have been more greatly appreciated by someone who knows about the subject) was explained effectively, but the main storyline based on his life was riveting.
The characters who obviously are based on real people were described in such a way that, especially in the case of Dr. Mengele, you could feel like you had met him.
"He looked at me steadily, his expression hardening. "What's wrong?" he said coldly, "Getting sentimental?"
The only reason this book did not get 5 stars from me was the afterword. It did not seem to be in keeping with the rest of the book and I did not agree with the message it posed.
As expected, this book was heart wrenching and disturbing. An insightful account into life at Auschwitz written by a doctor who unfortunately had first hand experience there.
Nyiszli's writing was great, which I didn't really expect as I thought this would be more of a documentary about his position as a doctor. Although the book did describe some of his work (which I'm sure would have been more greatly appreciated by someone who knows about the subject) was explained effectively, but the main storyline based on his life was riveting.
The characters who obviously are based on real people were described in such a way that, especially in the case of Dr. Mengele, you could feel like you had met him.
"He looked at me steadily, his expression hardening. "What's wrong?" he said coldly, "Getting sentimental?"
The only reason this book did not get 5 stars from me was the afterword. It did not seem to be in keeping with the rest of the book and I did not agree with the message it posed.
cdel1313's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know how I missed rating this and writing the review. I read it quite a while ago and it's one of the best books about the Holocaust I've ever read.
creativejo's review against another edition
A fantastic read and look into a different angle of the Holocaust. Still a prisoner, Miklos Nyiszli is treated far more fairly by the notorious Dr. Mengele becuase of his education in the field of biology research and autopsies. Not to say he did not live in fear daily, but an interesting point of view to see how he describes being of the Jewish faith and having to play house with the Aryans that are running the show.
la_carsia's review against another edition
4.0
A horrific recount of the events transpired in Auschwitz. I’ve read stories but nothing like this, from the perspective of someone who held some sort of higher social status above the other prisoners while being a prisoner himself.
bjor6n's review against another edition
3.0
"Those who seek to protect the body at all cost die many times over. Those who risk the body to survive have a good chance to live on."