A life changing read

There is no way to process what Joe Rubinstein has seen and experienced. No way to rationalize it, understand it, come to grips with it or accept it. No way to understand the torture. No way to grasp the magnitude of such evil. Our bodies simply do not have a way to process such overwhelming images of pain and death, injustice and loss. No way to process it - apart from the God whom Joe Rubinstein loves and serves. In this book, Joe tells us he always hid his story from everyone because everyone has an idea that terrible things happened in Auschwitz, "but no one knows." Yet Joe Rubinstein can now say it is a blessing to tell us about his life and what he went through. Yet he admits what he has seen is like a cancer that never leaves him. "I'm going to love my life, love my family and love God" he tells us. And he ends his book by doing exactly that - praising God. At the end of this book, I'm left shaken to the core. None of us ever want to come face to face with pure evil, yet Joe Rubinstein faces it daily, in his own mind. But he stands firmly on his faith and claims he is not defeated. His family is not defeated. Why? Because he lives on to love others.
Nancy Sprowell Geise did a beautiful job of capturing Joe's story. I love the way she portrayed his innocence and complete inability to understand what was happening and why his world had changed when he was taken from his family suddenly. We have truly been given a glimpse through Joe Rubinstein's eyes, thanks to Nancy Geise, and it's a view that is impossible to forget.
Richard Rieman did well to capture the confusion and innocence of Joe Rubinstein as well as a myriad of other overwhelming emotions throughout this journey.

22 people found this helpful

A story of survival...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is one of those books that everybody should read / listen to - especially those, who think that for whatever reason one group of people is better than others and has the right to decide of the others' life and death... It's a book both for those interested in the history of World War II and those who do not know anything about it and doubt the existence of the Nazi concentration camps...

I am Polish, have lived in Poland all my life and I have taken my students to visit the camps mentioned in the book: Auschwitz (Oswiecim in Polish) and Treblinka, I've also visited another camp, situated in Majdanek - all those places really remind us that there are no other species on this planet as cruel as man... So although the memories of Joe Rubinstein may not be so revealing for me (we in Poland learn from primary school what the Nazi occupation of Poland looked like during the war and what the Nazi camps were all about), for someone not so familiar with this aspect of World War II the book will probably be extremely shocking - and yet I am convinced that the story behind the book is much harsher, that the author filtered it a bit to make it easier for the reader to fathom...

And you can only admire Joe and others like him who did not allow their horrible experiences to break them and who, after being rescued from the camps, have lived their lives to the fullest...

What did you like best about this story?

I like the fact that although it's a book about an unimaginably horrible experience it's not all dark and gloomy... There are memories of good moments, too, and there is this strange kind of optimism, coming from faith (I believe), somewhere behind the story... And I like the fact that although we can feel the hate that Joe felt for the Nazis who took him from home, put him and thousands like him in a death camp, and killed all his family, we still see that that hate did not destroy Joe as a person, that he was able to put all that hate behind him and did not allow that feeling to rule his life after the war...

And I loved the introductory sentences in each chapter being read by Joe Rubinstein himself:)

What about Richard Rieman’s performance did you like?

As with the previous book narrated by Mr Rieman I listened to, I liked the tempo of his reading - the pace was quite fast, but not too fast; and the interpretation was very good. Mr Rieman tried to be quite detached and unemotional in his reading of this particular book and yet - maybe thanks to that detachment - the story got even more emotional and vivid, and it was almost impossible for me to stop listening...

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

He went through the hell of Auschwitz - and then lived his life to the fullest...

Any additional comments?

I received the audiobook as a gift from the narrator after reviewing "The Coelho Medallion" by Kevin Tumlinson in his interpretation - thank you very much, Mr Rieman, it was a great although unsettling experience listening to Joe Rubinstein's story...:)

14 people found this helpful

Never give up: a life in three and a half parts

A retrospective of the first third of his life as related by Joe Rubenstein at 94.
Or, a memoir in 3 1/2 parts.
But, mostly a story of love: of family long gone, of life, of God, of new family created and grown, of friends.
Life started out pretty well for a middle class Jewish boy in a Polish town. It was altered when the eldest boy died of illness, and then the father of cancer when Joe was young. But he, his twin and other brothers and sister were a closely knit family who sheltered each other. Then came the invasion of Poland, and things went from difficult to worse. And then he was taken away, and the real nightmare began.
Now he is the voice of the people in the boxcars. And the grave pits. And the abused. He becomes one of the slaves in striped pajamas and coarse wooden shoes. He clings to hope for his family for as long as he can, begs God many times a day, and is helped by people.
Finally the war ends. But where can a man go with little education, no family, no money, but exceptional skills? In the beginning, with a never-ending list of new friends, he is in Germany. Then he meets and marries a wonderful Catholic girl. When their first child is on the way, they firmly decide that it is vital that they leave Europe as soon as may be. They do, eventually, and with hard work and special skills, things come around for them and life is good.
There is then, a brief recounting of life in America and citizenship.
Richard Reiman has the voice and cadencing to enhance it all, and each chapter is introduced with a sentence spoken by Joe, himself, to remind us that this is no work of fiction.
Not as long as Night, Anne Frank, Schindler's list, or The Book Thief, but also very moving.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher, or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

7 people found this helpful

An emotional journey, like so many others, but at the top of my “best written” list.

I have read and listened to dozens of books about Holocaust survivors. The stories are all compelling and after consuming so many of the stories, it’s difficult to distinguish one from another because the horrors and the testimonies are all so similar. I want to remember their names. This one stands out for several reasons. First, the title is simple and memorable. Next, it is the best written of all in my library. When listening to the book on audible, each chapter starts with the voice of Joe Rubenstein. Hearing his voice somehow sets his testimony apart from so many of the others as I recommend books to my friends and family. I want to share all the stories to which I’ve listened and read, but if I have to choose just one to get others to remember and honor these beautiful souls, this is the one I will recommend and share first. Then I will encourage them to consume all of the other stories I treasure. I thank all survivors for sharing their unimaginable horrors so that we may share them and recognize the eruption of this kind of evil when history repeats itself.

5 people found this helpful

Remembering the heart break

What occurred during the Holocaust should never be forgotten. Mr. Rubinstein's survival is unfathomable in the light of his suffering. For me it is a warning of the consequences of hatred and apathy. Thank you for your courage in documenting for us, to remember what happens when we look away.

4 people found this helpful

A very moving story

Would you listen to Auschwitz #34207 again? Why?

It is really painful to hear what happened in the war. This should help us to never let this happen again and that ALL life is precious. It was inspirational to know that Joe made it through this very dark time to a very prosperous and long life in the United States. I'm not sure I could listen to the accounts of Auschwitz again, they were graphic and made me sad that this could have happened.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Auschwitz #34207?

There were a few poignant stories - perhaps the most memorable is the fact that Joe's love for his family was the driving force to keep himself alive, that and prayer.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

For the most part, it made me cry.

Any additional comments?

.

3 people found this helpful

Fascinating account of a survivor

Would you listen to Auschwitz #34207 again? Why?

I very rarely listen to a book a second time. This was a very good book, however. Joe's story seems incredible but still very believable. He delivers an authentic account of unspeakable atrocities that he witnessed. It is hard to fathom how the death camps operated for as long as they did. History provided by people like this author are very important reminders that we must be vigilant to recognize evil and cut it off before it can grow to such extremes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Auschwitz #34207?

Many memorable moments are in this book. The various types of mistreatment that people are capable of inflicting upon others, may stick with me forever.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not a particular scene, but watching Joe's life flourish after the war, both personally and in business was certainly gratifying.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The unbelievable capacity of man.

Any additional comments?

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an unbiased and truthful review.

6 people found this helpful

Not just another holocaust story

The reason why I enjoyed this book is because of its simplicity. It follows the life of Joe Rubinstein from a child through his youth in Auschwitz and after. I kept shaking my head in disbelief that someone could survive this hell. However, he explained it in a way that was matter of fact and it kept me engaged. The events are horrific yet he finds a way to share it very respectfully. I would recommend this book to others.

2 people found this helpful

Powerful, moving, and a punch to the gut!

The Joe Rubinstein story is one depicting incredible resiliency, courage, faith, and some divine luck.
Against All Odds, Joe was able to survive his encampment at Auschwitz and go on to America to live and love and raise a family. Once he was freed from a Nazi prison camp, he never lived in fear of anything again. Remarkably, Joe chose to live his free years as a happy man, a grateful man, and in my opinion a great man.
Once you start listening to his story you can not stop until it's finished.
I am so sorry that Joe and the many millions of other people of Jewish faith had to endure even five minutes of those camps. This story had to be told and Joe's story represents the stories of millions of Jewish people that were wrongfully thrown into prison camps by the Nazis and suffered or died at the hands of these monsters.

2 people found this helpful

Heartbreaking Story of Survival and Faith

Any additional comments?

The book is well written and shares the horrors that Mr Rubinstein endured at the hands of the nazis.The chance meetings and decisions on his part had such an influence on his survival.The most touching part to me is his continuous faith in his God and the ability to keep fighting for his survival.He's a true inspiration.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of the holocaust and the suffering inflicted on the Jews.I liked that Joe Rubinstein narrated parts of his story as well as the narrarator. I received a copy of this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

2 people found this helpful