A Train Near Magdeburg

A Teacher's Journey into the Holocaust

By: Matthew Rozell

Narrated by: Nick Cracknell

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's not a novel. It's not based on a true story. It really happened, and I am a witness. You will be, too.

What do you do if you are a reluctant soldier, having been shot at, seen your friends killed, and can no longer even remember what your own mother looks like? As a combat soldier fighting your way across Europe, what is the plan when you come across a Holocaust train full of suffering humanity that shocks you to your core, even after you think you have seen it all? And what happens when you get to meet the survivors face-to-face, two generations later?

From the author of The Things Our Fathers Saw in the World War II eyewitness history series comes this book, offering the true story behind an iconic photograph taken at the liberation of a death train, deep in the heart of Nazi Germany. It's brought to life by the history teacher who discovered it and went on to reunite hundreds of Holocaust survivors with the actual American soldiers who saved them.

The Holocaust was a watershed event in history. Drawing on never-before published eyewitness accounts, survivor testimony and memoirs, wartime reports and letters, Matthew Rozell takes us on his journey to uncover the stories behind the incredible 1945 liberation photographs taken by the soldiers who were there. 

He weaves together a chronology of the Holocaust as it unfolds across Europe and goes to the authentic sites of the Holocaust to retrace the steps of the survivors and the American soldiers who freed them. His mission culminates in joyful reunions in three continents, seven decades later.

Rozell offers his unique perspective on the lessons of the holocaust for future generations and the impact that one person - a teacher - can make. Features testimony from 15 American liberators and over 30 Holocaust survivors.

"After I got home I cried a lot. My parents couldn't understand why I couldn't sleep at times." (Walter "Babe" Gantz, US Army medic)

"I grew up and spent all my years being angry. This means I don't have to be angry anymore." (Paul Arato, Holocaust survivor)

"I survived because of many miracles. But for me to actually meet, shake hands, hug, and cry together with my liberators - the "angels of life" who literally gave me back my life - was just beyond imagination." (Leslie Meisels, Holocaust survivor)

"People say it cannot happen here in this country; yes, it can happen here. I was 21 years old. I was there to see it happen!" (Luca Furnari, US Army)

"It's not for my sake, it's for the sake of humanity, that you will remember." (Steve Barry, Holocaust survivor)

©2016, 2019 Matthew Rozell (P)2019 Matthew Rozell

important story

Overall I really liked this book. The stories of survivors and soldiers are critically important to preserve. Most of the retelling is done very well. My only fault with the book is that the author sometimes seems to focus on himself too much. Though, to be fair perhaps he has earned that. The narrator does a great job and is enjoyable to listen to.

must read!

All Mr. Rozzell's books should be required reading in school, please never forget what happened

Different!

It took getting used to that it wasn't a traditional novel. loved how factual it was.

A informative read.

more people need to educate themselves. this could happen again. God forbid! God bless you

incredibly learning listening

there was a lot In this book I've heard no where else about the camps. detailed and enormous amount of sadness of what humans do to one another.

Well done documentary

The "first person" comments by both survivors and soldiers are very powerful and worth hearing.

Great listen.

We enjoyed the book thoroughly. Tried to listen to it on a day long drive, but it got too heavy and had to take a break, finished it on the way home. We knew of the atrocities of course but to hear about them from the victims and liberators brought tears to our eyes. Their sense of humor was heartwarming, just hard to imagine the strength of these people.

Incredible

Amazing first person account of concentration camp survivors. Very moving-had to take breaks at times in the listening.

Great Read

I have read many of the Holocaust books and memoirs but this book made me cry to think that some people don’t believe the Holocaust happened but the Americans that was there at the camps and trains after liberation seen the true content and how inhumanly the Jews were treated. I just can’t imagine the evil they seen happen to family and friends. I know that they are in heaven now and enjoying seeing there friends and families and out of pain.

Good, but hard to keep listening

This was a good enough listen, but hard to pay attention to. Too many stories from different people to really get engaged in the story. It drew a good general picture, but this was not a book I just couldn’t wait to start up again.