Survivors Club

By: Michael Bornstein, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat

Narrated by: Fred Berman, Michael Bornstein - preface and afterword, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat - preface

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

This audiobook includes a preface read by both authors, with an afterword read by Michael Bornstein. A bonus conversation with the authors, archival recordings, and a PDF of photos are also included.

In 1945, in a now-famous piece of World War II archival footage, four-year-old Michael Bornstein was filmed by Soviet soldiers as he was carried out of Auschwitz in his grandmother's arms. Survivors Club tells the unforgettable story of how a father's courageous wit, a mother's fierce love, and one perfectly timed illness saved his life and how others in his family from Zarki, Poland, dodged death at the hands of the Nazis time and again with incredible deftness.

Working from his own recollections as well as extensive interviews with relatives and survivors who knew the family, Michael relates his inspirational Holocaust survival story with the help of his daughter, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat. Shocking, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting, this narrative nonfiction offers an indelible depiction of what happened to one Polish village in the wake of the German invasion in 1939.

Download the accompanying photographs.

©2017 Michael Bornstein and Debbie Bornstein Holinstat (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

"Narrator Fred Berman brings gravitas to the events of this memoir while still creating a voice for Michael [Bornstein] that sounds young and vulnerable. Berman also excels at the use of Yiddish, Polish, and German accents where needed to create a sense of the time and place." (AudioFile Magazine)

Must read!

I don't typically review an audiobook even if I love it, but this time was different. This is a beautiful, sad and triumphant story of love and survival. I couldn't stop listening. If you want to read an uplifting story about the unbreakable human spirit, please read this book. You will not regret it.

Andrew J S

Would you consider the audio edition of Survivors Club to be better than the print version?

yes there is more on the audio edition they you would get in print

What other book might you compare Survivors Club to and why?

I am unsure its outstanding

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't have one they are all my favorite

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

I am a grown man with children and this pulled at my heart because I would hope I would have the same courage as his father if I would ever put in the same situation.

Any additional comments?

I feel every high school student should read this book so history never repeats itself . WOW what a great book.

Thank you for sharing

Sharing your story makes all the atrocities and your suffering, a lesson for all to appreciate and not take for granted a single thing or person in our lives. I will especially take away your message to look forward and that this too shall pass. Thank you for your life and your wisdom. God bless you!!

A story that needs to be re-told over and over!

I lived in Germany for several years but did not arrive until 10 years after the war was over. This story touches my heart. I met and made so many friends that shared their stories with me and the world must be reminded of the horrific injustices that we’re done during the war. We must not forget!

One of the best books I have encountered, if not the best

I could not put the book down. From the beginning until the end, you are caught in the story and live what Mr. Bornstein and his family went through. The story is impressive, hard to read sometimes. I have read many many books about the holocaust, this is one of the best, if not the best. The narrator is superb.

Painful and Perfect

Painfully perfect outline of survivors. I’m amazed more and more at the horrors survived. The story of this family is amazing and following the story from birth, rescue and renewal rewardingly admonishes any problems one might think their own life presents.

This should be required reading. phenomenal!

The story is full of sadness but there was so much joy too! I appreciated the additional information and interviews too.

Thank you for sharing your past.

Moving, so very moving. The Narrative was done beautifully. Thank you, I am sure it was difficult to review.

Heart breaking and captivating

I couldn't put it down. Very well put together. I bawled my eyes out stirring some of the reunions.

Inspiring

I found this whole story moving and inspiring. There were part of the story that I felt like I was there with them and I felt what his mother felt. Very good read!

Never forget

This story is very touching, powerful and very interesting.
Could not stop listening until the end.