The Auschwitz Escape

By: Joel C. Rosenberg

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 14 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

A terrible darkness has fallen upon Jacob Weisz’s beloved Germany. The Nazi regime, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, has surged to power and now hold Germany by the throat. All non-Aryans - especially Jews like Jacob and his family - are treated like dogs.

When tragedy strikes during one terrible night of violence, Jacob flees and joins rebel forces working to undermine the regime. But after a raid goes horribly wrong, Jacob finds himself in a living nightmare - trapped in a crowded, stinking car on the train to the Auschwitz death camp.

As World War II rages and Hitler begins implementing his "final solution" to systematically and ruthlessly exterminate the Jewish people, Jacob must rely on his wits and a God he’s not sure he believes in to somehow escape from Auschwitz and alert the world to the Nazi’s atrocities before Fascism overtakes all of Europe. The fate of millions hangs in the balance.

©2014 Joel C. Rosenberg (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Amazing, horrifying, and heartwarming!

What did you love best about The Auschwitz Escape?

I loved the entire book! But, my favorite would have to be the end of the book. I'm not going to give away any spoilers, but I found my eyes welling up with tears and a smile on my face.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

At times I actually found myself talking out loud as if Jacob could hear me. After saying, "Oh no, don't go that way!" My son actually asked me, "What are you talking about? There is only one way to the back yard."

Which character – as performed by Christopher Lane – was your favorite?

Christopher Lane gave each character their own unique sound. He did such a wonderful job. One reviewer said people who speak french only have accents when they speak English. I don't speak french, but when a friend of mine, who is french speaks french, she has a definite accent. I hate it when narrators try to do the opposite sex and end up sounding like they have an awful head cold, or are being strangled. Christopher Lane did a wonderful job!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Unfortunately I began the book late in the afternoon and had to force myself to stop and go to bed. That being said, as soon as I got up the next day, my headset was the first thing I picked up.

Any additional comments?

I can't say enough about this book. It is so worth the read!

Excellent Book

An excellent book. Well-read. Well written. Kept me involved from the first to last page.

Absoluting AMAZING!

What made the experience of listening to The Auschwitz Escape the most enjoyable?

It made you feels as if you were there in sight, sound, and smell.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Auschwitz Escape?

Jacob's actual escape.

Have you listened to any of Christopher Lane’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Jacob seeing his parents parish.

Any additional comments?

I have listened to alot of WWII/Holocost books, and I mean alot!!! This is my all time favorite!

Incredible Tale

Going into any book about The Holocaust you know your in for an emotional roller-coaster. The Auschwitz Escape follows the fictional tale of Jacob Weisz a German Jew who ends up in the worst of all of the death camps, Auschwitz. The novel is beautifully written. It keeps a very steady pace while taking the necessary time to build up characters and give us even more to cry about later.

Like many other books on The Holocaust, this will absolutely pull a few tears out of anyone that reads it. The brutality of these camps and all that the Jews had to endure were horrific. It's a tough read and there were a few days that I just couldn't get myself to listen to the book. There are some scenes during Jake's time at Auschwitz that are a level of brutality that is hard to even listen to.

For all the excellent writing there were some plot elements that get in the way from this being a truly stellar book. The last quarter of the book turns Jake away from the character we read about for the first three quarters of the book and makes him more of an action hero. It didn't fit his character nor his personality which made it seem out of place. There were also a few times where things seemed to work out to perfectly for Jake just to help move the story forward.

All in all I would still highly recommend this novel. Even with its few faults this is still one of the best novels I've read in 2014. Not to mention the last couple of chapters were a beautiful way to finish off what is a great story.

So sad

The treatment of Jews was a horrible thing. I always wanted to read this part of history. This was well done and so sad! I am so glad that finally the torture was put to an end.

Outstanding Auschwitz Story

This is such a great book. it was exciting and frighteningly scary. The story, though slow in the early years, was superb, accurate for the horrors of concentration camps and so riveting during their escape. The reader was excellent and read so well. I will get more books by the author, Joel Rosenberg, and the reader, Christopher Lane.

Captivating but also sad

Wonderful historic story- Hard to hear how awful humans can be but grateful that there are hero’s as well.

Good story & performance

The story was at a good pace, and comfortable to listen to. The narrator is the best I’ve ever heard on audible.

narrator very good, powerful story

hard to stop listening sometimes and so sad when you understand it's based on so much that is true. We see history repeating itself with terrorists today that are bent on eliminating Jews and Christians among others. We pretend we don't see it because we are too politically correct to call things what they are. God help us if we fail to confront it honestly, directly and harshly. Time for Americans to demand we confront this evil before it comes here. We used to have strong leaders running our country, now most are nothing more than polititians, liars, sorry to repeat myself. anyway this is a book review so forgive me. it's a good book for sure. enjoy
Really enjoy this author. 3 of my last 4 were Joel books. He is obviously a Christian and i feel good listening because I am as well.

Never forget

May we never forget the evil, may we always remember God’s love and faithfulness. Thank you to Joel for writing it, thank you Christopher for bringing it to life.