And the American soldiers who saved them - A Train Near Magdeburg―The Holocaust

ByMatthew Rozell

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Readers` Reviews

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
kevin mann
What an amazing book , there are no words to describe who amazing these survivors are , I truly wish I could meet one of them and sit and talk with them : May God bless them and the United States Army , Thank you Mathew Rowell for writhing this book ❤️❌⭕️❌❤️ Kathe Fannon
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jane palmer
As someone interested in WWII and the role of Nazi Germany I found this book very interesting. I'm an AF Brat, the daughter of a career AF officer who originally served as a Navigator/Bomberdier in the Army Air Corps. Years later, when I was a 17 year old my father was stationed in Europe, first in France, then in Italy. I graduated from high school in France just before Dad was transferred to Italy, and in the Fall I began my freshman year of college at the U of Maryland's residential extension campus in Munich. I was 17 in 1961 when I first visited Dachau. I knew enough world history to know the Holocaust happened, but until Munich my knowledge was only from books. I visited Dachau, located not far from Munich and was shocked to see the camp located right next to the town of Dachau, separated from the town only by a wire fence and railroad tracks. And then later I met a young German, a student at the U of Munich, and his family. I learned his father had been a German officer during the war, and early in the war was a commandant at Dachau. His father was later killed in a battle, not at Dachau. What I you d shocking was the difference in attitudes between this young man his younger brother and their mother. The two young men were well aware of the holocaust, what happened at Dachau and the other camps, and freely admitted their father, which only the older brother even remembered, was probablynot only aware of what transpired there, but was likely a part of it. Their mother did not believe such things happened , or if they did, her husband had no part as he was a 'good Christen man'. If I wasn't interested before these experiences led to my interest.
I enjoyed reading the book if one could enjoy stories of such horror. I had never heard about the train and it's passengers, so very fortunate in the end. Their accounts, and those of the soldiers who came upon the train, were so tragic.
I do agree with the person who said there's a great deal about the author particularlyin the last part of the book. I did find some of this part tedious,and felt it could have been told unless detail. Or perhaps left in as a PostScript after the actual book, and stories from survivors had ended. Overall I found it well worth reading.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
molly lehman
Excellent book! Well worth the read. It will warm your heart while teaching you about some history of the holocaust you may not know. Some very inspiring life stories in this book. Excellent job Matt!
Night/Dawn/Day (Paperback) 1679_ 2008 - The Night Trilogy :: Dawn: A Novel (Night Trilogy Book 2) :: Pax :: Wishtree :: Open Heart
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
padraig
A wonderful story into humanity and the love of history. Teacher's and their lessons are so valuable to our youth. Matthew Rozell is to be commended for his passion to the truth in history. I learned so much from reading his book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
allen grace
Can't say enough about what a wonderful story you wrote and all the great work you and your students did on the subject of the holocaust.
I wish I would have been in your class. It would have been the highlight of my school years. Toni A
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
ile jovcevski
I enjoyed this book, it was so interesting, so sad how the Jews were treated, so many people. Want to deny the holocaust ever happened, well it did and my heart goes out to them, looking forward to your next book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
estar
A beautiful story. There were a couple of places where it was a little slow for me, but so touching that I didn't much mind. Matthew Rozell has put his heart into telling and living through the people about whom he writes. The characters he presents are brought right off the written page and out of history, into the room where I'm sitting. I'm grateful there are still teachers who love history so much and how to convey its richness.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
cherie behrens
This book is great emotional experience as well as a story of the real holocaust. All we were ever taught is the Nazis gassed 6 million Jews. That was the least of the cruelty and atrocities. If a person stood before and denied the holocaust, I could only punch them in the face after reading this book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
pilar
It is a slap in the face of complacency. You will feel it in your soul. I pray it never happens again. It must not happen again.

I've been to the Holocaust Museum, and didn't FEEL what I was seeing. And it must be FELT. I had an intellectual appreciation, at least I thought I did, of the killing of 6 million Jews. I didn't come close. How arrogant of me. The magnitude of the killing, the degradation and humiliation, the utter ruthlessness and callousness of the Nazi is unspeakable. But we become complicit if we fail to open our eyes to what has happened. The victims and their liberators are passing...we must not let that memory pass into abstract history with them.

“If only one man dies of hunger, that is a tragedy. If millions die, that’s only statistics.” Joseph Stalin. He was right, the human mind shuts down and re-boots itself to a more pleasant environment. It is best to ignore and to skip over. And that attitude is flat out wrong. This book will not let you do that.

Combining the concentration camp survivors with the US Army liberators is effective - effective in giving a whole new perspective. How did young American GI's deal with this monstrosity? Ike said that Americans may not know what they are fighting for, but this is what they are fighting against. That's why he wanted every soldier not directly engaged with fighting the Nazi to personally visit a camp to see for himself. To be a witness. Most of us will not have the opportunity to visit a concentration camp, to talk with a survivor, or God willing, to ever come close to experiencing such cruelty ourselves. This book, and others like it, are as close as we can come to understanding. And it is a very good book for that.

As a Holocaust scholar in the book said, "There is no lesson, only don't let it happen again." How could human beings do this, and on a systemic basis, to other human beings? A critical step, if not THE critical step, is dehumanizing the victims. Then it is all downhill from there...any barbarity is possible.

Yes, read the book. Put down the iPhone and get off Facebook....this is reality. It is a slap in the face of complacency. You will feel it in your soul. I pray it never happens again. It must not happen again.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
nessa miller
As an Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker I am always looking for good stories; stories that move the heart as well as the mind. This book does that in spades. From the first page to the last it rivets you to the passion of the author's journey and to the story of the people of whom he writes about. This story is a shining example of the good that people can do to help their fellow man. It is a story of a man who has followed his heart and mind to accomplish great things for others. Bravo Matt Rozell. Bravo.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
lea sprenger
I read the Things Our Father's Saw series and was quite impressed on what the books had to say, the unique way the interviews were gathered and the portrayal from the veterans own words. I'm now waiting the next volume.
This book was different.it brought back childhood memories from a child growing up on military bases, mostly Germany a little more than 10 years after VE day. I remember the bombed out cathedral on the odd shaped corner in Berlin; walking past the Brandenburg Gate watching the Russian guards observing the East German guards observing observing the guards who were actually on guard duty. I remember an official observation trip (official because my dad was in uniform) where we went to a concentration camp but have no idea where. I believe it might have been Bergen Belsen because of its proximity to Berlin where we were stationed. I don't remember much, I was 8 at the time, but I do remember the smell ..the smell that was still permeating everything after 10 years.
Everyone should read this book. It makes a difference when you hear the words from both sides: the survivors and the liberators.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
hayne barnwell
A tremendous amount of work by the author produced a book unlike any I have read. The individual stories are heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Descriptions of existing, not living, on that train are difficult to absorb without ones heart breaking for these people. Those soldiers who liberated this train were often described as heroes by the one's they liberated. I believe the heroes were the people on the train. Striped of everything and everyone they refused to allow the Nazi's the satisfaction of their dying. The author does a fantastic job on this book. If only there were other people who cared half as much as he does. I congratulate him on a tremendous piece of work and being a wonderful, compassionate, human being.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
anita klaboe
I have read a great many books about the Holocaust. "A Train Near Magdeburg" stands out for its compassionate, respectful, and unflinching look at a time that brought out the worst in humanity, and the best. As other reviewers have noted, the survivor testimonies are indeed harrowing. Even though those stories were not new to me, I had to put the book down at times to collect myself before reading more. It is to Mr. Rozell's great credit as a teacher and a writer that he invites the reader to persist in this effort. We have the choice to turn away from the book; the people who endured the horrors had no such choice, nor did the millions who suffered an even more terrible fate.

It is easy for the unfathomable number of Six Million, plus the millions of others who perished at the hands of the Nazis, to obscure the fact that every single victim -- Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, Roma, political dissidents, labor unionists, LGBT folk, the disabled, and more -- was an individual with a life that had meaning. So too did every soldier who died for the cause of ensuring a hard-won Allied victory. Mr. Rozell illuminates these lives and gives long-overdue credit to the soldiers who stumbled across the train and had to fill their young eyes (a 24-year-old was the "old man"!) with the horror that was heretofore only a rumor that beggared the imagination.

I appreciated the manner in which Mr. Rozell interwove the stories not only of the survivors and their liberators, but also the story of his own personal journey through this process. It may be impossible to derive "lessons" from the Holocaust, but Mr. Rozell shows, in a very moving way, that one can derive deep personal and spiritual meaning from these close encounters with history.

I am the daughter of Holocaust survivors and have made it a point, over the years, to approach drivers whose license plates read "WW II Vet" to thank them for doing their part to liberate my parents and thus make it possible for me to be here today. It is not lost on me that my parents' liberation came at a terrible cost to Allied soldiers and their grieving families. I am grateful every single day for their sacrifice.

We are fast approaching a time when the last survivors, and the last liberators, will no longer be among us to bear direct witness. We must now be the memory keepers and continue to bear witness on behalf of those who came before us. We do this not because it is easy, but because it is hard. It is important to look at this history with eyes wide open because, as Mr. Rozell writes, "[a]t the end of the day, we either kill each other, or we live, and let live. We decide."

I am so grateful to Mr. Rozell and to his students for their persistence, their passion, and their capacity to hold so much pain and sorrow in order to teach our history to future generations.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
kim panian
In reading this, I became so emotional that I would have to take frequent breaks. This brought back so many memories. I served in the 9th Armored Division and was also travelling towards meeting the Russian troops. We liberated many prisoners. I did not enter any of the camps but did have contact with some of the survivors. Like some of the Americans mentioned, I also fed them until I ran out of food, not knowing that to do so might kill them. I did see some of the prisoners kill one of the guards.
This book should be required reading in any 20th century history class.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
britt wilson
I have read many books on the holocaust but have never truly picked up the full horrendous description of Bergen Belsen, until I read this book. Matthew Rozell's research and sharing of the experiences of so many survivors really taught me many different views of this place in time that we must never forget! And all in just one book! It has opened up more interest to now read the other memoirs that are mentioned in the book. I had a great History teacher in high school also, who taught us of the holocaust but he focused more on the Nazis & Allied forces and just skimmed over the Jewish atrocities. I wish Mr. Rozell had been my history teacher! Great work to the author & all who contributed to the information contained inside this book.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
michael austin
The historical information and interviews contained herein are fabulous. Unfortunately, the stories are constantly interrupted by the author; I went here. I did this. I contributed that. Oh, here is yet ANOTHER picture of me or that I took.
While I can appreciate all of the effort it has taken the author to accomplish goals and that he has worked so hard on his projects, it would be MUCH better told in a separate chapter, a prologue or author's note. The story belongs to the Holocaust victims, liberators, and all of their families. Let THEM tell it! Put the author's experiences in a separate part of the book and I'll gladly give it TEN stars!!!!!!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
erica charlton
An extremely well written and well researched book. Despite being a WWII buff, I avoided reading about the Holocaust. I am so glad I read this book. While the sheer horror of the Holocaust is not downplayed, the joyful liberation of the trains's occupants demonstrates that good can be found even in the darkest of times. The oral histories are compelling. Mr. Rozell created a brilliant framework to introduce the stories. On a personal note, a friend who was with Mr. Rozell during his Holocaust trip gave me the book. I normally do not like to get books from other people--I'm choosy---but I'm so grateful to Alan for introducing this book to me. Mr. Rozell is a brilliant teacher and communicator!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
swirsk
This book deserves a 5-star rating for the research and documentation of the journey the author and teacher undertook to collate and present the (now recorded) memories and experiences of genocide survivors and American military personnel who were involved in their survival. Too often an author will distance himself from the subject he is writing about, saving his opinions for a polished introduction and presenting content in a logical text structure which makes the world seem orderly and able to managed. Life and living is chaotic, and the arrangement of text - personal accounts, shorter factual summaries and the direct personal reflections of the author on philosophical and ethical aspects - mirror the unfolding of research conducted from the heart. The focus on a particular event on a particular day in time makes this far more real for young people learning about history - and indeed the darker side of human history. Teachers like Matthew Rozell share powerful messages with all of us of any age about how each one of us is a history maker in our daily lives through the attitudes we adopt and the actions we complete.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
layne mcinelly
While this one event is just a "drop in the bucket" of the atrocities of the Holocaust, the stories of these survivors and the accounts of the liberators helps paint a picture of how a series of events can lead up to one life-changing moment. The author's dedication to teaching not only the historical facts but also to shape future minds to embrace humanity over hate is truly inspiring. This is a journey of self reflection, of global perception, and future prevention.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
karen frank
I loved this book and the “project”. Yes it went into a lot of info about the “liberators” but that was okay once you saw the entirety of it. Although I am not Jewish I weep for the inhumanity of what these people suffered and that so many stood by. I also weep because many young people today simply are not interested and their not knowing the past is scary and sad to me. Thank you Matthew for following where God led you and bringing these folks together. Their stories have enriched my life.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
anne wrobel
Heart wrenching, detailed, first-hand accounts of the atrocities that happened on “that train car” during the Holocaust. However, it is a beautiful account of the survivors and liberators and the resilience of the human spirit.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
kim p
The story is an important story to tell, and the voices of the survivors and liberators need to be heard. From that standpoint the book is fine. However it is about 150 pages to long as there author continues to ramble about all of the research he did and his role in connecting the survivors with their liberators. The last for of the book is about the author and his contribution and his part in all of this. It felt presumptuous of him to insert himself and talk so much about his school, his project, and himself in a book recounting a specific Holocaust event. The scope of the book is unclear and has the feeling that the author was unsure of how to present the information he had gathered, and what to leave it. Unable to make a decision of what to leave out, the author included everything.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
andrea kl boe
The historical information and interviews contained herein are fabulous. Unfortunately, the stories are constantly interrupted by the author; I went here. I did this. I contributed that. Oh, here is yet ANOTHER picture of me or that I took.
While I can appreciate all of the effort it has taken the author to accomplish goals and that he has worked so hard on his projects, it would be MUCH better told in a separate chapter, a prologue or author's note. The story belongs to the Holocaust victims, liberators, and all of their families. Let THEM tell it! Put the author's experiences in a separate part of the book and I'll gladly give it TEN stars!!!!!!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
bl owens
An extremely well written and well researched book. Despite being a WWII buff, I avoided reading about the Holocaust. I am so glad I read this book. While the sheer horror of the Holocaust is not downplayed, the joyful liberation of the trains's occupants demonstrates that good can be found even in the darkest of times. The oral histories are compelling. Mr. Rozell created a brilliant framework to introduce the stories. On a personal note, a friend who was with Mr. Rozell during his Holocaust trip gave me the book. I normally do not like to get books from other people--I'm choosy---but I'm so grateful to Alan for introducing this book to me. Mr. Rozell is a brilliant teacher and communicator!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
marie shipp
This book deserves a 5-star rating for the research and documentation of the journey the author and teacher undertook to collate and present the (now recorded) memories and experiences of genocide survivors and American military personnel who were involved in their survival. Too often an author will distance himself from the subject he is writing about, saving his opinions for a polished introduction and presenting content in a logical text structure which makes the world seem orderly and able to managed. Life and living is chaotic, and the arrangement of text - personal accounts, shorter factual summaries and the direct personal reflections of the author on philosophical and ethical aspects - mirror the unfolding of research conducted from the heart. The focus on a particular event on a particular day in time makes this far more real for young people learning about history - and indeed the darker side of human history. Teachers like Matthew Rozell share powerful messages with all of us of any age about how each one of us is a history maker in our daily lives through the attitudes we adopt and the actions we complete.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
cory campbell
While this one event is just a "drop in the bucket" of the atrocities of the Holocaust, the stories of these survivors and the accounts of the liberators helps paint a picture of how a series of events can lead up to one life-changing moment. The author's dedication to teaching not only the historical facts but also to shape future minds to embrace humanity over hate is truly inspiring. This is a journey of self reflection, of global perception, and future prevention.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
annamarie haught
I loved this book and the “project”. Yes it went into a lot of info about the “liberators” but that was okay once you saw the entirety of it. Although I am not Jewish I weep for the inhumanity of what these people suffered and that so many stood by. I also weep because many young people today simply are not interested and their not knowing the past is scary and sad to me. Thank you Matthew for following where God led you and bringing these folks together. Their stories have enriched my life.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
marije
Heart wrenching, detailed, first-hand accounts of the atrocities that happened on “that train car” during the Holocaust. However, it is a beautiful account of the survivors and liberators and the resilience of the human spirit.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
laurak
The story is an important story to tell, and the voices of the survivors and liberators need to be heard. From that standpoint the book is fine. However it is about 150 pages to long as there author continues to ramble about all of the research he did and his role in connecting the survivors with their liberators. The last for of the book is about the author and his contribution and his part in all of this. It felt presumptuous of him to insert himself and talk so much about his school, his project, and himself in a book recounting a specific Holocaust event. The scope of the book is unclear and has the feeling that the author was unsure of how to present the information he had gathered, and what to leave it. Unable to make a decision of what to leave out, the author included everything.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
esther edoho
I would give anything to have had you for a high school history teacher!! Thank you for bringing this important piece of Holocaust history to life through your writing, along with the tireless research and associated projects that helped all of this come together. Not only were the victims and liberators stories conveyed engagingly, but the telling of how the sources came together, with the subsequent pathways that opened for all, is especially fascinating to read about. An important archive of real life accounts to add to the evidence so that the world may never forget.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
debbie willey
Excellent documentation of the horrors that people endured. We must NEVER forget, and NEVER repeat this kind of event. Only by sharing these stories will it keep people's minds alert to the possibility of it happening again. I pray it never does.
Thank you for the excellent and well written testimonials of everyone. It is so appreciated.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sandy karsten
In mid 1980's my husband was in the U.S. Army, stationed in Kaiserslaturn, West Germany (at that time). We went through some of the camps, it gave me chills then and reading this book took me back to that time and beyond. The feeling of all the anguish that took place was overwhelming then and after all these years I can honestly say it came rushing back. I cried for much of the book. You did a fantastic job with this book, I would absolutely love to see it part of the History curriculum in all schools. All I can say is Thank you!!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
laura rotaru
I am in awe of all the people written about in this unique and most important history. I am not Jewish but I grew up in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, I saw the tattoos on women that wore sweaters in the hot summer to cover up the numbers. This book is needed in every History class in this country.I can'tsay i enjoyed it but needed to read about it. Haunting!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
katie schroeder
While reading books that depict history and the stories of people's experiences , I typically will read the"meat " of the book and skim or skip a lot of the wordy stuff. Not so with this book. It all kept my total interest.
This is an atrocity that should NEVER reoccure. So many survivors of the genocide of the Jews have passed there will soon be no survivors remaining to give their testimonials to the world. These stories must continue to be shared.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
bubucis
This book should be on every students reading list. It is just as important to read as To Kill A Mockingbird. A Train Near Magdeburg is a great selection for a book club. The discussions will be endless. Matthew Rozell put me right there. I saw everything and I could feel almost everything the survivors went through. What strong human beings. Don't think I would have survived.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jamie gortmaker
I''ve read many articles about the victim's of the Holocaust, but this book describes in greater detail a small segment of what happened to the victims on one train, destined for extermination, their rescue by US Army forces as described by both liberator and the liberated. Well worth your time. Highly recommended.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
mihaela alsamadi
This book was fascinating for it's first hand accounts from the survivors and the Americans that witnessed these events and took part in all the stages involved in saving these people. These first person accounts of this event make it all even more real. I recommend this book to all those interested in learning more about the Holocaust.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
delmer
Stunning. The survivors’ and soldiers’ accounts of this time in history are gripping and crafted into an excellent, highly-readable book. I have read dozens of books about World War II in Europe, and this is one of the best.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
farnaz
This is not an "easy reader," there are many disturbing situations and facts. However, it is important to understand the historical context of the book and the impact on world events and individuals most of us will never fully comprehend. The final chapters show the humble character of our Allied Liberators and the gratitude of those that suffered severe torment during captivity. May God bless their departed souls.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
marc rickaby
This was a fabulously researched and written book by Mr Rozell. I finished it, after some tears in the last few chapters. What a time these 2,500 Jewish people had in avoiding the Extermination camps, that so many others were forced to go to. This book is by far, the best of the books I have read, re the War time.. Including "I Only Wanted to Live" (Ari Tamir) and "Life in a Jar" -- the Irena Sendler story. All the very best Matthew Rosell for your next books to go to press.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
laurie aho
First of all thank you for putting this book on kindle unlimited. Second thank you to the author for all the hard work and teaching grade school students the importance of history. I have felt a connection to learning history my whole life and a strong connection to the Holocaust specifically. I have learned something new thanks to this author.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
lesley kay
This should be a mandatory read for students, with open discussion on the evil that prevailed and how it got to this point. Including a study on how to open your eyes to the things going on around you.History does repeat itself, but not if we set out to change it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
matt dixon
I have diff
Faculty putting this book down. It did effect my sleep schedule. I had trouble getting some of the images out of my mind. I am reminded by all people I meet or read about or see on television that we are children of God, t the product of our upbringing. Thank you!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
krista bratton
One he'll of a write Mr Rozell well done.
I found it very hard to read with so many tears in my eyes,and on two occasions just completely broke down sobbing at what was being portrayed
I've read a lot of holocaust books but yours is the best and most moving
One wonders if Hitler had not persecuted the Jews and focused on fighting a war, might we not have been in a different space now?
Once again a big thank you for your research and the way you have portraid the book
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
mohammad sameni
Recently gained a lot of interest of WW2, touching,moving and sad at the same time.
Did get a little bit confusing at the end but it requires you to remember names and time, otherwise it will be fine. Overall I enjoyed this book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
scary lee
Very informative! The author makes you feel like you personally know the survivors. The connections between the soldiers and survivors is heartwarming. It makes one wonder what you would do if placed in a situation of discovering a horror such as this! God bless these families!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
glorivee rivera
Should be mandatory reading in high school/university programs. Might make some people consider that the way they "protest" other people's right to speak is actually rather Fascist itself. A fascinating, emotional read for today's times.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
darren jones
I have read many books on the Holocaust, but what makes this account so powerful is the emotional interface some 60 years later between some of the train's survivors and the GIs who witnessed their near -death condition and helped rescued them.Kudos to the author and his remarkable project.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
yulia
As an Army officer and a Jew this book was extremely moving. I applaud Mr Rozelle on his attention to detail. This dark chapter of human history should be remembered, studied, and discussed, to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
yumiko
A perfectly written wonderful, heart wrenching, eye opening and informative book. I couldn't put it down and will probably dive back into it for round two to make sure I didn't miss anything. This is a must read!!! Thank you Mr. Rozell
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
jessica evans
Thought this would be an exciting adventure about triumph during the holocaust. It was one horrible story after another from survivors. Very, very depressing. Gave up and wiped it off my Kindle. Waste of money.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
rache
I thought I was well versed on the holocaust but this is one story I have not heard of. How tragic and at the same time how wonderful. Very in-depth accounting and it still makes me angry and sad. Especially since my family history is English and I am appalled the way British aristocracy handled the war and the issue of stopping Jews from going to Palestine. Let us never forget this sad time in history and not let it happen again.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
debbi reed
Your book was wonderful. Can't wait to read your book, what our fathers saw. As my father saw it with the 10th Armored Division, so happy to see that mentioned in your book also know as the Tiger and Ghost division. Unfortunately there have been repeats of the Holocaust but on much smaller scales. But education is so important, we must never forget. God Bless the victims and liberators. There will never be a reason or an excuse for what was done to the Jews and others during WW 2. Thank you for bringing so much to the forefront.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
kristen price
A Train Near Magdeburg: The Holocaust, the Survivors, and the American Soldiers Who Saved Them is a non-fiction by Matthew Rozell. This book traces the path that Matthew Rozell took in order to create the project that he had his students do which led to his meeting the American Soldiers who liberated the train near Magdeburg and the men and women they saved from imminent death. It includes first person accounts of what happened before and after the train stopped and the Nazis deserted it. The accounts are powerful and bring forth a plethora of feelings from the reader, some good and some bad. The approach Matthew takes in telling this story is interesting. He includes what is going on at his school and with the reunions, the history of some of the survivors on the train from 1939 to when the train was stopped and includes snippets of his various tours he took to Europe and Israel in search of meaning of the Holocaust for his students today.
Matthew Rozell tells his story in language everyone can understand. Although he isn’t overly graphic in his descriptions, the reader gets a very vivid picture of what is going on in the ghettos, camps, and trains. He doesn’t make the book about him, although the reunions wouldn’t have occurred without him. He allows himself to be under scrutiny as a teacher and as an individual. His obvious devotion to Holocaust Education is evident in his writing. Matthew’s love and admiration of the liberators and the Survivors is evident both in his various studies concerning the Holocaust as well as in the way he describes the Survivors and Liberators and how he has gotten very close to them.
The liberating of the train near Madeburg is one of the more obscure events of the Holocaust. It is one of the lesser known events and one which the world should be made aware of. This is a book which every Holocaust student should read.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
yumiko
I have read countless books about the Holocaust and found this one unique in many ways that would cause me to sneak out of bed at 2 am to read just a “little” more. Packed full of information that engaged my mind and heart to focus. So relevant to current issues do sharing love and concern for all mankind.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
altonmann
Stunning. The survivors’ and soldiers’ accounts of this time in history are gripping and crafted into an excellent, highly-readable book. I have read dozens of books about World War II in Europe, and this is one of the best.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
maureen miller
I have read many WW11 Holocaust books. Each one moves me, saddens me, educates me
This book should be read by every human being. It should be a required book by all high school students.
“Evil happens, when good men do nothing”. Quoted by a survivor
We should ever forget this horrendous event in history.
It will make you cry, draw you in and be thankful for the life you have.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
alexandra kaae
This book was a labor of love, and I commend the author for all he has done to bring survivors and liberators together. Thank you for telling this important story, for continuing to teach The Holocaust to young and old alike, and for reminding the world to not let this happen again.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
pushkal
A very well-written account of a part of the Holocaust which I had previously never encountered through my reading of many books on this mind-boggling and heart shattering series of events. I highly recommend the reading of it by everyone interested in humanity, especially in this current, deeply troubling era in America.
Please RateAnd the American soldiers who saved them - A Train Near Magdeburg―The Holocaust
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