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Miracle: The Boys Who Escaped the Gas Chamber at Auschwitz
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Expected 9 Jun 26Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 14:43:28
100 copies available
U.S. only
The untold story of the only known Holocaust survivors to walk out of the gas chambers in Auschwitz and their remarkable second chance at life
Early on the morning of October 9, 1944, seven hundred boys between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, were taken out of Block 11 at Auschwitz. The night before, during a visit by Dr. Josef Mengele, their identification cards had been stamped with a solitary word—gestorben—German for “died.” They were then marched by twenty-five bayonet-wielding SS guards to Crematorium 5, stripped, and herded into a gas chamber.
This book is the story of a true-life miracle about the fifty-one boys who were pulled from that gas chamber—the only Holocaust survivors known to have escaped such a close brush with the Nazi killing machine—and given a second chance at life. A life, of course, that would be so horrifically snatched from those around them.
Based on first-hand testimonies from six of the boys, six survivors whose stories are shared in this book for the very first time, The Boys Who Escaped the Gas Chamber at Auschwitz is an unforgettable testament to hope and the bonds of brotherhood in the face of one of the worst crimes against humanity.
Early on the morning of October 9, 1944, seven hundred boys between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, were taken out of Block 11 at Auschwitz. The night before, during a visit by Dr. Josef Mengele, their identification cards had been stamped with a solitary word—gestorben—German for “died.” They were then marched by twenty-five bayonet-wielding SS guards to Crematorium 5, stripped, and herded into a gas chamber.
This book is the story of a true-life miracle about the fifty-one boys who were pulled from that gas chamber—the only Holocaust survivors known to have escaped such a close brush with the Nazi killing machine—and given a second chance at life. A life, of course, that would be so horrifically snatched from those around them.
Based on first-hand testimonies from six of the boys, six survivors whose stories are shared in this book for the very first time, The Boys Who Escaped the Gas Chamber at Auschwitz is an unforgettable testament to hope and the bonds of brotherhood in the face of one of the worst crimes against humanity.
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 27, 2026
#recensione per il blog opinioni librose
Buongiorno a tutti, nella #giornatadellamemoria vi parliamo di un'incredibile storia vera. Recensione di Monica.
"Buongiorno a tutti,
oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha toccato nel profondo, si tratta di: miracolo ad Auschwitz, di Michael Calvin e Naftali Schiff, edito da Newton compton edizioni che ringrazio per la copia digitale.
In occasione della giornata della memoria mi sembra doveroso portare alla vostra attenzione un libro che è una testimonianza. Un momento strano e inspiegabile che ha riconsegnato la vita a cinquantuno ragazzi sopravvissuti alla camera a gas. Mistero o miracolo non lo sapremo mai perché loro stessi ne hanno parlato solo dopo tanti anni, quasi temessero di affrontare con la memoria quell'episodio."
BLOG: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2026/0...
#recensionilibri #opinionilibroseblog
Buongiorno a tutti, nella #giornatadellamemoria vi parliamo di un'incredibile storia vera. Recensione di Monica.
"Buongiorno a tutti,
oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha toccato nel profondo, si tratta di: miracolo ad Auschwitz, di Michael Calvin e Naftali Schiff, edito da Newton compton edizioni che ringrazio per la copia digitale.
In occasione della giornata della memoria mi sembra doveroso portare alla vostra attenzione un libro che è una testimonianza. Un momento strano e inspiegabile che ha riconsegnato la vita a cinquantuno ragazzi sopravvissuti alla camera a gas. Mistero o miracolo non lo sapremo mai perché loro stessi ne hanno parlato solo dopo tanti anni, quasi temessero di affrontare con la memoria quell'episodio."
BLOG: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2026/0...
#recensionilibri #opinionilibroseblog
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An astounding event of the Holocaust: escaping the gas chamber at Auschwitz! This is the true story of fifty-one boys between the ages of 13 to 17 who through a fluke of fate lived to tell the tale! It’s almost like reading a thriller.
The boys ID cards had been stamped by the Nazis as “gestorben,” German for “died.” They had been marched into Crematorium V, when three SS officers arrived and stopped the execution. Fifty boys were selected (a fifty-first snuck in) from 800 to unload a consignment of potatoes. These are the only known group of prisoners to walk out of a crematorium alive!
Six survivors recount that day! These same boys had survived multiple selections since arriving at Auschwitz in 1944. They recount what they had to do to be selected - still run and do knee bends, this after being starved for two days! The boys still had unimaginable things to survive after this but to a person the survivors believed their survival was due to divine intervention.
Interestingly the date these boys were chosen for execution was Hoshana Rabbah, the time of judgement as to who will live or die. This date was chosen by Josef Mengele who loved to torment the Jewish prisoners by picking dates that corresponded with dates sacred to Jews. The date fell on October 7, 1944. While st times the book can get bogged down on detail, the story is so horrific and compelling, this a minor flaw.
This is an important book especially since there seem to be so many Holocaust deniers. We must not forget! The shame of humanity in the wretchedness of WWII must always be remembered.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harper for granting me access to this powerful ARC.
The boys ID cards had been stamped by the Nazis as “gestorben,” German for “died.” They had been marched into Crematorium V, when three SS officers arrived and stopped the execution. Fifty boys were selected (a fifty-first snuck in) from 800 to unload a consignment of potatoes. These are the only known group of prisoners to walk out of a crematorium alive!
Six survivors recount that day! These same boys had survived multiple selections since arriving at Auschwitz in 1944. They recount what they had to do to be selected - still run and do knee bends, this after being starved for two days! The boys still had unimaginable things to survive after this but to a person the survivors believed their survival was due to divine intervention.
Interestingly the date these boys were chosen for execution was Hoshana Rabbah, the time of judgement as to who will live or die. This date was chosen by Josef Mengele who loved to torment the Jewish prisoners by picking dates that corresponded with dates sacred to Jews. The date fell on October 7, 1944. While st times the book can get bogged down on detail, the story is so horrific and compelling, this a minor flaw.
This is an important book especially since there seem to be so many Holocaust deniers. We must not forget! The shame of humanity in the wretchedness of WWII must always be remembered.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harper for granting me access to this powerful ARC.
April 8, 2026
I would highly recommend this book. This book moved me to tears many times—and yet, I wouldn’t describe it as simply “sad.” I’d say it’s compelling, well written (the stories as well as the fabulous vocabulary!), and inspiring.
This project came about when journalist teamed up with a Jewish rabbi whose life mission has been to collect stories from the Holocaust (from his many interviews with survivors). The book weaves together many stories, but it primarily focuses on the boys connected to one miraculous event: the only recorded instance in history where a group of boys had already been stripped of their clothes, their documents marked “dead,” and sent into the gas chambers at Auschwitz— only to be pulled out at the last second and sent to a different camp.
It is mind-boggling to me to think about the fact that some of those men are still alive today… The Holocaust happened less than 100 years ago. Yet it has largely been forgotten or is thought of as “old history”—May I not forget! I pray the stories stay with me and remind me of the brutality of evil, but also the beauty of life and freedom.
It was also crazy to me to consider that many of the boys’ stories shared were from Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, etc., all places I have visited relatively recently.
This project came about when journalist teamed up with a Jewish rabbi whose life mission has been to collect stories from the Holocaust (from his many interviews with survivors). The book weaves together many stories, but it primarily focuses on the boys connected to one miraculous event: the only recorded instance in history where a group of boys had already been stripped of their clothes, their documents marked “dead,” and sent into the gas chambers at Auschwitz— only to be pulled out at the last second and sent to a different camp.
It is mind-boggling to me to think about the fact that some of those men are still alive today… The Holocaust happened less than 100 years ago. Yet it has largely been forgotten or is thought of as “old history”—May I not forget! I pray the stories stay with me and remind me of the brutality of evil, but also the beauty of life and freedom.
It was also crazy to me to consider that many of the boys’ stories shared were from Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, etc., all places I have visited relatively recently.
Review of advance copy
I’ve read plenty of books about the Holocaust and I’d never heard about this story - so I was genuinely surprised to find out that such a miracle, as the title rightly puts it, occurred.
The writing was good, though I wouldn’t dare to say it was anything particularly special. At times, it became difficult to recall the details of the boys, due to the way it was written. The book would have strongly benefitted from a small list at the beginning or end of the book listing the boys with a brief description as many times, I found myself having to go and look through pages to recall the exact details of the individual boys.
Additionally, I noted minor grammatical errors that had been missed during publication.
However, despite these flaws, the book itself does tell a truly unique story. As previously said, I’ve never heard of this event and I’ve read many books about the subject. So for those who are avid readers of literature on the Holocaust, I would recommend reading this book.
The writing was good, though I wouldn’t dare to say it was anything particularly special. At times, it became difficult to recall the details of the boys, due to the way it was written. The book would have strongly benefitted from a small list at the beginning or end of the book listing the boys with a brief description as many times, I found myself having to go and look through pages to recall the exact details of the individual boys.
Additionally, I noted minor grammatical errors that had been missed during publication.
However, despite these flaws, the book itself does tell a truly unique story. As previously said, I’ve never heard of this event and I’ve read many books about the subject. So for those who are avid readers of literature on the Holocaust, I would recommend reading this book.
February 6, 2026
A remarkable story, told in a fairly unremarkable book. It’s quite impressive that the author wasn’t able to create a shred of suspense given the characters, setting and emotion.
That said, there’s no doubt that the survival of the boys was truly a miraculous event, and I’m glad this story has been told. The reflections of the survivors made the read worthwhile, particularly their thoughts about Israel and Zionism.
And finally, for the love of God, let this be the last book of any sort of magnitude to be narrated by Laurence Dobeisz.
That said, there’s no doubt that the survival of the boys was truly a miraculous event, and I’m glad this story has been told. The reflections of the survivors made the read worthwhile, particularly their thoughts about Israel and Zionism.
And finally, for the love of God, let this be the last book of any sort of magnitude to be narrated by Laurence Dobeisz.
May 2, 2026
50 + 1 boys, who literally escaped death when they stepped out from behind the closed doors of a gas chamber – and everything that happened before and after that moment.
Although it is very difficult to imagine a more powerful story than this, the presentation fell behind my expectations. There are too many names, places and dates – and way to many jumping back and forth between them. Unfortunately, this makes the book a little bit difficult to understand at some points – hence the 3 stars.
Although it is very difficult to imagine a more powerful story than this, the presentation fell behind my expectations. There are too many names, places and dates – and way to many jumping back and forth between them. Unfortunately, this makes the book a little bit difficult to understand at some points – hence the 3 stars.
March 14, 2026
Cuenta la historia real de 51 supervivientes de Auschwitz, en la que se puede aprender muchas cosas nuevas sobre el holocausto.
Sin embargo, considero que da muchos saltos temporales en el relato de la historia, introduce muchos personajes y palabras judías y alemanas, lo que hace difícil seguir el hilo en momentos puntuales.
Recomiendo su lectura por las cosas que se pueden aprender de él, pero no por su relato narrativo.
Sin embargo, considero que da muchos saltos temporales en el relato de la historia, introduce muchos personajes y palabras judías y alemanas, lo que hace difícil seguir el hilo en momentos puntuales.
Recomiendo su lectura por las cosas que se pueden aprender de él, pero no por su relato narrativo.
April 16, 2026
A powerful and profoundly moving account of survival against unimaginable odds. Michael Calvin and Naftali Schiff bring to light a remarkable and little-known story from Auschwitz, preserving the voices of those who endured it with dignity and care. A testament to memory, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
March 16, 2026
heartbreaking
A heartbreaking tense read you are holding your breath at the turn of every page and you go back over certain pages to try and find comprehension in what you just read the courage and strength of these boys is unparalleled
A heartbreaking tense read you are holding your breath at the turn of every page and you go back over certain pages to try and find comprehension in what you just read the courage and strength of these boys is unparalleled
March 31, 2026
Una historia espectacular pero contada de una manera cansina.
Read
May 15, 2026Unfortunately we have forgotten Never Forget.
January 28, 2026
#recensioni
Buongiorno a tutti, nella #giornatadellamemoria vi parliamo di un'incredibile storia vera. Recensione di Monica S.
"Buongiorno a tutti,
oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha toccato nel profondo, si tratta di: miracolo ad Auschwitz, di Michael Calvin e Naftali Schiff, edito da Newton compton edizioni che ringrazio per la copia digitale.
In occasione della giornata della memoria mi sembra doveroso portare alla vostra attenzione un libro che è una testimonianza. Un momento strano e inspiegabile che ha riconsegnato la vita a cinquantuno ragazzi sopravvissuti alla camera a gas. Mistero o miracolo non lo sapremo mai perché loro stessi ne hanno parlato solo dopo tanti anni, quasi temessero di affrontare con la memoria quell'episodio."
BLOG: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2026/0...
#recensionilibri #opinionilibroseblog #prodottofornitoda @newtoncomptoneditori
Naftali Schiff Monica Rosina Sorrenti
Buongiorno a tutti, nella #giornatadellamemoria vi parliamo di un'incredibile storia vera. Recensione di Monica S.
"Buongiorno a tutti,
oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha toccato nel profondo, si tratta di: miracolo ad Auschwitz, di Michael Calvin e Naftali Schiff, edito da Newton compton edizioni che ringrazio per la copia digitale.
In occasione della giornata della memoria mi sembra doveroso portare alla vostra attenzione un libro che è una testimonianza. Un momento strano e inspiegabile che ha riconsegnato la vita a cinquantuno ragazzi sopravvissuti alla camera a gas. Mistero o miracolo non lo sapremo mai perché loro stessi ne hanno parlato solo dopo tanti anni, quasi temessero di affrontare con la memoria quell'episodio."
BLOG: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2026/0...
#recensionilibri #opinionilibroseblog #prodottofornitoda @newtoncomptoneditori
Naftali Schiff Monica Rosina Sorrenti
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews