Nazis Knew My Name

A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz

De: Magda Hellinger, Maya Lee, David Brewster

Narrado por: Kristin Atherton, Zoe Carides

The “thought-provoking … must-read” (Ariana Neumann, author of When Time Stopped) memoir by a Holocaust survivor who saved an untold number of lives at Auschwitz through everyday acts of courage and kindness - in the vein of A Bookshop in Berlin and The Nazi Officer’s Wife.

In March 1942, 25-year-old kindergarten teacher Magda Hellinger and nearly a thousand other young women were deported as some of the first Jews to be sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The SS soon discovered that by putting prisoners in charge of the day-to-day accommodation blocks, they could deflect attention away from themselves. Magda was one such prisoner selected for leadership and put in charge of hundreds of women in the notorious Experimental Block 10. She found herself constantly walking a dangerously fine line: saving lives while avoiding suspicion by the SS and risking execution. Through her inner strength and shrewd survival instincts, she was able to rise above the horror and cruelty of the camps and build pivotal relationships with the women under her watch, and even some of Auschwitz’s most notorious Nazi senior officers.

Based on Magda’s personal account and completed by her daughter’s extensive research, this is “an unputdownable account of resilience and the power of compassion” (Booklist) in the face of indescribable evil.

©2021 Magda Hellinger and Maya Lee. All rights reserved. Originally published in Australia in 2021 by Simon & Schuster (Australia) Pty Limited (P)2021 Simon & Schuster Audio. All rights reserved.

Extraordinary courage.

Probably the best telling I’ve heard of this horrendous event. I bow before this woman who not only endured the atrocities of the Nazis but helped many using grit and amazing problem solving to survive. I’ll never forget her.

Heart rendering story!

What these people endured was horrific! They are hero’s in my eyes, so strong and yet so brave.

I just don’t have words that are adequate to honor this wonderful lady.

What Magda went thru is unimaginable to me. She put others even strangers before herself.. she had the gift of organization and insight into the ways of the nazi regime and knew how to talk to these mo stars. It was graphic enough that I had to walk away for a few minutes to try to get over what she described. I’m glad she spared no detail. She told it like it was. She is responsible for many people being alive and for many families having the chance to be a family. Unselfish, caring generous Magda, may she never be forgotten

Phenomenal story

The story was compelling, wonderfully written, devastating and beautiful. I couldn’t stop listening. I highly recommend this to anyone over 15 years of age.

Read it!!

I couldn’t put this book down. Even if you think you knew everything about that Holocaust, perhaps not…

Very interesting, & we’ll told!

The narration was excellent!
Easy to understand, and she has a lovely voice.
They story is remarkable!

Powerful

a powerful retelling of a time of unimaginable horror. this is compelling, horrifying, and yet hopeful.

One of my favorite holocaust stories

I read and listen to a lot of holocaust memoirs and holocaust stories. This is definitely in the top five!

Incredible story!

May we always remember! She was a woman of incredible courage in the face of the unbelievable.

Wow!!

What an incredibly sad yet moving book. I don’t like listening to audio books but this one I couldn’t stop listening too. Hearing the horrors that took place and the incredible courage of this woman who saved many was just absolutely incredible. I highly recommend it.