The Escape Artist

The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World

By: Jonathan Freedland

Narrated by: Jonathan Freedland

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award · New York Times Bestseller

"A brilliant and heart-wrenching book, with universal and timely lessons about the power of information—and misinformation. Is it possible to stop mass murder by telling the truth?" — Yuval Noah Harari, bestselling author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

A complex hero. A forgotten story. The first witness to reveal the full truth of the Holocaust . . .

Award-winning journalist and bestselling novelist Jonathan Freedland tells the astonishing true story of Rudolf Vrba, the man who broke out of Auschwitz to warn the world of a truth too few were willing to hear.

In April 1944, Rudolf Vrba became one of the very first Jews to escape from Auschwitz and make his way to freedom—among only a tiny handful who ever pulled off that near-impossible feat. He did it to reveal the truth of the death camp to the world—and to warn the last Jews of Europe what fate awaited them. Against all odds, Vrba and his fellow escapee, Fred Wetzler, climbed mountains, crossed rivers, and narrowly missed German bullets until they had smuggled out the first full account of Auschwitz the world had ever seen—a forensically detailed report that eventually reached Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and the Pope.

And yet too few heeded the warning that Vrba had risked everything to deliver. Though Vrba helped save two hundred thousand Jewish lives, he never stopped believing it could have been so many more.

This is the story of a brilliant yet troubled man—a gifted “escape artist” who, even as a teenager, understood that the difference between truth and lies can be the difference between life and death. Rudolf Vrba deserves to take his place alongside Anne Frank, Oskar Schindler, and Primo Levi as one of the handful of individuals whose stories define our understanding of the Holocaust.

©2022 Jonathan Freedland (P)2022 HarperAudio

Thank you Johnathan Freedland

I thought I had heard it all. But this engaging book brings to life a central figure in the tale of Auschwitz: the young, brilliant escape artist Walter Rosenbaum. He risked his life to tell the world the terrible truth about Auschwitz, but the world, the Allies, would not hear. I have learned immensely by listening to this book!

Absolutely astounding story

Walter Rosenberg’s story is as unbelievable as how it was received some 80 years ago. Heartbreaking, heart wrenching, and heart uplifting all at the same time. It’s also a very sad indictment on humanity in the face of such evil. But if one man can change the world, then Walter Rosenberg has done so. And that gives me hope.

Wow

Lesson learned, we still do nothing today. May it be due to politics, self preservation, or ignorance , it seems as though we have not learned or choose not to learn. Read and learn.

Is history repeating itself?

Fascinating, horrifying, heartbreaking. This book talks about a hero, but it also talks about the humanness. The mistakes, the weaknesses, as well as strength and intelligence. Listening to the things the Nazis planned and the things they did makes me think about the vilification of certain groups today.

Awesome!

This should be required reading at all schools. It is a book that serves as a warning to how evil can creep into a controlling power!!

A history lesson that should be told and retold. Emphasizes how important freedom is and how we can lose it. It is a lesson on why we should cherish our declaration of independence! it also is a book that reminds us that evil can have no boundaries.

Especially relevant considering our current political world of deception and lies.

One lie, then another, then another.

"He was a liar from the beginning!"

Awesome book. Hard to stop reading!

An important discussion about truth

A chronological account of Rudolf Vrba's life. Friedman does a wonderful job telling the psychological strength of this remarkable man. Resistance is NEVER futile...that's my take away.

A story that needs to be heard

This was not the easiest book to listen to and there are many painful parts but a very important story to know.

Gripping, heavy, character driven and un-putdownable

This is no light read- the human suffering of the Shoah is described in detail. I rarely give five stars, but this book deserves it not because of its weighty content but because it delivers on several levels. It engages the reader through a propulsive character driven narrative- the author does not wander off into historical side trails that don’t advance the plot. It also engages the reader to think about ethical issues and impossible choices. Meticulously researched, this is one that had me driving slowly so I could listen longer. Fans of Erik Larson will enjoy.

Moving

I especially enjoy books read by their authors. This was a gripping story. The hero is presented in a believable way, warts and all. It is a story that needs to be heard.

The Escape Artist

The book describes details of the Nazi concentration camp operations which I had not been aware. The escape was remarkable and the outcome a truly inspiring tribute to man’s determination to survive and thrive.