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The Nazis Knew My Name

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The Nazis Knew My Name

By: Maya Lee, Magda Hellinger, David Brewster
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton, Zoe Carides
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About this listen

 'This thought-provoking book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Holocaust' – Ariana Neumann​

The extraordinarily moving memoir by Australian Slovakian Holocaust survivor Magda Hellinger, who saved an untold number of lives at Auschwitz through everyday acts of courage, kindness and ingenuity.

In the camps during the Second World War, prisoner Magda Hellinger Blau was selected by the SS as a Jewish prison leader and she eventually rises to the senior position of Lagerälteste (Camp Elder).

Madga used her proximity to her fellow prisoners and the SS to engage in numerous acts of kindness, bravery and compassion to keep the prisoners alive in frightening and uncertain circumstances. Now, her daughter Maya Lee tells the definitive story of her mother, a woman who showed great bravery and compassion when stuck between worlds of authority and imprisonment.

Using her mother’s short memoir as a starting point, this book is Maya Lee’s deep-dive into her mother’s life and the power of kindness in the face of adversity, as she connects with fellow Auschwitz survivors and forms new friendships throughout her journey.

The Nazis Knew My Name is a poignant and personal exploration of the prisoners in the Holocaust camps and the need to still tell these stories almost 70 years on. 20th Century Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Military Modern Survival War Holocaust

Critic reviews

'For too long, the stories of people like Magda, who were forced to make unthinkable choices, have remained untold. Unsentimental and filled with detail of her courageous dealings with notorious Nazis this is an important book that provides a rare insight into everyday life in the hellish structure of concentration camps. This thought-provoking book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Holocaust.' (Ariana Neumann)
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Most relevant
the responsibility taken by Magda to create a safety day after day and for years, where many would give up hope

the drive and determination to survive

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The story although harrowing was very informative. It gave the view of a person who was put into a senior role and how on a daily basis she had to balance compassion with being strong enough to rule. I also liked the end where it gave an overall account of those who were captured and punished and those prisoners who met up and continued to be friends. I believe this should never be forgotten.

A well written book giving a different view of the holocaust.

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excellent very moving, so we'll written and so very powerful coming from the person that actually experienced the events.
it was also a refreshing changed that you where told what happend after the war and also to present. Well done to all involved in this great book which I listened to in just over one day, very easy to listen too in that I mean by the narrator was easy to listen to.

such a good book

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Very informative first hand experiences which needed to be told. Essential reading for today’s generation.

The Full truth of Holocaust horrors

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This is a surprising story about the worst period of human history. And one of the Hero's of this Black Period.

Holocaust Hero

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