This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
“The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World” by Jonathan Freedland is a powerful and gripping nonfiction book that tells the incredible story of Alfred Wetzler, one of the few prisoners to successfully escape from the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.
Freedland does an excellent job of setting the scene and providing historical context for the reader, making it easy to understand the horrific conditions prisoners faced in Auschwitz. He then goes on to detail Wetzler’s incredible journey, from his arrest and transportation to the camp to his meticulous planning and execution of his escape, and finally to his role in spreading awareness of the atrocities being committed at Auschwitz to the outside world.
One of the most striking things about the book is the level of detail and research that Freedland has put into it. He has clearly spent a lot of time delving into primary sources and interviewing those who knew Wetzler, and this gives the book a sense of authenticity and realism that is often lacking in other historical accounts.
The book is not only a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable atrocities but also serves as a reminder of the importance of bearing witness to and speaking out against such atrocities. Freedland has done a remarkable job of bringing Wetzler’s story to life, and it is a book that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it.
Overall, “The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World” is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II history and those looking for inspiration and hope in the face of darkness. It is a well-written, thoroughly researched, and powerful book that will leave a lasting impression on all those who read it.
For more reviews of books relating to WWII, click HERE.