The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz Review

The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz: A True Story of World War II by Denis Avey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fascinating story that had my attention from the very beginning. The true story of one soldier who did what he could to try to make the life of another human being better, just because he felt someone must bear witness to the atrocities that went on in Auschwitz. The one thing I really enjoyed was the honest way Denis shares his experience as only a person can 70 years after going through this horrible ordeal.

Denis tells his story from the very beginning of his military career so don’t expect to jump straight into Auschwitz. But the background story is essential to everything he shares. You really get a sense by the end of the book that you know Denis. He could be a family member or a friend. His story is one the experiences which most people don’t share during their time in the military, and it is one of survival and hope. No matter what he faced, he never gave in completely to the despair around him which is the true sense of what kept him alive. You can feel the emotion pouring out of the pages which rocks you to the core. No one can walk away from this book unchanged. I only wish it hadn’t taken so long to get Denis’s story out to the public.

This is for more advanced readers and though it is a great story, I am leery to recommend it to anyone lower than high school age. Of course the content is something most have been exposed to by this age, but I do know the first-hand account was, at times, even difficult for me to continue. You must also remember this is the story from an older gentleman who, at times, does get a little off-track so you must be patient and you will be rewarded.


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