This was a very well-written autobiography by a Russian POW who spent time in Auschwitz and was forced to help build parts of other nearby camps. He has also moved around between the camps at different points. It’s the first time I’ve read anything of that period written from a Russian’s point of view which ended up in the camps along with others who had been captured. This is a relatively detailed retelling of his time there, from a journal he kept secretly in the camp. A very moving story from that time, and it kept my interest throughout. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an honest story about the camps.

NetGalley, Codie Rastoka

This was an incredibly intense read! It’ll be one that sticks with me for quite some time.

The writing was good and kept my attention throughout. Unbelievable what this man went through and how he persevered through it all. Happy to have read this book.

NetGalley, Nicole Belanger

Very poignant. The book was very well written. Hard to read. So brutal a life we cannot possibly imagine in this day and age. The book tells how it was very well.

NetGalley, Lisa Houston

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Well this was utterly fascinating. Also I do love a WWII autobiography because you know the narrator at least is going to survive. Really interesting and made for an un-put-downable read.

NetGalley, Sally E

In a market full of WWII testimonials this is unusual since it is written by a Russian from the perspective of a Soviet. Andrey Pogozhev was captured early in the war and sent to Auschwitz. This is his account of the horrors perpetrated against him, his comrades and the other unfortunate souls captured by the Nazis. It is always remarkable to read the depravity of their crimes and to try and comprehend the scale of the killing machine they had. Andrey’s story is of course remarkable not only because he survived when so many others didn’t, but he escaped custody on at least 3 occasions on his ultimate journey to freedom. His account also stands as a memoriam to those whose lives were taken, but whose memory lives on with people like Andrey who knew these people first hand and keep their memory alive. A must read for WWII aficionados.

NetGalley, Hana Correa

This is such an interesting book. It's such an interesting topic. It is very disturbing and not a happy topic to read about, but it is a must read for everyone.

NetGalley, Linde Boon

Memoirs of the Holocaust are very hard to read, reliving the horrors and sharing them with us has to be mentally agonizing.

This well-written memoir is absolutely heartbreaking and totally incomprehensible. In detail, Mr. Pogozhev recounts his years as an internee in Auschwitz- Birkenau, what he says is beyond imaginable. How this Russian man was able to survive was beyond extraordinary, with all the will power and a lot of luck he with other inmates managed to fool the Nazi and escape…not an easy task.

I have read many books and never get tired to read how those not selected to the gas chamber managed to survive and how strong they were to be able to accomplish the tasks imposed on them and keep their sanity…although some couldn’t and committed suicide. Day after day of cruelty simply hard to believe human can do this to another human. “Escape from Auschwitz” is an incredible graphic account of survival. Although the title is deceiving since most of the narrative covers the atrocities behind the barbwire fence, the last few chapters recounts the escape and the aftermath and finally in the last chapter we read a very touching witness testimony given by Mr. Pogozhev at the trial.

This is the first time I read a memoir through the eyes of a Russian POW. His account is similar to those I read before. Very moving as they are all….

This book is not enjoyable by its content but is a must read.

My thanks to the author for reliving this nightmare, to Pen & Sword for publishing the memoirs and NetGalleys for the opportunity to read this heart- wrenching account.

NetGalley, Toni Osborne

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Life inside Auschwitz for a soviet pow. I’ve read quite a few books on this, and found Andreys account equally haunting... An important book.

NetGalley, Samantha Oloughlin

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Disturbing but necessary. What happened during the time of the Holocaust should always be remembered so that they never happen again. Andrey's remembrances are detailed and horrifying, and what he lived through is something that should never, never occur again.

NetGalley, Megan Eskew

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Firstly thank you so much to Pen&Sword via Netgalley for letting me read this. I was thrilled to be given the chance! What a well written memoir by this author. Perfect in its level of detail.

This was truly an absolutely heartbreaking and completely incomprehensible (in the horrific detail of what occured), memoir. Part of my fascination with this period in time is simply down to the fact that I really cannot grasp how something so truly awful was ever allowed to happen. These books are so important to read, in my opinion, the experiences need to be told. This NEEDS to never ever happen again.

In another life, had my time again, I'd be a historian. History, truly fascinates me. WW2 particularly. I consider myself to know quite a lot about this period, (The Nazi treatment of prisoner side of things rather than military) but this book provided me with details of things that I never had an idea of....things that happened, even more horrific (if possible!).... I visited Sachsenhausan in Germany so although not Auschwitz as written about here, I do get a kind of sense of what kind of place Andrey writes about and how it would have been so similar...Absolutely terrifying.

Ultimately what an absolutely heartbreaking memoir. A hard and difficult read but necessary and I felt truly partof the experience of the author. As I say, very well written..

These books are so important to read, in my opinion, the experiences need to be told. This NEEDS to never ever happen again.

NetGalley, Yassemin Tilan

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is an autobiographical story that happened. How this Russian man was able to survive a Nazi Death Camp was beyond extraordinary and to stay sane among such treachery and cruelty is amazing. Like another reviewer post, "I didn't know Russian captives built Bierkenaw. Alexandra Alexyna". I agree, this was fascinating
This was just as good as Tattooist of Auschwitz and I love that book. Both are must reads.

NetGalley, Lisa Konet

A moving autobiography from a Russian POW, like most books about Auschwitz it’s not an easy read at all. Brutally honest, this tells an honest view of several camps as he was moved around. A detailed account and a must read for history fans.

NetGalley, Tara Keating

This was a very well written autobiography by a Russian POW who spent time in Auschwitz, and was forced to help build parts of other nearby camps. He was also moved around between the camps at different points. It’s the first time I’ve read anything of that period written from a Russian’s point of view who ended up in the camps along with others who had been captured. This is a fairly detailed retelling of his time there, from a journal he kept secretly in the camp. A very moving story from that time, it kept my interest all the way through. I’d recommend it for anyone looking for an honest story about the camps.

NetGalley, Valerie Shampine

I saw this book on bookstagram and knew I wanted to read it. I absolutely loved it. It drew me in and I didn't want to take a break. Definitely did not disappoint!

NetGalley, Alicia Goeser