This audiobook includes a preface read by both authors, with an afterword read by Michael Bornstein. A bonus conversation with the authors, archival recordings, and a PDF of photos are also included.

In 1945, in a now-famous piece of World War II archival footage, four-year-old Michael Bornstein was filmed by Soviet soldiers as he was carried out of Auschwitz in his grandmother's arms. Survivors Club tells the unforgettable story of how a father's courageous wit, a mother's fierce love, and one perfectly timed illness saved his life and how others in his family from Zarki, Poland, dodged death at the hands of the Nazis time and again with incredible deftness.

Working from his own recollections as well as extensive interviews with relatives and survivors who knew the family, Michael relates his inspirational Holocaust survival story with the help of his daughter, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat. Shocking, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting, this narrative nonfiction offers an indelible depiction of what happened to one Polish village in the wake of the German invasion in 1939.

Listening Length

7 hours and 32 minutes
Author

Michael Bornstein, see all
Narrator

Fred Berman, see all
Audible release date

March 7, 2017
Language

English
Publisher

Macmillan Audio
ASIN

B01MS4D8RO
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
See all details

Your audiobook is waiting!

Click above for unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection — yours to keep (you'll use your first credit now).
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.

Learn more about membership

Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

List Price: $23.95

You Save: $2.99 (12%)

By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.

Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

People who viewed this also viewed

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

People who bought this also bought

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

Related to this topic

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

Product details

Listening Length	7 hours and 32 minutes
Author	Michael Bornstein, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat
Narrator	Fred Berman, Michael Bornstein - preface and afterword, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat - preface
Audible.com Release Date	March 07, 2017
Publisher	Macmillan Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B01MS4D8RO
Best Sellers Rank	#72,757 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #10 in Military & War History for Children #74 in Teen & Young Adult Military History #679 in European History (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5

1,070 global ratings

5 star		84%
4 star		11%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

P. Blevins

Totally awesome biography

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

Survivors Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz is by Michael Bornstein and Debbie Bornstein Holinstat. It is a very good story of a Holocaust survivor. He is the youngest I have heard of. Debbie does an excellent job of research and combining that with her Father’s story.
Michael did not tell his story for most of his life for four major reasons. First it was traumatic to talk about. Second, people didn’t want to hear about it at first. Third, and most importantly, he saw his photo on a Denier page with the statement that it didn’t happen because there were no children in Auschwitz. Michael was in a film the Soviet’s made of the children leaving the camp. First, he was in the middle with his Grandmother carrying him and then he is in the forefront of another picture of the children holding their arms up to see the numbers. Fourth, he knew his story would be used as a basis for history and he didn’t want to get anything wrong. Since he was so young, he was afraid he would mix things up.
Michael was born May 2, 1940 in the Warsaw Ghetto. Poland had been under Nazi rule since September 1, 1939. Michael had one older brother, Samuel. From stories, Samuel was elated to have a little brother. After his Mother would put Michael down to sleep, Samuel would get him up and make him play school with him. Of course, Michael was still a baby at that time and had no idea what was going on. All Michael has for knowledge of his older brother and his Father are the stories his cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and his Mother told. As far as he knows, no pictures remain of Samuel although he does have one of his Father. Both were gassed in Auschwitz. Michael, his parents, Samuel and his Grandmother were sent to Auschwitz. Later, Michael’s Mother was sent to another camp leaving Michael with his Grandmother. On January 17, 1945, Michael got very sick and his Grandmother took him to the infirmary. Luckily for him, the Nazis were getting ready to leave and only a German doctor with some humanity was there. He gave Michael and his Grandmother beds to sleep in and told them there would be an evacuation but they would be safe here. About ten days later, they were liberated.
The book gives a different view of Auschwitz-Birkenau than other books have. What is interesting is they, like almost all other survivors do not differentiate between Auschwitz I and Birkenau. The book is written in such language that students in junior high could read it and understand what is going on.

28 people found this helpful

Helpful

Shed new light for me, great read for young adults

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 17, 2017

Verified Purchase

Must-read for all young adults. Honestly, this is the first physical book (as opposed to audio) I've read cover to cover in several years. Perhaps too because it's a really quick read given it's written at a younger level, but don't let that dissuade you. This is an important work, meticulously researched (because after all what can a 4 year old child remember? And because the authors know this history is being questioned...). The genius of the book is that a little more than half the book deals with the Nazi occupation through the liberation of death camps. The rest of the story is about the aftermath. The joys and heartaches, and the sheer struggle to survive afterwards. Survival includes how you deal with staggering loss and years of trauma.
Looking at the photos of the Bornsteins now, one has to wonder how such an experience increases your devotion to your family.
The Holocaust, over time, will be forgotten, unless we all do our part. Human nature won't let such horrors in. It is too much to believe. The Allies knew that immediately, which is why so much effort was taken to bear witness. In some cases, the Allies forced Germans to bear witness to what their nation did. Others will want to dismiss or ignore actively for their own twisted and political reasons. This is the threat. This not only did happen but has happened since. And this is not a Jewish story. This is a story of man's ability to sink to terrible depths and torture, harm, and kill his/her fellow man. And it's a story of courage, perseverance and joy, which serves as a great example to us all. "This too shall pass."

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jeanne

Read this book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

I have read probably a dozen holocaust books and this is one of the best. If you are only going to read a few, make this book one of them. The father-daughter authors work very well. Michael was very young during the war and he has some very vivid memories, but he spent years trying to forget. His daughter is a producer for a news organization and knows how to research and fact check things that he remembered. I would have believed him without the verification, but having the research made it possible for them to fill in gaps and make a smooth, continuous story. This is a story about a child who lost his innocence, his freedom, his home, most of his family and even memories of his father and brother. In essence, a child who lost his childhood. But it's also a story of incredible bravery and tenacity of Michael, his mother and grandmother. Finally it's a story of luck and fate- being in the right place at the right time. This gives the reader a "but for the grace of God" feeling.... and made me wonder if I could ever have been strong enough and brave enough to keep going through so much tragedy and suffering. Michael did and is now trying to make sure that no children ever have to go through this again.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mary C

The final solution that wasn't. A 4 year old was one of the survivors and now speaks.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 30, 2022

Verified Purchase

Although Survivor's Club was written for young adults I am far past that and I still found it compelling. Mr. Bornstine's age at the time of liberation limited his actual memories, but he and his daughter found record after recordto complete his story. Their research results are remarkable. I can truly recommend this book.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Catherine Murphy

Fantastic true story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 18, 2023

Verified Purchase

I loved this book, it was good to read it from a survivor's perspective. Such a beautifully written account. I really hope that this changes perspectives and that it makes people stop and think.

Walpod

Powerful and personal historic account of WW2

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

Wow... speechless! I stumbled across this read after hearing the authors discuss it on the What I Missed In History Podcase.

This was a hard book to read, the first chapter immediately shocks and I really had to question if I could continue reading such an all too real and horrific account of Jewish tragedy from WW2.

I did continue and wiped away many tears whilst reading, the subject matter would always be a harrowing read to anyone with a heart BUT amongst the horror their is a greater story of luck, charity and survival of which everyone should be made aware!

I'll definitely be sharing this book with my friends encouraging them all to read it!

One person found this helpful

Brony

Holocaust Survivors Victory.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

Superb true account of the harrowing situation for a Jewish family during the Second World War in Poland. It recounts the bravery, improvisation and determination of a family's survival through the eyes of a very young boy and his family, that defeated the Nazi extermination regime and lived.

One person found this helpful

Ester

Brilliant writing and admirable story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

Absolutely brilliant and clear writing in this outstanding true story about the Holocaust but most importantly about family, faith, courage, strength and love. Thanks Debbie and Michael for creating this amazing book and allowing people to know your courageous and difficult story.
100% recommend this book enough!

Psychic Paula

Wonderful book. Heart wrenching

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

Wonderful book. Heart wrenching. So sad. But needs to be read to understand and for us never to forget what really happened.

One person found this helpful

See all reviews

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	6pm Score deals on fashion brands	AbeBooks Books, art & collectibles	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Sell on Amazon Start a Selling Account

Amazon Business Everything For Your Business	Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Right To Your Door	AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally	Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee	Amazon Ignite Sell your original Digital Educational Resources	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide	Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data	ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics	DPReview Digital Photography	Fabric Sewing, Quilting & Knitting

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	IMDbPro Get Info Entertainment Professionals Need	Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Prime Video Direct Video Distribution Made Easy

Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Great Deals on Quality Used Products	Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store	Woot! Deals and Shenanigans	Zappos Shoes & Clothing	Ring Smart Home Security Systems

eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room	Blink Smart Security for Every Home	Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts	Amazon Subscription Boxes Top subscription boxes – right to your door	PillPack Pharmacy Simplified	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust

Survivors Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Enjoy a free trial on us $0.00$0.00

Buy with 1-Click $20.96$20.96

People who viewed this also viewed

People who bought this also bought

Related to this topic

Product details

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Enjoy a free trial on us

$0.00

Buy with 1-Click

$20.96