The Dentist of Auschwitz: A Memoir, by Benjamin Jacobs is a unique and compelling Holocaust survival story. That Benjamin was able to survive within the confines of several concentration camps is astounding, in itself.

Benjamin’s story of survival begins on May 5, 1941, when he was a young man of 22, ns when he saw his parents embrace each other for the last time, as he and his father were part of a convoy of men being deported to a labor camp. He managed to keep his dental tools with him, and this was in essence his saving grace.

Those dental instruments helped him throughout the Holocaust days of horror and atrocities. He offered his dental assistance to other prisoners, and even managed to give assistance to a Nazi or two. Benjamin did this in order to survive, and to try to make his life in the camps as convenient as possible, not only for him, but his father, also. He wasn’t so much concerned for his own life, but was concerned for welfare of others. Due to his skills, he earned respect and earned the friendship of some of the higher ups in command in the camps. This came in handy in many ways.

The fact that Benjamin performed dentistry work gained him a few favors along the way, and gained him a bit of extra food. It also helped him to gain an easier job for his father. This is not to say that life was easy for him, because it wasn’t. It was an hourly struggle each day to survive. Whatever small gains he was able to garner, were enough to help him to get through the horrendous situations forced upon him.

Eventually Benjamin and his father were reunited with his brother. And, this is where I will leave you with details of the story. It is one you must read yourself, in its entirety in order to know about Benjamin and his ordeal and determination to keep his family together and his struggle to survive.

Benjamin had a story to tell, and a compelling one, filled with intense moments and horrors. The Dentist of Auschwitz is more than a memoir about a dentist, more than a story about his experience in Auschwitz. Benjamin was in more than one concentration camp, and this book encompasses his thoughts, perceptions and perspectives of his time spent in each camp. His struggles to survive under bitter and harsh conditions are well documented and written with forthrightness.

Throughout most of the pages, the reader will not find Benjamin Jacobs judging others for their actions. He doesn’t seem to try to make sense of what has occurred, but rather tries to focus on staying alive. That he survived, is a testament to his inner strength and determination. It is a gripping memoir, intense and descriptive regarding camp life. It is invaluable as an educational resource. I highly recommend The Dentist of Auschwitz to everyone.
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I personally own and have read this book.

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Tuesday October 27, 2009 – 9th of Cheshvan, 5770