The Redhead of Auschwitz: A True Story (Holocaust Survivor True Stories)

If I could I would shout out to every school board in the world that this is a must read.I would put billboards up depicting the cover of this book; and the back cover as well. This book is needed as required reading in every middle school curriculum...There were times over the three seatings it took me to read this I had to stop, wipe the tears from my eyes and wonder if I barely had the strength to read through these atrocities how Rosie lived and survived them...and how Nechama chronicled them.I, as a 70 year old Jewish woman have read my share of Holocaust stories; and heard first hand many...this one got deep into my Ashkenazi soul. Nechama, your epilogue especially page 250...will stay with me.Hugs to Ms. Rosie...a valiant woman. I am glad I could read this book because of her strength.Thank you both for making the world better.Shabbat Shalom.Nova

This book, painstakingly sewn together by survivor Rosie's granddaughter, Nechama, tells the harrowing story of Rosie's survival during the holocaust. The story floats back and forth between the traumatic atrocities that are happening to Rosie and her family, and her childhood before the war in Crasna, Romania. This splendidly written book will transport you, shock you, enlighten you, and teach you. A must-read so that history will not be forgotten, and never repeated. Once you start you won't be able to put it down.

This beautifully written account of life in Romania leading up to and during the Holocaust is a must read! I’ve read many books on the Holocaust, but this one felt so much more personal than the others. Having followed Rosie’s Instagram account, I knew I was in for a treat! This book delivered, and more. A horrifying account of one of the greatest atrocities in history was sprinkled with so much evidence of God’s presence and love for the victims of this time. Thanks to the author for sharing her grandmother’s story, and for Rosie’s willingness to relive those events which plagued her for a lifetime. Let us all work together to learn from her experiences and make our world a better place for those who come after us.

Nechama weaves this story of her grandmother Rosie in the most touching way, alternating chapters of her old nostalgic life in her hometown with her Holocaust reality. The emotion and eloquence is incredible.A must read!

This family is beautiful and powerful because they choose to share their story and remind us all to come together in unity. To God be the glory

Thank you for sharing your story

Some reviewers did not like that each chapter alternated from childhood memories of Rosie's to her memories of the horror's she and other holocaust survivor's endured. I for one loved the juxtaposition. In the start of each Chapter the dates and places where her memories take place are written so it is very easy to follow and understand. I cried so much while reading this book. The juxtaposition of her sweet childhood memories with the brutality of life as a Jew under the insane and frankly evil Nazi regime coupled with every day citizens behaving in such cruel prejudice hideous ways broke my heart. I have read many holocaust books. I had to read Dr. Mengle's book and Elie Weisel's night. Viktor Frankel. You get the gist. But having seen Rosie on instagram with her beautiful soul and her plucky courage and her teeny body that holds a universe of pain from evil and yet joy from all her love and her family brings her story to another level of humanity that is so utterly poignant. I would not have an immature teen read this book. There are horrors in this book that Rosie should not have endured at that young age. Therefore, in my opinion I think this book should be read by a mature 16 year old and older. Because this book details the horrors in such a concise manner. Sometimes it was hard to read because I am full of empathy. But this book is important to read! Rosie's granddaughter did a BEAUTIFUL job telling her Grandmother's life story. We must remember as readers how traumatic iscwas to live through the brutal hell of the holocaust and to be a holocaust survivor's loved one and to know the horror they lived through each day. Remember this when you read this book people. I love Rosie and her granddaughter even more now for being so courageous and to share this gift to the world. We should never ever forget so that we can stop evil and practice love.

"And there is the rhythm again, the rhythm of a day turning to night...All the sounds that sprung open in the morning, and hustled, and lived, and were used all day long, are now being put sweetly back to bed. This is what I miss most, when the music changes and nothing is the same." This was Rachel "Rosie" Greenstein's life before she, her sister, mother, and brother were rounded up by Nazis and sent to Auschwitz.Author Nechama Birnbaum wrote this true account of her beloved grandmother, Rosie, who endured unspeakable torture, starvation, and humiliation for the simple reason that she is Jewish. Birnbaum begins her story in the sun-dappled, leisurely days of the mid-1930s. It's not that her grandmother's life was easy then -- her father died when she was very young, her mother struggled to keep food on the table -- but Rosie enjoyed a close-knit community of family and friends. By May of 1944, however, life in her small Romanian village changed forever. Neighbors and school friends watched as 18-year-old Rosie, her sister Leah, and their mother were forced to strip naked in the village square as armed soldiers jeered and laughed. The next months had their own rhythm of death, misery, disease, starvation, and despair.Rosie vowed that she would not go to heaven after Auschwitz; she was going home. Their mother and young brother were murdered in the ovens, but Rosie and Leah survived.Today, Birnbaum's grandmother is 96 years old, among the last Holocaust survivors to tell their story. (You can follow Rosie on IG @theredheadofauschwitz). The book is not just a survivor's story -- it's about the experiences that tie all of us together, whether Jewish or not: love, death, marriage, family, and coming of age.

I do not know which part of book is more disturbing, yet in a different way. This book can teach us so much... form tolerance, through seeing beautiful things in every day to specifics of life in that time... We can almost feel and see the world through Rosies eyes, smell, touch - event the things one would not want to see or feel. Lively descriptions show us everything. Through horrors of war and concentration camps there is a silver lining, the ray of light on almost every page. You find yourself rooting for Rosie and Leah, despising what is happening to them and their fellow men and women. Rosie made important to show that there were good and decent people even on the "other side". If this were a made up story I would hope that... no that would be a spoiler. Read this book. It will be worth your time, and than some.

Beautiful and thought provoking. In her modesty, the redhead of Auschwitz has only scratched on to the surface of the horrors this poor women must have lived through and so therefore, what ever superhuman strength and beautiful character we read about is also just the beginning of what an incredible person this lady must be. May her family forever give her strength, delight and may the world learn and recoil as to the lows we have reached. Never again, learn, remember and choose life. Thank you for this special book

A heartbreaking yet poignant read. Everyone should read this book and take in what its meaning is. The author tells a story of sadness desperation and a fight for survival.Never forget.

This book is amazing. Rosie is an inspiration! Her love of life, her love for her family and her strength come through in the true life story. An absolute must read, this history should never be forgotten and never be allowed to ever happen again! Thanks you Rosie for sharing the highs and the very, very lows of your life. Much love to you and your family.

On world holocaust day this book is tribute to those that died and to those who lived, A very sad but uplifting book that shows us how precious life is and how our fight to survive is a gift. Please read this book and share it with your family and your friends, because the holocaust should never be forgotten