If This Is a Man / The Truce cover art

If This Is a Man / The Truce

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If This Is a Man / The Truce

By: Primo Levi, Stuart Woolf - translator
Narrated by: Henry Goodman
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About this listen

Translated by Stuart Woolf.

'With the moral stamina and intellectual poise of a twentieth-century Titan, this slightly built, dutiful, unassuming chemist set out systematically to remember the German hell on earth, steadfastly to think it through, and then to render it comprehensible in lucid, unpretentious prose. He was profoundly in touch with the minutest workings of the most endearing human events and with the most contemptible. What has survived in Levi's writing isn't just his memory of the unbearable, but also, in The Periodic Table and The Wrench, his delight in what made the world exquisite to him. He was himself a magically endearing man, the most delicately forceful enchanter I've ever known.' (Philip Roth)

©2014 Primo Levi (P)2014 Hachette Audio World

Critic Reviews

"The death of Primo Levi robs Italy of one of its finest writers...One of the few survivors of the Holocaust to speak of his experiences with a gentle voice." ( The Guardian)
"A life-changing book." ( Daily Express
"One of the greatest human testaments of the era." (Philip Roth)
All stars
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This is a deeply compelling book beautifully
narrated by Henry Goodman. There is a great richness to the storytelling. A very moving and human account of a dark chapter of human history. Thoroughly recommended.

Beautifully read

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This a different story to other was stories Gave an insight into the aftermath of the war. Enjoyed the story line and narration. A good listen.

different

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I just wish the narrator would translate the random words into English as well. 3

very moving, one 'complaint':

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I found this to be a scary account of how humanity can be stripped away given a certain environment. A truely inspiring account of survival and life lessons on how any maybe why to live.

'First you need shoes, people think its food, but first, shoes.'

A chilling yet inspiring account of internment.

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Harrowing content that is expertly delivered. I can not recommend it more. You will not be disappointed.

Stunning

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Having just visited Auschwitz this was a movingly deep and personal story. Levi adds essential depth to life (and death) in the camp. Incredibly descriptive, chillingly so, beautifully read.

Essential listening

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This book had an immense impact on my life while listening to it. It's one the most important documents to be written and needs to be heard by as many people as possible.
Primo Levi describes in a chilling poetic and accurate detail his experience in the death camp and the experience of being reduced down to a prisoner doubtfully still human. In contrary to other tales of this dark periodvin history, Levi manages to the transport you until you feel like you're there with him he does that by recounting the psychological state during this time and diving into details such as the type of dreams he had in the camp. It's fascinating. Tragic and sad but at the same time hopeful and inspiring.

One of the most important books ever written

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When you listen to the voice over it is like you are being transferred in the shoes of Primo. It like you are there and see, feel, experience everything in that horror place. Very intense book - If This Is A Man. The next book The Truce is also a good book, but you have to listen to it a bit different. It is not that intense as the first book, but contains surprising stories of the journey back home from Auschwitz. For me this was an impressive journey.

Very intense and impressive

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