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  • The Escape Artist

  • The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World
  • By: Jonathan Freedland
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Freedland
  • Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (120 ratings)

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The Escape Artist

By: Jonathan Freedland
Narrated by: Jonathan Freedland
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Publisher's Summary

The astonishing, forgotten story of the hero who escaped from Auschwitz to reveal the truth of the Holocaust.

In April 1944, a teenager named Rudolf Vrba was planning a daring and unprecedented escape from Auschwitz. After hiding in a pile of timber planks for three days while 3,000 SS men and their bloodhounds searched for him, Vrba and his fellow escapee Fred Wetzler would eventually cross Nazi-occupied Poland on foot, as penniless fugitives. Their mission: to tell the world the truth of the Final Solution.

Vrba would produce from memory a breathtaking report of more than thirty pages revealing the true nature and scale of Auschwitz—a report that would find its way to Roosevelt, Churchill and the Pope, eventually saving over 200,000 Jewish lives.

A thrilling history with enormous historical implications, The Escape Artist is the extraordinary story of a complex man who would seek escape again and again: first from Auschwitz, then from his past, even from his own name. In telling his story, Jonathan Freedland—the journalist, broadcaster and acclaimed, multi-million copy selling author of the Sam Bourne novels—ensures that Rudolf Vrba's heroic mission will also escape oblivion.

©2022 Jonathan Freedland (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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Extraordinary

Eye opening, heart wrenching telling account of the horror of life in Auschwitz by escapee Rudolf Vrba.
I could not stop listening. I had no idea how long authorities/Prime Ministers/The Pope (god damn it) knew, the incredible mind and memory of Rudolf to remember in detail all that he witnessed. Thank you Mr Freedland, much respect.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic But Not 100% Accurate

Wow! What a roller coaster of a read. Walter/Rudolf’s story was gripping and I’d recommend that anyone and everyone give this book a read. My only annoyance is that Walter/Rudi was not actually the first Jew to escape Auschwitz. Saying he was (unnecessarily) immediately makes one question whether some of the events outlined as facts/events in the story are totally accurate. That being said, it is a brilliant story that is wonderfully narrated and a sobering reminder of the cruelty we are capable of.

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if there was a 6th Star I would give it......

An amazing story expertly told and beautifully read by Jonathan. Could not put it down.
The attention to accuracy and detail while contextualising the narrative delivers a thoughtful account of a challenging subject.

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What a journey

I knew this book would provide a great insight into a man’s escape from Auschwitz, but the surprise message of this story is mankind’s incredible capacity to do nothing in the face of evil.

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A most remarkable, important history and biography

This was, for me, the most detailed account yet of a survivor. It gives me pause to better understand how the Holocaust was sustained.

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Heartbreaking

Think I had listened to a similar story about the 2 men. It was sad and confronting as to what happened during this time. showed the determination and courage of these men. . Really worth a listen. Great narration.

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Incredible!!! A must listen!!

One of the greatest accounts I've ever heard! Told incredible well. Very recommended. Download it now.

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  • Lee
  • 04-08-2022

Don't Scroll Past This Book!

Completely engrossing and beautifully narrated, Freedland leads the listener to bear witness to one of humanity's darkest moments as he tells the story of Rudolf Vrba's ultimate escape from Auschwitz and Vrba's efforts to alert authorities to the Nazis' systematic atrocities against the Jews.

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Great story that needs to be told.

Very well written, lots of facts and personal insights. An unvarnished story of a complex life that so easily could have ended at 15 if not for cunning and luck.

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What a story

Like those who were told of the atrocities of The Holocaust to say I would be horrified is a gross understatement! The story of Rudi and Frank is just as unimaginable, two teenagers who escaped hell on earth - Auschwitz Birkenau
Harrowing and illuminating

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