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mebas's review against another edition
4.0
This one we hard to rate because it’s quite far outside my normal genres and I don’t typically go for memoirs. But the fact that after the first couple chapters I was completely engrossed in it says a lot. The level of horrors that are so far beyond anything I could dream of are relayed in an accessible way through the memories of Max starting at age 15, giving the whole thing a really personal perspective.
Though it’s not something I would typically reach for, I’m glad to have read it and could see myself recommending it to others.
Though it’s not something I would typically reach for, I’m glad to have read it and could see myself recommending it to others.
ullrichm's review against another edition
5.0
An inspiring account of a holocaust survivor's determination to live despite horrific abuses he experienced and witnessed as a teenager. Against all odds, Max Eisen survives and is able to share with the world what happened in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. A definite must read!!
bookthia's review against another edition
5.0
A Canada Reads shortlisted book for 2019.
Max Eisen is a Hungarian-born Jew who lost his entire family while interred at Auschwitz. This story, By Chance Alone, is his story to be best of his memory, written down 70 years after. Now in is mid-80's Max has lived in Canada since 1949, where he has married and had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He built a business, and then built a second "career" speaking to school and community groups about his experiences. Max's Auschwitz experiences are both similar and quite different from others you may have read before. Read this. It's important.
This book is written as a factual account. On this day, this happened. Etc. But Max is a gifted story-teller and you can feel his grief, his fear, his confusion, his anger, through the words. I am so grateful that Canada Reads selected this book and that many more people will now read it. I actually think this should be mandatory reading for high school students learning about the Holocaust. A first-person survivor's account -- it's important for them to know!
Thank you, Max Eisen, for making the effort to share your story. It can't have been easy to relive these things.
Max Eisen is a Hungarian-born Jew who lost his entire family while interred at Auschwitz. This story, By Chance Alone, is his story to be best of his memory, written down 70 years after. Now in is mid-80's Max has lived in Canada since 1949, where he has married and had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He built a business, and then built a second "career" speaking to school and community groups about his experiences. Max's Auschwitz experiences are both similar and quite different from others you may have read before. Read this. It's important.
This book is written as a factual account. On this day, this happened. Etc. But Max is a gifted story-teller and you can feel his grief, his fear, his confusion, his anger, through the words. I am so grateful that Canada Reads selected this book and that many more people will now read it. I actually think this should be mandatory reading for high school students learning about the Holocaust. A first-person survivor's account -- it's important for them to know!
Thank you, Max Eisen, for making the effort to share your story. It can't have been easy to relive these things.
middleditch's review against another edition
5.0
Riveting. An amazing story of survival against all odds. A must read.
savannahmarss's review against another edition
5.0
A powerful and moving read. Hearing about the inner working of Auschawitz is truly heartbreaking. This book will make you thoroughly bummed out and sad. The title is also such a perfect one. It is really only By Chance Alone it seems that Max managed to survive.
ladykatka's review against another edition
5.0
This book despite being about a heavy topic was a very quick read. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. It was quite interesting because he included some of his life after his liberation which generally isn't included in stories like this. It showed that even though the war was over his life was still quite difficult and he had many obstacles to overcome before he felt free.
mjesmer's review against another edition
5.0
A shocking and riveting history of one man's family and journey through the second world war and beyond.
jennyreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible. This book brought me to tears on several occasions but I am so glad that I made it through.