The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz: A True Story of Family and Survival

Crying is not something a non-fiction book evokes in me. The horrors of Auschwitz and other Nazi death camps is enough to drive one to tears. But Jeremy Dronfield’s writing is as compelling and moving as a novel.

This is the story of Gustav Kleinmann and his son, Fritz. Gustav was a decorated soldier who had fought for Germany’s ally, Austria, in World War One. Gustav and one of his sons, Fritz, were arrested in 1938 for being Jewish. They’d been betrayed by neighbours.

Gustav kept a diary throughout the five years he and Fritz were incarcerated. The Nazi’s monstrous murderous and mendacious behaviour contrasts with the Kleinmanns’ steadfast resistance which is inspiring.

They were sent separately to the Buchenwald show more concentration camp where they were reunited. A fluke of fate had Fritz stripped of his star, that denoted Jewish prisoners. His sudden change of status to Aryan is an astonishing act of hypocrisy that reveals the insanity of the Nazi’s idiotic racist ideology.

This is a story of horror but also hope and testament to extraordinary human endurance. And it’s the story of love and loyalty. But it’s also the story of what can happen when power is unchecked and where what starts as vilifying those different to us can lead.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in where humanity’s future and for those interested in 20th century history. Jeremy Dronfield has honoured Gustav and Fritz Kleinmann in a fitting and compelling way. We must never forget. show less

One of the most well-researched books on the holocaust, yet the added storytelling made me stop and connect with the Klienmann father and son duo. Honestly, the way the heartbreaking scenarios from that awful time made me teary eyed several times; such as when Trini stands outside the US embassy desperate to leave, or those sadist nazis and their antisemitism (and also idiocy that their little brains couldn't fathom). It is a book that'll remain for a while in my mind, and Gustav's strength is inspirational.

Greatly detailed; a complete collection of memories and facts of a family devasted by the Holocaust, focusing on a father and son who clung to each other for survival.

Gr 7 Up—This biography portrays the astonishing survival story of Jewish teenager Fritz and his father, determined
to stay together in the Nazi death camps. Intertwined is the story of younger brother Kurt, who escaped to the United
States. With elegant prose, this is a heart-pounding read of steadfast devotion in the face of almost certain death

Beautiful story of one of the millions of families caught up in the horror of the nazis' murderous rampage during WWII. Gustav Kleinmann was a good husband, father of 4, and a kind man. He loved and fought for Austria, twice suffering injuries. But that didn't help when the nazis came for him and his oldest son Fritz. His wife, Tini expended much effort trying to get her children out of the country, and managed to send the oldest, Edith to England, and later her youngest to the US.

Gustav and Fritz spent nearly 6 years in multiple concentration camps as slave labor to the nazi machine of war. Together with their wits and much love.they were able to support each other despite back-breaking work, beatings, starvation, cold, and disease. show more Gustav kept a small notebook of significant events and his feelings which would years later become the foundation of The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz.

Reading about Gustav's naive optimism, and the fact that father and son were able to remain together for so long is captivating. Book should be read to learn how this one family fared. show less

A unique holocaust story

A true and moving story of a father and son and their bond through the most horrible event of our lifetime. It's a unique story and every word of it is true. Told with brutal honesty and emotion, you will come to ask yourself how they endured what they did. Was it because they were together? Read it and you decide.

Harrowing. Not to be read if depressed !