Book Review for The Auschwitz Photographer
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No punches are pulled with this book. The atrocities that the Nazis saw fit to rain down on prisoners as though they were subhuman, the fear and misery of those given “coveted” jobs in camps, the desperation in bartering things so easily taken for granted. All of it. This was a depressing read that serves as a reminder of the horrible things men and women will do in the name of their party or cult or leader. That said, this is also a very necessary read because it reminds us just how people will act in the face of such certain torture and death. The resistance, the attempts to find some dignity, and the strength of some human spirits all gave a sliver of hope here. To know that this is all based on true events is even more sobering and cannot be forgotten. This book serves as an illustration of how easily Germans were led to think that they’re superior in camps where they aren’t always the experts, as well as how prisoners learned the art of deceit at the hands of their jailers.

The Auschwitz Photographer chronicles the life of photographer Wilhelm Brasse during his 5 years at Auschwitz. Brasse was deported to Auschwitz and soon is put to work in the Identification Center. The Auschwitz Photographer describes in vivid detail his work of photographing prisoners soon to be sent to the gas chamber, personal portraits of Nazi guards and officers and the horrifying “experimental” work of Josef Mengele and other Auschwitz physicians.
I started and finished the book just as I would any novel. I had never heard of Brasse before reading The Auschwitz Photographer nor had I ever even wondered about the person who documented the daily horrors of Auschwitz. I quickly became attached to the characters and had a hard time putting it down. While I was reading, I began to wonder how difficult it was to look through the camera lens knowing that you will be one of the last to see this person. What was it like to look your window and see the crematoria. I already knew what was in store for Brasse when he was told he would be working with Mengele but it took on an even greater meaning through Crippa and Onnis descriptions of the first sets of twins that he photographed. I do not know close Crippa and Onnis got to the actual conversations and events that Brasse experienced nor does it affect or change my knowledge of the events. What it did give me was a reminder that for every photograph, every person that entered the gates of Auschwitz there is a story, a name and a life worth remembering. Thank you Luca Crippa, Maurizio Onnis, Sourcebook and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

The Auschwitz Photographer is a harrowing story that is based on true life events. The story was very difficult to read at times and will remain with me for a very along time to come.