Reviews (Archived) - Kalman & Leopold

Author of the Month: Richard K. Lowy on ‘Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz’

Reuniting the Lost: Richard K. Lowy on Preserving Holocaust History, Resilience, and the Power of Friendship

Richard K. Lowy is featured on Global Television, the CANDLES Holocaust Museum, the Jerusalem Post, and over 413 other media outlets across the United States. Both the book Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz and the documentary Leo’s Journey: The Story of the Mengele Twins tell an extraordinary story of survival amidst the horrors of the Auschwitz death camp. This harrowing account sheds light on the unspeakable cruelty of Josef Mengele’s experiments, while celebrating strength, friendship, and the human spirit. Through the firsthand accounts of two survivors, Kalman and Leopold, readers are witness to the depths of one of humanity’s darkest chapters.

Reviewed by Dan Perry for The Jerusalem Post

Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz’ is seminal Holocaust document of the banality of evil

The book is set to be released amid preparations for the January 27 commemoration in Poland of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Richard K. Lowy’s Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz is a harrowing and meticulously detailed account of two Holocaust survivors whose paths crossed in Auschwitz II-Birkenau under the shadow of Dr. Josef Mengele’s notorious experiments. This work is more than a historical record; it’s a testament to resilience, friendship, and the imperative of preserving Holocaust memories as the generation of survivors dwindles.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

Author Richard K. Lowy has a truly moving and exceptional commitment to preserving historical truth through the most intimate and personal of lenses. I was profoundly moved by his respectful yet unvarnished approach to storytelling, which allows the voices of Kalman and Leopold to speak directly to readers. Lowy’s narrative technique immerses readers in the lived experiences of his subjects, making their pain, resilience, and humanity palpable in ways that transcend traditional historical documentation. His vivid portrayal of Auschwitz goes beyond mere historical recounting, offering an exploration of survival, trauma, and the extraordinary capacity of individuals to maintain dignity in the most inhumane of circumstances. The decision to focus on personal perspectives transforms what could be a distant historical account into an intimate, emotionally resonant narrative that challenges readers to confront the most difficult chapters of human history. Lowy’s writing reveals an extraordinary sensitivity to the complex emotional landscapes of survival, showing how individual stories can illuminate broader historical truths. The way he navigates the delicate balance between historical accuracy and emotional depth is nothing short of remarkable. Overall, I would highly recommend Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz as essential historical testimony that ensures these crucial stories are never forgotten.

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite

This is one of the rawest, most personal accounts of the horrors of Josef Mengele’s atrocities. Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz, as told to Richard K. Lowy, is a haunting and profoundly moving account of resilience, friendship, and survival. Through the lens of Kalman Braun and Leopold Lowy, this book revisits the harrowing reality of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where humanity was tested in unimaginable ways. As their chronicler, Lowy skillfully balances historical context with the individual voices, maintaining the authenticity of their stories. The foreword by Michael Berenbaum offers a broader historical framework, underscoring the importance of transitioning from living memory to historical memory as the last survivors’ fade. This book is a must-read. It belongs in every secondary high school and university classroom in the United States, as well as in every historical society. Thank you, Mr. Lowy, for preserving the story and memories of two heroes. It was a privilege to read.

Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers’ Favorite

Author Richard K Lowy takes us back in time to what his father endured in the Auschwitz–Birkenau concentration camp along with his fellow worker Kalman. Taken from verbal memories and extensive research, their stories are real, vivid, and horrific. The glossary and the footnotes are useful in keeping the explanations clear and concise in this testament of the atrocities and man’s inhumanity to man. Kalman & Leopold is an important work, adding to those accounts of the Holocaust that decry those who say that it never happened. It did, with all the horror and indescribable cruelty of that shameful period of history. My heart was touched deeply by this book, and I shall never forget it. Very highly recommended.