Escape from the Holocaust (Roseman, Kenneth. Do-It-Yourself Jewish Adventure Series.) [Paperback]

Kenneth Roseman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1985 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Do-It-Yourself Jewish Adventure Series

Berlin in the 1930s. You are a Polish Jewish medical student. Should you stay in Germany or return to Poland? Will you try to reach Eretz Yisrael? A Do-It-Yourself Jewish Adventure.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his introduction, Rabbi Roseman states, "Even though this book may help you learn about a terrible time in human history in an enjoyable way, never think of the Holocaust as a game." But that is what the author and publisher make of a tragedy so monumental it defies comparison; a game. An entry in the Do-It-Yourself Jewish Adventure series, the story gives "you" options, each with consequences that require further decisions as "you" fight to survive extermination by the Nazis. At the collapse of the Third Reich, "you" learn what life will be when you choose to settle in Israel, America or a European country. Undoubtedly many voices will be raised against an "enjoyable way" to learn about unprecedented horrors. There are no justifications for exploiting the millions murdered or the survivors who "endured much more than most people can even imagine."
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Urj Press (June 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807403075
• ISBN-13: 978-0807403075
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,585,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Insane...but buy it, March 26, 2005

By 

Adam Moss - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Escape from the Holocaust (Roseman, Kenneth. Do-It-Yourself Jewish Adventure Series.) (Paperback)

I can't hold on to copies of this book...whenever someone discovers that there really is a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book about the Shoah, they borrow it and don't return it. Roseman is well-meaning, but casting this incredible tragedy as an "escapable" tragedy insults the millions who died. I have not shown this book to anyone who didn't consider it to be a sick exercise and totally inappropriate. There's a spirited debate -- "How do we tell our children about the Holocaust" and a variety of opinion about age-appropriate literature. This sort of minimizing is just not cool, however.

All that aside, it's not a very well written book. Nearly arbituary choices lead to death or emmigration to Israel. You're given four or five opportunities to flee Berlin, but the timing has drastic implications for "you." The author has also crammed so much Zionist propoganda that it cheapens his supposed intent.

This book is worthy buying (multiple times), because it is so sick. It is a cautionary tale, but don't let it fall into the hands of a sensitive teenager.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very decision embodies risks in an attempt to survive, July 13, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escape from the Holocaust (Roseman, Kenneth. Do-It-Yourself Jewish Adventure Series.) (Paperback)

An outstanding title in the unique UAHC "Do-It-Yourself Jewish Adventure" series for young readers, Escape From The Holocaust by Rabbi Kenneth Roseman (Temple Shalom, Dallas, Texas) is a thrilling adventure story that is also an accurate portrayal of the horrific events arising from the Nazi holocaust of World War II. On every page the young reader confronts the kinds of real life choices that once meant the difference between freedom or slavery, survival or death for thousands of other young people and their elders. The protagonist is a young medical student in Berlin during the 1930s who is confronted by the rise of Hitler and the Nazi's with a choice of returning to his native Poland or remaining to finish his studies. When the holocaust begins, the choices offered are to flee south to Italy or west to Holland. When escape isn't possible any longer, the alternatives are to go into hiding or to obtain false identity papers. Every decision embodies risks in an attempt to survive what is happening around him. Also very highly recommended are two other titles in this outstanding historical series written by Rabbi Roseman: The Tenth Of Av (0807403598, [price]) and The Melting Pot: An Adventure In New York (0807402699, [price]).

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book.Let's you know what it was like., June 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Escape from the Holocaust (Roseman, Kenneth. Do-It-Yourself Jewish Adventure Series.) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book because of the accuracy of the information. It was interesting to see how I would react to the problems that would come up in the book. I also like the idea behind the book. It really gives you the since of being there because of the interaction.