The Survivor: How I Made it Through Six Concentration Camps and Became a Nazi Hunter

by Josef Lewkowicz, Price Waldman (narrator), Harper Horizon (publisher)

“Sobering, unforgettable reading. This is a standout of its kind.” – Publishers Weekly

“A riv­et­ing, deeply mov­ing mem­oir. The writ­ing is descrip­tive and dra­mat­ic, pre­serv­ing Lewkowicz’s deep emo­tions.” – Jewish Book Council

This is the remarkable story of Josef Lewkowicz—Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor who became a Nazi hunter.

When Nazi forces entered Kraków, Poland in 1939, unexpected and unresisted, Josef Lewkowicz's life became a nightmare overnight as he and his family were rounded up and sent to concentration camps across German-occupied territory. It wasn't long before Josef found himself face-to-face with SS kommandant Amon Goeth, whose brutality was made infamous by the film Schindler's List.

As Josef struggled to survive the violence, horror, and degradations of one prison camp after another—his journey eventually spanning continents and taking him to the limits of human endurance—he was kept alive only by his faith and his profound sense of justice.

A harrowing but ultimately uplifting glimpse into a pivotal moment in history, The Survivor is the story of one man's survival and pursuit of justice against all odds. The story of resilience and tenacity, and a desire for revenge redirected as a yearning to build a better future for humanity.

"I am ninety-seven and ready to meet my God whenever He calls me. . . I have seen terrible ritual hangings, casual shootings, unspeakable cruelty. . . I endured hunger, beatings, and torture in six camps and managed to prevail so I could bring a monster to justice."

In this memoir, Josef Lewkowicz shares a poignant and gripping account of his life, capturing the indomitable spirit and enduring soul—the neshama—of the survivor. It is a testament of the resilience of the human spirit and a tribute to those who defied the darkest moments of our history.



Photos of the author and the events that took place in the book can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Audible Audio

Published January 28, 2025

Reviews

[Lauren Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shook me. I’ve read a lot about the Holocaust, many of them being survivor accounts. Josef Lewkowicz’s story is harrowing—there’s no other word for it. At times, I had to pause just to process what I just heard. It’s not just the camps, the brutality, or the endless cruelty, though that’s all there in brutal detail. It’s the little things that hit hardest—the quiet erosion of normal life, the missed warnings, the moments with family that seemed ordinary until everything was ripped apart. The way he writes about people—real people, friends, siblings, neighbors—who just disappeared, it stays with you. You feel the loss in your bones.

But what really stays with me is Josef’s strength—not just his will to survive, but what he chose to do afterward. He didn’t stay silent. He didn’t harden. He built a life, a family, and helped bring justice where he could. After surviving six camps, he helped the Americans track down Nazi war criminals and tried to reunite lost Jewish children with their families. He could have given in to bitterness, and no one would’ve blamed him—but he didn’t. His version of revenge was joy, family, rebuilding. There’s something incredibly powerful about that. In a world that often encourages people to lean into resentment or division, Josef lived the opposite. He moved forward, but he never forgot—and he made sure others wouldn’t either.

This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a warning, and a reminder. When we see people dehumanized, when hatred becomes casual or normalized, we have a responsibility to push back. I visit my local Holocaust museum once a year to remind myself of the cruelties of man, to hear survivors stories, and to be their witness. I will carry Josef’s story with me. Josef saw the signs long before the rest of the world did, and he lived through what happens when no one listens. His story is painful, yes, but it’s also deeply human. It’s about love, survival, memory, and hope.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of Halocaust survivor memoirs, so the atrocities he describes in the first half of the book were awful, but not surprising. I found the first half of the book well-written and highly readable despite the disturbing subject matter.

What surprised me was the way my attitude toward Josef himself changed when he decided to help reunite orphans with their families and/or to their "Jewish faith" after the war. As much as that sounds like a good idea, they were just babies when they were hidden away and taken elsewhere to be raised; I hated thinking about them being shipped off to Israel just because they are Jewish and were now being raised by "strangers" - turned parent.

It then became crystal clear that he was a staunch zionist and, clearly, couldn't see how becoming a colonizer yourself is hardly the remedy. By time he started to talk about the recent uptick in "antisemitism" in Palestine and Israel, I couldn't roll my eyes hard enough. I kept checking that this book really was published during the current genocide of non-Jewish Palestinians. It was.

And yet.... the man survived SIX concentration camps! So.... I cut him some slack: 4 stars.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Survivor" by Josef Lewkowicz is a gripping and emotional account of one man’s journey through six concentration camps and his transformation into a Nazi hunter after the war. Lewkowicz’s story is both horrifying and inspiring. His resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty is nothing short of extraordinary.

The memoir is written with clarity and honesty, and it doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of the Holocaust. What stands out most is Lewkowicz’s unwavering sense of purpose and justice, especially in the aftermath of liberation, when he helped track down war criminals like Amon Goeth.

While the content is incredibly important and impactful, the narrative pacing occasionally felt uneven. Some sections could have benefited from more detail or reflection, especially around his post-war experiences.

[Judith Rozarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read the book (not the audio or kindle version. This memoir was harrowing and eventful, included some of the politics post-war, and addressed the strategic bombing that kept the camps running, sadly. I have always thought the Allies should have bombed the railroad tracks going to these camp sites, especially those associated with manufacturing. The destruction of so many entire families and lineages was well told here as well as the traveling that people who survived did post war. Thank you to the authors for this work.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so many Holocaust survivor books that this one felt worn out. I guess when you read over and over the unbelievable atrocities inflicted on Jews, you numb up. One major difference is what he has done since. After surviving the worst and tracking down horrible Nazis (Amon Goeth specifically) he went about making a new life. He’s a remarkable man

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moving account and perspective- the second half of the book could have been condensed. Although it is important to hear the successes and struggles of a Holocaust survivor after the war, the stories of being a diamond dealer and real estate owner overshadowed the small portion of the book about taking down the Nazis who tormented his friends and family.

[Njeri S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!!

[Allison Corzatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

[Darla Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very personal and brave and WOW he survived…. I lost interest at the end. To be fair I was listening while reading. It was interesting to read his view of Oskar Schindler.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jewish author survived the horrors of the Holocaust. He detailed his sufferings and described his testimonies against his perpetrators.