First One In, Last One Out: Auschwitz Survivor 31321

by Marilyn Shimon

While growing up in New York, Marilyn Shimon often visited her uncle in California. She saw his scars, gaped at his “31321” tattoo, and listened to his horrific stories of the Holocaust. However, she could not relate to the suffering he endured or understand the significance of his accounts—until now.

In this grisly memoir, Marilyn resurrects Murray Scheinberg’s stories of six hellish years in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The Polish Jew was one of the first eight men to enter Auschwitz, as a political prisoner in 1940, and one of the last to escape Dachau.

Rejected by a publisher in the 1960s because of its incredible details, this true story, finally available to the public, will shock, horrify, and touch readers.

Abraham H. Foxman, national director emeritus at the Anti-Defamation League, says of the "First One In, Last One Survivor 31321 is a harrowing tale of endurance, luck, egotism, and morality, one man's story of survival in the face of Nazi brutality and anti-Semitism. Murray Scheinberg’s memoir of survival through the Nazi Holocaust symbolizes man’s determination to live no matter the odds. But it also represents the degradation of the human spirit imposed on the Jews of Europe by the evil Nazi machine. It is both an uplifting tale and a sorry one about human nature in the face of evil.”

“A magnificent telling of a moving and heartfelt story.”

––Ira Hochman, Friendly Visitors Program/Holocaust Survivors

“I am moved to tears beyond what I can express. This is an exceptionally incredible story and the author's writing is extremely moving.The story is a testament of life and will teach future generations that good triumphs over evil.”

––Ruth Baran Gerold, child of Holocaust survivors

"The author brilliantly wrote about her uncle's life throughout the Nazi regime. She successfully engages the reader in the emotions and drama of this horrific period.This is a must-read-page turner."

––Larry Klass, Retired Veteran-US Army

"It is a powerful and compelling story that should be promoted in schools and read by all."

––Faye Kilstein, child of Auschwitz survivor

Genres: Holocaust, History, Nonfiction, World War II, Memoir, Biography, War

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2016

Reviews

[Taury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written word of the authors uncle. He endured so much but survived!

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Refreshing Survivor Story

This is the 7th or 8th Holocaust book I've read in the past week or so, out of probable hundreds in my life. It usually stands true to say that once you've read one or two survivor stories from this period that you may accurately foretell what will be in all of the rest of them. You'll read them anyway, to pass time and add to the bank of them within your mind. However, this story was different, interesting, well told and highly amusing. Perhaps it is because Murray was different, making his story truly the bag of diamonds in the sock. Well worth the read, and easy to finish in a single night.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2. The story itself was excellent and horrific. The true magnitude of his suffering is unthinkable. A huge thank you to the author for making sure his story was shared with the world! Unfortunately, I found it to read more like fiction which is unavoidable in a sense as the author is writing it in honor of her uncle, however, it lacked a certain depth. Many people come in an out of the narrative so suddenly some of the impact and empathy is lost. I was was surprised by how quickly Rudy came and went especially. Definitely a quick read that could have marveled with some more detail here and there. What I particularly found distracting was the spelling of God as ‘G-d’. I’m not sure of the reasoning but regardless it didn’t sit right with me. (If this was some sort of censorship on Kindle Unlimited I apologize). Overall, I’m glad to have read it and recognize another hero of this era. His survival tale is one to be admired. Truly remarkable.

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read.

Poorly edited, not written much better. It’s filled with lots of facts, but is written very straightforward. There’s very little detail about what anyone thought other than the same adjective, over and over.

A horrific story, but I do wish it had been fleshed out with more feelings and insight.

[Munchkinisbest · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was stunned to learn the author is a Holocaust scholar. For someone supposedly well-versed in the Holocaust and related historical events, her writing contains inaccurate information that should be basic knowledge for a person with her credentials. One example is that Kristallnacht occurred the evening of November 9, 1938 NOT November 8. A second error involves the date of the non-aggression pact between Poland and Nazi Germany. While the treaty isn’t as well-known, the author completed enough research to know the treaty existed yet she reported its signing erroneously as January 29, 1934 NOT January 26.

It’s a pity that Marilyn Shimon failed to double check readily available facts as this egregious oversight raises concerns about the accuracy of other information in her book, particularly the historical context and background information. Reporting wrong information is inexcusable when it’s so easy to verify basic facts such as dates.

In no way do I doubt the accuracy of Murray’s personal experiences. The sources of this information are unimpeachable as each comes from Murray himself: stories he told his family over the years, his journal, his oral testimonies recorded by two different groups dedicated to preserving the memories of Holocaust survivors, and legal documents from the Holocaust Memorial Museum.

***I will gladly change my review after the author corrects these and other factual errors***

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

First One In, Last One Out: Auschwitz Survivor 31321 is an exceptional memoir of a Holocaust survivor and was written by Marilyn Shimon. Marilyn wrote this memoir about her Great-Uncle Murray Scheinberg. It is an amazing story that takes us through Pawiak prison in Warsaw, Tarnow prison, Auschwitz/Birkenau, Sachsenhausen, and Dachau from 1939-1945. He was to lose his wealth, his business, his home, his family, and his friends. However, he never gave up knew that the survivors would have to bear witness to the atrocities they witnessed. He was a witness at the Nuremberg trials where he helped bring to justice some of the perpetrators. Marilyn grew up listening to Uncle Murray telling his stories and her Mother wrote a book in the 1960’s; but it was never published. At that time, no one wanted to hear about the Holocaust. Marilyn became a Holocaust educator and took on the role as author of his story. It is well researched and well documented. It is definitely a memoir which should be read and shared.

[Haynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read for a holocaust surviver story of the author’s uncle, who literally “first one in, last one out”, which is a rare case in itself but regret to say I think the book only portraits the tip of an iceberg of the whole thing.

I found it lack of in-depth, emotional complexity, and those small details that keep stories alive.

Pros: as the surviver wished, a short book of his horrific experience could be spread quickly and easily.

Cons: Missing many details & hidden feelings that would never surface and remained in the past. The full dimension of the psychological struggle is to be explored by the readers limited imagination, which is an impossible task to develop empathy when a complex story is highly simplified and generalized.
As a result there’s only two ways the story to be heard.
1. A general idea of what happened to this man.
2. A distorted version, a fiction story that’s based on real history.

The one thing that moved me was Ruby, the Nazi officer who at the end saved Murray (the surviver), and Murray saved Ruby back in the trial.

[Debra Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

Of all the holocaust books I've read this one is the best. Its story of survival in the midst of total dehumanization of the Jews is amazing. I truly believe Moishe/Murray was saved by God to tell his story so we won't forget and learn from the past. Hopefully this will never happen again. Truly inspiring story.

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a quick read, but it’s more textbook than story. There is very little personal, descriptive a stories and more just stating facts and quickly going over history. He was in the camps for 6 years, there could have been so much more from his story than what was told.

[doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you for writing this. Thank you for telling his tale on what happened. We must never forget the what happened and never let it happen again. What a brave man.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading a lot of these memoirs and this one felt very hollow to me. I didn't enjoy the style of writing and just didn't feel engaged

[Carolyn Scarcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I’m reading is very interesting and phenomenal book. The tile is called “First one in and Last one out” by Marilyn Shimon. She is the aunt of Murray (Mongid) Scheinberg. She explained a short, incredibly detailed, the true and most horrifying, harrowing, very graphic most brutal and barbaric that have snatched him, his life, his business, his family and friends who have betrayed him. He has suffered for the last 6 years of his life. He was an honourable man that everyone knew him back in Poland. He was a Polish Jew and was the first 8 men to enter as a political prisoner in December, 3rd, 1939, in Auschwitz and the last man out and escape from Dachau then sometime in April 29th 1945, he was liberated by the Americans. After the war, he changed his name from his real name to Murray. He even wrote the book in 1968 but the publisher rejected the book because it would be a shock to the public and hurt the readers. His aunt republished his book in March 2009 as a result.

[Sophie Mangan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the books about the Holocaust I’ve read, this one shocked me the most.

The author made it clear from the start that she wrote the book to honour her uncle and his wishes for his story to be told, emphasising that it wasn’t the way she wrote but what she wrote that was important. So whilst it was somewhat poorly written, this book is an important piece of history and insight into the horrors of what humans can do and become.

I once read something about Nazis not being a threat outside of a camp setting, but it’s difficult to believe that people so cruel and heartless have any goodness in them at all. This novel really showed just how awful the Holocaust was and the importance of never letting it happen again.

I’d advise you to read with caution as it is an upsetting book, but one that’s very important to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.

[Bookfiend7121 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It’s very well written by the author that writes about her Great-Uncle Murray. I like how she interspersed his story with the history that has gone on around him and with him. I found Murray Scheinberg’s memoir very harrowing, informative, horrific and so terribly sad. I admire his will to live. His will to get his story out their into the world to educate everyone to the horrors of the concentration camps and what was actually happening there and try to prevent any future actions as the Holocaust.

[Tracy Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really paints a vivid imagery of the horrific scenes during the war :((

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish this was a little longer. A very fascinating story from a man who survived so much tragedy and saw too much evil.

[Sarah Riessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself was very interesting and I enjoyed it, though it was difficult to get totally sucked into this book due to the writing style.

[Nikki Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwrenching

What a moving story. I could not put it down. The survivor in this book will forever live as a hero. Such a heartrending story and circumstance.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable\Emotional

This was an emotional read but I feel like all read should read about this time in history so its not repeated.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too bad

I enjoyed it for what it is. I never wish this to happen again. We need to learn from history.

[Stephanie Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an easy book to read! It doesn't spend too long talking about a particular thing, but rather goes on quickly to the next thing in this man's journey.
This book gives a fantastic overview of the 5 prisons/camps this man was in for 6 years. It is a miracle he survived, and I can only assume it was so he could tell his story and to keep the horror of the Holocaust alive.

[Tina Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully told

This book is not fiction however it has held my interest more than many fictions I have read. It is amazing that this man survived so long. I have always been interested in the Holocaust. God knew the things that this man experienced, as well as saw, would need to be told. Just as the slavery and rescue of each time Jews were. Throughout the Bible God says the Jews are His chosen people. Time repeated itself, in a more horrific way, where His people were treated this way. No I'm not a Jew but I do try to read God's word. And I do see how the Jews have been persecuted. This is a really good read, interesting and informative. I will be recommending this book to several friends.

[Jane Biggerstaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first hand account of living through the Holocaust was haunting and sad, but it lacked the emotion or maybe the depth that I expected it to contain. It was a short read, with simplistic vocabulary and was poorly edited, never really feeling cohesive. I kept wondering if this was meant to be a young-adult historical account. I checked everywhere, trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, but no where did I see a young adult label for this book. The story was one which captured me, but the writing of it left much to be desired. Too bad too, because I have been to Germany and have seen Sachsenhausen so I know the somber, emotional feeling that seeing it evokes in your heart. I wish this book had done the same, to really bring the reality of surviving the horrors of those places and the atrocities of Hitler into the minds and hearts of the reader.

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the thrust of the story is somewhat lessened by the second-hand and therefore indirect point of view of the narrator; in relating the story of her uncle, the totalitarian inhuman ugliness of the Nazi regime stares you straight in the face. Should you have any doubt about the nature of pure evil, contemplate this quote from the introduction;

“Eichmann, a major figure in the Holocaust, testified at his trial for crimes against humanity in Israel by stating, “To be frank with you, had we killed all of them, the ten-point-three million, I would be happy to say, all right, we managed to destroy an enemy. I shall leap into my grave laughing, because the feeling that I have the deaths of five million people on my conscience will be for me a source of extraordinary satisfaction.”

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a heart-breaking read but a very important one. It is so very important that these types of memoirs are shared with the younger generation and the suffering of the Jews at the hands of the Nazis is never forgotten. The resolve and resilience of Murray shows that in even the most horrendous times the will to live and succeed can win through.

[Carson.Wisener · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this novel was very interesting, informative, and the lessons it teaches are really important. First One In, Last One Out is definitely worth taking the time to read and really inspires you to make sure that genocides or other never occur again. I did enjoy this novel and the extremely descriptive text, but at some points, the book did get a little boring. Overall, a pretty good book!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

First One In, Last One Out

This was one of the most amazing books I've read.The fast that this man was able to survive 6 years in concentration camps is absolutely unbelievable.... until you read how he was determined to live. I cried many times as his description of horrible treatment, loss of family & friends, and pleas to God were revealed. I will make sure my grandchildren never forget that this evil period in history occurred.

[Diana Brewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A personal account of the author's uncle who survived the holocaust and was put through several concentration camps. Every time I read a book relating to the holocaust I cannot believe the horrors so many poor Jewish victims went through. I feel terrible and can only hope people learn from this mass extermination and DO NOT let history repeat itself.

[Mickenzie Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unfathomable story of survival

This is probably one of the most astonishing holocaust survival stories I have ever read. It is astonishing that one man could survive so much cruelty and horror. I do find myself wondering if he ever found out any further details about his family- his wife and children or his siblings?

[Liesl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read a few holocaust memoirs and really enjoyed them. But this one was quite poorly written.
E.g. she calls it "the worst attrocity in the history of mankind". That kind of language diminishes the many many other terrible genocides and makes it almost into a competition for who's got the worse story. The story also lacks a certain depth that some of the others have.