Commandant of Auschwitz

Synopsis

'The chilling narrative presents a graphic and compelling self-portrait of the Nazi war criminal who oversaw Auschwitz concentration camp' JEWISH BOOK WORLD

'This book is filled with evil ... and yet it is one of the most instructive books ever published' Primo Levi

An extraordinary and unique document: Hoess was in charge of the huge extermination camp in Poland where the Nazis murdered some three million Jews, from the time of its creation (he was responsible for building it) in 1940 until late in 1943, by which time the mass exterminations were half completed. Before this he had worked in other concentration camps, and afterwards he was at the Inspectorate in Berlin. He thus knew more, both at first-hand and as an administrator, about Nazi Germany's greatest crime than did any save two or three other men.

Taken prisoner by the British, he was handed over to the Poles, tried, sentenced to death, and taken back to Auschwitz and there hanged. During the period between his trial and his execution, he was ordered to write his autobiography. This is it.

Hoess repeatedly says he was glad to write the book. He enjoyed the work. And finally the most careful checking has shown that he took great pains to tell the truth. Here we have, painted by his own hand, a vivid and unforgettable self-portrait of one of the great monsters of all time. To this are added portraits of some of his more spectacular fellow-criminals. The royalties from this macabre but historically important book go to the fund set up to help the few survivors from the Auschwitz camps.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Architect of Auschwitz

* Describes the early life and rise of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp.
* Relates his childhood in Germany, military service in World War I, and induction into the SS.
* Highlights Höss's fascination with violence and his dedication to Nazi ideology.

Chapter 2: The Birth of Auschwitz

* Details the establishment of Auschwitz as a concentration camp in 1940.
* Explains the initial purpose of the camp as a detention center for Polish political prisoners.
* Describes the transformation of Auschwitz into a death camp under the direction of Höss.

Real Example: The construction of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp is a chilling example of the horrors that unfolded under Höss's command. The camp was designed with a vast network of gas chambers and crematoria, efficiently exterminating millions of prisoners.

Chapter 3: The Bloodlands

* Examines the conditions within Auschwitz, including the brutality of the guards, the starvation and torture of prisoners, and the rampant disease and death.
* Describes the use of forced labor and the exploitation of prisoners for Nazi war efforts.
* Explores the role of Auschwitz in the Holocaust, as a central site of mass extermination of Jews and other minorities.

Real Example: The fate of the Jewish prisoners brought to Auschwitz illustrates the horrors perpetrated by Höss and his subordinates. Upon arrival, prisoners were immediately subjected to a brutal selection process, with the majority gassed within hours.

Chapter 4: The Trial of Rudolf Höss

* Relates the capture of Höss by Allied forces in 1946.
* Describes his trial at Nuremberg, where he was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
* Details Höss's testimony and his remorse for the atrocities he had committed.

Real Example: Höss's final statement at the Nuremberg trial is a haunting insight into his psyche. He expressed his understanding of the enormity of his crimes and acknowledged the suffering he had inflicted upon countless innocent victims.

Chapter 5: The Legacy of Auschwitz

* Considers the impact of the Holocaust on the world.
* Discusses the importance of remembering the horrors of Auschwitz and preventing future atrocities.
* Examines the ongoing efforts to commemorate the victims of the camp and to promote reconciliation and understanding.

Real Example: The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum continues to serve as a powerful memorial to the horrors that transpired there. It educates visitors about the Holocaust and fosters a deep understanding of the dangers of hatred, intolerance, and tyranny.