The Stone Crusher: The True Story of a Father and Son's Fight for Survival in Auschwitz

Written by Jeremy Dronfield

Narrated by Christopher Lane

In 1939, Gustav Kleinmann, a Jewish upholsterer in Vienna, was arrested by the Nazis. Along with his 16-year old son Fritz, he was sent to Buchenwald in Germany, where a new concentration camp was being built. It was the beginning of a five-year odyssey almost without parallel. They helped build Buchenwald, young Fritz learning construction skills which would help preserve him from extermination in the coming years. But it was his bond with his father that would ultimately keep them both alive. When the 50-year old Gustav was transferred to Auschwitz—a certain death sentence—Fritz was determined to go with him. His wiser friends tried to dissuade him—“If you want to keep living, you have to forget your father,” they said. But that was impossible, and Fritz pleaded for a place on the Auschwitz transport. “He is a true comrade,” Gustav wrote in his secret diary, “always at my side. The boy is my greatest joy. We are inseparable.” Gustav kept his diary hidden throughout his six years in the death camps—even Fritz knew nothing of it. In it he recorded his story, a tale of survival and a father-son bond which proved stronger than the machine that sought to break them both.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jul 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543677812

Jeremy Dronfield

Jeremy Dronfield is a biographer, historian, novelist, and former archaeologist. He is the author of the middle grade narrative nonfiction book The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz: A Story Retold, which received three starred reviews, and his adult nonfiction titles include Dr. James Barry: A Woman Ahead of Her Time, a Sunday Times Book of the Year. He lives in England. 

Reviews for The Stone Crusher

[DiannaJohnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written, wonderfully performed. I highly recommend this book to those, like me, who seek to understand how humans can be so abominable to others and who, by reading these accounts, are alerted to the manifestations of evil in present day activities of particular groups of people determined to inflict their vicious ideals on society. Nazi-ism is alive and well in worldwide elitist and terrorist groups (eg: WEF) that seek to enslave and ultimately destroy anyone who dares to stand against their agenda. Do not be fooled by these evil people: Soros, Obama, Gates, Clinton, Bush, CIA, FBI, DOJ, Blackrock, et.al. This book tells you exactly what you can expect. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF because humans do not learn from history.

[Diane Pater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great historical timeline,I wanted so badly to put it down but the truth kept me listening.

[Terry Hamilton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is simply amazing that father and son survived all the Nazis threw at them. Tremendous love and devotion to each other throughout their ordeal. The writing is excellent and the reader superb.

[Ross Williamson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a wonderful book of a horrible time. A testament to the human spirit of those who survived and helped others survive.

[Athena Tinuviel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

excellent narration and reading. Written in a matter-of-fact way which is more akin to a historical record or wikipedia page than an an autobiography with emotional prose.

[LaDonna Blake · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book listen to beneath a scarlet sky to get another view of what it was like to be a Jew great book as well

[Todd Hoskins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My favorite part was the relationship and strong bond between father and son. In addition the resilience and will to survive. The torment and brutal treatment of Jewish prisoners is detailed and makes the reader feel that they are living to horror of the Nazi rein.

[Becki Basley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Stone crusher : the true story of a father and son fight for survival in auschwitz by jeremy Dronfield (Scribd audiobook)

In 1939, Gustav Kleinman and his son Fritz were sent to still in construction Buchenwald concentration Camp from the home in Vienna. Gustav and 17 year old Fritz would be part of the forced labor that build the concentration Camp. Fritz learning the construction Trade as they went abd Gustav being able to use his upholdester training to quickly learn other skills.

They would spend the next six years in concentration camps, they relied on their love for one another to get Them through the awlful existence. This book was also written using the journal Gustav managed to conceal and add to through out the six years.

A true testament to the love of a parent to his child and Vice versa.