Similar to most Holocaust books, this novel was heartbreaking and hard to get through at times, but important to read. We should never forget these stories.

I found this book in particular very well-written and showcased three unique individuals and their horrific journey through Auschwitz-Birkenau. Based on real events, I learned about the resistance within the camps and the people who made these small acts of defiance a reality. I had no idea about the Sonderkommando (the prisoners tasks with working in the crematoriums) and their uprising / escape from Auschwitz.

I highly recommend reading this book but be aware that some parts are graphic.

Outstanding book. Based on true stories of survivors of WWII. The details were well researched and authentic. Historical fiction. Each time I read one of the many books being written right now about the WWII I am drawn to pray because I see USA heading down a very destructive path.
The treatment in the camps was deplorable and so harsh. Asking prisoners to tattle on other prisoners. convincing prisoners there would be free. The various brave men and women never gave up their plan to escape the horrible conditions.
Some of the heroes and heroines in the story made it out safely while others did not.
Interesting story and again I say makes me very aware of just how mean and evil people can be.

I am fascinated by this time period in the world's history and drawn to read books about the concentration camps. I am also horrified by the events in the camps and have a hard time accepting the horrors that people had to go through. And to maintain their spirit throughout is remarkable. Very interesting story with some new perspectives.

This was a great book. I definitely enjoyed reading this emotional book. It was great how easy I slipped into the story. Just like an old slipper. It was comfortable and kept me content. It was certainly very interesting and kept my attention throughout. There was never a dull moment, and the pace of the novel kept it ticking over at a nice medium pace. It contains some great atmosphere and felt quite different to other books on this subject. I loved the characters, and they developed well throughout the story. I definitely recommend reading this book. Just please bear in mind that this book contains some hard to bare subjects. 

So much praise goes out to the author and publishing team for creating such an interesting book based on true events.
The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/tracks-to-freedom-by-michael-reit-independent-author-4-stars and my new blog https://ladyreading365.blogspot.com/2023/06/tracks-to-freedom-by-michael-reit.html under my name ladyreading365

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

To start off, I want to say that I struggled to complete this book. Despite the struggle, I did find this to be an interesting and engaging read (even though it took me a while to go through).

This story has a nice blend of fact and fiction in telling the story, following the lives of some of the people
imprisoned in Auschwitz and the uprising and destruction of a few of the crematoriums.

Despite my struggles to complete this book, I would still recommend this as a must read.

Tracks to Freedom is the second book in a series that speaks of the concentration camps built in Germany and other German-controlled countries. It is a heartbreaking look at the horrors and fears and murder of innocent people.

As usual, Michael Reit has presented well-researched, profoundly moving history in a fictional tale that mirrors reality. How people survived concentration camps is amazing. The comparison of today’s “Snoflakes” against the strength of the survivors should be stressed over and over again. Mr. Reit has done a remarkable job with his writing skills.

I recommend this series to anyone who wants to understand what really happened in Germany during the Third Reich.

This was such a heartbreaking but compelling story. Very well written.
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Apologies for the late review.

A moving story, that was a real page turner.

Thank you for sharing

Set during the Holocaust, this was a different feel to this historical book for me.
Focusing mostly on the occupations of the prisoners, it was a different thing that most of us think about when we envision the horrors of the Holocaust. Yes, the trains arrived daily with loads of prisoners that did not depart with the same passengers that mostly were killed. But I personally never thought of the prisoners that were not killed except from the hard work at the gravel pits and mines. Nurses were in high demand and forced to assist with experimental surgeries. Others worked in maintenance. Everyone walked on tippy toes not knowing what might happen when their bosses just might be in a bad mood.
Starting with lockdowns in the Jewish neighborhoods the storyline follows about 6-8 main characters as they navigate their new jobs and the frustration that went with it. I felt as if i really was emotionally invested in the main characters and rooted for them and felt devastation over a period of time. Several were able to find friends from their old neighborhoods and reconnect. But there were new friendships formed as well. I didn't realize that so many of the actual prisoners were forced to build barracks and crematoriums too.
Even though it's very much a historical work of fiction, it just didn't feel as if it was quite real. I did enjoy the storyline and maybe I've just been hardened to the genre because I have read so many different books. Well worth reading for sure. I can't say much more without letting too much of the plot out.
I received a preview ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

I always enjoy Michael Reit and his WWII novels. This is no exception. This retelling of prisoners at Auschwitz and Birkenau’s camps was done so well. Prisoners come together with plans to overthrow the camp, Nazis in charge, and escape.

I recommend this if you like WWII fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There really aren't any new thoughts to give to a book about the Holocaust Resistance. I do like that authors keep thinking of new angles to tell the stories from, like this one that speaks of nurses, crematoria workers, and maintenance workers. As long as these stories continue to get told, there is hope that it will never happen again.

This book was heartbreaking and was very difficult to digest. Nonetheless, it was engaging throughout the whole book. Even though this was fiction and was so gut wrenching to read, it did allow readers to understand the horrors which occurred during WW2. This is a must read although I would advise to thread very carefully.

Story told by 3 major characters: Agnes, a Dutch nurse; Samson, a Polish crematoria stoker; and, Joel, a Polish mechanic ~ World War II ~ Auschwitz & Birkenau ~ Hospitals & Gas Chambers ~ Constant Fear ~ Resistance ~ Horrific Events ~ Sad ~ Disease, Hunger & Starvation ~ Constant Heartbreak ~ Engrossing Characters ~ Jewish Fiction ~ Strong Women ~ Historical Fiction ~ Based on Real Events ~ Highly Recommended

Thanks so much to the author, Michael Reit for allowing me to advance read and review this book. I’ve read several Reit books and all have been great reads.

This book follows three courageous freedom fights in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Samson Tarski works as part of the Sonderkommando, the detail assigned to the gas chambers and crematorium. Agnes is a nurse, working in Block 10, the experimental hospital unit. She is forced to watch as women are tortured in the name of science. Joel, who works in the maintenance department, has free run of the camp and access to a number of tools. When they are given the opportunity to fight back, they seize the opportunity, at great risk to their own lives.

I could not stop reading this book. I read it in one sitting, staying up long into the night I'm not sure I have ever read a book from the point of view of a Sonderkommando. It was both grotesque and fascinating to read about Samson's daily work and fight for survival. It was also interesting to read about Agnes, as she and the doctors did everything they could to help ease the pain of the experiment victims. The book was well paced and did a good job alternating between different points of view. I would love to read more work from this author. Overall, highly recommended.

Chilling descriptions of ordinary Jewish and Polish people such as nurses, doctors, repairman who were forced by the Nazis to carry out chilling and horrific acts against their own comrades. The word heard by these individuals in the concentration camps: the outside world did not believe "how bad it was." Their enduring task ended up being developing and executing an underground plan to smuggle evidence showing the outside world a glimpse of the horrors.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Reit for an advanced copy of Tracks to Freedom, written by Michael Reit. This is a sequel to Beyond the Tracks, but I did not know that. It did not matter the story stands on its own very nicely. This is a story about the horrors of Auschwitz, depicting the darkest parts of Auschwitz, including medical experimentation and the inner workings of the crematoria. The author did a great job of depicting the horrors without too much explicit gore. I enjoyed how the author weaved historical facts into a novel that told an interesting story, rather than a history lesson.

What I did not enjoy was the number of characters. When you start a book, you do not know which characters are important and which ones are not. Because the author weaved so many historical facts together, there were a lot of characters, some of which did not add anything to the story (although it is possible some were from Beyond the Tracks, but because I did not read it, I did not know them). I did eventually figure out the main characters and was able to follow the storylines, but it took a long time for me, past halfway.

I enjoyed the book and will read the author’s other books.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher and author for granting me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

The book was incredible! I have read many, many books about WWII and the treatment of the Jews during this horrific time and this book is the best of the best. It does not gloss over the hard issues. It gives it to you honestly and describes in detail the horrors that took place inside and outside the concentration camps. The Jewish people were treated as less than human. They were not even treated as well as animals

The book is not for the tender hearted. It has me in tears many, many times. It is a story that needs to be told over and over again lest we forget.

Highly recommend. Five stars.

This was a harrowing story that had to be written. The author handled it in a very good manner. I will certainly look forward to other books by this author.

Tracks to Freedom is terrifying and riveting historical fiction set in the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Based on true events, and including both fictional and real characters, it clearly shows the atrocious events of World War II. There are several protagonists, all of whom are amazing and inspiring characters: Agnes, who is a nurse in the camp; Joel, who is an electrician; and Samson, who works in the crematorium, alongside other strong side characters. They all fight in different ways to survive and work for their futures.
This is extremely well written and so, so painful to read. It's impossible to look back into this period of history and not cry. The characters in this historical fiction novel really pull you in. Absolutely worth the read for those interested in World War II history.

Tracks to Freedom: Beyond the Tracks by Michael Reit: I appreciated it even through the gut-wrenching pain and horrors. The world must hear these stories over and over again, lest we forget. We must never forget. Recommended