
Giants
The Dwarfs of Auschwitz
Robson Press
Published on 18. December 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-84954-653-9 (ISBN)
Description
'Through thick and thin, never separate. Stick together, guard each other, and live for one another.' As Hitler's war intensified, the Ovitz family would have good reason to stand by their mother's mantra. Descending from the cattle train into the death camp of Auschwitz, all twelve emerged in 1945 as survivors - the largest family to survive intact. What saved them? Ironically, the fact that they were sought out by the 'Angel of Death' himself - Dr Joseph Mengele. For seven of the Ovitzes were dwarfs - and not just any dwarfs, but a beloved and highly successful vaudeville act known as the Lilliput Troupe. Together, they were the only all-dwarf ensemble with a full show of their own in the history of entertainment. The Ovitzes intrigued Mengele, and amongst the thousands on whom he performed his loathsome experiments, they became his prize 'patients': 'You're something special, not like the rest of them.' It was this disturbing affection that saved their lives.
After being plunged into the darkest moments in modern history, this remarkable troupe emerged with spirits undimmed, and went on to light up Europe and Israel, which offered them a new home, with their unique performances. Giants reveals their moving and inspirational story.
After being plunged into the darkest moments in modern history, this remarkable troupe emerged with spirits undimmed, and went on to light up Europe and Israel, which offered them a new home, with their unique performances. Giants reveals their moving and inspirational story.
Reviews / Votes
"An astonishing story: both wretchedly sad and oddly uplifting - Giants can scarcely fail to stay with you." Mail on Sunday '[An] amazing story sympathetically and eloquently told ... The authors show great respect and affection for the Ovitzes ... Theirs was a life worth living and a story very worth telling.' New York Review of Books "Their remarkable story, extensively researched, is so beautifully and sympathetically written that it fully deserves to appeal far beyond its core audience." BBC History MagazineMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Biteback Publishing
Illustrations
Photos
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
302 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84954-653-9 (9781849546539)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition

Yehuda Koren | Eilat Negev
Giants
the Dwarfs of Auschwitz: The Extraordinary Story of the Lilliput Troupe
Book
02/2013
Robson Press
€41.03
No shipping information available
Persons
Yehuda Koren and Eilat Negev are respected writers and journalists. Their books include The First Lady of Fleet Street and Lover of Unreason: The Life and Tragic Death of Assia Wevill.