The Boy on the Wooden Box
Written by Leon Leyson and Marilyn J. Harran
Narrated by Danny Burstein
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
This, the only memoir published by a former Schindler’s list child, perfectly captures the innocence of a small boy who goes through the unthinkable. Leon Leyson (born Leib Lezjon) was only ten years old when the Nazis invaded Poland and his family was forced to relocate to the Krakow ghetto. With incredible luck, perseverance, and grit, Leyson was able to survive the sadism of the Nazis, including that of the demonic Amon Goeth, commandant of Plaszow, the concentration camp outside Krakow.
Ultimately, it was the generosity and cunning of one man, Oskar Schindler, who saved Leon Leyson’s life, and the lives of his mother, his father, and two of his four siblings, by adding their names to his list of workers in his factory—a list that became world renowned: Schindler’s list.
Told with an abundance of dignity and a remarkable lack of rancor and venom, The Boy on the Wooden Box is a legacy of hope, a memoir unlike anything you’ve ever read.
Leon Leyson
Leon Leyson was one of the youngest members of Schindler’s List. He brings a unique perspective to the history of the Holocaust and a powerful message of courage and humanity. Believing that no one would be interested in his story, he rarely spoke about his experiences until the film Schindler’s List received worldwide attention. A graduate of Los Angeles City College; California State University, Los Angeles; and Pepperdine University, he taught at Huntington Park High School in Huntington Park, California, for thirty-nine years. In recognition of his many accomplishments as educator and witness to the Holocaust, Mr. Leyson was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Chapman University. Mr. Leyson passed away in January 2013, leaving behind his wife, Lis; their two children; and six grandchildren.
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Reviews for The Boy on the Wooden Box
99 ratings8 reviews
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Unlike other true memoirs I've read of this horrific time, this book did not connect with me for some reason. I felt it read like a book report & lacked authentic emotions. It followed a timeline of events & I just felt it had no feeling or true depth to it. The audible narrator may have had something to do with that. It just lacked everything to me that a holocaust survivors story would share. Heartfelt emotion, betrayal, loss, sadness, heartbreak... I can't quite explain how disappointing this book was to me. All I know, is after Heather Morris' true accounts from her interviews with holocaust survivors (the tattooist of Auschwitz & Cilkas journey) ... This book seemed insincere & hollow.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was a wonderful. Such strength this family put forward to survive such a horrible time in their lives.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Definitely a must to read. This should be in every library in the USA
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fabulous! So inspiring. It speaks to our common humanity, its courage, its compassion, and its triumph despite the cruelty and sadism of others. Read this and deepen your own humanity.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Loved the detail of his story, good book, I think I was just expecting something else.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Easy to understand, told matter of factly, objective facts about Schindler (no sugarcoating). Thanks for sharing your story Leon.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved this book so much but it’s so sad but it get better in the end❣️❣️❣️
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very touching and moving. I learned about Oskar Schindler which I had not known before. Both Leon and Mr. Schindler are heroes!