The Altered I by Joseph Kempler as Told to April Voytko Kempler Book Review

Author: April Voytko Kempler

Email contact: authoraprilvoytkokempler@gmail.com

Published: LeRue Press, November 13, 2013

ISBN: 978-1938814013

Pages: 373

Blurb: 

Joseph Kempler is eleven years old in 1939, when World War II begins. German soldiers have invaded his hometown of Krakow, Poland. Forced with his family to leave their home, business, and belongings, Joseph embarks upon an adventure that will change his life forever. Joseph survives six concentration camps, some of them death camps, from the ages of fourteen to seventeen. Along the way he abandons family and faith. He curses God for allowing the Holocaust to happen and becomes an atheist. When he arrives at the concentration camp Melk, he encounters, from a distance, an unusual group of Christians. He is told they are called Bibelforscher, Bible Students. He is astounded to see these Aryan's imprisoned in the same concentration camp as Jews. He is further shocked when he learns that they can leave the camp anytime, all they have to do is renounce their faith by signing a document. But they won't do it. This leaves and indelible impression on young Joseph's mind. Many years later, after emigrating to America, Joseph encounters representatives of this group when they knock on his door. Always curious about their faith he questions them and ultimately converts to Christianity. THE ALTERED I chronicles Joseph's life and the circumstances leading to his life altering decision, while shining new light on an untold story of the Holocaust.


My review:

The Altered I is a story that should be told over and over. Everyone should know about what happened during the Holocaust to all that were involved in any way. I cried while reading this many times. The story of Mr. Kempler's life is horrible but yet becomes awesome in time. This is a book that you will never forget reading. I give this book a 5/5. I was given this book for the purpose of a review and all opinions are my own.