Max Eisen

Max Eisen's memoirBy Chance AlonewonCanada Reads2019, defended by Ziya Tong. Eisendied at the age of 93 on July 7, 2022.

The debatestookplace March 25-28, 2019 and werehosted by Ali Hassan.

• Get to know the Canada Reads 2019 contenders

About Max Eisen

Max Eisen was a Hungarian Jew who was deported to Auschwitz in the spring of 1944. He was a passionate speaker and educator who volunteered at the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center in Toronto.

His memoirBy Chance Alone was a finalist for the 2017 RBC Taylor Prizeandfor the2017 Non-Fiction Vine Award for Canadian Jewish Literature.

• Max Eisen shares the hardest thing about being a writer
• Max Eisen on how a love of literature was key to his healing process as a Holocaust survivor
• How a promise to his father inspired Holocaust survivor Max Eisen to tell his story
• 5 books make the 2017RBC Taylor Prize shortlist
• Max Eisen, Matti Friedman among finalists for 2017 Vine Awards for Canadian Jewish Literature

Why Max Eisenshares his story

"I was in Auschwitz with my father and uncle. There was a selection process in the middle of the night. It was July 9, 1944and my father and uncle were selected out. I only had a short timeto say goodbye to them.

He told me that if I managed to survive, I'd have to tell the world what happened there.

"Through the wire they were in a quarantine area my father gave me his blessing. He told me that if I managed to survive, I'd have to tell the world what happened there."

See more in Max Eisen'sWhy I Write episode.

Why Canada Reads author Max Eisen wrote a book about escaping death during the Holocaust

6 years ago

Duration 2:52

Max Eisen is a Hungarian Jew who was deported to Auschwitz in the spring of 1944. As an author, public speaker and Holocaust educator, Eisen travels throughout Canada giving talks about his experiences as a concentration camp survivor. In 2019, Eisen's memoir By Chance Alone is one of the five books featured on CBCs annual "battle of the books" competition Canada Reads.

Max Eisen on what keeps him writing

"I lived through a traumatic and cruel period of history. There are important lessons to be learned and personal accounts to be recorded.

I am inspired by the need to document my story so others may learn from the past.

"I am inspired by the need to document my story so others may learn from the past. On a personal level, I have a highly developed sense of observation of the world around me, which constantly inspires and motivates me to take action."

Read more in Max Eisen's interview with CBC Books.

• Read an excerpt By Chance Alone
• Why Ziya Tong is defending By Chance Alone by Max Eisen on Canada Reads
• Holocaust survivor Max Eisen on sharing a cautionary tale through Canada Reads

Books by Max Eisen

Interviews with Max Eisen

CBC Books8:27Max Eisen on his memoir By Chance Alone

The Holocaust survivor speaks with Adrienne Pan on the Edmonton, Alta. program Radio Active about writing a Canada Reads contender.

CBC Books8:15Holocaust survivor Max Eisen on Canada Reads

The author of By Chance Alone speaks with Chris Dela Torre on the London, Ont. program Afternoon Drive.

Information Morning - Moncton12:13Holocaust Survivor

Author Max Eisen on his new book about his horrifying time in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Second World War

Auschwitz liberated 65 years ago

15 years ago

Duration 6:35

Interview with Max Eisen, 15 years old when he and his family were sent by cattle-car from Hungary to Auschwitz

Ottawa Morning7:20Holocaust Survivor Max Eisen shares personal stories

Author Max Eisen on his new book about living in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Second World War....and the random acts of kindness that helped him survive and rebuild his life.

Ziya Tong reflects on heeding words of wisdom from elders before they are gone

5 years ago

Duration 1:12

The science journalist and Canada Reads 2019 panellist outlines why a Holocaust memoir is timely and relevant for our times.