Gisella Perl

Gisella Perl (1907-1988) was a Hungarian Jewish gynecologist who survived imprisonment at Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II, where she became known as "the Angel of Auschwitz" for her work saving pregnant women's lives. At Auschwitz, she worked as a camp doctor and made the difficult decision to secretly terminate pregnancies, as pregnant women were immediately killed or used for medical experiments by Josef Mengele. After the war, she immigrated to New York and later became a specialist in infertility treatment at Mount Sinai Hospital. Her 1948 memoir "I Was a Doctor in Auschwitz" was one of the earliest published Holocaust testimonies, providing detailed accounts of medical conditions and atrocities in the concentration camps. The book has become an important historical document of both the Holocaust and women's experiences during this period. Perl's life and work have been the subject of various books, documentaries, and a 2003 Showtime television film titled "Out of the Ashes." She dedicated her post-war medical career to delivering healthy babies, reportedly helping bring over 3,000 children into the world.

Readers find Perl's memoir "I Was a Doctor in Auschwitz" to be a raw, unflinching account that documents the medical horrors and ethical dilemmas faced in concentration camps. Many note the clinical, matter-of-fact tone she uses to describe unthinkable situations. Readers appreciate: - Her direct writing style without sensationalism - Detailed medical observations and documentation - Focus on women's experiences specifically - Clear explanations of impossible moral choices Common criticisms: - Writing can be disjointed and rushed in places - Some medical details are too graphic for some readers - Translation from Hungarian loses some nuance Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (380+ ratings) One reader noted: "Her detached medical perspective makes the horror even more impactful." Another wrote: "An essential firsthand account, but the clinical descriptions require emotional fortitude to read."

I was a Doctor in Auschwitz (1948) A first-hand account of Perl's experiences as a gynecologist in Auschwitz concentration camp, detailing her efforts to save female prisoners while working under Josef Mengele.

Critical note: While more works are often attributed to Perl in various sources, this appears to be her only verified published work. Her story has been referenced in many other books and adapted into various formats, but I was a Doctor in Auschwitz is her sole authenticated publication.

Elie Wiesel wrote personal accounts of surviving Auschwitz and other concentration camps during the Holocaust. His works, like "Night," share similarities with Perl's focus on documenting medical experiences and human survival in the camps.

Charlotte Delbo produced memoirs about her time as a resistance member who was imprisoned in Auschwitz. Her trilogy "Auschwitz and After" examines similar themes to Perl's work regarding women's experiences in concentration camps.

Primo Levi wrote detailed accounts of his experiences as a Jewish prisoner and chemist in Auschwitz. His scientific background parallels Perl's medical perspective in documenting camp conditions.

Viktor Frankl combined his psychiatric expertise with his Holocaust survival story in his writings. His focus on finding meaning through suffering connects to Perl's exploration of maintaining humanity in inhumane conditions.

Olga Lengyel wrote about her experiences as a medical worker in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Her book "Five Chimneys" covers similar territory to Perl's accounts, including medical details and women's experiences in the camps.