THE VICTORY OF FATHER KARL

by Otto Pies ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 14, 1957

This is the story of Karl Leisner, a young German theology student suffering from tuberculosis, who was secretly ordained a priest while detailed in the infamous Nazi concentration camp at Dachau and who died shortly after he was liberated. This story of his unfailing cheerfulness and supernatural courage and charity toward his fellow-prisoners is told by a Jesuit priest who shared the same fate of being imprisoned and was in intimate contact with him at Dachau. Numerous extracts from the young man's diary give the reader an intimate glimpse into the mind and heart of Father Karl in the midst of life in the concentration camp. The book has almost as much value as a faithful portrayal of the characters and customs of concentration camp life under the Nazis as it has because of its inspiring account of the tragic and heroic life of Father Karl. The ghastly reality of the complex and torturesome life is vividly and concretely re-created by the author out of his own experience. His descriptions of the camp at Dachau as a warring city in itself, of the daily life and works of charity of the numerous priests confined in isolation from other prisoners, of the details connected with the secret ordination, of the dangerous visits to the camp by a benefactress from a near-by convent and of the suspense and joy experienced by the prisoners at the time of their liberation, are absorbing in their own right and shed enormous light upon horrible conditions prevailing. This book is a testimony to great Christian faith and courage under the worst possible circumstances on the one hand and to the most revolting kinds of human cruelty and degradation on the other.

Pub Date: March 14, 1957

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Cudahy

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1957

Categories: NONFICTION