num_pages: 178
description:  In May 1941 Fr. Jean Bernard was arrested for denouncing the Nazis and imprisoned in Dachau's Priest Block a barracks that housed more than 3000 clergy (the vast majority Roman Catholic priests). Priestblock 25487 tells the gripping true story of one remarkable priest's survival amid the inhuman brutality and torture of a Nazi concentration camp. In 2004 this important book was made into the award-winning film The Ninth Day . Introduction by Robert Royal. Preface by Cardinal O'Malley of Boston. Praise for Priestblock 25487''Stunning... Casts light into dark and previously neglected corners of the horror that was the Third Reich.''Richard John Neuhaus''Fr. Jean Bernard's portrait of survival in a German concentration camp is simple forceful and vivid and therefore impossible to put down or forget. Priestblock 25487 is a diary of Catholic discipleship under extreme conditions that ranks with the great 20th Century personal testimonies against totalitarian violence.''Archbishop Chaput''Many hundreds of books have been written about German concentration and extermination camps. Of these Priestblock 25487 is among the very best. Every scholar and student of that dreadful chapter of 20th-century history ought to read and ponder its contents.''John Lukacs  author The Hitler of History ; and Five Days in May 1940''From the opening scene in a Nazi interrogation room Priestblock 25487 moves with page-turning urgency as it brings to life a side of history that is too often forgotten. I highly recommend this powerful and inspiring book.''Thomas E. Woods  author How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization''In its understated power this brief book is unforgettable.''Michael Novak''Important... luminous... Moves the reader to compassion and insight.''Rachelle Linner  Catholic News Service''Deeply moving... The suffering of these priests for the sake of the loving God is one of the modern age's glorious mysteries.''Fr. George Rutler''I found this compelling book hard to stop reading.''Tim Johnson  Today's Catholic''Riveting... an important primary source for historians.''John Burger  National Catholic Register''Absorbing... Beautifully written.''Erin Ryan  National Catholic Reporter''A gripping story of heroism and horror that must never be forgotten.'' First Things''Should be treated as a meditation even something to be read again and again... So profound it deserves a wide readership.''Barbara Stinson Lee  Intermountain Catholic''A must-read for Catholics. Provides fresh anecdotal insight into the Vatican's battle against the Nazis... As this first-hand account shows in riveting detail the mere rumor of clerical opposition on the outside sufficed to intensify suffering on the inside.''Daniel Cole  The Wanderer''A gripping testimony of the brutal treatment Catholic clergy received at the hands of the Nazis.''William Donohue  President Catholic League''It is dramatic. It is brutally honest. I loved the book and could not put it down.''Teresa Tomeo  Ave Maria Radio''I began reading this book on Friday night and finished the 175 pages in three hours. It was a book I could not put down or stop reading.''Rev. Steve Wood  St. John's Evangelical Church
language: English
title: Priestblock 25487: a Memoir of Dachau
publisher: Ignatius Press