Diary of a detainee. Compiègne, Drancy, Pithiviers - Benjamin Schatzman

Volume I: Diary

Benjamin Schatzman was arrested December 12, 1941 during the “police roundup of eminent citizens” aimed at the bourgeoisie and the intellectual élite in the Paris area. Interned in the camp at Compiègne, he managed to keep a diary despite the material difficulties.

He describes his daily torture in a remarkable language and noble attitude. In the winter of 1941, the conditions for survival in the Jewish camp of Compiègne-Royallieu were particularly tough.

Transferred several times (to Drancy, Pithiviers, Beaune-la- Rolande and then back to Drancy), Benjamin Schatzman wrote his last words September 23, 1942 in Convoy N°36 which was taking him to Auschwitz. He died a few days later in circumstances which remain unknown, leaving behind him this exceptional testimony.

Volume II: Memories and letters

In his Memories, Benjamin Schatzman recounts the first six weeks of his internment in the camp of Compiègne-Royallieu. These texts, written before he began his diary, were composed during his stay in the civilian hospital of Compiègne where he was treated for several weeks.

Benjamin Schatzman describes life in the camp, its organisation and the conditions under which the Jewish detainees were kept. He also gives us his thoughts on more general questions such as that of anti-Semitism.

This volume also includes various pages written in addition to the diary and letters to his wife Cécile during his detention.

Volume I : Journal

Preface de Serge Klarsfeld
Presented by Evry et Ruth Schatzman

532 pages / 28 illustrations
Printed book: 31 € - Ebook: 7,90 €

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Only available in French

Volume II: Memories and letters

342 pages / 16 illustrations
Printed book: 23,90 € - Ebook: 7,90 €

Order the book or the ebook (pdf or Kindle)
Only available in French

Testimony republishd by Éditions Fayard in 2006