Author and producer Richard K. Lowy (RKL) is bringing “Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz” (ISBN: 9781779410092; Released January 2024) to a global audience, unveiling a story nearly lost to history. As young servant boys to SS guards, Kalman and Leopold navigated a treacherous world, bearing witness to the chilling secrets of Mengele’s hospital camp, the brutality of the guards, the searing fire pits, and the daring uprising at Crematoria IV—all while simply trying to survive. From the shadows of Mengele’s SS guard shack to the nightmarish horrors of his laboratories, they saw humanity at its most depraved—yet Leopold’s quick wit and sharp instincts became their only shield, sparing them from brutal SS beatings and serving as their last line of defense in a world devoid of mercy. Fifty-six years after liberation, in an extraordinary and unexpected reunion, Kalman found his long-lost friend and declared, “Leopold was my hero.”
This book doesn’t just recount history—it immerses you in it, forcing readers to see Mengele’s Auschwitz through the eyes of two young boys who endured it: their words, their hopes, their fears. Their story is gripping, deeply relevant, and a stark reminder of the dangers of hatred. Released on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, it stands as both a tribute and a warning. Lowy, whose career has spanned decades of event production and storytelling, first explored his father’s experiences in Leo’s Journey: The Story of the Mengele Twins, a documentary narrated by Christopher Plummer, which led to the reunion of Kalman and Leopold. Now, he embarks on a relentless mission to reveal this long-buried truth, amplify these witnesses’ long-silenced testimonies, and share a warning echoing from the past—one the world cannot afford to ignore.
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Upcoming Appearances:
March 11–13, 2025 – London Book Fair RKL will attend the London Book Fair, one of the world’s largest publishing trade events, bringing together publishers, literary agents, authors, and industry professionals to negotiate rights deals, discover emerging trends, and network on a global scale.
March 12, 2025 – Exclusive UK Book Launch @ The Ivy Club RKL has been extended the distinct honor of presenting Kalman & Leopold at The Ivy Club in London. As one of the most exclusive private members' clubs, The Ivy Club gathers distinguished figures from the arts, media, and business. This invitation is a testament to the profound impact of Kalman & Leopold, recognizing its historical importance and literary merit among some of the most influential minds in London.
March 23, 2025 – South African Book Launch RKL’s invitation to simultaneously launch Kalman & Leopold across all three South African Holocaust & Genocide Centres—Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban—is a powerful acknowledgment of its significance. Their endorsement reinforces the book’s global impact, preserving testimony, confronting prejudice, and shaping meaningful dialogue worldwide.
April 24–27, 2025 – Art Vancouver With over 13,000 art enthusiasts in attendance, Art Vancouver—Western Canada’s premier international art fair—has never featured a book signing—until now. Recognizing Kalman & Leopold as a masterpiece in the art of storytelling, the event’s founder made a rare exception, honoring RKL’s work as a narrative that transforms history into art.
April 26–27, 2025 – Los Angeles Times Festival of Books RKL will exhibit at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, one of the world’s most prestigious literary gatherings, renowned for uniting bestselling authors, emerging voices, and industry leaders in a vibrant celebration of literature, ideas, and storytelling.
Critical Reception:
- Kirkus Reviews describes Kalman & Leopold as “Impressive, uplifting, and poignant.”
- Dan Perry, in The Jerusalem Post, calls it “harrowing and meticulously detailed.”
- K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite, “Lowy’s narrative technique immerses readers in the lived experiences of his subjects, making their pain, resilience, and humanity palpable in ways that transcend traditional historical documentation.”
- Lucinda E. Clarke, Readers’ Favorite, “Their stories are real, vivid, and horrific… My heart was touched deeply by this book. I shall never forget it.”
- K. Dunnagan, Amazon, “I have read many books and articles concerning the holocaust. Have watched many documentaries. This book has brought such clarity of the individual sufferer like nothing else I've read. I could not put it down.”
With archival photographs, personal letters, and historical context, the book offers both an educational and deeply personal perspective on survival and remembrance. Kalman and Leopold remind us of the importance of bearing witness.
BOOK SUMMARY:
Author: Richard K. Lowy
Email: authorpress@tellwell.ca
Website: kalmanandleopold.com
Genre: History/Biography
Released: January 2025
PAPERBACK ISBN-13: 9781779410092
Publisher: Tellwell
News Source: Richard K. Lowy
Media Contact
Company Name: Tellwell Author Press
Email: Send Email
Country: Canada
Website: https://kalmanandleopold.com/
