The Death Camp Magicians Paperback

Germania: The Story of The Great Nivelli by William V. Rauscher

A haunting and powerful account of survival, humanity, and memory. In this second printing, softcover edition, Germania takes readers on a journey through one of the darkest chapters in human history—the Nazi era—through the eyes of two men whose lives were forever changed by the Holocaust. Written by William V. Rauscher, this moving book intertwines the story of Herbert Levin, known on stage as The Great Nivelli, and Werner Reich, both survivors of Auschwitz.

Before the war, Nivelli was a celebrated magician in Berlin and the youngest member of the Berlin Stock Exchange. When the Nazis rose to power, he fled to Prague, only to be captured and sent to Auschwitz with his family. There, he endured unimaginable suffering but survived—and after the war, he rebuilt his life and career as a magician in the United States. Young Werner Reich, imprisoned in the same camp, learned card tricks from Nivelli and carried the memory of that small spark of hope for the rest of his life.

Through Rauscher’s sensitive and detailed storytelling, readers are transported into the brutal reality of the camps and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Germania is not only a historical narrative but also a moral warning and a testament to resilience, echoing George Santayana’s timeless reminder: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Highlights

• The Great Nivelli: The story of Herbert Levin—a magician, performer, and Holocaust survivor.
• Werner Reich’s connection: A young boy who learned magic in Auschwitz and lived to tell the story.
• First-hand accounts: Based on survivor experiences, correspondence, and postwar interviews.
• Historical insight: Illuminates both the horrors and humanity of life inside Nazi death camps.
• Second printing edition: Softcover, updated with biographical context and author reflections.

Product Details

• Author: William V. Rauscher
• Title: Germania: The Story of The Great Nivelli
• Edition: Second Printing
• Format: Softcover
• Category: History, Biography, Holocaust Studies, Magic History
• Condition: Vintage / Collectible

Germania is a deeply moving true story that bridges the worlds of history and magic, survival and remembrance. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit—and a reminder that even in the darkest times, light can endure.