Survival In Auschwitz Essays - Levites, Primo Levi,

Survival in Auschwitz Survival in Auschwitz In the History of the world there have been few incidences of atrocities that equal the treatment of the Jews in Europe during World War II. It is difficult to accept the levels of systematic cruelty and terror experienced during this period. In the book Survival in Auschwitz, Primo Levi paints a picture with disturbing detail that is meant to serve as a reminder of the unimaginable horrors millions of men, women and children were forcefully subjected to as a result of hate. As a Jew, Levi knew he was in danger while living in fascist Northern Italy. By 1943, the Nazis had moved south and set up holding camps around Italy to detain political prisoners and those of the Jewish nationality until they could be transported to established concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Dachau. This book depicts what happened to Levi after his arrest in 1944. Along with 650 others, he was loaded into a freight train for a four day journey without food or water and without the liberty to leave the train at anytime. Upon their arrival at the camp of Auschwitz, Poland, the first of a precession of selections took place. The German SS Soldiers separated those they deemed capable of work from those they deemed incapable, such as women, children and elderly. Only 135 of the 650 from Levi's train were admitted into Auschwitz, the other 515 went immediately to the gas chambers. These methods of selection were to a degree, a logical means as compared to other random selections. "Later, a simpler method was adopted that involved merely opening both doors on the train. Without warning or instruction to the new arrivals, those who by chance climbed down on one side of the convoy entered the camp; the others went to the gas chamber."(20) He was herded with the others into the camp and after being striped naked and having his head shaved, he was given an old striped uniform and the identification numbers 174517 tattooed on his arm. Levi recalled with remarkable accuracy the humiliation and confusion felt as he was forced to assimilate into his new surroundings. The food rations were too insufficient to stave off the hunger. Thousands of others around him were suffering and unavoidably dying as a result of this insufficient food supply. Although he was new to the camp, his experiences with others and his own observations told him that the Germans militant nature was at its worst. In order to outlive the war and survive, he found ways to maintain the illusion of usefulness with the least possible exertion. Any protest or disobedience from prisoners ended swiftly with beatings and death. An iron sign above the front gates proclaimed the camp slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei". This translated to; "work gives you freedom. " Prisoners of Auschwitz were forced to work seven days a week with two Sundays off a month which were filled with tedious, exhausting tasks and were often the only opportunity available was to attend to personal hygiene needs. The bulk of their time was spent working 16-hour days in factories and around the camp, making supplies for the war and other items for the Germans. With little food and inadequate clothing, it was easy to fall ill or die from exhaustion while working in the snow and rain. Levi was lucky enough to be sent to (and return from) the Ka-be or the infirmary to recover from an injury to his Achilles tendon. The Ka-be was overcrowded, and was populated by individuals with deadly, communicable diseases such as typhus and dysentery. There were no medicines available to relieve the symptoms and the pain and suffering was widespread. Despite this he was able to rest and build up some strength before returning back to work. Much of the work assigned to them was needless. It was given for the purpose of wearing down the prisoner and making him weaker. A weak prisoner was less likely to protest or attempt to escape. Levi described how many of the prisoners, after long hours of manual labor, would gather in a corner of the camp for a market. They would trade rations and stolen goods. Such goods as a spoon or buttons were as valuable as gold. The market followed all the classical economic laws. This seemed to show the ability of people to live and think and work in the most adverse of conditions. Inside the barbed wire, the prisoners had created their own social and economical world in order to endure. Primo Levi seems to write as

buy custom North American Warehouse Clubs essay

buy custom North American Warehouse Clubs essay This paper will focus on the competition amongst the North American Warehouse Clubs: Costco Wholesale versus Sams Club versus BJs wholesale. In the analysis, the paper will highlight the warehouse club that has been the strongest financial performer in the current years based on the companys financial data and financial ratios. Besides, the paper will explain whether Costcos expansion outside North America is financially successful, in addition to the companys position in the next five years. In the United States, Costco wholesale is the third biggest retailer and the eighth biggest globally (Thompson, P. 56). The Wholesale operates numerous warehouses in various locations including in the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Japan, United Kingdom, Korea and Australia amongst others (Thompson, P. 56). The warehouses are evidenced to make great sales annually which have resulted to the success of the Costco wholesale. Besides, the success can be linked to the increased number of membership both from businesses and households. According to Costco main operating and financial statistics for the financial years 2000 to 2009, the wholesale is doing well in terms of financial performance. According to the financial statement, Costco net sales increased at an increasing rate between the periods 2000 ($31,621) to 2008 ($70, 977) although there was a slight decrease in 2009 ($69,889) (Thompson, P. 58). Moreover, the total revenues also increased at an increasing rate in the same period, with 2000 having total revenue of $32,164 and 2009 with $71,422 (Thompson, P. 58). The increased net sales and membership fees which resulted to increased revenues led to an increased net income in the period ranging from $631 to $1,086 (Thompson, P. 58). In addition to this, the cash flow data revealed an increase in net cash offered by operating activities in addition to increased number of warehouses in operation. Sam club operates various warehouses in various state of the United States including Brazil, Mexico, China, Canada, and Puerto Rico (Thompson, P. 67). The club has seen the closure of various warehouses due to underperformance. However, the club has also opened various new warehouses. The operating and financial statistics of Sams club for the financial years 2001 and 2010 will give us an analysis of how the club is performing financially. According to the statistics, the clubs sales in the United States increased at an increasing rate between the years 2001 to 2009, although there was a slight decrease in the financial year 2010 as compared to 2009 (Thompson, P. 68). Besides, other determinants such as the clubs assets, and number of locations also increased gradually. Nevertheless, the growth in sales at the subsisting warehouses that are opened for over one year revealed a decrease in the rate of growth over the period. BJs wholesale also operates various warehouses in the eastern part of the United States, and since 2004, the wholesale has recorded an increased number of warehouses from 150 to 187 (Thompson, P. 69). The wholesale faces stiff competition from Costco and Sams; nonetheless, it has come up with various strategies which has made it remain in the market place. The operating and financial statistics for BJ wholesale for the financial years 2006 to 2010 offer a clear analysis of how the wholesale is performing financially. According to the data, the wholesales net sale increased at an increasing rate between the years 2006 to 2010, ranging from $7,725 to $9,954 (Thompson, P. 70). These, accompanied by increased membership fees and other revenues resulted to an increase in total revenues in the same period. Furthermore, the clubs balance sheet and cash flow data indicates good financial performance. Comparing al these three warehouse clubs in terms of financial performance according to the information provided above, Costco can be evidenced to be the strongest financial performmer in the current years based on the companys financial data. This is based on the fact that the wholesales net revenues, net sales, membership fees, and cash flow data indicates a high increase during the period provided compared to the other warehouse clubs. Furthermore, the wholesale has an increased number of warehouses in operation, and increased number of members in addition to recording a high number of novel warehouses which all contributes to and signifies better financial performance. Apparently, Costcos expansion outside North America (the United States and Canada) is financially successful according to the data provided. This is evidenced by the fact that for the financial years 2005 to 2009, other international operations showed that the main determinants for financial performance were improving. For instance, for that period, the total revenue for international operations was on the increase (Thompson, P. 64). Besides, the number of warehouses increased during the period and this signifies growth. Although there were increases in operating income and capital expenditures, this was well covered by incomes resulting to an upward growth in terms of financial performance. This means that Costco expansion outside North America is financially successful. With the previous performance of Costco, it is true saying that in the next five years, the wholesale, standing as an industry leader is likely to be stronger. The current strategy used by the company including pricing and quality has a competitive advantage over that of its rivals meaning that; most likely, the company will persist being successful in the market place. Besides, the current performance of Costco indicates that the wholesale has a magnificently large number of members compared to it competitor, and persist to open novel warehouses signifying that the possibility that Costco will persist being a stronger market leader may be at the expense of the other two rivals (BJ and Sams) which are very likely to lose ground. Buy custom North American Warehouse Clubs essay