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Remember Your Name by Erik G. LeMoullec
While sitting in traffic heading to her great-grandfather’s eighty-fourth birthday party, Hayden asks her dad why her great-grandfather speaks the way he does. What follows is a car ride she will never forget as she learns about his difficult childhood. From living in the Lodz ghetto at age ten to surviving the hells of Auschwitz and a death march from Görlitz concentration camp at fifteen, Teddy Znamirowski faced unfathomable horrors, narrowly escaping death time and time again. Liberated at sixteen, he took on smuggling as a means to survive. It was not until the Bricha approached him and he became a lead operative – smuggling thousands of refugees across country borders – that he was finally able to begin his life again. Teddy’s story is one of survival amidst horrific circumstances. The author does not sensationalize the suffering his grandfather and his family endured, but in this work of narrative nonfiction simply recreates this remarkable man’s early life during one of the darkest moments of human history.
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First published October 7, 2014
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About the author
Erik G. LeMoullec
1 book6 followersErik was born in Rockland county NY. He currently lives in Southbury, CT with his wife, Shannon and their two daughters, Hayden and Reese. Aside from being a chiropractor and acupuncturist in Woodbury, CT, he enjoys spending time with his family and participating in endurance road races, triathlons and tough mudders. He is looking forward to running the Disney Marathon with Shannon this January!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 18, 2014
When I began reading Remember Your Name, I expected the basics of what it promised to be: the true-life story of a boy who experiences the horrors of the Nazis firsthand. What I actually experienced was so much more. The book opens with a 10-year-old Teddy Znamirowski in his hometown of Lodz, Poland, where he lived a happy and comfortable life with his parents and his two sisters. Early on, the characters truly come to life. I found myself connecting with each of them right away, as I got a brief glimpse into their lives and peaceful existence before the German invasion began. I shared Teddy's horror upon first witnessing German soldiers arriving in their town, and at the ever-increasing brutality that followed. The personal, detailed description of day-to-day confrontations with Nazi soldiers and the dread these people must have felt became so vivid. I was particularly touched by the bravery and dignity shown by each member of the Znamirowski family during this time of persecution, right down to his little 5-yr-old sister, Esther. Mr. LeMoullec has a way of bringing these experiences home in a way that I have rarely seen. Perhaps it is because these events happened to his own grandfather, and he heard the stories told with all of the emotion and particularity of a firsthand witness. It is unmistakeable that these recollections had a profound effect on the author, and he has successfully transferred the full weight of that impact into the pages of Remember Your Name.
As the story unfolds and the situation deteriorates rapidly, Teddy finds himself and his family suffering the indignities and deprivation of the Lodz ghetto. The misery they are dealt is acute; yet the sacrificial love exhibited by him, his parents, and others in the midst of the suffering inspires, even as the situation grows from very bad to unfathomably worse. Though I've never known the pain of starvation, due to the author's ability to bring such suffering to life I could almost feel what it must've been like for Teddy and his companions, and I ached for them all throughout. I was in tears repeatedly as Teddy is assaulted by unimaginable loss and grief to which there is no relief. Eventually, he's left all alone in the ghetto, only to soon find himself deported to the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp via the infamous cattle cars of the day. There, he witnesses sights, sounds -- and smells -- that became all too real to me as I read his description of the camp. The inhumanity unleashed against so many who shared life at Auschwitz with Teddy is very well chronicled, and difficult to stomach. I found renewed disgust for the cruelty of the Nazis as the author described one act of savagery after another, unleashed on prisoners for the mildest of infractions -- and at times just for the sheer entertainment of the monsters masquerading as German soldiers. Despite the ever-present anguish, I cheered as Teddy again and again cheated death, succeeded at seemingly impossible tasks, and occasionally was helped along by a mysterious, unseen hand. And while humor is certainly tempered by the reality of Teddy's situation, laughs are still peppered throughout. Clearly the spitfire personality of the book's hero couldn't be fully suppressed, even by the Wermacht.
The last section of the book brings some relief to the agony, as Teddy finds unique ways to make a new life after the Nazis fall from power and he is liberated. Despite a sketchy (but nonetheless enjoyable to the reader) start, Teddy ends up being a hero, joining the Bricha and rescuing Jews from postwar Poland, where they are suffering renewed persecution at the hands of local residents. As Teddy helps smuggle Jews out of Poland, he faces seemingly insurmountable odds, yet manages to succeed at rescuing thousands of his people thanks to his bravery, his uncanny shrewdness, his linguistic abilities, and his ever-present gift of schmooze--and I believe thanks to the hand of Providence, as well.
I've read other memoirs and accounts of survivors of the Holocaust, but Remember Your Name is a clear stand-out. No other account has ever given me such a feeling of knowing the characters as they were before the horrors began -- for half the book, I came to know and care for each member of Teddy's family, and when they were brutally stripped away from him, I felt like they were being stripped away from me, as well, albeit to a much lesser degree than it was for our young hero. Erik LeMoullec has produced a very well-written, poignant, and powerful book that I recommend highly to anyone interested in getting an up close and personal look at the life of a Jewish boy facing the cruelty and barabarism of the Nazis. The story is emotionally exhausting at times, yet difficult to stop reading; I can attest to that after reading for hours into the night, repeatedly wiping away tears (and occasionally sobbing). As hard as it is to digest the acute suffering of the characters in this book, there is still triumph in the end, and it is so very welcome after such turmoil. The author ensures that by the book's end, you will admire his grandfather, you will mourn for him, and at last, you will celebrate his ultimate victory, which is sweet. I can honestly say that after reading this, Teddy Znamirowski is now a hero of mine.
As the story unfolds and the situation deteriorates rapidly, Teddy finds himself and his family suffering the indignities and deprivation of the Lodz ghetto. The misery they are dealt is acute; yet the sacrificial love exhibited by him, his parents, and others in the midst of the suffering inspires, even as the situation grows from very bad to unfathomably worse. Though I've never known the pain of starvation, due to the author's ability to bring such suffering to life I could almost feel what it must've been like for Teddy and his companions, and I ached for them all throughout. I was in tears repeatedly as Teddy is assaulted by unimaginable loss and grief to which there is no relief. Eventually, he's left all alone in the ghetto, only to soon find himself deported to the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp via the infamous cattle cars of the day. There, he witnesses sights, sounds -- and smells -- that became all too real to me as I read his description of the camp. The inhumanity unleashed against so many who shared life at Auschwitz with Teddy is very well chronicled, and difficult to stomach. I found renewed disgust for the cruelty of the Nazis as the author described one act of savagery after another, unleashed on prisoners for the mildest of infractions -- and at times just for the sheer entertainment of the monsters masquerading as German soldiers. Despite the ever-present anguish, I cheered as Teddy again and again cheated death, succeeded at seemingly impossible tasks, and occasionally was helped along by a mysterious, unseen hand. And while humor is certainly tempered by the reality of Teddy's situation, laughs are still peppered throughout. Clearly the spitfire personality of the book's hero couldn't be fully suppressed, even by the Wermacht.
The last section of the book brings some relief to the agony, as Teddy finds unique ways to make a new life after the Nazis fall from power and he is liberated. Despite a sketchy (but nonetheless enjoyable to the reader) start, Teddy ends up being a hero, joining the Bricha and rescuing Jews from postwar Poland, where they are suffering renewed persecution at the hands of local residents. As Teddy helps smuggle Jews out of Poland, he faces seemingly insurmountable odds, yet manages to succeed at rescuing thousands of his people thanks to his bravery, his uncanny shrewdness, his linguistic abilities, and his ever-present gift of schmooze--and I believe thanks to the hand of Providence, as well.
I've read other memoirs and accounts of survivors of the Holocaust, but Remember Your Name is a clear stand-out. No other account has ever given me such a feeling of knowing the characters as they were before the horrors began -- for half the book, I came to know and care for each member of Teddy's family, and when they were brutally stripped away from him, I felt like they were being stripped away from me, as well, albeit to a much lesser degree than it was for our young hero. Erik LeMoullec has produced a very well-written, poignant, and powerful book that I recommend highly to anyone interested in getting an up close and personal look at the life of a Jewish boy facing the cruelty and barabarism of the Nazis. The story is emotionally exhausting at times, yet difficult to stop reading; I can attest to that after reading for hours into the night, repeatedly wiping away tears (and occasionally sobbing). As hard as it is to digest the acute suffering of the characters in this book, there is still triumph in the end, and it is so very welcome after such turmoil. The author ensures that by the book's end, you will admire his grandfather, you will mourn for him, and at last, you will celebrate his ultimate victory, which is sweet. I can honestly say that after reading this, Teddy Znamirowski is now a hero of mine.
February 29, 2024
Not an easy book to read at all.
I am so choked up and moved by this. I’ve read a lot of books about the Holocaust. But this one…..holy heck.
Struggle your way through it. It’s worth it — to us all.
I am so choked up and moved by this. I’ve read a lot of books about the Holocaust. But this one…..holy heck.
Struggle your way through it. It’s worth it — to us all.
March 23, 2015
I won this book from Goodreads First-reads. Terry a young fifteen year old Jewish boy; blonde and blue Eyes could pass for a German. He was very smart, could speak four languages fluently. He was a good talker too. He and his family were from Poland. In 1939 they were moved to a Ghetto, then after that they put on a train to Auschwitz. Terry lost all his family and friends. Once he got separated from the other children and stayed all night with a former neighbor man. That action saved his life. After liberation he smuggled Jews out of Germany to board a ship to Isreal. A true hero. I applaude the author for writing this true story from his grandfather's memory. "Lest we forget"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2015
Teddy's story is an important one. It was gut-wrenching. It was meaningful. I'm glad I read it.
February 4, 2017
Remember Your Name is the true store of Holocaust survivor Tanchum "Teddy" Znamirowski. It is one of the most powerful books I'm sure I'll have read this year. Teddy was only a ten year old child when the Germans invaded Poland. He was living in Lodz when it was turned into a ghetto. After surviving the hardships of that situation (and there are many) he is then transported to Auschwitz to survive unthinkable cruelty. This particular story will continue to resonate in my mind for years to come. I've read many books on the subject from the perspective of survivors and this is one of the most memorable. Erik LeMoullec did a wonderful job putting his grandfather's story into perspective although much of it is to horrible to fathom. You almost feel as if you're watching this young boy be forced into a man before your very eyes. As he loses the people closest to him he still chooses not to let himself be filled with hate. A lesson I think many people could learn from with the state of the world today. Words can not express the respect and admiration I grew to have for Teddy before the story was over.
"Remember what you see here and who you are. You are special, Tanchum, a survivor. Tell your father everything. Remember your family. Now run. Run, and remember your name."
"Remember what you see here and who you are. You are special, Tanchum, a survivor. Tell your father everything. Remember your family. Now run. Run, and remember your name."
July 7, 2018
Atrocities, love and triumph,a fantastic read!
Tanchum's (Teddy) story of survival is amazing. It's a demonstration of the will to live and love in spite of losing everything he knew. There were times when I thought, "there is no way Teddy is getting out of this one", ... Well, read it for yourself!
Tanchum's (Teddy) story of survival is amazing. It's a demonstration of the will to live and love in spite of losing everything he knew. There were times when I thought, "there is no way Teddy is getting out of this one", ... Well, read it for yourself!
July 14, 2017
This is an unforgettable book. It was a hard read. The indifference and hatred for human life that Teddy and all of the Jews had to endure is never more raw or exposed than in this book.
May 20, 2018
Really good memoir!
Because this written in the vocabulary of a young adult level book at first I thought I would not like it. However it was excellent and I recommend it.
Because this written in the vocabulary of a young adult level book at first I thought I would not like it. However it was excellent and I recommend it.
June 19, 2020
This is a fabulous book about ww2.
Read
September 29, 2023A grandson's tribute to his holocaust-surviving grandfather. A love story between the generations. Have the tissues ready.
November 6, 2015
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This book is a 2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Winner.
We all know and have experienced those times when kids say or ask the darndest things. Erik LeMoullec takes this opportunity to explain the life of his grandfather Teddy Znamirowski to his children after Hayden asks “Why does Saba talk like that?” This single question draws Erik back into time when he too had asked his grandfather the same question.
A very well written accounting of the life of Teddy Znamirowski touching on the horrors of the Holocaust and struggles of him and his family in the Lodz ghetto and then into Auschwitz and Görlitz concentration camps. The interactions between Teddy’s family and friends before, during and after brought deep insight into the importance of family and belonging. LeMoullec has done an excellent job of relaying the horrors his grandfather faced but overcame becoming a legendary hero through his talent of smuggling and aiding others to escape the never ending terror. LeMoullec explains how Saba survived and continued to preserve through the worst horror anyone can imagine by stressing the importance of family and home.
“As long as the families had each other, they could make it through. Teddy had believed the same when he still had his own family, until the Nazis took them from him. Seeing it again brought back his hope."
A very moving and heart-rending tale of one’s family and roots that demonstrate that one can survive most anything if one has love and family. After reading this book, I jumped into writing this review. I do not feel I can do justice to this book even three days after finishing it.
LeMoullec’s telling of his Saba’s life brings the readers to connect with Saba rather than dwelling on the horrors the Nazis performed. Yes, LeMoullec touches on some of it but his focus is centered on his Saba and demonstrating that this wonderful boy/man never surrendered and never lost who he was even during the worst of times.
Many of us would question our ability to survive mere minutes but LeMoullec and his daughter share of moment of closeness: “I’m doing ok,” she replied. “I don’t know if I’d be able to make it through all that if I was there.” “You’d do the best you could… I’m sure you’d be ok. You’re strong and smart …”
This is a book that will stay with you long after you have put it down. It is a book that needs to be shared. LeMoullec’s style is fresh and riveting, his ability to put the words down that draws the readers into the story and makes their heart beat faster is affecting. LeMoullec has written a wonderful testimony to a heroic man and a wonderful passing on of his legacy.
Remember Your Name by Erik LeMoullec receives a 5+ star review from WordsAPlenty.
We all know and have experienced those times when kids say or ask the darndest things. Erik LeMoullec takes this opportunity to explain the life of his grandfather Teddy Znamirowski to his children after Hayden asks “Why does Saba talk like that?” This single question draws Erik back into time when he too had asked his grandfather the same question.
A very well written accounting of the life of Teddy Znamirowski touching on the horrors of the Holocaust and struggles of him and his family in the Lodz ghetto and then into Auschwitz and Görlitz concentration camps. The interactions between Teddy’s family and friends before, during and after brought deep insight into the importance of family and belonging. LeMoullec has done an excellent job of relaying the horrors his grandfather faced but overcame becoming a legendary hero through his talent of smuggling and aiding others to escape the never ending terror. LeMoullec explains how Saba survived and continued to preserve through the worst horror anyone can imagine by stressing the importance of family and home.
“As long as the families had each other, they could make it through. Teddy had believed the same when he still had his own family, until the Nazis took them from him. Seeing it again brought back his hope."
A very moving and heart-rending tale of one’s family and roots that demonstrate that one can survive most anything if one has love and family. After reading this book, I jumped into writing this review. I do not feel I can do justice to this book even three days after finishing it.
LeMoullec’s telling of his Saba’s life brings the readers to connect with Saba rather than dwelling on the horrors the Nazis performed. Yes, LeMoullec touches on some of it but his focus is centered on his Saba and demonstrating that this wonderful boy/man never surrendered and never lost who he was even during the worst of times.
Many of us would question our ability to survive mere minutes but LeMoullec and his daughter share of moment of closeness: “I’m doing ok,” she replied. “I don’t know if I’d be able to make it through all that if I was there.” “You’d do the best you could… I’m sure you’d be ok. You’re strong and smart …”
This is a book that will stay with you long after you have put it down. It is a book that needs to be shared. LeMoullec’s style is fresh and riveting, his ability to put the words down that draws the readers into the story and makes their heart beat faster is affecting. LeMoullec has written a wonderful testimony to a heroic man and a wonderful passing on of his legacy.
Remember Your Name by Erik LeMoullec receives a 5+ star review from WordsAPlenty.
April 29, 2015
The story of Erik LeMoullec's grandfather starts with a question from Erik's fourteen year old daughter,"Why does Saba talk like that?" Here begins the journey of Erik's family. From living the life of a child to the nightmare of being a Jew during the Holocaust.
I fell in love with this family, cried for this family and wish them all God Speed . This is no ordinary book about the Jews during this nightmare of a time. Teddy's story is brought to life by his grandson and hopefully kept alive and remembered not only by his daughter Hayden but by all of us who have or will read this book. I will not only remember but will pass this book along so everyone will know! If you dont read anything else read REMEMBER YOUR NAME
I received this book from goodreads in exchange for a review
I fell in love with this family, cried for this family and wish them all God Speed . This is no ordinary book about the Jews during this nightmare of a time. Teddy's story is brought to life by his grandson and hopefully kept alive and remembered not only by his daughter Hayden but by all of us who have or will read this book. I will not only remember but will pass this book along so everyone will know! If you dont read anything else read REMEMBER YOUR NAME
I received this book from goodreads in exchange for a review
April 14, 2015
Amazing book!!! Just like in other stories about world war two I found myself crying as I read Teddy's story. Its amazing what all the Jews had to go through and also makes my heart sad that humanity can take such a turn. I could feel my heart strings being pulled and wanted nothing more than to help out. This book should be one kids read like Ann Franks story. Thank you so much to the author for sharing their grandfathers story.
July 12, 2016
This true historical novel about one family's experience with the horrific events of WWII is told in a matter-of-fact manner, with no sensationalizing at all, which makes it even more terrifying. One wonders if this could ever happen again, and I believe the answer is yes, even with the internet. We must always be alert to prevent this kind of abuse.
May 9, 2015
I've read numerous books about the Holocaust and highly recommend this one. It's difficult to pinpoint what makes it somewhat different but I believe it's the tone of the story telling. I really thought it was excellent.
July 19, 2015
Riveting
Well written. I have read a lot about the holocaust and by far this was if it's allowed to say, my favorite. I can't for the life of me fathom the depths to which some people's hatred can go. Also the ability of others to do nothing. We must never let the world FORGET!
Well written. I have read a lot about the holocaust and by far this was if it's allowed to say, my favorite. I can't for the life of me fathom the depths to which some people's hatred can go. Also the ability of others to do nothing. We must never let the world FORGET!
May 28, 2015
Captivating!
Exceptional story of determination, courage, ingenuity and talent. Must read for a serious student of the holocaust. Couldn't put down!
Exceptional story of determination, courage, ingenuity and talent. Must read for a serious student of the holocaust. Couldn't put down!
July 18, 2015
I can't say this is particularly well written but the story, all true, is so compelling it just doesn't matter.
July 22, 2015
Loved this amazing story but can't say the writing was the as compelling as the story.
August 17, 2015
We are proud to announce that REMEMBER YOUR NAME by Erik G. LeMoullec is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
November 8, 2015
A great read...
Written very well... my 11 year old daughter was very interested and read the whole book in a weekend... Very good
Written very well... my 11 year old daughter was very interested and read the whole book in a weekend... Very good
November 25, 2016
Ok
This to me was just an OK book. Kept my interest though. Historical fiction. What happened to kwart? Unanswered questions.
This to me was just an OK book. Kept my interest though. Historical fiction. What happened to kwart? Unanswered questions.
May 18, 2023
Excellent book, factual but with heart
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews