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They Shall Not Have Me: The Capture, Forced Labor, and Escape of a French Prisoner in World War II
A daring story of imprisonment and escape under the Nazi regime and a moving and engrossing symbol of resilience and integrity.
The French painter Jean Hélion’s unique and deeply moving account of his experiences in Nazi prisoner of war camps prefigures the even darker stories that would emerge from the concentration camps. This serious adventure tale begins with Hélion’s infantry platoon fleeing from the German army and warplanes as they advanced through France in the early days of the war. The soldiers chant as they march and run, “They shall not have me!” but are quickly captured and sent to hard labor.
Writing in English in 1943, after his risky escape to freedom in the United States, Hélion vividly depicts the sights, sounds, and smells of the camps, and shrewdly sizes up both captors and captured. In the deep humanity, humor, and unsentimental intelligence of his observations, we can recognize the artist whose long career included friendships with the likes of Mondrian, Giacometti, and Balthus, and an important role in shaping modern art movements. Hélion’s picture of almost two years without his art is a self-portrait of the artist as a man.
The French painter Jean Hélion’s unique and deeply moving account of his experiences in Nazi prisoner of war camps prefigures the even darker stories that would emerge from the concentration camps. This serious adventure tale begins with Hélion’s infantry platoon fleeing from the German army and warplanes as they advanced through France in the early days of the war. The soldiers chant as they march and run, “They shall not have me!” but are quickly captured and sent to hard labor.
Writing in English in 1943, after his risky escape to freedom in the United States, Hélion vividly depicts the sights, sounds, and smells of the camps, and shrewdly sizes up both captors and captured. In the deep humanity, humor, and unsentimental intelligence of his observations, we can recognize the artist whose long career included friendships with the likes of Mondrian, Giacometti, and Balthus, and an important role in shaping modern art movements. Hélion’s picture of almost two years without his art is a self-portrait of the artist as a man.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1943
95 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Jean Hélion
28 books3 followersJean Hélion was a French painter whose abstract work of the 1930s established him as a leading modernist. His midcareer rejection of abstraction was followed by nearly five decades as a figurative painter. He was also the author of several books and an extensive body of critical writing.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 20, 2018
Interesting story of the author's internment as a French POW in WWII and escape. Helion was a painter who lived in the United States and had married an American. He returned to the French army at the eve of WWII and was captured in the debacle which he narrates well. He escaped in 1942, eventually returning to the US where he wrote this memoir (in English).
Although I enjoyed listening to this the book on Audible, it requires more of a critical apparatus. The Audible version doesn't even have an introduction (the Kindle version does). Helion wrote this book in conjunction with the US Office of War Information. How much of it is "embellished?" I can only guess. For example, the German guards seem to all be phycially deformed, the various commandants all seem ridiculous (shades of Col. Klink!). How much is propaganda? How much did he have to alter to protect others? This edition includes an afterword by (one of his) former spouses who filled in some of the facts, especially about his escape, which turns out to be substantially different than Helion describes, but these differences are never really discussed in a meaningful way. Nevertheless, these questions did not detract from my enjoyment of a "good yarn."
Although I enjoyed listening to this the book on Audible, it requires more of a critical apparatus. The Audible version doesn't even have an introduction (the Kindle version does). Helion wrote this book in conjunction with the US Office of War Information. How much of it is "embellished?" I can only guess. For example, the German guards seem to all be phycially deformed, the various commandants all seem ridiculous (shades of Col. Klink!). How much is propaganda? How much did he have to alter to protect others? This edition includes an afterword by (one of his) former spouses who filled in some of the facts, especially about his escape, which turns out to be substantially different than Helion describes, but these differences are never really discussed in a meaningful way. Nevertheless, these questions did not detract from my enjoyment of a "good yarn."
March 6, 2015
As I grow older I see that what separates a World War from a ‘mere’ war is that I have still not yet ceased to find contemporary books and films, from and in which, I discover an entire theatre or aspect of warfare that, uncomprehendingly, I had no previous knowledge of. Jean Hélion’s account has vividly and grippingly informed me of the brutal and horrendous sufferings of Frenchmen made prisoner of war in France, and thence transported back, like animals, to Germany.
Three perspectives of war are given in this one book: firstly the almost unimaginable experience of defeat of an army (1940); secondly the utter degradation and inhumanity of slavery in captivity, and thirdly a daring escape to freedom (1943). Hélion’s use of American-English is very good. His recollections are descriptive, observant, and thoughtful. With a determined passion he is ceaseless in his propagation of guerilla activities against the enemy. In abject slavery in Pomerania he urges the overworked and under-rewarded peasants of the estate to question their lot too. He reminds those peasants that before they can begin to reclaim their own souls once more; that as defeated, starving, terrorised men, he and his comrades had to overcome the mental pulp their captors had deliberately reduced them to. Hélion’s extraordinarily compulsive account is rendered all the more lifelike and painful to read because he writes in a fluent, measured and grammatical English; un-peppered by coarse expletives. With unmistakable clarity, here speaks the reasoned voice of the deeply, deeply wronged.
The staggeringly remarkable inner strengths of character (and luck) which enabled some to survive, whilst so many did not, caused me to ponder upon the apparently incomprehensible later trade and political establishment of the European Economic Community. Within this book one can identify so very many kernels of reasons as to why Europe to this day remains seemingly impossibly far from ever becoming a truly ‘united states’ of Europe. Yet economic trade quietly works to promote healing over time. Provided that we continue to read and ponder upon first-hand accounts such as Hélion’s, and do not forget, nor rewrite history (particularly observing the dangers of fiction presented as fact, and uncontrolled immigration); then bountiful economic resources, scientific and engineering inventiveness and unselfish politicians permitting, we can perhaps grasp and successfully construct a happier, cooperative future.
Three perspectives of war are given in this one book: firstly the almost unimaginable experience of defeat of an army (1940); secondly the utter degradation and inhumanity of slavery in captivity, and thirdly a daring escape to freedom (1943). Hélion’s use of American-English is very good. His recollections are descriptive, observant, and thoughtful. With a determined passion he is ceaseless in his propagation of guerilla activities against the enemy. In abject slavery in Pomerania he urges the overworked and under-rewarded peasants of the estate to question their lot too. He reminds those peasants that before they can begin to reclaim their own souls once more; that as defeated, starving, terrorised men, he and his comrades had to overcome the mental pulp their captors had deliberately reduced them to. Hélion’s extraordinarily compulsive account is rendered all the more lifelike and painful to read because he writes in a fluent, measured and grammatical English; un-peppered by coarse expletives. With unmistakable clarity, here speaks the reasoned voice of the deeply, deeply wronged.
The staggeringly remarkable inner strengths of character (and luck) which enabled some to survive, whilst so many did not, caused me to ponder upon the apparently incomprehensible later trade and political establishment of the European Economic Community. Within this book one can identify so very many kernels of reasons as to why Europe to this day remains seemingly impossibly far from ever becoming a truly ‘united states’ of Europe. Yet economic trade quietly works to promote healing over time. Provided that we continue to read and ponder upon first-hand accounts such as Hélion’s, and do not forget, nor rewrite history (particularly observing the dangers of fiction presented as fact, and uncontrolled immigration); then bountiful economic resources, scientific and engineering inventiveness and unselfish politicians permitting, we can perhaps grasp and successfully construct a happier, cooperative future.
March 22, 2015
This true account of life in a prison camp and escape was amazing! At times it was humorous, sad, uplifting, and horrifying. Sometimes two or three at the same time. I was glad to see it printed in an e-book and wouldn't mind owning a hard copy myself.
November 18, 2023
"We should move, get back to intense life, at all cost; become proud and confident again. We should resist. We should fight. Anything was better than poisonous resignation."
March 6, 2015
Almost poetic account
The author's account of his and fellow prisoners- of-war's forced labor and deprivation is almost poetic. The barbaric conditions and humiliations are unthinkable to those of us who have always lived in a free society. Little by little he reveals these to us in gentle, sometimes refined language, which amplifies the horror for us in a way that crude words never could. He is a superb storyteller. There were some areas that were a bit slow where he detailed what the different secret crews did to help the prisoners, but they all suffered mightily and I will not complain while I sit in comfort in a free country. Every history book and class should have this book on their required reading lists.
The author's account of his and fellow prisoners- of-war's forced labor and deprivation is almost poetic. The barbaric conditions and humiliations are unthinkable to those of us who have always lived in a free society. Little by little he reveals these to us in gentle, sometimes refined language, which amplifies the horror for us in a way that crude words never could. He is a superb storyteller. There were some areas that were a bit slow where he detailed what the different secret crews did to help the prisoners, but they all suffered mightily and I will not complain while I sit in comfort in a free country. Every history book and class should have this book on their required reading lists.
April 10, 2020
I really want to give this book more stars just because of the content but I found it such a hard book to read. I had it as an ebook on my phone so just picked it up here and there thus taking me ages to read. I really enjoy nazi Germany stories but i found my concentration was lacking when it came to this book. Perhaps there was too much detail which made me a bit bored but I didn't find the story flowed that well.
This story is a true account of a French soldier who was captured by the Germans and put into hard labour. His descriptions of what prisoners of war ate, dressed and survived on on a daily basis was fascinating. Eventually with help he managed to escape. I found the part of the book describing his escape really good and I didn't want to put the story down. I only wish the rest of the book had been as exciting as the ending.
I would recommend this book to others who have an interest jn WW2 Nazi Germany events as it is an excellent account of survival by a POW and not a Jew which made it different from most stories out there.
This story is a true account of a French soldier who was captured by the Germans and put into hard labour. His descriptions of what prisoners of war ate, dressed and survived on on a daily basis was fascinating. Eventually with help he managed to escape. I found the part of the book describing his escape really good and I didn't want to put the story down. I only wish the rest of the book had been as exciting as the ending.
I would recommend this book to others who have an interest jn WW2 Nazi Germany events as it is an excellent account of survival by a POW and not a Jew which made it different from most stories out there.
April 4, 2018
This was a straightforward account of a French soldier who became a Prisoner of war and eventually escaped. I listened to the Audible production and it was very good. The narration was well done. Although the story was told in a matter of fact way, it was also very interesting and painted a picture of what life was like that was easy to relate to. It was especially interesting to me that this book was written while the war was still going on. While care was needed not to divulge too much about those who helped the author, it seemed complete and there was no feeling that any needed details were missing. The book was also surprisingly even handed. It seemed to paint an accurate picture of the Germans that the author encountered, with both their flaws and virtues, without villainizing them for propaganda purposes.
April 19, 2021
This book was written soon after his escape, before the end of the war, and the detail is incredible. It reads as if it is happening as he writes. As other reviewers noted, the middle section bogs down with minute description of his life as a prisoner and personalities of the Germans he dealt with. Perhaps this is because he had been grilled by intelligence personnel about this as soon as he arrived in the U.S. - during the war that is what the Allies wanted to learn. I would have preferred more pages spent on his escape, but it is explained that he was protecting individuals still involved in helping people escape.
January 21, 2022
Not for the faint of heart
This is by far one of the most informative books I have read about France's prisoner's of war taken by Germany. There is a lot to take in and understand in this book, but is very important for everyone who wants to know what it must have been like for a POW. So many of us today have never even experienced any kind of deprivation that it is accounts like this that will hopefully make us think so as not to repeat the past! If you are looking for a tall tale you won't find it here, but if you want truth, that you will find! Good reading, worth every minute spent!
This is by far one of the most informative books I have read about France's prisoner's of war taken by Germany. There is a lot to take in and understand in this book, but is very important for everyone who wants to know what it must have been like for a POW. So many of us today have never even experienced any kind of deprivation that it is accounts like this that will hopefully make us think so as not to repeat the past! If you are looking for a tall tale you won't find it here, but if you want truth, that you will find! Good reading, worth every minute spent!
March 6, 2022
Jean Helion offers glimpses of life in a prisoner of war camp in Germany in the 1940's. Told in snapshots of people, it shows good and evil, hope and despair throughout. Sometimes action-packed and violent, sometimes the mundane descriptions of paperwork and prison camp process, this book is a story of survival. Though sometimes monotonous, it was overall an interesting and informative book about the conditions in the German work camps.
June 5, 2023
A highly interesting account of an artist, Helion, who was a French soldier captured in the confusion of retreat or battle, placed in a POW camp and work force. Essentially Hitler's war was underwritten by slave labor. They had just enough to eat to keep going. Clearly a courageous desperate escape from the prison ship he was on. The sheer determination to survive and work in any way possible to cause problems for the German captors and war ranged from humor to horror. recommend
December 15, 2021
From the eyes of a survivor
I have read many books about the German Concentration camps but this was a different view of POW life in France and the condition of territory and prisoners captured by the Germans.
I have read many books about the German Concentration camps but this was a different view of POW life in France and the condition of territory and prisoners captured by the Germans.
March 22, 2025
Such a captivating and beautifully written account of a single perspective of WWII. It really impressed upon me the sheer amount of estranged prisoners and soldiers during the war, and this provided an insight into one of them. A truly inspiring story.
June 1, 2017
I read the book not kindle
June 5, 2017
I just couldn't get into the book. It didn't hold my interest.
June 11, 2018
The beginning and the end were very compelling and fun to read. The middle dragged on a bit.
April 24, 2020
I am reading this work along with Under the Iron Heel. WWII contemporary in Europe. Powerful
August 26, 2020
It is wonderful to read a book where the words are chosen like the colors in a painting. It felt as though I was there in the story along with the author!
January 5, 2016
This is a book written by a French soldier who was a POW of the Nazi's who escaped and wrote this book while the WWII was still being fought. A very interesting book. I read the Kindle version. I would have liked this better had there been maps showing where the places were, including the modern spelling of the place names. I tried following along with a road atlas of Europe. It starts in France, goes through Germany, with the main events in what is now Poland. An irritation was the lack of proofreading by the editors. I have never seen so many misspellings in both English and German- even on the same page. Still I recommend this for fans of WWII. Best book I have read on first-hand account of life in a Nazi forced labor camp.
March 24, 2015
Another great story of survival
Great story, but I found the style in which it was written a bit confusing to follow at times... Less is sometimes more. The last 20 mins of the book (depending on your reading speed) does a good job of "wrapping it up" and the person retelling of the timeline from escape from the camp until true freedom was very helpful to me.
Great story, but I found the style in which it was written a bit confusing to follow at times... Less is sometimes more. The last 20 mins of the book (depending on your reading speed) does a good job of "wrapping it up" and the person retelling of the timeline from escape from the camp until true freedom was very helpful to me.
October 5, 2015
Memoir by a French soldier who apparently once lived in the U.S.; relates his life as a prisoner of war and subsequent escape.
The author spent 20 months as a POW, then escaped and made his way to unoccupied France in March 1942. The book was published in 1943.
The author spent 20 months as a POW, then escaped and made his way to unoccupied France in March 1942. The book was published in 1943.
January 2, 2016
Ever wanted to find out what it was like to be in the French military and imprisoned in a German camp in World War II? This memoir provides extensive detail of the hardships experienced by the author. It took several chapters to get hooked, but half-way through, it was a page-turner.
June 23, 2016
Sad story of the imprisonment of a soldier and how his life paused when he was imprisoned by the Germans during WWII. The writing gets a bit tedious as you are taken on his unpleasant journey, but really captures the finer details quite well.
August 8, 2015
Dull, impersonal, occasionally pompous.
December 6, 2015
WWII POW story intrigues the reader. 4 stars. l
Very well written, almost poetic at times. Gives details of the life of a POW that I have never read before.
Very well written, almost poetic at times. Gives details of the life of a POW that I have never read before.
September 20, 2017
If you want to broaden your literary experience of WWII, this book is a must-read. Helion presents a cutting view of the life of French (and Belgian) prisoners of war: the hopes and hardships, the personalities and subterfuge, and finally, escape. Adding to the drama of the understated narrative is the undercurrent which, to readers in 2017, may be less apparent than for those who read in the time of this book's publication: this is, in essence, a call to arms, as well as a plea for mercy. To end the war; to end captivity; to bring back humanity to a tortured Europe: such are the callings of this book.
October 24, 2018
Incredible
This is an eye witness account of life in a German forced labour camp in the early 1940s and the subsequent escape of the author. Shows the ingenuity of individuals determined to escape., and the networks of help supplied by the underground movement.
This is an eye witness account of life in a German forced labour camp in the early 1940s and the subsequent escape of the author. Shows the ingenuity of individuals determined to escape., and the networks of help supplied by the underground movement.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews