Au nom de tous les miens

by Martin Gray

De la guerre, le petit Martin connaîtra tout : les privations, les humiliations, la peur durant le temps passé au ghetto de Varsovie, l'horreur absolue des camps nazis à Treblinka, la fureur de vivre quand il s'en échappera caché sous un camion, l'abattement et aussi le suprême courage quand il apprendra qu'il a perdu tous les siens...
Et puisqu'il faut bien vivre, il s'engagera ensuite dans l'Armée rouge, puis partira aux Etats-Unis... Enfin la paix reviendra. Martin reconstruit alors sa vie et rencontre le grand amour en la personne de Dina. C'est dans le sud de la France, par une journée d'été éclatante, que le destin le blessera à nouveau - à mort - en décimant ceux qui lui sont le plus chers.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Holocaust, World War II, France, Memoir

484 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is certainly an action-packed thrill ride; it seems almost like a shoot-em-up movie. If you believe everything Martin says, the man is a superhero. The fact that he's found a way to live after having lost his entire family TWICE shows that he is quite an extraordinary man.

However, I'm not sure I buy his story. I'm not saying he is deliberately lying or that the events he described didn't happen (though many people do call him a liar), but I am unsure of his perspective. Martin portrays himself as an almost supernaturally intelligent, streetwise, tough and clever young man, and claims to have become a major smuggler (rather like a gangster) in the Warsaw ghetto when he was only about sixteen. He recounts story after story where he got into a bad situation and pulled himself out using only his own resources. In the book's afterword he drops a lot of names, pointing out he was close personal friends with Pablo Picasso, etc. It doesn't seem real to me, and I don't think Martin properly credits the role sheer dumb luck played in his survival.

Other than Martin himself and perhaps his father, none of the characters in the story have any dimension. Martin writes again and again about how he had to survive the war and avenge his dead mother and brothers, but these people are shadows. He says almost nothing about them, not even their names or ages. I'm not even sure how many brothers he had. I think two, but possibly more. Martin was also attempting to tell his story in the honor of his dead first wife and four children, but again, the reader doesn't really know any of them.

This is not to say I don't recommend this book. I do. I would especially recommend it for "reluctant readers" who find books boring; this book is anything but dull. I just have reservations, that's all.

[Leslie Mesmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book way back in the 70's when I was in 6th grade. I only had 1/2 of it read before I had to return it to the library since we were moving. It haunted me until 2 years later I found it and was able to finish it. I now have a copy even 30 years later I STILL loan to my friends. Anytime I find a copy (gently used) at book sales I pick it up and "loan/give" it away. It's 30 years later and the book stays with me.
I may have forgotten some of the finer details of Mr gray's life but I can not help but admire all the obstacles and misfortune that happened in his life from childhood and into adulthood but he never quit on life or society. He is an inspiration to people who have lost it all but kept on living.
I wish this book was a mandatory read for most college kids for it's historical aspect of the holocaust but also for it's inspiration to never give up. I would say high school but I don't think most of the class would give it a chance.

[Noella · Rating 5 out of 5]

In dit boek wordt het levensverhaal verteld van Martin Gray, een joodse jongeman die het getto van Warschau overleefde, ontsnapte uit kamp Treblinka, en ondanks vele moeilijkheden en uitdagingen de Tweede Wereldoorlog overleefde.
Hij emigreert naar Amerika, waar hij een succesvol handelaar wordt. Uiteindelijk ontmoet hij Dina, waarmee hij trouwt. Ze gaan in Frankrijk wonen en krijgen 4 kinderen. Eindelijk heeft Martin het geluk gevonden, bij zijn gezin. Maar dan slaat het noodlot opnieuw toe: bij een felle natuurbrand komen zijn vrouw en kinderen om. Toch vindt hij de moed om verder te leven.

Dit is echt een heel aangrijpend verhaal, vol spanning en emoties. Het leed van de joden maakt een groot deel uit van het boek, wat waarschijnlijk niemand onberoerd laat.

Alhoewel ik in andere reviews gelezen heb dat niet alles wat beschreven staat, gebeurd is, en dat vele dingen die wel gebeurd zijn, toch niet door de auteur zelf beleefd zijn, vind ik dat dit niets afdoet aan de waarde van het boek. Dit feit doet me eigenlijk een beetje denken aan de heisa rond Alex Haley, toen bleek dat 'Roots' niet het verhaal was zijn eigen voorouders. Toch bleef ik ook dat een erg goed verhaal vinden.

'Uit naam van al de mijnen' heeft zijn 5 sterren wel verdiend, vind ik.

[Alycia Bouëdron · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai toujours adoré dévorer des romans historiques, récits basés sur des témoignages réels. Lorsque je suis tombée sur ce roman, je n'ai tout simplement pas résisté, d'autant plus que mes parents m'en avaient fait la promotion avant même de le commencer. Je savais, bien entendu, que ce ne serait pas une lecture légère et de plaisir, le sujet étant bien trop sérieux et grave pour avoir le sourire aux lèvres en le découvrant page après page. Et effectivement, mes pensées furent vite confirmées. On sent le poids du témoignage, la dureté des paroles de Martin Gray et, évidemment, la cruauté des hommes envers leurs semblables.
Je ne peux pas me permettre de juger le récit en lui-même, puisqu'on sait tous que c'est véritablement arrivé et que, malheureusement, de nombreuses personnes ont dû faire face à de telles horreurs. Le seul reproche que je pourrais faire, c'est que le témoignage ait été repris par un auteur, plutôt que retranscrit par Martin Gray lui-même. En effet, à certains moments, j'avais l'impression qu'on perdait l'authenticité des faits et des propos et qu'une certaine distance s'instaurait entre le témoin et le lecteur. C'est pour cela que je n'ai pas attribué cinq étoiles à ce récit. Cependant, cela reste un très beau témoignage, poignant et touchant, mais qui doit être lu et écouté, pour éviter que de telles choses se reproduisent.

[Maryann Larucci-Troche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am besides myself over this book. I have seen pictures and read stories of the horrible things that took place during the Holocaust making me aware; However; Martin Gray held me while I watched with his eyes, I felt with his hands and legs, and my heart beat with his. From the young age of 14, Martin had to become a man and protect his family. Unfortunately he could save no one but himself. Martin learned how to fight and smuggle to survive. He was captured numerous times, yet escaped always with his father’s words repeating in his mind, “Fight Mietek, you must survive”! Survive he did! He seen his people killed in the chambers and actually had to wheel them out into the pits. He witnessed little girls who survived the chambers miraculously only to have them killed again. He witnessed the worse brutality of murder any person could ever imagine done by the Germans! Even the Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Polish and Lutvians became allies to the Germans - to survive. This young man joined the partisans and then the Russian army to finally bring down the Germans. Afterwards,he went to America to be with his only living relative - his grandmother. In America he fought to take care of himself and his grandma which he did. To finally retire at 35, marry the love of his life, having four children who brought his family back to life, living in the fortress they built together. Pure bliss - finally!!! After all Martin Gray witness and endured. Then one windy day among a drought, a forest fire was alive and spreading rapidly. His wife and children ran off to safety while Martin helped surrounding neighbors seek safety as well. In the end, Martin’s family all perished in the fire.. Once again, all his people died. How can anyone continue on living? He has wanted to kill himself many times; however, he has decided to keep his family alive through his words and life.
What a history lesson this book has given me because you see my grandparents were part of this story.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an amazingly-written book, gripping and enthralling. But I cannot recommend it because I discovered - after reading half of it - that the stories are fabrications. To me, this cheapens and belittles the true experiences of Holocaust victims and survivors. Mr. Gray admitted that he had never been in Treblinka (though his "experiences" there are a major part of the book) and admitted that he never read the final book as written by his ghost writer. This type of falsification being represented as truth gives fuel to the Holocaust deniers' arguments, and honestly I think every copy needs to be either destroyed or relabeled as the fiction that it is.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most painful accounts from a Holocaust survivor that I have ever read. There were times I wanted to throw the book across the room in both anger and sorrow. Martin Gray survived both the ghetto of Warsaw and the extermination camp of Treblinka. Reader beware - but I think we should all attempt to understand the incomprehensible crimes committed during WW2. Gray's account takes you from his childhood to the joys of his own children. Incredible read.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my most powerful and amazing books that I've ever read. I found myself questioning over and over, is this really a true story? Yes it is. It's the tale of a man who survived World War II, while his family, friends and just about everyone else he knows perishes. What he goes through, his amazing mind-set that gets him through it all, and the events that he escapes is simply amazing. And the ending, you just have to read it. It will bring you to tears. No spoilers here.

[Susanne Baskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad a friend recommended this to me. The author is a brilliant and resilient force of a person, and is a true example of someone optimizing every opportunity. What an example he sets, and honestly, this should be required reading for every adult worldwide, not only to remember the atrocities of war (important!), but as a lesson to maximize every gift given to you, no matter how small.

[Jean-Philippe Dufresne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un témoignage bouleversant, où l’expérience individuelle se trouve alourdie par le silence de ceux dont la voix fut étouffée à jamais par la violence des bourreaux. Ce récit ne se limite pas à la mémoire d’un seul survivant : il porte en lui l’écho de milliers d’autres, ceux qui n’ont pu parler, ceux dont l’histoire s’est arrêtée brusquement sous le poids d’un destin tragique. Ainsi, la parole du témoin devient le relais d’une mémoire collective, celle d’un peuple tout entier voué à l’extermination, dont les existences fauchées laissent en creux une absence lourde de sens. À travers lui, à travers ce qui fut vécu et ce qui ne put être raconté, c’est une page d’histoire qui s’écrit, à la fois intime et universelle, marquée par la douleur et l’indicible.

Quant à la polémique autour du chapitre sur Treblinka, je laisse l’auteur se défendre : « Mais est-ce important ? La seule chose importante n'est-elle pas que Treblinka ait eu lieu, qu'il fallait écrire là-dessus et que certains juifs devaient être montrés comme des héros ? »

[Pascale Brassard · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Difficile à lire par bouts🥲

[cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Jewish friend told me to get this book when I asked her, after October 7 and the Hamas/ Palestinian attack on Israeli civilians, how Jews could keep believing in religion or god, after being hunted and murdered for thousands of years. She said, “Read this book”
Now I have read and studied Jewish history for over 50 years and I never heard of Martin Gray or his book.
I read it. Mesmerized. Unique in every way. It answered many of my questions but also showed me a powerful and unforgettable narrative the likes of which I have never read.
It seems as though this is his only book, translated in many languages and I only managed to find it used. So lucky for me.

[Katherine Reay]

I cannot fully describe the depth of this book. It will remind one of Elie Wiesel's Night, but.. It takes you on a different journey into the depths of inhumanity and brutality, as well as the fight to retain humanity, grace, love and courage. It's well worth reading and will stretch you -- in all the ways we probably should be stretched.

[Elie-Anne Lamerise-Dumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un livre à lire pour ne pas oublier, pour comprendre que ce n’est pas si loin, et que certains passages se répètent encore aujourd’hui. La résilience de cet homme est hors du commun, un vrai héros.

[Arabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite a good historical FICTION book. That is to say that the period and setting of the book is accurate, but few (or none) of the specific actions of the main character mentioned in the book actually happened. Even as a fiction book it has its downsides. The main character is somewhat of a Mary Sue, he's brave and bold and doesn't hesitate but it just comes off as self-aggrandising and unbelievable. The family who he supposedly cares so much for are barely even sketches, I don't even know how many siblings he had.
That being said it's a good read, mostly for the descriptions of what life was like in the Warsaw Ghetto. But if you want to know what life in a concentration camp was like, read Night by Elie Wiesel. As Elie was actually there, unlike Martin Gray.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult story to read but excellent; Gray's life of finding ways to find food for his family during the Hitler invasion & then fighting secretly against the enemy. Amazing life history & so
very, very traumatic. I worried for him & had to remind myself that he'd make it though 'cuz he did, after all survive to write this book. I breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it to
America. There he hustled like crazy to learn the language & people & wasn't satisfied with the
small jobs he was hired for. He found the way to make his fortune, then found the woman of his dreams & had four children. End of story--happy ending? No. Life again was very hard for Gray.
An amazing man!

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible true story of a Holocaust survivor...this story takes you from his youth in the Warsaw Ghetto to life after the War when you still will be amazed by the events in his life. This is one of those "off the charts" tests of the human spirit stories. It left me shaken.

[Donna Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have actually read this book twice. It is profound, heartbreaking and inspirational.

[Niko Jordman]

Does anyone have any idea if this incredible survive all of Nazi death camps ride is just as made up as the wikipedia article suggests? Lmao this reeks of bullshittery to me

[Philip Weyers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish reading due to the fact that the author was not in fact wholly truthful. The Warsaw element though which he did live through was extremely interesting and horrific.

[Guido Gorissen]

Dit boek heb ik oorspronkelijk in het Frans gelezen en direct erna in het Nederlands: " Uit naam van al de mijnen "

Ik raad iedereen aan om dit boek te lezen: ik doe dit steeds in mijn vrienden- en kenniskring en de meesten lezen dit boek en zijn daarna de schrijver dankbaar.

Het is het levensverhaal, autobiografisch, van Martin Gray, die twee keer in zijn leven werd geconfronteerd met een enorm verlies. En niet alleen met dit verlies, maar ook nog met andere echte uitdagingen.

Een belangrijk motief in dit boek is 'omgaan met' en het leren overwinnen van muren of barrières in het leven.

Ik zeg aan heel veel mensen die geconfronteerd worden met miserie (iedereen van ons komt miserie tegen) zich er niet te zeer in te wentelen en ik adviseer deze mensen steevast dit boek te lezen.

Oprecht kan je heel veel kracht en mentale weerbaarheid putten door het lezen van dit boek.

[Josianne Houle · Rating 5 out of 5]

« Au nom de tous les miens », c’est la plume douloureuse d’un homme parmi les bêtes. Survivant de l’Holocauste qui témoigne de ce dont l’homme devenu bourreau est capable. C’est aussi le destin tragique d’un Job qui, malgré la souffrance, malgré les « pourquoi », s’accroche à la vie, jusqu’au bout.. au nom de tous les siens.

[Heidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Définitivement mon livre préféré. La lecture est juste passionnante et captivante. Ce livre nous fait passer par toutes les émotions et il est absolument impossible de s'en détacher. La force de vivre malgré l'horreur est bouleversante à l'image de l'ensemble du livre.

[Julie Theriault · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai tellement aimé ce livre. J'adore les romans à caractère historique mais celui-ci ma frappée droit au coeur. Continuer sa route avec tant de persévérance et d'espoir après tant de douleur, merci !

[Aleksandra Fust · Rating 4 out of 5]

no zabiła mnie ta ksiazka

[Richard Nyunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Those I Loved is a “true story” telling the life of Martin Gray. The opening scenes of the book will draw you in by creating the scene of Poland before the Germans arrived. The way he tells his story makes you feel empathy for the characters, and it is almost masterful how he creates the imagery around him. However, the book feels almost fake at points. Like other reviews, I don’t see how it is possible for someone to simply be that lucky and resourceful in life, especially at a young age early on in the book. In the first few chapters, we see how Martin made multiple trips daily between the Warsaw ghetto and the rest of the city, something I find hard to believe. But, the book continues and eventually readers get to the end, where an expected not sad nor happy ending occurs. Martin ends the book at more of a content part of his life.
So is the book historically accurate? Well, all of the events that he described certainly occurred, from the Warsaw ghetto/uprising to the concentration camp of Treblinka. But, as I said earlier, it seems highly unlikely how he was able to survive, even almost flourishing in these conditions. To be able to survive all of this either is highly unlikely, superhuman, or just plain luck. However, readers will be able to learn about what it was like to be Jewish during the Holocaust as it does a very excellent job of depicting it.
I would recommend this book to readers who are very avid and interested in a good story. It’s a very long read, being at 351 pages, and it a bit difficult for young readers. The book has a wonderful story, whether it be historically accurate or not, but has difficult vocabulary and is a bit repetitive at that. The stories that he tells seem to have a similar tone to them of surviving due to his “luck and will.” Overall it is a good story, but due to its difficult vocabulary and repetition of that vocabulary I would have to recommend this book to more advanced readers. If they would be interested in as difficult of a read as this is, they will be quickly engrossed in this fascinating story.

[Eric Grounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

My good friend, Vernon Rees, urged me to read this book only five days ago. I downloaded it immediately and was totally hooked. I note that some people doubt the author's credentials. All I can say is that his account of Treblinka, the Warsaw Ghetto, fighting with the Polish resistance and under command of the Russians is all totally credible. There is no doubt that Martin Gray is a truly remarkable character.
His writing is somewhat repetitive, but that feels like a deliberate literary tactic. I admit that I skimmed the repeated phrases, but never lost any of the core thrust of this extraordinary book

[Emma]

hmmm...where to begin. i read this several years ago and it is possible that it is not so good as i remember. but that is highly unlikely. the writing is good....though really it is the story itself that stops you in your tracks. this is an amazing book purely because it shows the extremes to which a human being can be pushed and still pull through. and not merely pull through, but also triumph and relearn laughter.

[Adrienne Cregar Jandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tragic, yet triumphant, story from one man who has truly been to hell and back. Perhaps one of the most important books I've ever read, Martin Gray's life story and first-hand account of the horrors of the Holocaust, his escape, and the dramatic twists and turns of his life both during and after leave me still grappling with my thoughts weeks after completing the book. Riveting, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring, I think it should be required reading for all.

[Equirkdenver · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I haven't read this book in many years, it is one of the few I have read more than once. The first time I read it I must have been about 15 and I was horrified at the treatment of the Jews in WW2. I was inspired by the main character's will to live and comittment to the survial of his family. Its message had an impact that has lasted throughout my life.