How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival

by Tadeusz Haska, Stefanie Naumann

"When I was arrested my whole world crumbled. I knew that leaders of political parties had been arrested, and never heard from again. My only chance at survival was to find a way to escape from the jail." Orphaned in Poland at the age of thirteen, Tadeusz "Tad" Haska survived World War II on the run, narrowly evading the Nazis every step of the way. After the war, he daringly escaped jail by the Soviet Secret Police, fled to Sweden and launched an elaborate plan to smuggle his wife in a coffin on an all-male naval ship. Discover how Tad's knowledge of nine languages helped him survive in the face of unspeakable adversity.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, History, War, Survival, Polish Literature, Language

146 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2019

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tadeusz Haska was born in Mikolajki, Poland in 1919,shortly after WWI ended. He and his brother Antoni were the sons of dairy farmers who made and sold cheeses. "My parents were religious...I received a good moral education from them." They placed a high value on education, moving several times to better their sons' educational opportunities. Unfortunately, by the age of 12 years, "...we had no mother and father...we had the principle they instilled in us that education is the most important thing in our lives. So, we applied ourselves and, by teaching [rich kids] we also helped ourselves." Tad was the recipient of a scholarship that covered tuition and room and board at Poznan University, but, after one year of university, WW II started. Attempts to join the Polish army failed. Trains en route to Warsaw were bombed and he was unable to reach the recruitment center.

"I was like a rabbit, jumping from one hole in the ground to another, trying not to be noticed by anyone, constantly changing my place of residence...if your education was high, you were the first...to be eliminated...I had to remove my glasses to disguise my education...'aha, you are a student, teacher, or doctor; come with me. There would be a truck waiting..."

Diligent studying and love of linguistics saved Tad. He already knew Polish, French and Latin. Staying at a farm estate in the countryside , he became the farmer's official translator. The news of the day, in German controlled Poland was translated with the help of a German dictionary. At a farm in East Prussia, Tad conversed in French to explain job instructions to French POWs. Escaping to Sweden, he was able to qualify for a Swedish passport, pose as a Swedish seaman and smuggle his wife from Poland to Sweden.

"How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival" by Tadeusz Haska is a memoir, started in the 1990's and completed after his death by his granddaughter, Stefanie Naumann drawing upon audio and video recordings of interviews with her grandfather, his journals, and correspondence with her grandmother, Jadwiga. Tad's recollections provide his eyewitness account of life during World War II.

Thank you Sarah Miniaci at Smith Publicity, Koehler Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "How Languages Saved Me".

[Kristine D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing, tragic, terrifying, beautiful, sweet.

Tadeusz Haska begins his memoir by saying that he’s writing it at his granddaughter’s insistence. An unlikely way to start, but by the end of the story it makes a sort of sense. Because as you read Mr. Haska’s words, immerse yourself in his stories, you feel like you get to know him on a deeply personal level.

But the book doesn’t read like a memoir. I resist the urge to use the phrase “stream of consciousness,” because it isn’t that either. The book really reads like you’re sitting in a comfortable living room, sipping some tea on a beautiful day, just listening to Mr. Haska talk about his life, enjoying a visit with an old, beloved friend. Mr. Haska opens his life in this book to anyone willing to read, and that openness truly comes through in the writing.

There are a few very minor indications throughout the book that English is not Mr. Haska’s native language, which is easily deduced by the very title of the book. But when you learn that it isn’t even his second or third, but his fourth language (of eight, I believe!), one marvels at how well the book is edited. And no wonder, considering Mr. Haska’s life seems to be defined by two things, language and love.

Because as you embark on the adventure, for better or for worse, of Mr. Haska’s life, you find that everything he has done has been in the name of love. Starting for an incredibly early age, Mr. Haska not only continued his and his younger brother’s education, but also provided for the two of them after losing his parents. He loved his brother so much that he created the circumstances under which his brother could pursue his dreams.

Mr. Haska loves his home country, Poland. He tries as best he can to defend its independence during World War II, learning languages along the way to not only pursue the liberation and democratization of Poland, but also merely to survive. If guardian angels do exist, then Mr. Haska certainly has one, as he was able to evade and escape some of the most dangerous situations one could face in WWII era Poland, sometimes by the very grace of God himself.

But in the end, though the title suggests that his number one love is languages, it is clear that this story is really a love letter to his late wife, Jadwiga. Nearly everything he does is in the name of protecting her, serving her, loving her and the family they built together. It is sweet and touching, beautiful and hopeful. Mr. Haska is never bitter or angry about his past, but grateful and filled with joy over what he earned through his life’s difficulties.

I very rarely say this about memoirs, but this is truly a fantastic read. It can be read in a few hours, and when you put it down, you feel like you should call your grandparents. Well done!

[Heena Rathore Rathore-Pardeshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story Of Survival by Tadeusza Haska and Stefanie Nauman is a gut-wrenching memoir depicting how the knowledge of different languages helped Mr Tadeusz Haska, survive the aftermath of his prison time during WWII.

This book is written by his granddaughter and has been written exceptionally well. This book is a devastating insight into life in the post-WWII era and the problems faced by Mr Tad. Though I did relish reading about how he used his wits and education of various languages to get him out of situations that could have very well meant death.

This is a very good memoir and I'd recommend it to all readers who take an interest in history and memoirs.

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I want to say how grateful I am to have received a review copy of this amazing nonfiction title because I just knew right from reading the synopsis that this would be my kind of book. I love reading true stories and the astonishing story of Tadeusz Haska in How Languages Saved Me certainly was something I will never ever forget about.

A few weeks ago I went to Kazerne Dossin in Mechelen, Belgium which is a Holocaust memorial and museum so with my visit so fresh in my mind this book hit me even harder. Tad's story wasn't so much about the Holocaust and World War II but he lived through it and certainly didn't have an easy time because of it but it expands to much more than that. I can honestly say I was in awe of his characters and endurance.

There's no doubt that this is an important story of someone who went through some of the worst times in history. It's one of those books and accounts that we just can't let ourselves forget. And another thing that I just adored were the various photos spread throughout. Old photographs are always interestig to take a look at but they really made Tad's life and story come alive.

If I can give one tiny bit of critique is that I wish it had been a little bit longer. I highly enjoyed reading this book and learing about Tad's life that I didn't want it to end and it's not a very long book to begin with. I was so hooked that it was over before I knew it. Great books read so fast!

How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival by Tadeusz Haska and Stefanie Naumann was nothing short of an epic and remarkable true story. At the beginning of the year I said I wanted to read more memoirs and at this point I don't think I'll read a better memoir than this one.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems that there will never be an end to Holocaust tales of escape and survival against the odds. Here is another remarkable story of courage, determination and, of course, luck. It’s a compelling and moving account of Tadeusz Haska’s experiences fleeing the Nazis, completed by his granddaughter after his death. Born in Poland in 1919, he managed to survive in large part due to his mastery of many languages, which meant there were times when he was of more use to the enemy alive rather than dead. It’s a miraculous story and one that fully deserves to be told and remembered.

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story Of Survival” by Tadeusz Haska and Stefanie Naumann is the story of Tadeusz Haska.

His story begins at the beginning of WWII in Poland when as a young teenager him and his brother found themselves orphan and on their own. A sympathetic teacher helps them to continue their education through scholarships but that meant their separation as Tadeusz is the first one to go to high school. Passing the final exam, he was able to move on to the University; then the Germans attacked Poland. After enduring few bombardments, he decided to enlist to fight the Germans along with a bunch of other young students. They are directed to wait near a bomb shelter until the train that could take them to the town where the recruiting office is located is ready to leave. Tadeusz had always been fascinated by languages and was a skilled linguist, and as he waited, he started writing in a notebook on polish ancient language to pass time, and to keep notes of his classes so that he wouldn’t forget. When a police officer sees him writing in weird symbols, he thought he was a spy and arrested him to be interrogated, and so it begins his war story of survival.

The book is presented as a narrative through the protagonist’s own voice. It feels as Tadeusz is talking to the reader from his living room next to the fireplace as we sit on the floor and listen. I found this aspect of the writing to be endearing and captivating to the point where the lack of writing technique doesn’t take away from the experience. Stefanie Naumann did an awesome job keeping her grandfather’s voice intact throughout this extraordinary adventure which kept me glued to the pages until the end.

I gave “How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story Of Survival” by Tadeusz Haska and Stefanie Naumann a four-star rating only because it needs to be polished with respect to the writing technique, it is Five-Stars in regards to story, voice, and even editing. Definitely a MUST READ!

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because, being a linguist and a translator, I was intrigued by the title and the synopsis.
It’s a wonderful, suspenseful and moving story of surviving first the Nazis and then the secret Soviet police, and how languages (the protagonist spoke 9 languages!) open up new worlds and possibilities. Every language can help you create a new life.

Highly recommended.

[Ameera · Rating 4 out of 5]

If all the events mentioned in the book are 100% accurate, then it’s the greatest war survival story l’ve ever read.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival
Author: Stefanie Naumann

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 21
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 21 readers:
21 would read another book by this author.
21 thought the cover was good or excellent.
21 felt it was easy to follow.
21 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 15 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
20 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
21 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘It’s all in the detail! This is a gripping story of Nazi oppression and finding a way to escape it. The author knows her subject so well, and this shows in all the little details. And, for me, this is what brings the story alive. Books of this nature are so important as it’s so easy to forget bow cruel mankind can be.’ Male reader, aged 43
‘Anybody interested in Polish history, particularly WW2 and the Russian occupation, will find this invaluable.’ Male reader, aged 64
‘Well-edited, often moving account of a man’s battle to survive in war torn Europe. The language element and how it so often saved him is what helps to make this book (and the story) unique. A fascinating read.’ Male reader, aged 43
‘Thank you for sharing your grandfather’s story. I thought it was remarkably interesting in terms of history; but also in terms of the will of a person to survive.’ Female reader, aged 70

To Sum It Up:
‘An uplifting biographical story. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Gina Pangione · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Raw and Poignant Memoir that Speaks to the Love of Life and of Language

In this modern era of overcoming life-and-death obstacles, How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival is a positive and uplifting memoir that acts as a soothing antidote for a worried mind. It is a raw, forthright story told by a man, Tadeusz Haska, who relied on his knowledge of multiple languages to resist the enemy by personally avoiding and escaping conflict during and after WWII, and who shared his love of language as a teacher to help others overcome their own conflicts. It’s also an ode to patriotism, as Haska sought to reintroduce forgotten customs and language to young and old students alike in a time when Poland was fighting to reestablish its sovereignty after changes made by the German occupation and amid the constant threat of encroaching Communism by the Soviets.
Various plot points, including his own imprisonment imposed simply for being a teacher; the courtship and subsequent separations from his wife when flowers were historically difficult to come by; his odd jobs and unusual sustenance as a refugee laborer in various countries; and his reliance on learning new languages to help him and his family immigrate to America, all move the book along at a quick pace. It’s a poignant, interesting, positive story that will likely encourage readers to embrace their own heritage and to seek the beauty and practicality of learning new languages.

[Iris Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stefanie Naumann did a superb job of capturing the undaunted, ever-optimistic spirit of her amazing grandfather, Tadeusz Haska, who managed to survive bombings, imprisonment, severe physical injuries, and other nightmarish situations. He claimed that his knowledge of various languages was what always saved him; this message is so uplifting and encouraging to people striving to learn one. I also genuinely appreciated all the family photos, which brings Tadusz's story to life.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival" by Tadeusz Haska and his granddaughter Stefanie Naumann is an excellent memoir chronicling Haska’s experiences growing up in Poland during WWII, fleeing Nazis, and eventually immigrating to America.

It was his love of linguistics, dedication to education, and fortunate encounters with Good Samaritans that kept him alive. During his time evading Nazis, he was arrested multiple times, only to released by sympathetic individuals, or assisted by bosses, friends, family, and strangers.

“I always wanted to write about my life experiences, but I never had enough time,” Haska writes. “Now that I have time, I think it is better to live, but my daughter Christine and granddaughter Stefanie won’t let me just live. They have insisted very strongly that it is time to tell about my life’s adventures.”

It’s easy to see that this isn’t a memoir written for a large audience: it’s a story told by a grandfather to his loving family. If you are looking for a compelling tale of Holocaust survival, this is one to read. It’s easily finished in an afternoon.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Languages Saved Me is a harrowing book about how Tadeusz "Tad" Haska survived Word War II on the run for survival. It was a page turning read that kept me engaged throughout the novel. I couldn’t believe how much Tad went through in order to survive for his own safety and his family throughout his life’s journey.

It was very interesting to read about how he picked up so many languages over the years as a means of survival. It was intriguing to see how he was so skilled at picking up languages through writing, conversation, and books. Each language was beneficial in some way and he was able to use all his language skills later on in life. I loved the inclusion of photos for references to his story and it gave it a deeply personal touch.

The writing was a bit choppy at times and didn’t always flow, but I enjoyed this novel greatly! I highly recommend it!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Languages Saved Me is a wonderful read. The prologue itself is enough to get you invested in Tad and his family. It tells a beautiful, tragic story of a boy and his brother who had to learn how to navigate his way through wartime Poland during World War 2. Tad and his granddaughter did a wonderful job telling such momentous stories in such a succinct way. Also, for the audiobook, the reader (Stefan Rudnicki) is absolutely remarkable. His low baritone add the desired gravitas needed for this story. We highly recommend to anyone interested in World War 2, Linguistics, or just good storytelling.

[Kelly Gegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linguistics. It’s not something that pops into my head when I think of how people managed to survive during WWII. It’s something I think of when I think of schooling….lots and lots of schooling. This book is SO interesting….for several reasons. One of the most interesting for me is that while it is written as an autobiography – it wasn’t actually *written* by the author in its’ entirety. It’s a book that was thoughtfully *written* by Mr. Haska’s grand-daughter, Stefanie Naumann, after she went through all of his letters, journals, notes, recordings and anything else she was able to get her hands on to bring about this incredible, detailed journey of how her grandfather managed during the war, and ended up in the US as a professor and Ph. D. holder! (He received his degree in linguistics in his 9th language, which was English – seriously….)
Tadeusz (Tad) Haska was quite an accomplished gentleman! He came from a rough childhood – not in terms of unkind parents, but in terms of them passing away when he was still at a tender age during his teenage years with only his younger brother to keep him company. Somehow, his brother and himself managed to get by when the war first broke out, and kept managing to attend school, and rent an apartment all on their own. That alone is something to be proud of. Throw in the smarts required to avoid the Germans, and the Russian Secret Police after the war, and you have quite the interesting story to learn about! There were numerous times Mr. Haska should have been silenced…. But he always managed to make it out in one piece and back home – to wherever home happened to be at the time.
The story of risking life and limb wasn’t just himself either – you get to read about his wife, Jadwiga, whom escaped Poland by being smuggled out via boat…. In a coffin. The things this young couple went through are scary, intense, amazing, and almost hard to believe! But, believe we must – as no one would wish the horrors that occurred then to ever occur again. It’s a true treasure that they made it to the States in the late 40’s! Arriving at the ever-famous Ellis Island – and living with family for some time in New York – getting jobs and making a go of it from day 1 as best they could. The grit, determination and steadfastness of the two of them is nothing short of wondrous!
I couldn’t put this book down – it kept drawing me in. The way the story is told from the first person – almost as if I was actually reading Mr. Haska’s personal journal of the events and the way his story played out – was so different and intriguing! There were definitely sad parts of his journey, as there are with anyone’s journey, but it’s very much appreciated that him and his family are willing to share this part of their lives – as well as how their lives turned out once they made it to California; where Mr. Haska taught Polish to hundreds (who knows the actual number) of students!
The Haska/Naumann family, in all manners, appears to be wonderful! It would’ve been an honor to meet Mr. Haska before he passed away – I can only imagine the presence and liveliness he exuded to those who knew him!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful story pulled me right in and I could not put this book down. The story that Tadeusz tells (through his Granddaughter) is powerful, heart breaking (but full of promise and hope) and leaves you feeling humbled.

The story is told in such a way that you feel like you are sitting beside him and reliving each moment. Tadeusz had seen things as a child and a youth that no one should ever have to – a lesson to those today about what can happen when people resort to fear and hate. The atrocities that were done in this period are hard to imagine and too often we can forget, which we cannot let happen.

When he lost his parents at a young age, his brother and Tadeusz raised themselves – going to school and supporting themselves financially through tutoring, my heart broke. I can’t even imagine a youth trying to accomplish all of this but these were the values and morals that their parents had instilled in them before their passing. They honoured their parents and kept pushing forward when it may have been easier to give up. Education is one of the most important things in life and sometimes sacrifices must be made, his parents did this for him and his brother when they sold their dairy business to move to another town that had better schooling for them and they never gave up.

When World War II starts, chaos erupts in Tadeusz life. The way the Polish people were treated was heartbreaking – community members murdered for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, for being educated, for just being Polish and the list goes on and on. Their homes were taken away and some were forced to live in their own basements while the top was taken over by the Nazis. This began his journey of survival, a story that is hard to even comprehend and that at times left me in tears. Through determination, gut instinct and courage – he makes it through some of the worst years in our history and even immigrates to the USA with his wife to rebuild all that he has lost.

Some of the moments throughout the book, brought back memories of my own Grandfather. It made me think of what he must have gone through in World War II living in Northern Italy, what he had seen and what he did to survive before immigrating to Canada. He never spoke about those times (neither of my Grandparents did) but I can only imagine the pain this leaves (something we saw in the book, when his wife refused to return to Poland).

This is a powerful and important story. It is so important to learn and understand what individuals went through and the impact this had on their lives. It is so important to honour all of the lives lost during this moment in time. I loved how something as simple as a gift and love for languages protected and guided him (it was almost as though his parents teachings on education protected him later in life when they were not there). This is a definite must read.

[Veronica Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story of survival. What Tadeusz Haska and his family went through was unimaginable and I’m glad he wrote his story down for others to read, if not only to learn about the war through a first hand experience, but also for a sense of inspiration during hard times.

It’s written like a diary with pictures from his life. The way Haska tells his story, it was like he was telling it directly to me. It really brought the story to life. I appreciate his honesty in wanting to tell his story and how the importance of education instilled in him by his parents saved his life.

[Mark Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true love story of family and country. "How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival written by Tadeusz Haska and Stefanie Naumann. This is a journey of teaching and learning through the years and learning about hardships and loneliness, so that family will be safe in the end. The cover art depicts journey as the photographs throughout showed hope and love for this couple and family and staying true to their language and heritage no matter how much one had to learn in a lifetime.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

In How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival, Tadeusz Haska recounts his life growing up in Poland and his survival of WWII with his knowledge of languages and a bit of luck. Haska’s granddaughter, Stefani Naumann helps pen this memoir with photos and letters written by Haska and his wife during that time. Written from Haska’s point of view, this memoir feels more like a story being told by a roaring fireplace rather than a book. Haska’s incredible sense of determination and bravery is highlighted through the numerous hardships he faces before, during and after the war. This book is a great addition to the WWII genre with a fresh point of view of the harrowing atrocities that was WWII.

[Crystal Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in the U.S., we can't really imagine what it's like when the war comes to your hometown. My condolences and sympathy to the residents of NYC re: 9/11, and also to anyone who was at Pearl Harbor for the bombing, but those tragic incidents were isolated. We didn't have widespread, ongoing bombing. We weren't occupied. And so the life of constant fear, hiding, and escaping that author Tadeusz Haska and his family lived is unfathomable to us. I found my mouth both literally and figuratively hanging open at times.

For this reason, the women in his family were right: It is very important for him, and people like him, to tell their stories while they're still here to do so. Lest we forget what can happen when oppressive regimes are left unchecked. It is, in fact, a very timely endeavor.

There are sometimes too many details about mundane things in How Languages Saved Me that wouldn't be appropriate in a more traditional story structure but which make sense when you imagine this as a grandfather sharing his life story with his family. The author did not adhere to the creative writing tenet of "show, don't tell." This is most definitely a "telling" book. But it's well edited to keep things moving forward.

[Hannah Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was truly a joy to read. It was engaging and enthralling. Where the writing lacked, the beautiful and harrowing honesty and truth of the story more than made up the difference. More than the stories' brilliance is its importance. Written by Stefanie Naumann with the aid of her Grandfather's personal journals (Tadeusz Haska), the book is able to keep alive a story of true perseverance and faith in the face of some of our histories most horrible moments. To quote the introduction: "I believe that preserving eye witness accounts is critical to learning about World War II... Each year there are fewer individuals who have firsthand knowledge."

And preserve the story she did. I think another thing that is so important about this story is it echos the sentiment that words matter, that language matters. Now more than ever I think that rings true and Tadeusz's story is here to show us the importance of that and why that belief should never die. Why we should always be here to learn and to help one another through life.

[Jen KD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting memoir about a Polish man who is very intelligent and resilient who skillfully survives WWII. The book chronicles the emphasis his family placed on education, and the great lengths the children went to ensure they would continue to learn despite hardships. Once the war started, Tad realized that his once coveted education was now causing him problems, like accusations of being a spy and causing fear of uprisings. This started years of living in hiding, moving from place to place, using and learning new languages to cover his true identity. Tad even managed to obtain false documents, join the Swedish Navy, and smuggle his wife out of Poland. The story seems too incredible to be true, but Tad tells it in such a matter of fact way as if it was just another day in the life of chaos, and he was doing what needed to be done. (However, I do think that the storytelling could use a bit of drama and flair added, just for excitement- maybe some adjectives or adverbs added.)

[Empress Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book to read in preparation for an interview with the author, Stefanie Naumann for my podcast, A Healthy Bite. I devoured the pages of this book and wished there were more! The story of Tadeus Haska was just outstanding. This man lived his life the way we all should! Savoring every moment, taking risks, loving as much as it's possible to love, and sharing it all with those around him.
The book was so inspiring and triumphant that I chose to let my 11 and 13 year old children read it. Then my husband. We talked about the book at length. The fact that a man who had to run, break out of prison, and go into hiding, become a refugee, smuggle his wife out of the country in a coffin - STILL had the time to learn and practice languages!! It's an inspiration to continue learning and practicing the languages we speak.
This book is a great quick read and will be adored by any aspiring linguist, or those who are fascinated by stories from the World War 2 time period, and especially those who appreciate a good immigration story.

[Willow Moon Greymoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Languages Saved Me is one of those books that, after you complete reading the last page, you are changed as a person. It is more than reading a book; it is getting to know someone and their life in an authentic and heart-breaking way. The human experience is comprised of pain and sorrow, but Tadeusz Haska (main protagonist) showed that after all the suffering and pain ceases, a new life filled with promise and hope is possible after a great deal of working hard and holding hope for the future.

Tad and his wife, Jadwiga, are a brilliant story of survival and determination. The couple faced many hardships and tumultuous effects of Nazi aggression during World War ll Poland and moved to the United States in search of a better life. Truly their story is an example of the “American Dream” and “true love.” I must say that I cried a few times while I read this book, not because of the sadness…Because of the realness this book holds.

I highly recommend this book to those interested in World War ll, biography, and memoirs.

[Johanna Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This autobiography truly widens the scope of the atrocities of World War II and offers a new perspective on its survivors. So little is told about what happened to the citizens of some of the occupied countries: how their lives were also cut short, disrupted, and dehumanized. It was inspiring to read the countless times Tadeusz Haska had to learn a new language, move to a new country, and take on a new profession. His description of first learning English and then teaching some Americans how to speak Polish is a gem. In times of doubt about the American dream and the full acceptance of new immigrants to the country, Haska's flourishing in the United States, and not in a country like Sweden, helps to renew one's sense of America as a land of freedom and a place where one can build a home and family. After reading this book, I feel my sense of WW II and the rise of the Iron Curtain has been shifted. 

[Sandra Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had read everything there was about the plight of Europeans in World War II. About how the Nazis tore through the region, leaving turmoil in their wake. I was most definitely mistaken. How Languages Saved Me opened up another world for me. A world of everyday Polish people just trying to survive while their country was beset by monsters. And, the captivating memoir’s author Tadeusz Haska showed so much courage and resilience in the face of hardships before, during and after the war. His story is an inspiration to us all. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to increase your knowledge of World War II and Poland. And, it’s also a must-read if you like heart-warming stories about people who didn’t give up, even when the odds were against them. Haska’s granddaughter did a fantastic job of curating and organizing his writings, so much so that reading this memoir has made me want to read more about Poland during the war.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival is an amazing story of how Tadeusz Haska's knowledge of language provided him the ability to elude the Nazis and Soviet police during the atrocities of WWII and how his education helped him create the life he lived. Orphaned at the age of 13, his parents' value of education was a true gift. The story is retold by Tad's granddaughter which lends a sweetness to a narrative that is both harrowing and heartwarming. The lives of those who survived the Holocaust, Nazi tyranny, and the horrors of WWII must be remembered and it is a victory that Haska's granddaughter is doing her part to ensure we do not forget. It is an incredible story.

[Viga Boland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me to very early roots

I didn’t know if this was a book I’d enjoy, but since my parents were both Polish and suffered through the labour camps in Germany during WW2, i was curious about what more i could learn about the lives of others like them. This book brought to mind places, names and events my folks had told me about, so i related on a personal level. Tadeusz’ story is one showing determination to survive and succeed despite great odds. Lots of photos to help things come alive for the reader and i’m sure for Ted’s family. What a wonderful legacy he has left them.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading How Languages Changed Me instantly transports readers to a fireside evening with their favorite elderly storyteller. Haska's tale sounds impossible, with intertwining lines of humanity's cruelty and kindness. His survival is a nod toward the strength of the human spirit. The pictures arranged throughout the book are important reminders that this story is real. They are warnings about a history that could very well happen again if we don't learn from past events.

Haska's story, in combination with his granddaughter's view of him, make a great, first-person account of life during WW2.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

So it's the story of the old man, told by the granddaughter, published two years after the old man has died. And his amazing number of languages helped him teach his native Polish in English for most of his life.