Reviews
"Jennifer Teege's new memoir traces the pain of discovering her grandfather was the real-life 'Nazi butcher' from Schindler's List"-- People magazine "A stunning memoir of cultural trauma and personal identity."-- Booklist , starred review "Unforgettable. . . . Teege's quest to discover her personal history is empowering."-- Publishers Weekly "An important addition to narratives written by descendants of war criminals. A gripping read, highly recommended for anyone interested in history, memoirs, and biography."-- Library Journal , starred review "[A] journey of self-discovery."-- Metro US "[An] amazing story of horror and reconciliation and love."-- John Mutter, Shelf Awareness "This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is fascinating and fair. There are no easy answers to the issues raised in this book, but they exist for both groups of descendants. Readers will be challenged to think about a major event in world history from a perspective that is rare but surely significant."-- Gerhard L. Weinberg, History Book Club "Courageous. . . . the memoir invites rereading to fully absorb Teege's painful search for answers, for a sense of identity and belonging and for inner peace. Readers won't help but feel for her. Teege discovers, however, that history's shattering truths have the potential to make us more whole."-- Seattle Times "[Teege's] message is an important one--that we have the power to decide who we are."-- Seattle Weekly "In honest, direct, and absorbing prose, Teege and coauthor Nikola Sellmair confront highly personal repercussions of the Holocaust. . . . The book's real triumph is in its nuanced, universally appealing portrait of an individual searching for her place in the world. Just as Teege's chance encounter with a library book led her to question the fundamental assumptions of her life, so too the reader. . . will be forced to reconsider the wide-ranging impact of past injustices on present-day relationships."-- The Jewish Book Council "A discomfiting but clear-eyed journey of self-discovery and identity reconciliation that first-time author Teege relates with admirable straightforwardness and equanimity."-- In These Times "The alternating narrative between Teege and co-author Sellmair offers a refreshing and ultimately impartial analysis. Teege's heartfelt commentary and Sellmair's objective narrative produce a layer of balanced interpretation and insight."-- New York Journal of Books "Teege's story is one of questions as much as answers. Her honest self-examination makes for a provocative, unpredictable story of an understanding still in progress."-- Columbus Dispatch, "An authentically shocking memoir."-- Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal Praise for the original German edition "In her book, Jennifer Teege manages to find the balance between coming to terms with her past and embarking upon a new, liberated identity."-- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung "Jennifer Teege's book is an important document--proof that history never ends."-- Profile magazine "A bold confrontation with a personal and German history."-- Brigitte, This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is fascinating and fair. There are no easy answers to the issues raised in this book, but they exist for both groups of descendants. Readers will be challenged to think about a major event in world history from a perspective that is rare but surely significant., [Jennifer Teege's] memoir has much to teach us about the ordinary, intimate conditions in which political violence--and the reckoning that follows--take place., New York Times Bestseller "Jennifer Teege''s new memoir traces the pain of discovering her grandfather was the real-life ''Nazi butcher'' from Schindler''s List ."-- People magazine "Haunting and unflinching . . . . A memoir, an adoption story and a geopolitical history lesson, all blended seamlessly into an account of Teege''s exploration of her roots."-- Washington Post "A stunning memoir of cultural trauma and personal identity."-- Booklist , starred review "Unforgettable. . . . Teege''s quest to discover her personal history is empowering."-- Publishers Weekly "An important addition to narratives written by descendants of war criminals. A gripping read, highly recommended for anyone interested in history, memoirs, and biography."-- Library Journal , starred review "[A] journey of self-discovery."-- Metro US "[An] amazing story of horror and reconciliation and love."-- John Mutter, Shelf Awareness "The high quality of the writing helps to convey this incredible but amazingly true story."-- Association of Jewish Libraries "This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is fascinating and fair. There are no easy answers to the issues raised in this book, but they exist for both groups of descendants. Readers will be challenged to think about a major event in world history from a perspective that is rare but surely significant."-- Gerhard L. Weinberg, History Book Club "A powerful account of Teege''s struggle for resolution and redemption, the book [is] itself a therapeutic working-through of her history, as well as a meditation on family."-- The Independent (UK) "Courageous. . . . the memoir invites rereading to fully absorb Teege''s painful search for answers, for a sense of identity and belonging and for inner peace. Readers won''t help but feel for her. Teege discovers, however, that history''s shattering truths have the potential to make us more whole."-- Seattle Times "[Teege''s] message is an important one--that we have the power to decide who we are."-- Seattle Weekly "In honest, direct, and absorbing prose, Teege and coauthor Nikola Sellmair confront highly personal repercussions of the Holocaust. . . . The book''s real triumph is in its nuanced, universally appealing portrait of an individual searching for her place in the world. Just as Teege''s chance encounter with a library book led her to question the fundamental assumptions of her life, so too the reader. . . will be forced to reconsider the wide-ranging impact of past injustices on present-day relationships."-- The Jewish Book Council "A discomfiting but clear-eyed journey of self-discovery and identity reconciliation that first-time author Teege relates with admirable straightforwardness and equanimity."-- In These Times "The alternating narrative between Teege and co-author Sellmair offers a refreshing and ultimately impartial analysis. Teege''s heartfelt commentary and Sellmair''s objective narrative produce a layer of balanced interpretation and insight."-- New York Journal of Books "Teege''s story is at times heart wrenching, and yet, full of her own stark honesty and surprising wisdom as she ponders the impacts of one''s family history."-- Manhattan Book Review "Jennifer Teege has a fascinating story."-- Washington Independent Review of Books "Teege''s story is one of questions as much as answers. Her honest self-examination makes for a provocative, unpredictable story of an understanding still in progress."-- Columbus Dispatch "As spellbinding as any horror fiction, but it''s true, and grippingly filled with personal details that ensnare the reader. . . . Fascinating."-- Jacksonville Clarion-Ledger, "Jennifer Teege's new memoir traces the pain of discovering her grandfather was the real-life 'Nazi butcher' from Schindler's List ."-- People magazine "Haunting and unflinching . . . . A memoir, an adoption story and a geopolitical history lesson, all blended seamlessly into an account of Teege's exploration of her roots."-- Washington Post "A stunning memoir of cultural trauma and personal identity."-- Booklist , starred review "Unforgettable. . . . Teege's quest to discover her personal history is empowering."-- Publishers Weekly "An important addition to narratives written by descendants of war criminals. A gripping read, highly recommended for anyone interested in history, memoirs, and biography."-- Library Journal , starred review "[A] journey of self-discovery."-- Metro US "[An] amazing story of horror and reconciliation and love."-- John Mutter, Shelf Awareness "This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is fascinating and fair. There are no easy answers to the issues raised in this book, but they exist for both groups of descendants. Readers will be challenged to think about a major event in world history from a perspective that is rare but surely significant."-- Gerhard L. Weinberg, History Book Club "A powerful account of Teege's struggle for resolution and redemption, the book [is] itself a therapeutic working-through of her history, as well as a meditation on family."-- The Independent (UK) "Courageous. . . . the memoir invites rereading to fully absorb Teege's painful search for answers, for a sense of identity and belonging and for inner peace. Readers won't help but feel for her. Teege discovers, however, that history's shattering truths have the potential to make us more whole."-- Seattle Times "[Teege's] message is an important one--that we have the power to decide who we are."-- Seattle Weekly "In honest, direct, and absorbing prose, Teege and coauthor Nikola Sellmair confront highly personal repercussions of the Holocaust. . . . The book's real triumph is in its nuanced, universally appealing portrait of an individual searching for her place in the world. Just as Teege's chance encounter with a library book led her to question the fundamental assumptions of her life, so too the reader. . . will be forced to reconsider the wide-ranging impact of past injustices on present-day relationships."-- The Jewish Book Council "A discomfiting but clear-eyed journey of self-discovery and identity reconciliation that first-time author Teege relates with admirable straightforwardness and equanimity."-- In These Times "The alternating narrative between Teege and co-author Sellmair offers a refreshing and ultimately impartial analysis. Teege's heartfelt commentary and Sellmair's objective narrative produce a layer of balanced interpretation and insight."-- New York Journal of Books "Teege's story is at times heart wrenching, and yet, full of her own stark honesty and surprising wisdom as she ponders the impacts of one's family history."-- Manhattan Book Review "Jennifer Teege has a fascinating story."-- Washington Independent Review of Books "Teege's story is one of questions as much as answers. Her honest self-examination makes for a provocative, unpredictable story of an understanding still in progress."-- Columbus Dispatch "As spellbinding as any horror fiction, but it's true, and grippingly filled with personal details that ensnare the reader. . . . Fascinating."-- Jacksonville Clarion-Ledger, Haunting and unflinching . . . . A memoir, an adoption story and a geopolitical history lesson, all blended seamlessly into an account of Teege's exploration of her roots., "New York Times Bestseller 2015 INDIEFAB Honorable Mention for Autobiography Memoir "Jennifer Teege's new memoir traces the pain of discovering her grandfather was the real-life 'Nazi butcher' from Schindler's List.", A discomfiting but clear-eyed journey of self-discovery and identity reconciliation that first-time author Teege relates with admirable straightforwardness and equanimity., "Jennifer Teege's new memoir traces the pain of discovering her grandfather was the real-life 'Nazi butcher' from Schindler's List ."-- People magazine "Haunting and unflinching . . . . A memoir, an adoption story and a geopolitical history lesson, all blended seamlessly into an account of Teege's exploration of her roots."-- Washington Post "A stunning memoir of cultural trauma and personal identity."-- Booklist , starred review "Unforgettable. . . . Teege's quest to discover her personal history is empowering."-- Publishers Weekly "An important addition to narratives written by descendants of war criminals. A gripping read, highly recommended for anyone interested in history, memoirs, and biography."-- Library Journal , starred review "[A] journey of self-discovery."-- Metro US "[An] amazing story of horror and reconciliation and love."-- John Mutter, Shelf Awareness "This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is fascinating and fair. There are no easy answers to the issues raised in this book, but they exist for both groups of descendants. Readers will be challenged to think about a major event in world history from a perspective that is rare but surely significant."-- Gerhard L. Weinberg, History Book Club "A powerful account of Teege's struggle for resolution and redemption, the book [is] itself a therapeutic working-through of her history, as well as a meditation on family."-- The Independent (UK) "Courageous. . . . the memoir invites rereading to fully absorb Teege's painful search for answers, for a sense of identity and belonging and for inner peace. Readers won't help but feel for her. Teege discovers, however, that history's shattering truths have the potential to make us more whole."-- Seattle Times "[Teege's] message is an important one--that we have the power to decide who we are."-- Seattle Weekly "In honest, direct, and absorbing prose, Teege and coauthor Nikola Sellmair confront highly personal repercussions of the Holocaust. . . . The book's real triumph is in its nuanced, universally appealing portrait of an individual searching for her place in the world. Just as Teege's chance encounter with a library book led her to question the fundamental assumptions of her life, so too the reader. . . will be forced to reconsider the wide-ranging impact of past injustices on present-day relationships."-- The Jewish Book Council "A discomfiting but clear-eyed journey of self-discovery and identity reconciliation that first-time author Teege relates with admirable straightforwardness and equanimity."-- In These Times "The alternating narrative between Teege and co-author Sellmair offers a refreshing and ultimately impartial analysis. Teege's heartfelt commentary and Sellmair's objective narrative produce a layer of balanced interpretation and insight."-- New York Journal of Books "Jennifer Teege has a fascinating story."-- Washington Independent Review of Books "Teege's story is one of questions as much as answers. Her honest self-examination makes for a provocative, unpredictable story of an understanding still in progress."-- Columbus Dispatch "As spellbinding as any horror fiction, but it's true, and grippingly filled with personal details that ensnare the reader. . . . Fascinating."-- Jacksonville Clarion-Ledger, "Jennifer Teege's new memoir traces the pain of discovering her grandfather was the real-life 'Nazi butcher' from Schindler's List ."-- People magazine "Haunting and unflinching . . . . A memoir, an adoption story and a geopolitical history lesson, all blended seamlessly into an account of Teege's exploration of her roots."-- Washington Post "A stunning memoir of cultural trauma and personal identity."-- Booklist , starred review "Unforgettable. . . . Teege's quest to discover her personal history is empowering."-- Publishers Weekly "An important addition to narratives written by descendants of war criminals. A gripping read, highly recommended for anyone interested in history, memoirs, and biography."-- Library Journal , starred review "[A] journey of self-discovery."-- Metro US "[An] amazing story of horror and reconciliation and love."-- John Mutter, Shelf Awareness "This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is fascinating and fair. There are no easy answers to the issues raised in this book, but they exist for both groups of descendants. Readers will be challenged to think about a major event in world history from a perspective that is rare but surely significant."-- Gerhard L. Weinberg, History Book Club "A powerful account of Teege's struggle for resolution and redemption, the book [is] itself a therapeutic working-through of her history, as well as a meditation on family."-- The Independent (UK) "Courageous. . . . the memoir invites rereading to fully absorb Teege's painful search for answers, for a sense of identity and belonging and for inner peace. Readers won't help but feel for her. Teege discovers, however, that history's shattering truths have the potential to make us more whole."-- Seattle Times "[Teege's] message is an important one--that we have the power to decide who we are."-- Seattle Weekly "In honest, direct, and absorbing prose, Teege and coauthor Nikola Sellmair confront highly personal repercussions of the Holocaust. . . . The book's real triumph is in its nuanced, universally appealing portrait of an individual searching for her place in the world. Just as Teege's chance encounter with a library book led her to question the fundamental assumptions of her life, so too the reader. . . will be forced to reconsider the wide-ranging impact of past injustices on present-day relationships."-- The Jewish Book Council "A discomfiting but clear-eyed journey of self-discovery and identity reconciliation that first-time author Teege relates with admirable straightforwardness and equanimity."-- In These Times "The alternating narrative between Teege and co-author Sellmair offers a refreshing and ultimately impartial analysis. Teege's heartfelt commentary and Sellmair's objective narrative produce a layer of balanced interpretation and insight."-- New York Journal of Books "Teege's story is one of questions as much as answers. Her honest self-examination makes for a provocative, unpredictable story of an understanding still in progress."-- Columbus Dispatch, "A stunning memoir of cultural trauma and personal identity."-- Booklist , starred review "An authentically shocking memoir."-- Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal Praise for the original German edition "In her book, Jennifer Teege manages to find the balance between coming to terms with her past and embarking upon a new, liberated identity."-- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung "Jennifer Teege's book is an important document--proof that history never ends."-- Profil magazine "A bold confrontation with a personal and German history."-- Brigitte, A powerful account of Teege's struggle for resolution and redemption, the book [is] itself a therapeutic working-through of her history, as well as a meditation on family., New York Times Bestseller 2015 INDIEFAB Honorable Mention for Autobiography & Memoir "Jennifer Teege''s new memoir traces the pain of discovering her grandfather was the real-life ''Nazi butcher'' from Schindler''s List ."-- People magazine "Haunting and unflinching . . . . A memoir, an adoption story and a geopolitical history lesson, all blended seamlessly into an account of Teege''s exploration of her roots."-- Washington Post "A stunning memoir of cultural trauma and personal identity."-- Booklist , starred review "Unforgettable. . . . Teege''s quest to discover her personal history is empowering."-- Publishers Weekly "An important addition to narratives written by descendants of war criminals. A gripping read, highly recommended for anyone interested in history, memoirs, and biography."-- Library Journal , starred review "[A] journey of self-discovery."-- Metro US "[An] amazing story of horror and reconciliation and love."-- John Mutter, Shelf Awareness "The high quality of the writing helps to convey this incredible but amazingly true story."-- Association of Jewish Libraries "This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is fascinating and fair. There are no easy answers to the issues raised in this book, but they exist for both groups of descendants. Readers will be challenged to think about a major event in world history from a perspective that is rare but surely significant."-- Gerhard L. Weinberg, History Book Club "A powerful account of Teege''s struggle for resolution and redemption, the book [is] itself a therapeutic working-through of her history, as well as a meditation on family."-- The Independent (UK) "Courageous. . . . the memoir invites rereading to fully absorb Teege''s painful search for answers, for a sense of identity and belonging and for inner peace. Readers won''t help but feel for her. Teege discovers, however, that history''s shattering truths have the potential to make us more whole."-- Seattle Times "[Teege''s] message is an important one--that we have the power to decide who we are."-- Seattle Weekly "In honest, direct, and absorbing prose, Teege and coauthor Nikola Sellmair confront highly personal repercussions of the Holocaust. . . . The book''s real triumph is in its nuanced, universally appealing portrait of an individual searching for her place in the world. Just as Teege''s chance encounter with a library book led her to question the fundamental assumptions of her life, so too the reader. . . will be forced to reconsider the wide-ranging impact of past injustices on present-day relationships."-- The Jewish Book Council "A discomfiting but clear-eyed journey of self-discovery and identity reconciliation that first-time author Teege relates with admirable straightforwardness and equanimity."-- In These Times "The alternating narrative between Teege and co-author Sellmair offers a refreshing and ultimately impartial analysis. Teege''s heartfelt commentary and Sellmair''s objective narrative produce a layer of balanced interpretation and insight."-- New York Journal of Books "Teege''s story is at times heart wrenching, and yet, full of her own stark honesty and surprising wisdom as she ponders the impacts of one''s family history."-- Manhattan Book Review "Jennifer Teege has a fascinating story."-- Washington Independent Review of Books "Teege''s story is one of questions as much as answers. Her honest self-examination makes for a provocative, unpredictable story of an understanding still in progress."-- Columbus Dispatch "As spellbinding as any horror fiction, but it''s true, and grippingly filled with personal details that ensnare the reader. . . . Fascinating."-- Jacksonville Clarion-Ledger, In honest, direct, and absorbing prose, Teege and coauthor Nikola Sellmair confront highly personal repercussions of the Holocaust. . . . The book's real triumph is in its nuanced, universally appealing portrait of an individual searching for her place in the world. Just as Teege's chance encounter with a library book led her to question the fundamental assumptions of her life, so too the reader. . . will be forced to reconsider the wide-ranging impact of past injustices on present-day relationships., An important addition to narratives written by descendants of war criminals. A gripping read, highly recommended for anyone interested in history, memoirs, and biography., Courageous. . . . the memoir invites rereading to fully absorb Teege's painful search for answers, for a sense of identity and belonging and for inner peace. Readers won't help but feel for her. Teege discovers, however, that history's shattering truths have the potential to make us more whole., Praise for the original German edition "In her book, Jennifer Teege manages to find the balance between coming to terms with her past and embarking upon a new, liberated identity."-- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung "Jennifer Teege's book is an important document--proof that history never ends."-- Profile magazine "A bold confrontation with a personal and German history."-- Brigitte, "Jennifer Teege's new memoir traces the pain of discovering her grandfather was the real-life 'Nazi butcher' from Schindler's List ."- People magazine "Haunting and unflinching . . . . A memoir, an adoption story and a geopolitical history lesson, all blended seamlessly into an account of Teege's exploration of her roots."- Washington Post "A stunning memoir of cultural trauma and personal identity."- Booklist , starred review "Unforgettable. . . . Teege's quest to discover her personal history is empowering."- Publishers Weekly "An important addition to narratives written by descendants of war criminals. A gripping read, highly recommended for anyone interested in history, memoirs, and biography."- Library Journal , starred review "[A] journey of self-discovery."- Metro US "[An] amazing story of horror and reconciliation and love."- John Mutter, Shelf Awareness "This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is fascinating and fair. There are no easy answers to the issues raised in this book, but they exist for both groups of descendants. Readers will be challenged to think about a major event in world history from a perspective that is rare but surely significant."- Gerhard L. Weinberg, History Book Club "A powerful account of Teege's struggle for resolution and redemption, the book [is] itself a therapeutic working-through of her history, as well as a meditation on family."- The Independent (UK) "Courageous. . . . the memoir invites rereading to fully absorb Teege's painful search for answers, for a sense of identity and belonging and for inner peace. Readers won't help but feel for her. Teege discovers, however, that history's shattering truths have the potential to make us more whole."- Seattle Times "[Teege's] message is an important one-that we have the power to decide who we are."- Seattle Weekly "In honest, direct, and absorbing prose, Teege and coauthor Nikola Sellmair confront highly personal repercussions of the Holocaust. . . . The book's real triumph is in its nuanced, universally appealing portrait of an individual searching for her place in the world. Just as Teege's chance encounter with a library book led her to question the fundamental assumptions of her life, so too the reader. . . will be forced to reconsider the wide-ranging impact of past injustices on present-day relationships."- The Jewish Book Council "A discomfiting but clear-eyed journey of self-discovery and identity reconciliation that first-time author Teege relates with admirable straightforwardness and equanimity."- In These Times "The alternating narrative between Teege and co-author Sellmair offers a refreshing and ultimately impartial analysis. Teege's heartfelt commentary and Sellmair's objective narrative produce a layer of balanced interpretation and insight."- New York Journal of Books "Teege's story is at times heart wrenching, and yet, full of her own stark honesty and surprising wisdom as she ponders the impacts of one's family history."- Manhattan Book Review "Jennifer Teege has a fascinating story."- Washington Independent Review of Books "Teege's story is one of questions as much as answers. Her honest self-examination makes for a provocative, unpredictable story of an understanding still in progress."- Columbus Dispatch "As spellbinding as any horror fiction, but it's true, and grippingly filled with personal details that ensnare the reader. . . . Fascinating."- Jacksonville Clarion-Ledger
