From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes: The Autobiography of Robert Clary

This book was a disappointment because I was hoping there would be more about Hogan's Heroes. The majority of the book is about Robert Clarey's youth years, his family's deportation and Mr. Clarey's time in the concentration camps. While well written, it seemed repetitious. Then there come the years after his release and how he began his musical career. I found this to be boring as I am not French and do not read or speak the language and there were very few translations. I actually skipped several pages as I could not read any more about this time in his life. Once he came to America, he talks about various movie stars and singers that I knew nothing about. Again, boring. FINALLY, on page 171, he starts talking about the Hogan's Heroes television show. After a few pages (13) he goes on to other singing, dancing and acting opportunities. He ends the book with revisiting the Holocaust.I learned a lot about the Holocaust. I've always felt that this time in history was horrible and should not be forgotten-EVER!But, the book left me wishing that Mr. Clarey would have spent more time talking about Hogan's Heroes, since it was specifically mentioned in the title.

Baby boomers remember Hogan's Heroes and Lebeau, the cheerful French POW who charmed all of us. I doubt if any viewers realized that Clary had survived the holocaust. He buried the horrors of slave labor and savagery away after being liberated and began rebuilding a life that had very nearly been annihilated. His story is inspirational, painful, endearing, and poignant. Clary pointedly addresses Holocaust deniers as a survivor of the horrors and mass murder precipitated by the Nazi regime. He calls out their rewriting of history, their grotesque distortions, and the danger of allowing their version of events to go unchallenged.

A well written personal history from an actor who made it in show-biz by hard work and perseverance. I can't say enough good things about Robert Clary. Buy this book and read it -- you won't be disappointed!

An emotional telling of the suffering that Robert Clary and his family experienced during the Holocaust. Robert Clary is one of the best characters on Hogan's Heroes, and watching the show after reading this book makes you appreciate his acting ability even more. The book was easy to read and includes several family pictures.

I watched Hogans Heroes as a kid. As I read his book and watch Robert Clary playing LeBeau on Hogan's Heroes re-runs, it adds real-life enlightenment of his life journey as a boy, the Holocaust and how he ended up on Hogans Heroes. I didn't know he was such a gifted singer and dancer from watching the Hogans Heroes series. The book is an interesting and recommended read.

Many (yikes, too many) years ago in High School, Mr. Clary came to speak about his time in the concentration camps. It was very powerful. I naively thought he did this just for us as a special event, but later learn he did this for many school. When I found this out, I could not accept it because I could not see how he could tell the story, relive the events, over and over. His presentation was very emotional - but it wasn't acting, it was real! When I saw Schindler List (stories from other survivors) it shocked me to see some of his own experiences mirrored in theirs. Later in life, I wished I had thanked him personal for what he did.This book is a very well written Autobiography. Clary is a good story teller and appeared to be fairly open about his real life decisions. The "Style" of the book is like a living room conversation. The stories he tells of himself, his family and friends, around the time of the concentration camps are harsh, but there is also so much good that went on - people putting themselves at risk to aide other.The book is far more than that. His move to America and early take on the culture of the time is fun to read. Although very talented, you can see that his path was guided by a strong work ethic and honesty in dealing with people.Don't worry - the Hogan's Heroes days are in there as well!If you grew up in that era, I could almost say this is a must read book. The story behind the "little Frenchmen" who spent so many evenings on that little screen in your living room will fascinate you and educate you. If you can GET a teenager to read it (or anything!), there are so many lessons that spring from a life of working hard to make your own luck.

I really enjoyed reading Robert Clary's story. When Hogan's Heroes came back on TV in our area, I found myself laughing and wondering about the cast, where they came from and what they were doing now. I was surprised to find that Robert Clary had grown up in Paris, the son of Polish Jewish immigrants. His stories of his childhood in the 1930s and '40s are fun and fascinating. He was always a performer. That came to an abrupt halt when he and his parents were taken by the Nazis. One of few to survive the camps, he gives an honest and heart-rending portrayal of those three years. After returning to Paris, he went on to a successful career as a Hollywood actor and painter. This is a fascinating story of one man's journey through life. Bravo to Robert Clary for sharing his story.

Wonderfully written about such a sad time in our history. So thankful he wrote it down for all to know what people went through. So many gone we will never know what they could have accomplished. I love that he told about what happened to many after liberation. Never forget!!!!

Robert Clary beschreibt sein Leben und vor allem seine Erfahrungen in den Konzentrationslagern mit einer distanzierten und dennoch mitreißenden Sprache, die deutlich zeigt, wie tief ihn diese Erlebnisse geprägt haben - ohne aber sein Leben mit Selbstmitleid und Rachegefühlen zu vergiften.Es berührt einen sehr, zu lesen, was den Menschen damals angetan wurde. Alleine das, was zwischen den Zeilen steht, ist unfassbar und die Gesamtheit so schrecklich, dass das Lesen streckenweise auch belastet. Aber es ist wichtig das zu lesen, alle sollten das lesen, damit es niemals vergessen wird.Für mich traten daher die Passagen in denen sein späteres Leben zwischen den einzelnen Engagements als Sänger und Schauspieler geschildert wurden, etwas zurück, da alle Schilderungen zu ihm als Holocaust-Überlebender dieses 'normale' Leben überlagern und so einschneidend sind und zum Nachdenken anregen.Niemals wird jemand, der das nicht selbst durchmachen hat müssen, nachvollziehen können, was es heißt, mit solchen Grausamkeiten konfrontiert gewesen zu sein, von seiner Familie getrennt in ein solches Dasein katapultiert zu werden. Keiner sollte hier auch nur ansatzweise versuchen, eine 'Meinung' zu haben, wie jemand sich den Rest seines Lebens mit diesen Erlebnissen fühlt oder fühlen sollte oder... Alleine um diese Erkenntnisse zu haben, hat es sich gelohnt, Robert Clary's Buch gelesen zu haben.Ich danke ihm für seine offene und authentische Schilderung seiner Erlebnisse und Empfindungen.Natürlich sind seine Erinnerungen zur 'Hogan's Heros' für einen Fan der Serie ebenfalls sehr interessant. Hier werden einige Hintergründe offenbart und man erfährt wie die Schauspieler-Kollegen so drauf waren. Wie eine solche Serie damals realisiert wurde und auch, dass ein Schauspieler-Leben weit weg von nur Glamour, Glimmer und Klitter ist.Das ein Holocaust Überlebender eine solche Rolle annimmt und darin so gut ist, ist erstaunlich. Seine Erklärungen warum und wieso er hier sechs Jahre aktiv war, leuchten aber sofort ein. Und auch sein Engagement, den Holocaust der Jugend und all jenen, die davon wenig wissen, durch Vorträge an Schulen und Universitäten nahe zu bringen, ist bewundernswert, weil es für ihn damit unmöglich ist, das Schreckliche zu vergessen.Wer wird das tun, wenn all die Zeitzeugen nicht mehr auf dieser Welt sind? Dann bleiben nur ihre Bücher, ihre Erinnerungen und diese sollten unbedingt 'geteilt' werden.Insgesamt ein herausragendes Buch und daher sehr empfehlenswert. Das Englische ist sehr gut verständlich.

Robert Clary - ein super Schauspieler seiner Zeit - Heute leider zu alt dafür, jedoch signiert er noch heute Exemplare seiner Biografie. Er ist einer der wenigsten Schauspieler aus der Serie "Ein Käfig voller Helden" - hat viel durchgemacht, war sogar in Auschwitz gefangen, hat jedoch als einer von wenigen auch das überlebt. Ich möchte hier aber nicht spoilern. Auf jeden Fall lesenswert.

Excellent book for fans of Hogan’s Heroes

The book was a page turner. With his conversational writing Robert Clary tells a history of hope, determination and passion. His passion for the Entertainment and how it helped him overcome war abuse and difficulties.

Kann ich nur empfehlen, für echte Fans ein Muss! Das Englisch ist auch gut zu verstehen. Trotz der traurigen Geschichte, kommt der Humor nicht zu kurz.