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Hope and Honor
Major General Sid Shachnow is more than a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran with two Silver and three Bronze Stars with V for Valor. He survived a crucible far crueler than the jungles of Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe, spending three years in the notorious Kovno concentration camp as a child. At age ten, with nothing but rags on his back, he was finally able to flee that hellhole. Most of those he left behind died.
After returning to his home in Lithuania, now occupied by the Soviets, and finding it unbearable, Shachnow and his family decided to head west, often on foot, across Europe to the U.S. zone in Germany, where they found refuge. To earn a living in the grim aftermath of war, he smuggled black market contraband for American GIs. His next journey was to America, where he worked his way through school and enlisted in the U.S. Army, volunteering for U.S. Special Forces, where he served for thirty-two years. His primary goal was to save others from the indignities he had endured and the deadly fate he so narrowly escaped.
From Vietnam to the Middle East to the Berlin Wall, Sydney Shachnow served in Special Operations. He grew as Special Forces grew, receiving both a master's and a doctoral degree. He traveled the world, rising to major general, responsible for American Special Forces everywhere, but the lessons of Kovno stayed with him wherever he turned, wherever he soldiered.
Hope and Honor is a powerful and dramatic memoir that shows how the will to live---so painfully refined in the fires of that long-ago death camp---was forged, at last, into truth of soul and wisdom of the heart.
After returning to his home in Lithuania, now occupied by the Soviets, and finding it unbearable, Shachnow and his family decided to head west, often on foot, across Europe to the U.S. zone in Germany, where they found refuge. To earn a living in the grim aftermath of war, he smuggled black market contraband for American GIs. His next journey was to America, where he worked his way through school and enlisted in the U.S. Army, volunteering for U.S. Special Forces, where he served for thirty-two years. His primary goal was to save others from the indignities he had endured and the deadly fate he so narrowly escaped.
From Vietnam to the Middle East to the Berlin Wall, Sydney Shachnow served in Special Operations. He grew as Special Forces grew, receiving both a master's and a doctoral degree. He traveled the world, rising to major general, responsible for American Special Forces everywhere, but the lessons of Kovno stayed with him wherever he turned, wherever he soldiered.
Hope and Honor is a powerful and dramatic memoir that shows how the will to live---so painfully refined in the fires of that long-ago death camp---was forged, at last, into truth of soul and wisdom of the heart.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 29, 2014
Sid Shachnow had an extraordinary life, part of it kind of random,having been born in the wrong place at the wrong time, a young Jewish boy in a Jewish family who ends up going through the hell of the Nazi's entering their town in Lithuania at the beginning of the gradual extermination of millions. To get a quick synopsis of the story, go to his daughter LeeAnne's review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Here are some of the things that impressed me about his story:
1. There were several reasons Sid was able to navigate himself out of the horrible Nazi situation: he had the courage to live, forage for food in guarded gardens, under the floorboards of party member's homes, to make loyal friends along the way, he had a resourceful Uncle who got intel that helped him get out of impending doom just in time and there were people, not always perfect people, who took him in and hid him. He had the kind of personality that wouldn't give up, a positive way about him that people liked and it served him well all throughout his life. He was a friendly gutty guy and somehow was able to keep a positive attitude. These characteristics served him well his whole life.
2. He didn't blush about telling the whole story, even a little bit about the sex lives of his parents, that his dad was a bit of a wuss, the way the other prisoners tricked him into compromising situations, that even as a leader, he had reservations about Viet Nam, that when questionable things happened in his career he came up with politically correct answers, that he was lucky in many ways. And although he received many combat awards, many for valor, it never felt like bragging. He did what it took to get through a situation, many times not even knowing or acknowledging that he had been hit, and finished the task. He remained humble and positive at all times.
3. Part of the story is of family, family relationships, to some extent, from the perspective of having been born Jewish. There are many philosophical comments about how unfortunate it is that people are raised from the time of childhood to hold bigoted and horrible contempt toward other people. But he's very fair about how this works in reverse, his own parents having held a negative feeling and irritation at Sid's own beautiful and loving positive wife Arlene who happened to be a Catholic. Their treatment of her was heart breaking. Sid was always devoted to his own family and three of the four daughters ended up with military husbands, the fourth married an AOL guy, LOL.
4. It was interesting to get a feeling for the way the military works with its promotions, discipline, sometimes heavy drinking, training, etc. Sid was an uneducated guy, didn't even graduate from high school, wasn't yet a citizen of the US when he volunteered for the army and yet he rose to the top. Part of the story is the amazing American story, how a guy with guts and integrity with little background can get to the top. I enjoyed his descriptions of the other men he dealt with in the military. It is also the story of the Special Forces and how that started small and with Sid's help, evolved into the important role that is plays today. Sid's background in the ghettos in Europe gave him part of the special training and language skills he needed to become such a major part of this important development.
5. It sometimes reads like historical fiction. Having read so much fiction, I sometimes had to remind myself that this was a true story. I found it fascinating and interesting from the first page. I know Sid and Arlene almost as well as my own parents and I know more about Sid's parent's than my own grandparents.
Thanks Sid for having the guts to tell an honest and open story in the true but humble way you told it. It's leaders like you that make this a great place to live. The title of the book is perfect. You are a good good man and I learned a lot.
1. There were several reasons Sid was able to navigate himself out of the horrible Nazi situation: he had the courage to live, forage for food in guarded gardens, under the floorboards of party member's homes, to make loyal friends along the way, he had a resourceful Uncle who got intel that helped him get out of impending doom just in time and there were people, not always perfect people, who took him in and hid him. He had the kind of personality that wouldn't give up, a positive way about him that people liked and it served him well all throughout his life. He was a friendly gutty guy and somehow was able to keep a positive attitude. These characteristics served him well his whole life.
2. He didn't blush about telling the whole story, even a little bit about the sex lives of his parents, that his dad was a bit of a wuss, the way the other prisoners tricked him into compromising situations, that even as a leader, he had reservations about Viet Nam, that when questionable things happened in his career he came up with politically correct answers, that he was lucky in many ways. And although he received many combat awards, many for valor, it never felt like bragging. He did what it took to get through a situation, many times not even knowing or acknowledging that he had been hit, and finished the task. He remained humble and positive at all times.
3. Part of the story is of family, family relationships, to some extent, from the perspective of having been born Jewish. There are many philosophical comments about how unfortunate it is that people are raised from the time of childhood to hold bigoted and horrible contempt toward other people. But he's very fair about how this works in reverse, his own parents having held a negative feeling and irritation at Sid's own beautiful and loving positive wife Arlene who happened to be a Catholic. Their treatment of her was heart breaking. Sid was always devoted to his own family and three of the four daughters ended up with military husbands, the fourth married an AOL guy, LOL.
4. It was interesting to get a feeling for the way the military works with its promotions, discipline, sometimes heavy drinking, training, etc. Sid was an uneducated guy, didn't even graduate from high school, wasn't yet a citizen of the US when he volunteered for the army and yet he rose to the top. Part of the story is the amazing American story, how a guy with guts and integrity with little background can get to the top. I enjoyed his descriptions of the other men he dealt with in the military. It is also the story of the Special Forces and how that started small and with Sid's help, evolved into the important role that is plays today. Sid's background in the ghettos in Europe gave him part of the special training and language skills he needed to become such a major part of this important development.
5. It sometimes reads like historical fiction. Having read so much fiction, I sometimes had to remind myself that this was a true story. I found it fascinating and interesting from the first page. I know Sid and Arlene almost as well as my own parents and I know more about Sid's parent's than my own grandparents.
Thanks Sid for having the guts to tell an honest and open story in the true but humble way you told it. It's leaders like you that make this a great place to live. The title of the book is perfect. You are a good good man and I learned a lot.
February 22, 2015
Hope and Honor
An ordinary man caught in many extraordinary circumstances.
This is a memoir of a child Holocaust survivor who immigrated to the United States and lived the American Dream.
Holocaust in Lithuania
Sid was born in Kaunas, Lithuania in 1934. At the age of seven, he was imprisoned in the Kovno concentration camp during WW II because his family was Jewish. He would spend three years in the camp, dodging numerous executions (actions). To increase his prospects of survival, Sidney performed heavy manual labor under harsh conditions. During this time a guard beat him with the back of a shovel, knocking him unconscious. He narrowly escaped the camp only days before "The Children's Action" (March 27-28, 1944). This was when all children in the camp were marched to The Ninth Fort for mass execution or sent to Auschwitz to be gassed. Most of his family did not survive the camps.
Escape
After escaping the concentration camp Sid remained hidden in a small, locked, windowless closet in an abandoned building. During this time his hair fell out and his toenails fall off from malnutrition. One night, bombs rained down and shook his the walls of his hiding place. He said he was not afraid, but happy, because he knew the bombs could only mean one thing, the Soviets had finally arrived in Lithuania.
Communism
The Soviet army liberated Kovno. Sid and his mother reunited and returned to the family home and found it occupied by Russian soldiers. Sid, his mom and brother lived in one room of the house while the Russian soldiers occupied the rest of their house.
The Nuremberg Trials and a Visa
Lithuania was falling under communism. The family needed to get out. This meant leaving behind an entire block of valuable property in the historic section of Kaunas. It also meant a risky, grueling 2,000 mile journey across eastern Europe, mostly on foot. Si, his mom and brother made their way through Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, and finally into American occupied Germany. The traveled for months in constant fear of running into Nazis still looking to exterminate jews. Eventually they settled in the bombed out, war-torn city of Nuremberg, Germany. It took many years to get a visa to the US. During this time Sidney did not attend school but worked the black market, pirating contraband like pantyhose and chocolate, for small amounts of money to help support the family.
America: Immigration and Assimilation
After arriving in America, Sidney, attended school for the first time in his life. He began to learn English and did everything he could to fit in. To keep ensure he was on his best behavior, his uncle told him that if he got into trouble, the USA would send him back to live in the concentration camp. This became his greatest fear. This part of his story highlights how important it is for immigrants to learn English and assimilate so they can succeed in their host country. In one episode Sidney discovered the heartbreaking truth about his father. Sid decided to surprise his dad, an engineer, by showing up at his office building. As Sid entered the building, he was told that his father was down the hall in a restroom. Sid entered the lavatory and was shocked to see his dad bent over scrubbing dirty toilets in a tattered janitor's uniform. They looked at each other, both feeling very ashamed. They quietly went home together without speaking to each other. Nobody ever mentioned it again. Sid kept his father's secret from the rest of the family.
You're in the Army Now
Sid worked his way through high school to continue supporting the family. He married his high school sweetheart, a Catholic girl. Sid's family was so unhappy about him marrying outside of his faith, his parents disowned him. Sid's mother reluctantly attended the wedding, but wore all black and a scowl on her face. Arlene's friend told her it was the saddest wedding she had ever seen. Sid enlisted in the army to escape his controlling family and was sent to fight in Vietnam with Special Forces. He was shot twice, escaped death several times and was awarded two purple hearts and a silver star.
Berlin, Germany and The Cold War
By chance, the army discovered Sid spoke fluent German and some Russian. Special Forces enrolled him in "Detachment-A" (Delta Force). Det-A was a cold war, covert unit embedded in Special Forces. It's true identity was concealed. It's existence denied. It's missions classified. In order to blend in, Det-A members dressed in civilian clothes, grew their hair out, learned to walk, talk and think like Eastern Europeans. They carried Eastern European documentation & identification and were on high alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Berlin Wall Falls
Sid completed four tours in Germany during his army career. His last tour was in Berlin the early 1990s as a General Officer. He was the Berlin Brigade Commander during the fall of the Berlin Wall at the end of the cold war. In a twist of fate Sid was assigned to live in the former home of Nazi General Fritz Reinhardt (Hitler's Finance Minister); a house where Hitler and his cronies often attended parties and formal dinners. Sid was pleased to meet many Russian soldiers and entertain them in that same house. He never forgot how Russian soldiers liberated Kovno from the Nazis and he always felt a strong sense of gratitude towards them. Imagine, a Jewish Holocaust survivor, now a U.S. General, living in the grand house formerly owned by a top Nazi entertaining all kinds of Soviet soldiers. Hitler must have been
turning in his grave!
Sidney Shachnow has traveled all over the world from Europe to Asia and the Middle East, but no matter where he goes, the brutal lessons of the Holocaust have always stayed with him.
February 1, 2021
When you write your own book about your life, you can say what you want. I worked for BG Shachnow for almost two years. Some of the things he says in the book may be fact, but if you are familiar with the military, they give the wrong impression. When he mentions that " the President awarded the xyxyx Medal to me" True, but the President has no idea who you are and has delegated authority to commanders way down the line.
I served the last three years of my military service as Chief Financial Officer of the Berlin command. In the book Shachnow claims to be the top American general in Berlin. Not so. The "Commander of Berlin" was a two star named Haddock. I worked directly under him until unification, at which time he left and governmental authority returned to the Germans. BG Shachnow was the Berlin Brigade commander and he assumed control of the community. In the book he refers to MG Haddock as his predecessor. Actually, he was his boss.
I admire Gen Shachnow and his difficult life. I ate meals in his home, which was a mansion. I admire his wife. Still, he is a bit petty in the book. The investigation at the end of the book was real. There was fault reported because all of the property involved belonged to the German government. I actually had to report him to higher headquarters for a proposal that would have resulted in inappropriate use of German Funds.
I served the last three years of my military service as Chief Financial Officer of the Berlin command. In the book Shachnow claims to be the top American general in Berlin. Not so. The "Commander of Berlin" was a two star named Haddock. I worked directly under him until unification, at which time he left and governmental authority returned to the Germans. BG Shachnow was the Berlin Brigade commander and he assumed control of the community. In the book he refers to MG Haddock as his predecessor. Actually, he was his boss.
I admire Gen Shachnow and his difficult life. I ate meals in his home, which was a mansion. I admire his wife. Still, he is a bit petty in the book. The investigation at the end of the book was real. There was fault reported because all of the property involved belonged to the German government. I actually had to report him to higher headquarters for a proposal that would have resulted in inappropriate use of German Funds.
June 20, 2019
I suppose that some of my military friends will like or despise this work depending on how they view Special Operations. But I was riveted by Shachnow's story from its first pages when he is sharing his Lithuanian concentration camp saga. "Rags to riches" does not really do this story justice. The US Army should take a bow for influencing this man from his youth, and then nurturing that life in a manner that it warrants emulation. I challenge any listener/reader to not be moved by this story.
March 3, 2013
Great, inspiring story of a man who achieved despite seemingly insurmountable circumstances. I had the honor of serving under Gen. Shachnow in Berlin in the late 80's to early 90's (B Co. 4/502nd Inf 1989-1991) and particularly enjoyed reading his take on the events surrounding an exciting period of my life and world history in general. I started reading this with a great deal of respect for the man and finishing this book made me increase that tenfold. The tone of the narrative is slightly uneven and doesn’t flow smoothly in spots, but the message shines through and story is strong enough to overlook minor style difficulties.
July 11, 2008
Hope and Honor is the autobiography of Maj. General (Ret.) Sidney Shachnow, a Lithuanian Holocaust survivor who immigrated to America, joined the military, and ultimately ended up as head of all Special Forces before he retired. The book begins with his childhood in Lithuania, and follows Sascha (later Sidney) through his experiences with the German occupation, his families flight from Lithuania after the war to Germany, and ultimately, to the United States. Shachnow eventually makes his way into the military, where he stays until he retires, where the book ends (Shachnow is alive and well today).
I really, really liked this book. Shachnow’s writing is simple and direct, but it conveys a lot. Most of the chapters are short – between six to ten pages – and the book flows very quickly. Shachnow doesn’t spend a whole lot of time introspecting, but it’s easy to get a sense of him both as an adult looking back on his life and as the man living it.
This being a man’s life (and a remarkable life, at that), there’s obviously a lot that occurs here, and some things will stand out to readers more than others. Amateur psychologist that I am, I found watching Shachnow’s growth really interesting. Even as a child, he exhibits certain tendencies (a will to survive, a willingness to go outside the rules, and a sense that there are times when violence is, in fact, the solution) that make his eventual role in the U.S. Special Forces seem perfectly natural. Which is not to say that Shachnow is a violent man. As much as anyone else in the world, Shachnow knows the consequences of, and problems with, violence. But he is, at heart, a warrior, and warriors fight. They also think, which is where Shachnow’s real talents lie.
I could probably ramble on about this book for a while, but I really want to get this up, so I’ll stop here. This is a powerful and interesting biography about a really extraordinary man. I can’t recommend it enough.
I really, really liked this book. Shachnow’s writing is simple and direct, but it conveys a lot. Most of the chapters are short – between six to ten pages – and the book flows very quickly. Shachnow doesn’t spend a whole lot of time introspecting, but it’s easy to get a sense of him both as an adult looking back on his life and as the man living it.
This being a man’s life (and a remarkable life, at that), there’s obviously a lot that occurs here, and some things will stand out to readers more than others. Amateur psychologist that I am, I found watching Shachnow’s growth really interesting. Even as a child, he exhibits certain tendencies (a will to survive, a willingness to go outside the rules, and a sense that there are times when violence is, in fact, the solution) that make his eventual role in the U.S. Special Forces seem perfectly natural. Which is not to say that Shachnow is a violent man. As much as anyone else in the world, Shachnow knows the consequences of, and problems with, violence. But he is, at heart, a warrior, and warriors fight. They also think, which is where Shachnow’s real talents lie.
I could probably ramble on about this book for a while, but I really want to get this up, so I’ll stop here. This is a powerful and interesting biography about a really extraordinary man. I can’t recommend it enough.
October 23, 2011
Wow! The amazing and very true life story of MG (Ret) Shachnow. What he survived, against considerable odds, as a young child is just incredible. I also learned a lot about Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe that was new to me. So glad that one of his daughters convinced him to write this book. Had the honor to meet him and hear his views of the book...a story of survival, assimilation and integration, love and commitment, and opportunity.
January 23, 2008
Great story. Unbelievable what this man went through.
September 11, 2008
An amazing story!!
September 19, 2012
This is one of the best books I have ever read! HIGHLY recommended!
February 22, 2019
Not only is the story compelling but the humble tone it is written in makes for an awesome read.
The story revolves around the world Sid he's up in and how it impacted him.
Instead of the usual bravado of how awesome the subject is, instead he leads us through the times with little talk about how great he must have been to overcome these events and science what he did.
He barely mentions when he gets promoted. When he talks about his achievements he uses other people's words of what they said about him.
For those note in the military, it may seem natural to rise to two star general. It is not. Especially not in the draw down time following the Vietnam conflict.
A truly to 10 biography.
I hope that someone goes back and documents his story and writes an historical biography so it can be recorded how historical this man was, in addition to his historical times in which he grew up.
The story revolves around the world Sid he's up in and how it impacted him.
Instead of the usual bravado of how awesome the subject is, instead he leads us through the times with little talk about how great he must have been to overcome these events and science what he did.
He barely mentions when he gets promoted. When he talks about his achievements he uses other people's words of what they said about him.
For those note in the military, it may seem natural to rise to two star general. It is not. Especially not in the draw down time following the Vietnam conflict.
A truly to 10 biography.
I hope that someone goes back and documents his story and writes an historical biography so it can be recorded how historical this man was, in addition to his historical times in which he grew up.
February 26, 2020
As an avid reader of Jewish history and biography, I found Maj. Gen. Sid Schachnow's story particularly fascinating. I am currently working on writing a review which I will post on my group "Channeling Jewish History". One thing has been bugging me about the book and that is the dearth of information on his only sibling Mula or Stanley. It reminded me of Chuck Cunningham, Richie's brother from Happy Days. He appears in one episode and never makes an appearance again. I'm genuinely curious as to what became of him (and how and if his relationship to his older famous brother has an impact on his life).
September 22, 2019
Excellent book and well written. It covers the Major General’s life and explains much of why he was so fervent about the greatness of the United States. Who better to carry out Special Forces’ mission in liberating the oppressed and teaching them how to defend/take back their freedom than Sid Schachnow?! My father served under him in the 5th SFG in Vietnam and always spoke highly of the General. What a pleasure to be able to read more about the man before SF and what drove him.
November 12, 2019
The Author tells his own story. Lithuania holocaust survivor to a U.S. Special Forces Major General. Dare I write more? His story is one of true courage, valor and integrity. "Huah--Heard, Understood and Acknowledged."
June 11, 2021
Outstanding book about a magnificent life
More then 70% of the booked covered Sid’s childhood and journey from Kaunas to the US. I found it hard to put down the story is so simply told but compelling.
More then 70% of the booked covered Sid’s childhood and journey from Kaunas to the US. I found it hard to put down the story is so simply told but compelling.
May 10, 2017
Seriously one of the best books I've read in a very long time. Schachnow's life is remarkable and his past harrowing at times and others inspiring. He is a true patriot!
August 6, 2019
OUTSTANDING!
May 7, 2020
WOW, what a life story. This military veteran went through a life of sheer hell and ended up as a great American patriot. An excellent read if you like historical autobiographies.
June 21, 2020
The incredible story of strength, courage, and survival.
June 20, 2022
One of the best auto biographies I’ve ever read. Well written and compelling.
June 5, 2024
Excellent memoir.
August 3, 2024
I wish I could go back in time and read this book for the first time again. Mr. Shachnow’s life/story is truly remarkable and inspiring.
August 30, 2020
I was a civilian employee of the U.S. Army in Berlin when Major General Shachnow was the Commander. I heard his story and thought he was an amazing man. As I read the book I found out I didn't know half of it. His story was so much more than I had heard. He truly had an incredible life. The book is a real page-turner. I couldn't wait to get back to it. It tells the story very well. Major General Shachnow is a true American hero. I think this is clearly the best military autobiography I have ever read.
March 4, 2011
Mr. Shachnow's story is extremely interesting but the writing (I don't know if he wrote it or Jann Robbins wrote it) was very poor. It was quite distracting and I had a hard time enjoying the book. It is worth reading just to understand everything this man overcame in his life.
October 15, 2012
Amazing true story.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews