historical

As a Pontian-Greek-American, reading this great book was like having my grandmother tell me her life's stories all over again. Couldn't put it down. Very infomative, touching and most of all a real treasure for my daughters. Now they can read this ideal book and learn about their great-grandparents history. Another very important point in this book is that the Pontian, Armenian and Assyrian Genocide, which is not written anywhere is revealed for everyone to be aware. The author wrote this book out of love for her mother, therefore there is no hatred involved. Even though the most important years of Sano's life were tragic, she still has nothing awful to say and is a very very lovely lady. I highly recommend reading this book, because its a true story and very well written. THANKS A MILLION THEA HALO.

This incredible story is worthy of the shelf of any serious library. How moving it was to read about Thea embarking on a journey with her Mom to trace her roots back to that mysterious land, Asia Minor.

Her superb knowledge of the land of her ancestors and its peoples is astounding. She makes it strikingly and shockingly clear why the oppressive Turkish government eliminated so many of her ancestors.

The reader is also given a vivid picture of her journey as she describes many Greek customs, dishes, and clothing. This is a wonderful story, free of any partisanship, honoring her mother's tragic experiences. The book is invaluable for those who are not very familiar with the region or its history. What an interesting and turbulent time period has been captured through a child's eyes. It is written with so much feeling and honesty.

That such experience has been conveyed through a book is a great tribute to the author and her mother.

Not Even My Name is well written. I recommend it highly. It tells the experiences of Theo Helo as a 10-year old, in 1920, who was forced on a death march with thousands of Pontic Greeks from their traditional home land into the desserts. The story starts with Theo, who now is an old lady, returning to her homeland with her daughter. This heart rending story was repeated many times starting with the Armenians' who suffered under the Turkish occupation for over 400 yrs and ended in 1915 with the 20th century's first genocide. The book describes in heart rending detail the cruelty by Turkish soldiers and official in eliminating all non-Turks from the lands they conquered in 1453.