They Stole our Chocolate Factory

About the Book

They Stole Our Chocolate Factory documents Hans Schramek’s memories from his prosperous childhood, the Holocaust, and his efforts to receive compensation for his family’s business.

This book recounts a true story about a little boy who enjoyed Sunday rides in the family’s limousine with a chauffeur, gourmet specialties prepared by the family cook, and days in the park with his private nanny.  

Hans’ life as he knew it unraveled when Hitler stripped him of his dignity and his family’s business. Hans shares his dreadful experiences and how he survived the Auschwitz and Ebensee concentration camps.

Since being liberated in 1945, Hans has built a new life for himself in America.  Occasionally, he has a glimmer of hope that he will be able to claim his inheritance, some compensation for his family’s multi-million dollar chocolate factory still in operation today.

About the Author

A graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Lynn B. (Gottlieb) Schramek has worked as a business communicator for more than 20 years. Currently, she provides freelance writing, editing, design, and public relations services. Previously, she worked for a worldwide industry leader, two Fortune 500 companies, several non-profit organizations, a state department of education, and a marketing services firm. She started writing They Stole Our Chocolate Factory as part of her genealogy research. She was initially motivated to document her father-in-law’s past to pass on to her daughter Camilla (named after Hans’ mother). However, as Hans Schramek shared his dreadful experiences, she felt compelled to share his story with the world.