Measure of a Man by Martin Greenfield Summary

Measure of a Man recounts Holocaust survivor Martin Greenfield’s journey from Auschwitz to becoming America’s premier tailor for presidents and celebrities. The memoir details his harrowing camp experiences, how sewing saved his life, and his rise from sweeping factory floors to dressing figures like Dwight Eisenhower and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Martin Greenfield (1928–2024) was a Czechoslovakian-born Auschwitz survivor who rebuilt his life in America as a master tailor. Dubbed “America’s greatest living tailor,” he clothed U.S. presidents, Hollywood stars, and built a renowned bespoke suit company in Brooklyn.

This book appeals to WWII history enthusiasts, fashion aficionados, and readers seeking immigrant success stories. Its themes of resilience and craftsmanship resonate with those interested in memoirs that blend personal triumph with historical significance.

Yes. Greenfield’s story offers a unique lens on survival, combining raw Holocaust recollections with wry humor and insights into power dressing. Critics praise its inspirational tone and vivid portrayal of post-war American opportunity.

At 15, Greenfield survived by working in the camp laundry, where he mended an SS guard’s shirt and secretly wore it under his uniform. This act taught him clothing’s symbolic power and sparked his tailoring career.

Greenfield’s clients included Presidents Eisenhower, Clinton, Obama, and Trump, alongside stars like Paul Newman, Leonardo DiCaprio, and athletes such as LeBron James. His suits also featured in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.

• “Clothes don’t just ‘make the man,’ they can save the man”: Reflects how attire boosted his morale and status in Auschwitz.
• “Produce quality with intrinsic value”: A tailoring philosophy emphasizing craftsmanship over shortcuts.

The camp’s brutality instilled relentless precision and pride in craftsmanship. Greenfield viewed sewing as both survival skill and artistic expression, later stating, “Quality is a form of resistance”.

The memoir highlights determination, adaptability, and finding purpose through skill. Greenfield’s journey—from losing his family to building a fashion empire—exemplifies turning trauma into lifelong achievement.

Greenframe frames America as a land of reinvention, where hard work and talent override past horrors. His success story mirrors broader immigrant narratives of post-war opportunity.

Some readers note the memoir focuses more on triumph than deep trauma analysis. However, its uplifting tone and focus on redemption are widely praised.

Unique for its fashion-industry lens, it bridges Holocaust survival with entrepreneurial success, offering a distinct blend of historical memoir and American Dream narrative.