Away

How much does each of us know of the immigrant experience of our "crossing ancestors"--those people who left all that was familiar and arrived in a strange new world? Every immigrant's story is unique in its singular details. GOING AWAY by Ottilia Louise von Schalow and Lieselotte Katz proves this point.

Greta Adele and Ludwig Karl Ritter, a carpenter and cabinet maker traveled in 1906 from Germany to California with their three small children, attracted by prospects of well-paying work created by the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake. Their letters--translated by the editors [the grandchildren of Greta and Ludwig)--form the text of GOING AWAY. The book is referred to as "Episodic Fiction." Apparently this means changing some real names and places in order to preserve the privacy of still-living descendents. In all other respects GOING AWAY is a work of non-fiction.

From the first day of their voyage Greta and Ludwig wrote letters home. Most of the letters were penned by Greta who described in vivid images the stench of seasickness and the unaccustomed hot climate as their ship approached Galveston, Texas. (San Francisco was subsequently reached by train). Early letters reflect happy optimism: an apartment in Alameda, a job for Karl, a warm and inviting climate. Within a year they purchased a fruit farm and built a home. Soon they owned a bigger farm while expanding their family at the same time.

As the years passed the letters began to reflect a gradual decline in confidence. Pessimism set in as financial problems grew, difficulties mounted, and prosperity proved elusive. While fellow immigrants and American neighbors thrived, the Ritters sank into debt caused by constant borrowing and over-large ambitions. Frequently Greta had to ask relatives in Germany for financial help. But the biggest burden came with the expense of each additional child--twelve in all by 1917.

Greta comes across as the ultimate hero of this story. Unlike Ludwig whose work took him away from the home, enabling him to make friends, learn English and soak up the new culture, Greta's days at home were filled with sameness: laundry, baking bread for the family, scrubbing, mending and making clothes, coping with ailments and accidents, seeing to the garden and animals on the farm--and bearing one child after another. As a result,her health declined preciptiously (today a doctor would warn against more pregancies). It was much harder for her to learn English, make friends and participate in a social life. She withdrew into hereself and yearned for the old country where she had always fit in, had been loved and valued. When World War I cut all communication with Germany for four years, Greta's psychological state deteriorated.

As Greta's health declined, she wrote less frequently. By the time she was the mother of five her back was giving out and her legs were swollen with varicose veins "the size of an egg." When the barn door hit her ankle and left her unable to walk for days she wrote: "I practically crawl since nothing gets along without me here." At one point she said she would be happy if God sent her no more "little blessings." But time and again she reports another birth, saying "eight now, and that's enough." Then, "eleven and we have all that we can manage." But the babies kept on coming. Greta envied her American neighbors' small families and listened to their hints at birth control solutions found at the pharmacy, but she never wavered from her devout Catholicism and German family traditions.

Between the age of 29 and 43 (14 years), Greta produced 13 children (one premature baby died). Although the book's preface praises Ludwig for being strengthened by adversity, for learning English, reading about farming, and making friends, the case must also be made for Greta She faced adversity by devoting all her strength rearing and educating her children and supporting Ludwig in all his ambitions and enterprises.

GOING AWAY is not a long book but it contributes significantly to the literature of the immigrant experience by documenting the fact that not all who came to the United States made a success of it. For Greta and Ludwig the better life they hoped and planned for was more completely realized in their children, all of whom achieved higher education and successful lives.

a masterpiece. A MASTERPIECE!! mr. brooks has created a novel full of poignant conflict and brilliant imagery; age-old tradition versus the importance of living in the modern world. mr. brooks reminds us to see the beauty in what we take for granted, and urges us to try and find the beauty in the things we don't understand. his story is set against the backdrop of rural connecticut; it's the story of a young boy learning to think for himself, struggling to please his father, a tough-minded businessman; trying to understand his older brother, who is head-strong but pure-hearted. he learns to deal with loss and defeat, with personal tragedy, and ultimately, with triumph. this book is a classic, a must-read for anyone.

This is a great book full of the Divinely inspired wisdom and revelation that God gave Milton Green. He starts by laying a firm foundation of scripture for his beliefs and then explains why he believes that the mainline church in America is currently experiencing the apostacy that the Apostle Paul wrote of. Milton Green was a genuine man of God who had a living and active relationship with God before his death some years ago. This book is the fruit of that relationship.

Happy Thoughts Book is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read, with the exception of the Holy Bible. It's a book about daily living, good common sense and humor that will thrill the reader in more than one way. I strongly recommend that everyone purchase a copy and read it. I promise you will not be able to lay it down. Have a Happy Thought!

I think this tape is the best account of what Karla McLaren has to offer- even if you are not a "healer". This tape presents her message in the clearest and most concise way of any of her other tapes or books (and they are all great!). I ordered this tape not knowing what to expect (as I am not a "healer") because I really like what she has to say. I have most of her tapes and books and I was surprised to find that this is my favorite one. If you like Karla McLaren, or are interested in getting to know what she is all about, I highly recommend this tape.

This book was awesome...I've already bought several more for Christmas presents..you must read this touching tale

This is an amazing story. The characters are well drawn and the story pulled me in immediately. This is simply an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone.

Buy it now! Deserves Pulitzer Prize

Interesting, informal history, apparently a companion work to a documentary film, of some of the some 300,000 servicemen and women who served in, or passed through Northern Ireland in World War Two, and their hosts.

The story includes Navy, Marines, and airmen, and of course the big infantry and armored divisions, but is of particular interest in its account of the raising and training of the first modern Ranger battalion, which was born in Carrickfergus in June 1942.

The work is a little shaky in some of the details of American military history, and a bibliography and index would not have gone amiss, but it is of value nonetheless in its recounting of a meeting of cultures which has had continuing influence on Yanks and Irish alike.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

Lots of good info and pointers for anyone looking for a job in the advertising field. I'm now reading this book for the second time!