NOVELS
Suffer Not The Mole People
What does it take to forsake all that’s familiar: lives, language, customs, culture, family, history, to pick up stakes and flee to a new world where much is promised but nothing guaranteed?
This is the frightful challenge facing the Kaczmarek family in 19th century Silesia, Poland. Where does an individual and a family find the courage to face such a wrenching ordeal? Will the dreams, the fears, the hopes and misgivings pull them together or tear them apart? Will they overcome their doubts or succumb to the depredations of their Prussian overlords? What kind of people would trade the security of the known for promises of freedom and opportunity? And what is the essence of this United States of America that beckoned them and still beckons others from all the ends of the earth to its promised shores?
Follow them here on their onerous journey over land and sea and heartache as they dare to seek freedom and fortune far from the meager comforts of home.
REVIEWS
READ MORE ON GOODREADS >
"This is an exceptionally detailed story about Polish tenant farmers fleeing the hardships and injustice of their Prussian overseers and conqueror's. The road to freedom and the promised land U.S.A. is fraught with danger, and unknown hurdles which these people must overcome to stay alive, and protect their children and loved ones.
Arriving at the German port of Bremen was thought to be the end of the great adventure, but a sea voyage which Jan Notzon relates with great knowledge and detail, turns out to be a very daunting and heart breaking event. The eventual arrival on the island of Galveston Texas is a huge milestone in these people's lives, so a sequel from Jan would be very welcome as I'm sure so many adventures and life changing events lie ahead. I would highly recommend this book, especially for anyone who's ancestors took this great voyage to the New World during these very terrible times."
"What a great read. Yet again another fantastic book from Jan. I enjoyed this very much. It was interesting to read about the journey from Poland to America and the hardships the emigrants endured along the way. I do hope Jan writes a sequel to this wonderful book. I found the epilogue very moving."