A Bit Too Dark…

“The suffering and assault on the young and Innocent Sofie was too much to bear. Overall a bit to dark for me, making for an unpleasant read.”

AMAZON REVIEWER 3 of 5 Stars

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This 3-star review for our latest book in the German-Texan series told me that we are successful in staying true to history.

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Beware! A New Fatherland: Peace Treaties and Shattered Hopes is a dark read. Inspired by authentic letters, journals and newspaper interviews from the era by the people who gave up everything to start a new life in the Texas wilderness. Our characters are a mix of fictional and true people.

The reviewer above speaks of Sofie, who is a fictional character in our book. She is based on the writings of a real woman who was traded to another family by her step-mother. The real life story was told to the woman’s granddaughter, whose writings are sadly out of print and only available in library archives.

Spoiler Alert: The lifetime of servitude depicted in our book is real. The poisoning of a child is a true story. The vigilance of the Penateka Comanche to protect “Sacred Rock” and their hunting grounds is an absolute fact. The men who left their mark on Texas, Prince Solms-Braunfels and Baron Muesebach, is undeniable. The settlements of New Braunfels and Fredericksburg are real places.

This book may not be for everyone. Reality can be shocking!

Historical Accuracy

We strive for historical accuracy even if that retelling takes us to the darkest aspects of the human condition. I am sad that this reader had such an unpleasant experience after reading “Peace Treaties and Shattered Hopes“. I had hoped for the exact opposite. The odds are very probable that many of us has an early German Texan in our family lineage. This book is dedicated to mine. Their sacrifices definitely had an impact on life today. I hope readers walk away with new knowledge about Texas history and a better understanding about the lives of these early immigrants, as well as a sense of awe and pride.

German immigrants to Texas formed a major ethnic group, with over 2.9 million Texans claiming full or partial German ancestry by 1990.

Statistics from Texas Historical Association

Despite all the horrible things the German-Texans went through, there was joy. One true account from a man who had been a small child when his parents relocated to Texas in the mid-1800s, remembers ending every day with songs from their beloved fatherland. The formidable spirit of the settlers in that century is inspiring to me as an historian and researcher. After reading this book, I hope that you are left with a sense of pride in knowing how tough and determined our ancestors truly were.

The Adelsverein

I love the back cover design as much as I love the front cover. The image is of the castle Biebrich located on the Rhine, near Mainz, Germany, where 21 German nobleman met to discuss a possible business venture with the idea of establishing a new Germany on Texas soil. They hoped to do that by organizing a mass emigration. The Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas was born that day on April 20, 1842. The castle is still there and open to public tours.

Book Description

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We greatly appreciate your time in giving our new book a try, and let us know what you think. Honest reviews are always welcome and help other readers discover new authors.

Thank you, and Happy Reading!

German author, Manuela Schneider https://manuelaschneider.com/

Texas author, Natalie Bright. You are reading the Prairie Purview Blog at nataliebright.com