ePub A Florida Pioneer: The Adventurous Life of Josef Henschen; Swedish Immigrant in the 1870s by Rebecca Weiss in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A powerful experience and gripping storyBy Ronald NamethI just finished reading "A Florida Pioneer"; and want to congratulate the author on a superb work!When I first heard about this book; I thought it might just be another uninteresting and boring personal history. I was very surprised and happy to experience that it was just the opposite - a fascinating insight into a Swedish immigrant experience in adapting to a new life in the USA in the 1800s . And that it took place in Florida; instead of Minnesota; added extra color to it.But; more than that; the deep personal insights into the events in Josef's life and his relation to them was fascinating reading. It was given an extra twist by his very special relationship to Knut; a somewhat mysterious friend in Sweden he kept communication with during his life. Josef had a very strong feeling for this friend Knut; which seemingly had no obvious basis in their life. I eventually got the feeling that the only clarification for this is that they might have had a strong relationship in a previous life - this was emphasized by Josef's description of his very strong experience when he first met Knut and made him his life-long friend.Rebecca Weiss' text commentary was crucial in placing Josef's letters into a context that became alive. She was able to tie the threads together in a very simple; yet effective way; without "intruding" into Josef's letters - letting them speak directly.Josef's final commentary at the end is so revealing and touching!After reading all about all his exploits; adventures; and monetary problems; it provided a wonderful insight into his deepest thoughts.Congratulations to the author.What at first; seemed to be a simple and uneventful history; became a gripping story and lead one into a powerful experience of Josef and his new life in America.Ronald Nameth; Sweden