The Hybraid Amerykaniec: Dziadzi

About the Book

The reader will encounter an autobiography embellished with "historical appendages" which cater to history buffs, and to those who have a curiosity to learn about the various ethnicities that weave the colorful tapestry of these United States. The Protagonist is a first-born American of Polish-Ukrainian immigrant parents, who felt at times that there were two strikes against him. His speech, language structure were earmarks of his heritage, which in many corners of our social strata were frowned.

His mother never set foot in a classroom, and her distinguished signature was the proverbial "X". The patriarch, at age 33, avoiding possible litigation and most assuredly encountering business turmoil with the Czarist authorities; hightailed to the United States having been persuaded and given aid by his Jewish business friend.

Janko, whose name eventually evolved into John was the only progeny of the aforesaid parents. Florian and Justin were the tiny unskilled human cogs of the sundry factories mushrooming in the city of Tonanandas. Florian was a fireman and stokes at the Buffalo Bolt Company, and his mother Justine made her daily streetcar trips to Spaulding Company.

john was very much alone, but not completely bored; saved by the Sears and Roebuck catalogue. This bulging fully illustrated hulk of pictures of merchandise was the one and only text that he had the pleasure to own, until his enrollment to the first grade at the Our Lady of Czestochowa parochial school.

The Sears and Roebuck composition was the syllabus to life and a window to the real world. John did not experience individual attention, which is most essential in the early development of every child. His parents had little to offer, for they themselves had little to give. However, John was fortunate to catch the attention of several educators who made up the shortcomings of his parents.

The reader will gain a unique perspective of the Prohibition through the exploits of a teenager. As the youngster matured, accompanied with the hardships of the Depression, and the horrors of World War II, further augmented his resolve to gain an education and seek the fulfillment of the "American Dream"; which he accomplished.

About the Author

The vale of years, induced the daughter on several occasions to query her octogenarian grandfather about his journey in life, not so much for her sake but for her children's. Her genuine concern was displayed when she purchased and gave to him "A Grandfather Book" which deals with questions that grandchildren seek answers.

The grandfather has compiled with his daughter's request, however, he has gone several thousand measures beyond her request.

the thrust of his narration is to answer his children's questions, and to his loved ones and to the chance reader of this treatise; he has striven to make his story colorful, trustful, injected with delightful and humor and with heart rendering drama.

This old man is an honorably discharged U.S. Marine with the Orders of the Purple Heart with the Gold Star and he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross from New York State.

Following the World War II years the author earned the B.Sc., MEd. and M.A. degrees and in the summer of 1963 and 1965 he was an exchange student to the Soviet Union under the auspices of the United States government.

His marriage of 57 years has been blessed with three children and two grandchildren.

As a final note, to busy himself he has displayed unorthodox taste in his hobbies; he collects barbwire samples, roller skate keys, beer bottle cap openers and lapel pins of all sorts. He has compiled an envious collection of U.S. military pillowcase covers from various U.S. camps, forts, and many, navy and air force bases.