Leaving Terror Behind

Book excerpt: At the beginning of World War II, Poland was a country of fiercely independent people, living in villages rich in history, folklore, and a strong sense of pride. It was in one of these villages that a young boy aspiring to be an artist learned hard lessons about freedom, and the terror that comes when it is taken away. As Russian and German forces invade Poland and overturn the political structure, Michael is separated from his family and his friends and sent to a work camp to wait out the war. Throughout the struggles of starvation, work and punishment, with the threat of death hanging over him at all times, Michael finds an internal strength and faith that will eventually reunite him with his family and bring peace and prosperity back to Poland. Now, decades later, Michael is a delighted citizen of the United States and treats the rich history of this melting pot with the same reverence and intimacy as the story of the Three Brothers from his original home. In Leaving Terror Behind, Michael Lindner shows us that Poland and America are not so different after all: both countries are host to a people willing to fight and die for freedom and independence. By sharing his personal experiences, Michael asserts that Americans should treasure the freedom they have, and offers solid advice for all Americans who wish to preserve the independence fought for by their forefathers. Mike Lindner is a survivor of World War 2 and currently resides in North Carolina.