Sebastian's Journey

Book excerpt: The Roaring Twenties are Sebastian's playground until his mother informs him that bad investments have bankrupted the family. He must leave his fiancé and sail to Germany to do what he can. He arrives broke and riding a bicycle. Marlene, who wasn't told her father had sold their failing machine shop to keep the town employed, and who runs the family business, assumes Sebastian is another useless consultant. She hands him an apron, points to a lathe, and puts him to work. Marlene's father agrees to Sebastian's secret. Sebastian falls in love with Marlene's beauty, confidence, and dedication to others. He reluctantly agrees to accompany her to a Hitler rally, and then leaves for Spain, where he meets Concetta, a humanitarian spearheading the movement to defend democracy. She is resolutely bold ahead of her time, and just what Sebastian needs to find himself. They take on Franco's invasion. Franco crosses the border with thirty thousand soldiers. Concetta and Sebastian join five hundred thousand patriots fighting to keep Spain free. They anticipate victory. As Sebastian risks his life he discovers that all of Europe would not be heading for war if it weren't for the actions of one man, who is neither Adolf Hitler nor Benito Mussolini. What Sebastian learns is as appropriate today as it was then. Sebastian's Journey is not just about those we thank for past leadership—it is about us.