I have just checked a book out of a local library entitled "The Czechs in America 1633-1977" compiled and edited by Vera Laska(1978)152 pages. It is a short book and somewhat difficult to read, but I thought the subscribers to the CZECH Mail List might enjoy reading the "Forward" remarks. It summarizes the "Czech" experience (at least the affluent and educated ones) rather well. I decided to scan the 2 pages of the forward remarks and convert them to text. I will split it into 4 parts so that it does not appreciably effect download time. I will use the same subject line so if it is not what you want to read, just delete each posting with that subject. Ron Mlejnek ------------------ The Czechs in America 1633-1977 by Vera Laska -------------------- EDITOR'S FOREWORD Their historical background helps explain the motivations and behavior of the Czechs who settled in America. Their Christian ruler Vaclav, known from the carol "Good King Wenceslas", died in 929 and became the first Czech saint. The Czechs and Moravians developed under western influence. "Bohemian" is synonymous with "Czech" the latter being the preferred modern usage. It denotes the inhabitants of both Bohemia and Moravia. Jan Hus, rector of the university founded in 1348 in Prague, was a national as well as religious reformer. A century before Luther, he preached in his native tongue against the corruption in the church; he was burnt at the stake in 1415. After the Battle on the White Mountain, in the year that the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, the independence of the Czech Kingdom became restricted for three centuries. The counter-reformation forced hundreds of non-Catholics to leave the country, among them the bishop of the Unity of Brethren, Jan Amos Komensky (Comenius), father of modern education. They scattered in Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Holland and England. One group found refuge in Saxony. It was from this branch, by now Germanized, that in the early 18th century immigrants set out for America as Moravian Brethren. -------- end of part 1 ---------