From School to Prison and Down the River

From School to Prison and Down the River is a sequel to There Times and Life of Ilona Deutsch, a celebration of family set against the convulsions of history impacting Central Europe. It covers the 300 years of the Roman Holy Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy prior to World War I and continues with the birth of Nazism up to there Holocaust and the ensuing Stalinist regime, during which the author was born. The main thread of the book, the mother's love, struggle and efforts to protect her children and to still find energy to install her values is the true and compelling narrative of this book. From School to Prison and Doewn the River, this bond that sustains family and life from generation to generation, no matter the adversity, moves the thread from childhood to adulthood where one rebellious act catapults the author from school to prison. His only window to the outside world is his correspondence with his mother.