Benci, Irene, and their four children live in Budapest, Hungary. In the fall of 1956, they find themselves, along with the rest of the country, caught in a revolution that is ignited by young men and women. Fed up with a communist regime that has ruled since World War II, they march in protest, determined to rid their city of total control from a government with no conscience. Because Benci is a former soldier and a college professor, his life is threatened if he doesnt report for duty to fight his fellow citizens. Ignoring those orders, Benci and his family prepare to flee. Hundreds have already died in what started as peaceful demonstrations. A neighbors twelve-year-old son is killed for the crime of looking out a window. Their neighbors look to Benci for guidance. He is a man who is a world-champion fencer, which has earned him a celebrity status among his countrymen. Reluctantly, he takes on the challenge to lead about two dozen citizensmen, women, and children. Along the way, they face death several times and a frightening walk across a swaying bridge made of nothing more than planks and rope. Keeping the children safe and protected from the realities of their situation becomes the harshest, most emotional role Irene has ever played as a mother. Irenes entire world has always been devoted to her childrenMara, ten; Vera, eight; Andow, seven; and Gari, five. Now more than ever, they need her the most. Once they arrive safely in Austria, everyone rejoicesthat is, whoever is still alive. Of the two dozen who started out on this long journey, only fifteen remain. Irene cannot share the jubilations; she is heartbroken. Their freedom forced her to abandon her homeland and forsake her family, especially her mother, Gitta, who proclaimed that she was too old to make such a journey. My slowing you down could end in disaster for you and the children. No, its better that I stay here. The story continues until the children are young men and women. Because of Irenes fear of strangers due to years of not being able to trust anyone, she refuses to attend functions at Rutgers University, where Benci is employed. She will not allow a stranger to babysit her children, which leads to a bitter divorce; and Irene, though devastated, never accepts any responsibility for the failed marriage.
The story begins in 1864, the last four months of the Civil War. Savannah Ga. has learned that General Sherman was coming to their city. The residents panic and pack up their belongs sure that Sherman would do to Savannah what he did to Atlanta Ga. The heroine, Sally, is driven out of town by the last man she would have chosen,even though Kent is her brother-in-law. Kent's brother was off fighting in the war. Their destination is St. Augustine Fl. Where her cousin Claire lives. Along the way they will face many obstacles, some by way of nature, and the Northern soldiers. More problems arrive once Sally and Kent are in love. They are convinced that Frank has been killed in the war. There is also a battle to fight with Sally's Uncle Temple, a greedy, vindictive, imitation of a man. Sally loathed him. She does her best to avoid him when he comes to St. Augustine looking for her. Frank survives the war, and comes to take her back home to Savannah which was saved by the wrath of General Sherman. The story comes full circle when Sally and Kent dream of their lives together, along with the three children they found in Brunswick Ga.
The story begins in 1864, the last four months of the Civil War. Savannah Ga. has learned that General Sherman was coming to their city. The residents panic and pack up their belongs sure that Sherman would do to Savannah what he did to Atlanta Ga. The heroine, Sally, is driven out of town by the last man she would have chosen,even though Kent is her brother-in-law. Kent's brother was off fighting in the war. Their destination is St. Augustine Fl. Where her cousin Claire lives. Along the way they will face many obstacles, some by way of nature, and the Northern soldiers. More problems arrive once Sally and Kent are in love. They are convinced that Frank has been killed in the war. There is also a battle to fight with Sally's Uncle Temple, a greedy, vindictive, imitation of a man. Sally loathed him. She does her best to avoid him when he comes to St. Augustine looking for her. Frank survives the war, and comes to take her back home to Savannah which was saved by the wrath of General Sherman. The story comes full circle when Sally and Kent dream of their lives together, along with the three children they found in Brunswick Ga.
Benci, Irene, and their four children live in Budapest, Hungary. In the fall of 1956, they find themselves, along with the rest of the country, caught in a revolution that is ignited by young men and women. Fed up with a communist regime that has ruled since World War II, they march in protest, determined to rid their city of total control from a government with no conscience. Because Benci is a former soldier and a college professor, his life is threatened if he doesnt report for duty to fight his fellow citizens. Ignoring those orders, Benci and his family prepare to flee. Hundreds have already died in what started as peaceful demonstrations. A neighbors twelve-year-old son is killed for the crime of looking out a window. Their neighbors look to Benci for guidance. He is a man who is a world-champion fencer, which has earned him a celebrity status among his countrymen. Reluctantly, he takes on the challenge to lead about two dozen citizensmen, women, and children. Along the way, they face death several times and a frightening walk across a swaying bridge made of nothing more than planks and rope. Keeping the children safe and protected from the realities of their situation becomes the harshest, most emotional role Irene has ever played as a mother. Irenes entire world has always been devoted to her childrenMara, ten; Vera, eight; Andow, seven; and Gari, five. Now more than ever, they need her the most. Once they arrive safely in Austria, everyone rejoicesthat is, whoever is still alive. Of the two dozen who started out on this long journey, only fifteen remain. Irene cannot share the jubilations; she is heartbroken. Their freedom forced her to abandon her homeland and forsake her family, especially her mother, Gitta, who proclaimed that she was too old to make such a journey. My slowing you down could end in disaster for you and the children. No, its better that I stay here. The story continues until the children are young men and women. Because of Irenes fear of strangers due to years of not being able to trust anyone, she refuses to attend functions at Rutgers University, where Benci is employed. She will not allow a stranger to babysit her children, which leads to a bitter divorce; and Irene, though devastated, never accepts any responsibility for the failed marriage.
On a cool February morning in 1961, twenty-five-year-old Matt Grazi faces the most unwanted change of his life. His pro-ball career over, he stands as coach across the field from a platoon of teenage delinquents at Colby Hill Reform School for Boys (CHB) in the northern panhandle of Florida. Previously a star football quarterback at Florida State University (FSU), Matt knows a successful coaching season is his chance to remain in the world of football, and his opportunity to give value to his years spent on the football field. Not one to back away from a challenge, he gears up to communicate with the teens only to find CHB is riddled with complications. Beauregard Harper, Bo, is a superb athlete and boxer, and could be a physical asset to the team, but is defiant and has his own set of rules. With a personal vengeance, Matt mentors Bo and uses sports to develop a new sense of awareness and pride. He struggles to recruit every boy who wants to play, and fights to bring the boys together as a team. Amid gross and unjust brutalities at one of the largest reform school in the nation, Matt and Bo share a journey that transforms their lives. In this place of injustices, frustration, anger, and sadness, they cultivate a relationship similar to that of a father and son.
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