My Slovakia, My Family
Professor Palka's book My Slovakia, My Family is a fascinating and superbly documented biography of the Hodža escape first from Nazi occupied Europe and then from Communist controlled Czechoslovakia to a new life in America. It provides vivid portraits of courage and love of freedom and country that will resonate with anyone interested in Slovak history and Slovaks in America. --Theodore E. Russell, U. S. Ambassador to Slovakia, 1993-96.John Palka, scion of one of the most distinguished families in the history of Slovakia, has written a beautiful account of the history of his family within the context of developments in his ancestral homeland. Incorporating social, cultural, and political history, Palka interweaves a sweeping account of Slovakia over the past several centuries with the story of a family situated at the heart of the major developments and events of that history. --James R. Felak, Professor of History, University of Washington.While the book s focus always remains on the family level, the author s command of the general historical sources is impeccable. This permits him to make important contributions especially to Czechoslovak history . . . The fact that he was able to identify several illustrious poets and intellectuals among his forbears enabled him to construct an impressively complete and representative cultural history of the emerging Slovak nation. Diethelm Prowe, Laird Bell Professor of History, Carleton College. --Diethelm Prowe, Laird Bell Professor of History, Carleton College.