"Epic in scope, but gentle and charming in delivery, Fred Amram's We're in America Now is a quiet chronicle of a clamorous era. Politics and war compel Amram's family to leave the only home they ever knew and embark on a personal exodus, fleeing a new pharaoh, pursuing a new promised land. They arrive in America to discover that paradise is not all milk and honey, but love, loyalty, and faith conspire to hold the family together, and the story of how they rebuild the life that was robbed of them is moving, probing, and insightful." —J.C. Hallman, author of B & Me: A True Story of Literary Arousal
These compelling stories form a riveting memoir that begins with the author's birth during the rise of Hitler in 1930s Germany. He and his surviving family soon escape to Holland and sail to America where they encounter many challenges as immigrants in a new world. This country truly becomes a land of opportunity where one can build a new life and become more than a "Holocaust survivor."
Fred Amram is a retired University of Minnesota professor of communication and creativity. He spent his early years in Hanover, Germany, where he experienced the Holocaust from its inception in 1933. He witnessed Kristallnacht and the Gestapo invading his home. He watched the British bombers from his balcony when Jews were banned from air raid shelters. The loss of uncles, aunts, a grandmother, and many more relatives has motivated him to share his experiences in hopes of ending genocide everywhere.
Fred M. B. Amram, inventor, artist and author is a retired University of Minnesota professor of communication and creativity. He spent his early years in Hanover, Germany, where he experienced the Holocaust from its inception in 1933. He witnessed Kristallnacht and the Gestapo invading his home. He watched the British bombers from his balcony when Jews were banned from air raid shelters. The loss of uncles, aunts, a grandmother and many more relatives has motivated him to share his experiences in hopes of ending genocide everywhere.
Although the transition to a new language and culture was difficult, the alternatives were worse. Consequently, this new continent truly became a land of opportunity where one could build a new life and become more than a “Holocaust survivor.” Amram is the author of several books and many book chapters, articles, and stories.
He has spoken about the Holocaust and other genocides at Clark University, Carlton College, William Mitchell College of Law, and many other educational institutions, churches and synagogues. He frequently leads workshops for government agencies, including the U.S. Army and Air Force. He has testified about his Holocaust experiences at the Minnesota legislature in support of legislation designating April as Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month.
