America for a Beginner

by Eva Berck

A stroll through mid-century Small Town America as seen through the eyes of one of the first German war brides to arrive in the United States.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0962993727
• ISBN13: 9780962993725
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Somerset House Pub
• Length: 135 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

fabulous sequel

I had read Ms. Berck's "Yonder the Bridge" years ago and loved it so much I wrote to the author and begged for a sequel. Her gracious reply said that the book had been draining and she doubted she would have the energy to do another about her early years in western Pennsylvania, newly arrived from Germany. Thank heaven she decided to translate her first year diary covering 1947-48 and edit it for our pleasure!I found "America for a Beginner" to be utterly fresh, immediate and completely engaging. Ms. Berck's natural wit provided entertainment on every page, and her wonderful inclusion of observations on her first born, little Tommie, were an added bonus along with the eccentric members of her new husband's family and the small town America inhabitants. She obviously has a great capacity for flexibility as well as an innate sense of humor to have dealt with all those maiden aunts, the intimidating housekeeper,and the forbidding Uncle Matthew who turned out to be very kind to the new German warbride who warmed to him from the start.Don't miss this one if you are the WWII generation, or the child of that generation as I am. In fact don't miss it whatever your age. It's a refreshing view of how to deal with great change with aplomb and flexibility and enjoyment--as well as down-to-earth social courage. Kudos to Ms. Berck. I only wish she had the energy for a third book. I want more!

Delightful and Insightful!

Ms. Berck's gentle humor and the perspective she has gained after the years of living in America allow us to chuckle at ourselves, and see how incomprehensible some of our behaviors are to someone from another country. Although some of the situations reflect the post-war period and the experiences of someone coming from Germany, others are remarkably like observations of differences related to me by a friend from England within the last few years: what passes for bacon here is totally unlike bacon in Europe! Why is it that we can't walk to places only a few blocks away?This little book functions on many levels, giving insights into ourselves, and to the experience of any spouse having to adjust to a completely different culture and language. This author is delightful to read, as well as being enlightening. I hope we will see more from her.

A fond look back

What a fun book this is! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Ms. Berck and the folks of the small town where she came as a German warbride She depicted herself, her American relatives and the town with much affection as she lived through her first year or two of culture shock. I got the book as a gift for Christmas and read it the same day, often laughing aloud at the situations that arose for this newcomer to America. I recommend it to anyone who'd like to see small-town American life in the mid-20th century, as well as anyone who likes humorous books about ordinary people.