014 - Drifting with the Hunkies

Journey back in time to delve into the poignant stories of immigrants who left everything behind in search of a new life in America. Edward Steiner, born into a prosperous Jewish-Slovak-Hungarian family, shares his own remarkable journey as he immigrated to the United States in 1886. Through the eyes of individuals from Hungary, Poland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, and beyond, we witness their struggles and triumphs. Steiners life was far from ordinary; he endured the harsh realities of sweatshops, toiled in metal factories, faced imprisonment for his activism, narrowly escaped a runaway train, and survived a violent mugging in Chicago. His journey ultimately led him to a loving Christian family in a small Midwestern town, where he found inspiration, embraced a new faith, and became a pastor advocating for progressive causes. This captivating narrative is an essential contribution to understanding the immigrant experience in Americas rich tapestry of history. - Summary by Phil Chenevert