AIA Publishing, my selective author-funded publishing company, has just released a new book. It’s a memoir with a classical story about a son and a father that helps understand the issues faced by immigrant families in countries like Australia.
The story of two men, a generation apart, one growing up in the shadow of the other.
Peter Jirgens tells the story of his youth as the son of Arnold Jirgens, a Latvian immigrant, who struggled against discrimination to establish his family in Nowra, Australia. He shares the stories his father told him of the hardship of life under Soviet rule, his escape from Europe after World War Two and the early days of his new life as an immigrant in a land far from home.
Fiercely Latvian, Arnold Jirgens longs to see his homeland once more and find out if his remaining family has survived, but as a Latvian citizen he, and any son of his, could be drafted into the Soviet army or sent to Siberia.
Over the years, Arnold’s longing becomes Peter’s dream. Though his father is prepared to wait until the Soviets no longer control his country, Peter is not.
In 1980, against the wishes of his parents and the advice of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, twenty-seven year old Peter enters Soviet communist-controlled territory.
His thirst for adventure almost costs him his life.
Paperback: Amazon Book Depository
Ebook: Kindle Smashwords Barnes & Noble
The paperback will be available at a reduced cost at the Australian launches.
- Kiama Library, 11th March 2 pm
- Latvian Club Strathfield, 4 pm 31st March.
What Readers Are Saying
”David Kerr has unearthed an important story that is much bigger than one man’s life and has as much relevance today as it ever did.
It is the story of the heart-ache of a refugee and post-war migrant, and of a son’s journeys to gain the love of his father, and how he wrestles with belonging to two places—the land of his birth, and the land of his ancestors.” William Verity. Finalist: Walkley Freelance Journalist of the Year 2015
“A very personal journey of a young man growing up in Australia, of Latvian descent. Poignant reflections of becoming a young man, and his relationship with his father – this book explores discrimination, heartbreak, joy, and intrigue. Making a journey back to Soviet controlled Latvia in 1980, Peter fulfills a lifelong dream of visiting his grandmother and relatives. The author David Kerr does an outstanding job of making you feel like you’re right there with him. I couldn’t put the book down, and read it in less than one day – yeah – it’s that good!!” Donald R. Alford
About the Author David Kerr
David Kerr is a relationship therapist, educator, radio broadcaster, pastor, traveller and artist. He has an M.A. (Theol) Sydney College of Divinity, majoring in Counselling and Christian Education, and other tertiary qualifications in Counselling, Religious Education, Divinity and Therapy.
David’s journey has been shaped by issues of social justice, the impact of client’s experiences and the stories of fellow travellers, which feed his passion for writing. He is ready to leave this planet when he believes he can no longer make a difference.
This is his first book, and he enjoyed writing it so much that he is already working on his next one.
Click here to visit David’s Website
