The Vistula: and Christian's Gypsy Princess

The Vistula is set against the backdrop of Poland's troubled history - 1820 to 1880 and the presence of the Russian army. It chronicles a Polish family's migration up the Vistula to the Baltic Sea. The story centers on Christian, a boy who loses his father and brother in a mining accident. Christian grows up with his mind set on achieving his father's dream of going to America. The dream is all but forgotten as Christian and his young wife bask in the contentment of life on their small farm. The dream is revived when the Russian army confiscates their property. They embark on a perilous journey up the Vistula. In a lifetime fraught with hardship and danger, the indomitable spirit of Anna sustains Christian. A Jewish family and a band of Gypsies become true friends in times of need. When Anna becomes gravely ill, Christian passes his dream of America on to his son, Johann. Without funds, Johann barters his potato crop for passage on a ship bound for America. His vindictive landlord, Baron Vondberg, manages to have the bargain revoked. The Baron's wife countermands her husband's order and the America dream is fulfilled. Martin Rudnick was born on August 16, 1913 in San Bernardino, California. He was educated at Concordia College as well as Fresno State College. His military service included First Lieutenant, Gun Unit Commander, and AAA in the South Pacific as well as the Philippines. In the private sector, he was Vice President of Oral B. Company, President of Dental Hygiene Company, and consultant for Johnson & Johnson. His wife, Julia passed away on July 24, 1992. He currently resides in San Jose California.