Why America?

About the Book

Kurt Haas was born in Mainz, Germany in 1911. In 1939, he was swept into World War II. Kurt thanks God that during the next six years he never fired or received a shot. In 1945 he was captured by the Russians, miraculously escaped, and made it to the American lines. Kurt spent the lean post war years first dreaming about, and then planning to emigrate to America. In 1954, speaking virtually no English, Kurt arrived with his wife and two young children in Philadelphia. Surprises came often as the family worked to survive, learn English, and adapt to American ways. Why America? is Kurt’s story, in Kurt’s own words of his dream, his journey and his family’s adoption of America. Kurt, now a spry 97 years old, lives with his wife, Gertrud in Yountville, California.

About the Author

Kurt Haas, the middle of five children, was born in Mainz (on the Rhine), Germany in 1911. He became a custom tailor and moved to Bremen where he met his bride-to-be, Gertrud. In 1939, he was swept into the German army and World War II for the next six years. As a devout Christian, he thanks God that he never fired or received a shot. In 1945 he was taken prisoner by the Russian Army, escaped, and was relieved when he made it to the American line. Once released he walked 400 hungry miles to the family farm where he could get a little food, and where he would begin spending the hard post war years dreaming about emigrating to America. In 1954, speaking virtually no English, he brought his wife and two young children to America. Why America? is Kurt's story, in Kurt's own words, of his dream, his journey, and his adoption of America. Kurt, now a spry 97 years old, lives with his wife Gertrud, in Yountville, California.