TAKE IT WHERE YOU FIND IT

About The Book:

In Take It Where You Find It: The American Dream, Earned and Stolen, Heinz H. Bartesch takes readers on a deeply personal journey through the turbulence of 20th-century history. Born in a refugee camp in Austria, Heinz's story begins with his family's escape from the ravages of war-torn Transylvania, where they were caught in the chaos of World War II. The Bartesch family, rooted in the resilient community of the Siebenbürger Saxons, faced unimaginable hardships as they navigated displacement, survival, and the weight of historical trauma. The book delves into the author's reflection on his heritage, the events that shaped his identity, and the struggles of a people displaced by forces they never chose to encounter. From the grief of family loss to the devastation of war, Heinz maps out his beloved parent's journey of resilience, survival, and the indomitable will to find a place in the world. Their journey leads them from rural Transylvanian villages to the bustling streets of Chicago, as they rebuild their lives and create the American dream, only to have it taken away from them 32 years later. A captivating memoir that weaves together history, personal reflection, and the ongoing search for identity, In Take It Where You Find It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It is a call for reconciliation, the reclaiming of lost histories, and the universal quest for a better life against all odds.

About The Author:

Heinz H. Bartesch was born in 1952 in a refugee camp in Austria, the son of Transylvanian Saxons who had fled their homeland after World War II. The displacement of his family marked his upbringing, and the scars of war influenced his journey into adulthood. Heinz has spent decades reflecting on his family's history and the broader experience of the Siebenbürger Saxons, a group that has remained largely forgotten by history. As a writer, he is dedicated to preserving this cultural legacy and sharing the untold stories of his people. Today, he lives in California, continuing his work on family history, culture, and the lessons that war, loss, and survival have to teach us.