New memoir 'Fighting for Road Apples' recounts story of Sudeten Germans

By: May. 31, 2014
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Author Erika C. Stevenson desires to give a voice to the Sudeten Germans, an oft-forgotten group who experienced the hatred and xenophobia present throughout World War II. In her new book, "Fighting for Road Apples: A Memoir" (published by iUniverse), Stevenson chronicles her personal experiences as a German in Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic).

The Sudeten Germans were ethnic Germans living in Bohemia. Following World War II, the Czechoslovakian government held these Germans responsible for what the country endured under Nazi rule. As a 5-year-old, Stevenson faced hatred for being a "N?mec" - a Czech word for Germans. Her people are forced to wear the letter "N" on their sleeves to signify they are a N?mec. Her people are forced to walk on the street, not the sidewalk, and to be inside by 7:00 p.m. Stevenson is not even allowed to use her native language in public.

When the Czech president returned from exile, he immediately began the process of cleansing the country of the German diaspora. The Sudeten Germans were stripped of their possessions and expelled from their homeland. Several thousand were murdered. Many died as a result of hunger or illness associated with being a refugee. "Fighting for Road Apples" presents Stevenson's experiences as a young girl facing hatred

Stevenson thought too many history books neglected these Germans who were persecuted regardless of any actual association with the Nazi party. She hopes her book will bring attention to these events, which she feels are overlooked in many school curriculums.

"Society should look to the past," Stevenson says, "and acknowledge that war brings out the worst in people and leaves horror and destruction."

"Fighting for Road Apples"
By Erika C. Stevenson
Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 248 pages | ISBN 9781475938814
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 248 pages | ISBN 9781475938821
E-Book | 248 pages | ISBN 9781475938807
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Erika Stevenson was born in Bohemia, Czech Republic. She and her husband live in Bloomington, Ind., but spend their summers in Vermont where she paints, writes, and gardens. She is currently working on a sequel to "Fighting for Road Apples."

iUniverse, an Author Solutions, LLC, self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse has a strategic alliance with Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in Canada, and titles accepted into the iUniverse Rising Star program are featured in a special collection on BarnesandNoble.com. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Reader's Choice, Rising Star and Editor's Choice designations-self-publishing's only such awards program. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, iUniverse also operates offices in Indianapolis. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS. For the latest, follow @iuniversebooks on Twitter.



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