In connection with my book, Dreams of a Great Small Nation, I recently visited Prague and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Home to many Czechs, Iowa hosted Czech composer Antonin Dvorcak in Spillville in the summer of 1893, his new symphony, “From the New World,” in hand. In Prague, I was interviewed by two Czech newspapers (stories to come) and met a loyal band of enthusiasts eager to share the epic story of the Czecho-Slovak Legion. On the Bohemian left bank of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, I huddled with the Museum’s talented staff on plans for an exhibit about the Legion that will open in April 2018.
My book, Dreams of a Great Small Nation: The Mutinous Army that Threatened a Revolution, Destroyed an Empire, Founded a Republic, and Remade the Map of Europe (New York: Public Affairs, 2016) tells a story that amazed even Winston Churchill. He said, "The pages of history recall scarcely any parallel episode at once so romantic in character and so extensive in scale." Critics are saying the following:
"An epic story unknown even to many World War I history buffs…With admirable energy [McNamara] has assembled the story by piecing together archival records and the memoirs of the gallant men who served in the rejuvenated Czech Legion during the fateful spring and summer of 1918…A fascinating narrative.” — The Wall Street Journal
". . . this incredible story lives up to its billing. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about it, though, is that it's a fable that's remained largely untold, until now. . . . A captivating tale, brilliantly told." — History of War (United Kingdom)
“Extraordinary... McNamara, an impressive storyteller armed with a treasure of documents only recently available, ably narrates the remarkable feats of these men who fought every inch of the way… A fantastic addition to the shelves of World War I histories.” — Kirkus Reviews
“In this captivating narrative history, foreign policy scholar McNamara reveals the obscure yet grand story of how a small, motley, and hastily organized army ushered in the founding of the nation of Czechoslovakia.” — Publisher's Weekly
“A valuable story that is relatively unknown and understood in the West… McNamara's work presents a vital first entry that opens the doors on this integral part of World War I history and the shaping of the Soviet-influenced Eastern European political and social fabric.” — Library Journal
You can order copies at the Amazon or Barnes & Noble or Indie Bound websites. The small greenlink below takes you to my own website (www.kevinjmcnamara.com), where you can learn more about this story, as well as directly link to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indie Bound. On my website, please sign up -- for updates and free material -- on the site's Contact page.
Copyright © 2016 Kevin J. McNamara, All rights reserved.
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Epic Misadventure or Historic Achievement: The Remarkable Story of the Czecho-Slovak Legion
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