Holy Week, 1847

In Holy Week, 1847, Paul Stroble tells the story of his pioneer ancestor, who died while her son (also Paul's ancestor) was fighting in the Mexican-American War. Paul tells the story of her life in Virginia, Ohio, and Illinois, and the significant events in America. But he also writes of his adult life and the travels that resonate with his ancestors' pasts and the history he has made with his own family. The result is a combined story of meaningful places that can help readers delve into their own heritage.

One reviewer writes: "Paul Stroble spins many tales forward and backward from his 3rd great grandmother's grave near his hometown, Vandalia, IL. While he suggests that 'You may consider this poem/My grief rendered as a landscape', he in fact also tells of hopes, triumphs, and joys in the places where he has built his adult life and the travels that resonate with his ancestors' pasts and the history he has made with his own family. As he vividly shows, our histories are grounded in places that command our attention.

Another reviewer writes: "Paul Stroble creates magic, music, and poetry out of his family history and personal geography. His graceful poems are unsentimental, at times heartbreaking, at times soul inspiring. This book has the richness of great historical narrative combined with a special artistry that makes the feelings of the people and places seem contemporary. This is a beautiful book that I-and you-will return to many times."