The failed revolutions that swept a good part of Central Europe in 1848/49 were a seminal event on both sides of the Atlantic. Heinrich von Struve’s Lebensbild [A life Portrait] stands as an important personal testament about how these events affected people’s lives at a grass-roots level both in Europe and in North America, and there with special emphasis on Texas. The book is a fascinating and entertaining read, but its historical significance adds another dimension to its value. Heinrich von Struve doubtless did not see it this way when he sat down as an old man in his eighties to jot down a string of fascinating episodes from an extraordinarily challenging life, where, to use his own phrase, he was forced to carry his bones to market on at least three separate occasions on two continents.
J.T. Koenig, a direct descendant of Heinrich von Struve, has provided a wealth of documents and illustrations to enrich the book and has served as an invaluable consultant during all phases of its production. Texas A&M Press has accepted the book for publication and it is due for release either in the fall of 2025 or the spring of 2026.
jamesckearney.com 