Author Interview – Linda Ambrus Broenniman – The Politzer Saga

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, author Linda Ambrus Broenniman shares what inspired her to write about eight generations of the Politzers, her father’s Jewish family, in her new book, The Politzer Saga.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed Linda Ambrus Broenniman about her life and career, the experience of learning about her father’s Jewish family, and what inspired her to write about the family history in The Politzer Saga.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

I am the middle child of seven born to Hungarian physicians who survived World War II and started their new life in the US in 1949. We were raised Catholic in Buffalo, New York.  It was a happy childhood. A charmed life. But no one spoke of the past, about their lives and families before the war.

At age 27, I learned that my Catholic father was Jewish, and what little family history I knew was a lie. Although the secret was out, the truth was nowhere to be found – protected by an impenetrable web of secrecy. At age 27, I didn’t have the courage to penetrate that web, to dive into the unknown, to shake up my world. I was in graduate school at the time. My focus was elsewhere – building a career, an independent life.

Several years after getting my MBA, I left mainstream corporate America to follow my path as an entrepreneur, building companies in technology and biotech. I let my passion for uncovering hidden potential in unexpected places guide me. And I allowed this passion to fuel my search for the truth about my family.

Eventually, the gnawing need for truth grew too much to ignore. I would talk about it with my friend, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. She became a voice in my ear, encouraging me to find my Jewish family.

In 2011, a fire almost destroyed my parents’ house. And a box miraculously was saved. In it, I found documents, letters and photographs.  I took it as a sign. It was the catalyst that launched my journey of discovery.  It was time to find the truth.

The journey had unexpected twists and turns, but somehow, the people and resources I needed mysteriously materialized at the right time.  One such miracle was meeting András Gyekiczki, a Hungarian sociologist and gifted sleuth. Together, we pieced together eight generations of the Politzers, my father’s Jewish family.

When did you first WANT to write a book?

Although I always enjoyed writing in school, I never expected that I would write a book.

When did you take a step to start writing?

I did not set out to write a book. I set out to learn the truth about my family. I realized it wasn’t enough to find them. I needed to understand the zeitgeist of the time and place they inhabited.  I needed to write their stories. It was my way to connect to their lives, to make them real.

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

From the time I started researching my family history until the publication of my book was 7 ½ years.

What made you want to write The Politzer Saga?

As I pieced together my families’ stories, I realized how remarkable these individuals were: doctors and lawyers, entrepreneurs and industrialists, writers and musicians, artists and art collectors, and philanthropists. What I found remarkable was their resilience and the grace with which they navigated unimaginable hardships.

András Gyekiczki, my fellow researcher, once wrote “I hardly know any non-fiction sagas to better exemplify Hungarian Jewish fate of the past 300 years as this Politzer, Misner, Ambrus story …. All that fantastic talent, diligence, and readiness to act for the birth of modern Hungary. All those sufferings, torture and misery they went through …”.

As I wrote The Politzer Saga, I came to know my family members and how historical events changed the course of their lives. With this book, I could honor their memories.

What were your biggest challenges with writing The Politzer Saga?

Language. The documents were mostly in Hungarian which I didn’t know.  Some were written in an old Hungarian style, making them very difficult to translate.

Another challenge was deciding what to include – more history, more personal stories, stories of other ancestors.  Having an editor was extremely helpful.

What was your research process for The Politzer Saga?

I worked with András Gyekiczki, a Hungarian lawyer and sociologist, who was an amazing sleuth. From names and dates on gravestones, he explored birth, death, and marriage records, most handwritten in ancient registers. He uncovered centuries-old donation books and tablets, tax ledgers, land certificates, election registers, school reports, phone books, newspaper advertisements, articles written by or about a relative, a name mentioned in a book, or a book written by a relative. He found information from unexpected places.

Two books, written by my late relatives, were particularly instrumental in discovering my past. Our Family History told the stories of family members starting in the 1700s. The second was written by my father’s cousin about his experiences from 1943 to 1945 during the Holocaust.

With each generation András and I focused our research to fill in the gaps and understand my family’s personal stories in their historical context.

How did you plan the structure of The Politzer Saga?

Each chapter focuses on a family member, starting with my great-grandfather from the 1700s and ending with my parents. It allowed me to delve more deeply into each family member’s personal stories.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did The Politzer Saga need?

I worked with a wonderful editor, Herta Feely from Chrysalis Editorial. After reading the first manuscript, she told me it needed to be divided into two books. The first, The Politzer Saga, focuses on the history of eight generations of the Politzer family.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a book?

Just start. Write. Don’t worry about the perfect wording, the perfect order, the perfect structure. Just get your ideas down and worry about perfecting everything later. Editors and friendly readers can be so helpful. Use them. Also read, read, and read…. Learn from other authors.

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

I plan to go back to the original manuscript and expand on the sections that were not used in The Politzer Saga. They delve more deeply into my own personal journey.

And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

This journey of discovery has changed my life in many positive ways. So yes, it was worth the effort.

A permanent exhibition, titled “The Politzer Saga,” is now on the third floor of the newly renovated Rumbach Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary. Based on the carefully researched material András and I found, the family stories told in my book anchor the Exhibit, enabling the viewer to experience history by connecting to the people who lived it.

I began my journey to find lost family. To find them, after so long, brought them back to life for me. To realize that their stories are a way to bring Hungarian history to life, is a tribute to them that I had never anticipated.

When stories can heighten awareness of the destructive power of hatred, dehumanization, and injustice, we have a responsibility to share them. The Politzer Saga is such a story. I also hope it might inspire others to find out more about their families and their roots, to ask their questions now, while those who can answer them are here.

Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

Website: www.politzersaga.com

Kindle: https://amzn.to/49MB9YB

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/3STrTMo

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-politzer-saga-linda-a-broenniman/1143911000?ean=9781736777374

Talking Leaves: https://www.tleavesbooks.com/book/9781736777374

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196228731-the-politzer-saga

Booktrib: https://booktrib.com/2023/09/12/nearly-destroyed-in-a-fire-a-box-of-old-photos-and-letters-reveals-a-long-hidden-family-secret/

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