Roger I. Garza Books

An optimistic saga of setbacks, humor, success and their goal - the American dream. Four farm brothers wanted to escape a hopeless future. Papa seriously considered the "What Ifs," then reluctantly said, "There's no future in our homeland." The brothers with backpacks, little money, and high hopes; slept in barns and vacant buildings, until they were hired on a packet ship going to America. They looked after steerage passengers who existed under horrible conditions. Every day, stew was made from 60 killed rats to supply 1/3rd of a meal. In New York, the brothers were convinced they'd become rich in California. Working for the same packet ship, they experienced a near shipwreck and mutiny, before they reached San Francisco. They learned how to mine gold on the streets, and bought a claim. Time passed before they found gold. Soon, they were robbed of their gold. Disappointed, the brothers were ready to forget mining gold and find jobs in Sacramento. Saving, to send money home, they lived frugally. After 13 years, Papa and Mama came to visit. Together again, the whole family knew the right decisions had been made and were happy to make America their home.