The Fierce Winds of Freedom

Book excerpt: Leaving their parents behind in their beloved homeland of Ireland, John Holmes and his brother, Robert, set sail to the New World in search of a new life of freedom from oppression. It is 1757, and John holds a degree from the University of Dublin, which gives him hope for a bright future in teaching. Robert, an easygoing fellow with a cheery disposition, is a carpenter. As they escape famine and political strife, their journey over the high seas as they cross the mighty Atlantic Ocean bring many adventures. The crossing is dangerous, with the potential for storms and pirates during the two months they will be at sea. Even worse, there is the prospect of illness among the travelers. But those men and women voyaging toward a new life may yet find joy and entertainment along the way, and one of the Holmes brothers even manages to discover romance aboard the ship. This historical novel depicts the challenges facing Irish immigrants in the mid-1700s while crossing the mighty Atlantic in search of freedom.