Here it is:

My first novel . . . all over again! With a wonderful new cover by artist Rony Dhar.

Dear Reader: If you already purchased and read Price of Passage in its original edition (DX Varos Publishing, 2022), you are exempt from purchasing* this new one. It’s the same book.

Those of you who have not read it are now commanded to go forth and buy a copy of The Price of Passage: From Norway to America, From Slavery to Freedom (Three Towers Press, 2025). You’ll be glad you did.

It’s the gripping story of Anders and Maria, who come to America from Norway in the 1850s, and of Daniel, a young slave they encounter in the midst of his bid for freedom. As historical novels go, it’s first-rate. 

There are new dilemmas and conflicts on almost every page. The narrative sheds light on under-reported aspects of America’s experience in the middle of the 19th century. For example, the existence in every southern state of Maroons, free-living communities of escaped slaves; the major role played by immigrants in the armies of the Civil War; the politics of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates; and the prevalence of integrated white/black crews of sailors on U.S. Navy ships before and during the Civil War. 

More to the point, it tells the human tale of three hardy pioneers—Anders, Maria, and Daniel—who worked out their destinies in the most turbulent era of our national epic. 

The characters are closely drawn from historical reality. The Norwegian characters, Anders and Maria, are based on my great-great-grandparents. Daniel and other African American characters are composites taken from the actual experiences of slaves and free blacks in the 19th century.

Don’t miss it. You can buy it direct from its publisher, Three Towers Press.  Or, if you prefer, you can buy it on Amazon. The cost is the same. $18.95.

*Ha! You were wondering when the asterisk would come up, weren’t you? Gentle Reader, evn though you have already read Price of Passage in its earlier edition, I’d appreciate it if you would navigate to its page on Amazon, scroll way down until you see Review this product at the left margin, then click on the “Write a Customer Review” button** and enter your review. It need not be a major research paper, or even a grade school book report. Just a two-word headline and a sentence or two of text, saying what you liked about it, will be enough. Amazon reviews really do help authors sell their books.

**Aha! You were wondering when the double asterisk would come up, weren’t you? Fair Reader, if you already posted a review on the original edition of Price of Passage, I beg you to  post it again on the new edition’s Amazon page. Amazon will not carry reviews over from the old page to the new page. If you don’t remember what you posted before, email me, larryfsommers@gmail.com, and I’ll send you a copy. 

By the way, if you read Price of Passage in its old edition, it’s perfectly fine for you to review it on the Amazon page for the new edition, because as I mentioned above, it’s the same book.

Thank you for your kind support and understanding.

Blessings,

Larry F. Sommers

Your New Favorite Writer