Conquering the Promised Land: A True Story

by Viorel Bilauca

A true story. "Share the story". That is the feedback from many Romanians readers, short after this book was published in Romania. The unusual act of faith and courage to escape from atheist Romania, ten years before the revolution that took place in 1989. The story of taken final decision to escape from ideological slavery and from an administration were the terminology of Human Rights was pulled out from the Dictionary. The highest risk payed off. Leaving behind everything, including wife and children, likewise the people of Israel left Egypt after 400 years of slavery, and went to unknown... Promised Land. Now he lives in Scottsdale Arizona.

340 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2015

Reviews

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Conquering the Promised Land: A True Story by Viorel Bilauca for a couple different reasons... The first being that I have a special interest in hearing the stories of immigrants and the situations that inspired them to leave their homeland and the second being
that it was written by my book buddy/fellow nurse's father. I found myself feeling a bit starstruck every time I saw my friend Estera's name mentioned in the book (I think this is the first time I've read a book featuring someone I know personally) but more than anything I kept finding myself feeling just completely amazed and awestruck at the remarkable journey and danger the Bilauca family faced to arrive in America from communist Romania.

This is what America symbolizes for much of the world: a promised land full of opportunities, second chances, and a safe haven for democracy.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a family member who I think will enjoy it too.