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Mysterious Builder of Seattle Landmarks: Searching for My Father
After decades of believing her mother's tale that Danish immigrant Hans Pederson left them penniless, author Paula Pederson uncovers the truth about her father's wealth and prolific contributions to Seattle, Washington. Paula discovers her mysterious father's boom to bust life in the early 1900s, as she grapples with family secrets and heartbreaking deception in this very personal memoir. Her coming-of-age journey begins in Seattle then travels to Singapore, Shanghai, Honolulu, New York, New Jersey, Maine and finally to North Carolina.
"Paula Pederson’s discoveries about her father Hans have filled an important gap in regional architectural history knowledge by revealing her father’s many accomplishments in the Pacific Northwest. The publication provides a partial list of a remarkable range and variety of buildings and infrastructure projects that he undertook during a long and successful career—commerce and institutions, hotels, theaters, apartments, schools, bridges and piers. Many of them are still standing, and that reflects on the knowledge and management skills of this prolific contractor."
LARRY KREISMAN, Historic Seattle
"...like a long, newsy letter from a friend...precisely what makes this book so charming and exceptional, and such an addictive read."
Paula Pederson recounts her exhaustive search for the father she never knew in a winding, evocative first-person narrative told “in the moment” as her journey unfolds before the reader with the turn of each page. Dismissed by her mother as “a struggling young architect” who was killed in a car accident and “left us penniless in the middle of the Great Depression,” Domka Huculak kept the identity of the man who fathered her daughter a secret for 60 years until, at the age of 92, she finally disclosed the truth. This incredible, emotional revelation catapulted Paula into the past on an incredible quest that not only would change her life, but change how she would come to see herself.
He was Hans Pederson, one of the leading architects, contractors and builders in the American Northwest, whose far-reaching vision left a distinctive imprint on his adopted Seattle. Pederson helped define the personality of what has become the 18th largest city in the United States today.
But it is the author who we get to know best in a story that begins in Shanghai and ends in Maine. And it is the manner in which Paula tells her story that makes this book read like a long, newsy letter from a friend rather than a biography or more to the point, her autobiography. And this is precisely what makes this book so charming, and exceptional, and such an addictive read.
LAURIE BOGART MORROW, author
The Hardscrabble Chronicles
"Paula Pederson’s discoveries about her father Hans have filled an important gap in regional architectural history knowledge by revealing her father’s many accomplishments in the Pacific Northwest. The publication provides a partial list of a remarkable range and variety of buildings and infrastructure projects that he undertook during a long and successful career—commerce and institutions, hotels, theaters, apartments, schools, bridges and piers. Many of them are still standing, and that reflects on the knowledge and management skills of this prolific contractor."
LARRY KREISMAN, Historic Seattle
"...like a long, newsy letter from a friend...precisely what makes this book so charming and exceptional, and such an addictive read."
Paula Pederson recounts her exhaustive search for the father she never knew in a winding, evocative first-person narrative told “in the moment” as her journey unfolds before the reader with the turn of each page. Dismissed by her mother as “a struggling young architect” who was killed in a car accident and “left us penniless in the middle of the Great Depression,” Domka Huculak kept the identity of the man who fathered her daughter a secret for 60 years until, at the age of 92, she finally disclosed the truth. This incredible, emotional revelation catapulted Paula into the past on an incredible quest that not only would change her life, but change how she would come to see herself.
He was Hans Pederson, one of the leading architects, contractors and builders in the American Northwest, whose far-reaching vision left a distinctive imprint on his adopted Seattle. Pederson helped define the personality of what has become the 18th largest city in the United States today.
But it is the author who we get to know best in a story that begins in Shanghai and ends in Maine. And it is the manner in which Paula tells her story that makes this book read like a long, newsy letter from a friend rather than a biography or more to the point, her autobiography. And this is precisely what makes this book so charming, and exceptional, and such an addictive read.
LAURIE BOGART MORROW, author
The Hardscrabble Chronicles
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2017
About the author
Paula Pederson
1 book1 followerMy memoir, MYSTERIOUS BUILDER OF SEATTLE LANDMARKS: Searching for My Father, was published in 2017 and I'm happy to say it's available on Amazon, Kindle, Ingram Spark, Baker & Taylor, Kobo and where books are sold.
Consumed with curiosity, the quest to find my father in spite of my mother's reticence became a passion later in life. After decades of believing my mother's tale that Danish immigrant Hans Pederson left us penniless, I uncovered the truth about my father's wealth and prolific contributions to Seattle. In the book, I discover my mysterious father's boom to bust life in the early 1900's, as I grapple with family secrets and heart-breaking deception.
My fiction and nonfiction writing includes two unpublished novels, this memoir and a weekly blog. I formerly enjoyed technical writing and editing posts pertaining to medical, environmental, and engineering issues. Earlier years included development work for schools and handicapped children. I graduated from Smith College with a degree in English Literature and spent one glorious summer as a seaside gardener in a resort on the coast of Maine.
I write about immigrants and pioneers who came by train to Northwestern North America, expatriates to the Far East, and my love for Maine. I believe fragments of the past help us to understand who we are. Hunting for my father's legacy and writing MYSTERIOUS BUILDER OF SEATTLE LANDMARKS: Searching for My Father, has shown me the timeless imprint family leaves on husbands, wives, daughters, sons, and grandchildren.
I started my life journey in Seattle, Washington, but have lived in Singapore, Shanghai, Honolulu, New York, New Jersey, Maine and North Carolina.
Consumed with curiosity, the quest to find my father in spite of my mother's reticence became a passion later in life. After decades of believing my mother's tale that Danish immigrant Hans Pederson left us penniless, I uncovered the truth about my father's wealth and prolific contributions to Seattle. In the book, I discover my mysterious father's boom to bust life in the early 1900's, as I grapple with family secrets and heart-breaking deception.
My fiction and nonfiction writing includes two unpublished novels, this memoir and a weekly blog. I formerly enjoyed technical writing and editing posts pertaining to medical, environmental, and engineering issues. Earlier years included development work for schools and handicapped children. I graduated from Smith College with a degree in English Literature and spent one glorious summer as a seaside gardener in a resort on the coast of Maine.
I write about immigrants and pioneers who came by train to Northwestern North America, expatriates to the Far East, and my love for Maine. I believe fragments of the past help us to understand who we are. Hunting for my father's legacy and writing MYSTERIOUS BUILDER OF SEATTLE LANDMARKS: Searching for My Father, has shown me the timeless imprint family leaves on husbands, wives, daughters, sons, and grandchildren.
I started my life journey in Seattle, Washington, but have lived in Singapore, Shanghai, Honolulu, New York, New Jersey, Maine and North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 20, 2018
A historical memoir of sweeping scope!
Mysterious Builder of Seattle Landmarks: Searching for My Father is a fascinating story of Paula Pederson's quest to learn more about her father, who died scarcely a month after Paula was born. For unknown reasons, Paula's mother, who was decades younger than her husband, kept the truth about Hans Pederson from Paula. The author unravels the historical mystery of her father in mesmerizing prose allowing the reader to experience the journey of discovery along with her. I was captivated by this story!
Mysterious Builder of Seattle Landmarks: Searching for My Father is a fascinating story of Paula Pederson's quest to learn more about her father, who died scarcely a month after Paula was born. For unknown reasons, Paula's mother, who was decades younger than her husband, kept the truth about Hans Pederson from Paula. The author unravels the historical mystery of her father in mesmerizing prose allowing the reader to experience the journey of discovery along with her. I was captivated by this story!
November 3, 2019
At times intriguing. At times I was distracted by some of the editing/grammar errors. Ended a bit abruptly.
May 11, 2018
Lifetime Quest
Paula's obsession to learn about her biological father yields tons of information about him as well as her mother and their parents. Content is interesting and informative. Kindle book needs ability to move from chapters to table of contents and back.
Paula's obsession to learn about her biological father yields tons of information about him as well as her mother and their parents. Content is interesting and informative. Kindle book needs ability to move from chapters to table of contents and back.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews