About the Book A Joint Project of the Center for Texas Studies at TCU and TCU Press. Book Synopsis Both historical study and ancestral narrative, The Harness Makers Dream follows the story of Ukrainian immigrant Nathan Kallisons journey to the United States in search of a brighter future. At the turn of the twentieth century, over two million Jews emigrated from Czarist Russia and Eastern Europe to escape anti-Semitic law. Seventeen-year-old Kallison and his brothers were among those brave enough to escape persecution and pursue a life of freedom by leaving their homeland in 1890. Faced with the challenges of learning English and earning wages as a harness maker, Kallison struggles to adapt to his new environment. Kallison moves to San Antonio, Texas, where he finds success by founding one of the largest farm and ranch supply businesses in south Texas and eventually running one of the regions most innovative ranches. Despite enormous changes in environment and lifestyle, Nathan Kallison and his beloved wife Anna manage to maintain their cultural heritage by raising their children in the Jewish faith, teaching them that family values and a strong sense of character are more important than any worldly achievement. The son of Nathan Kallisons daughter Tibe, author Nick Kotz provides a moving account of his ancestors search for the American dream. Kotzs work has received recognition by the Texas Jewish Historical Society for eloquently depicting the reality of life for Jewish immigrants in Texas during this time and delineating their significant contributions to society. Kotzs insight into the life of this inspiring individual will prompt readers to consider their own connections to Americas immigrant past and recognize the beauty of our nations diverse history. Review Quotes The Harness Makers Dream has the breadth, depth, and sweep of first-class history. Set in Texas but with universal appeal, well-told, it unfolds how and why America surged through the first two-thirds of the 20th Century. With fast, flowing prose like a historical novel, it is all the more powerful and important because the story is true. Already one of the best reporters of his generation, Nick Kotz brings history alive like David McCullough, Stephen Ambrose, and other modern masters. Its the kind of book that sticks with you long after youve finished reading it! --Dan Rather Add one more chapter to the tale of how Texas became Texas - Nick Kotzs meticulous and lovingly researched account of how his grandfather at age 17 escaped the marauding Cossack of Czarist Russia, made his way to America and then San Antonio where he built the largest ranch and farm supply business in the Southwest and became an innovator rancher. A dramatic, inspiring and here to fore little known side of Texas history. --Bob Schieffer, CBS News Every once in a while there comes along a magnificent work of history and story-telling that demands unbridle praise. The Harness Makers Dream is such a book. Nick Kotz recounts the saga and sagacity of his South Texas grandfather with well-researched care and moving, superbly crafted prose. The result is a marvelous history lesson told with the lilt of a novel. It does not get any better than that. --Jim Lehrer About the Author San Antonio-born NICK KOTZ is a renowned author, journalist, and historian whose work has received top honors in his field, including the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting, the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Washington Correspondence, the Raymond Clapper Memorial Award, the National Magazine Award, and the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Award. With subjects ranging from labor unions to the civil rights movement, Kotzs books focus on a broad range of issues in American history, while simultaneously challenging the nations present. Kotz earned a degree from Dartmouth College, did graduate studies at the London School of Economics, and continued his commitment to education by serving as a distinguished adjunct professor at the American University School of Communications and completing a semester as the Senior Journalist in Residency at Duke University. He now lives with his wife, author Mary Lynn Kotz, on their cattle farm in Broad Run, Virginia.