Letters from Clara: One Intrepid Woman's Travels on the Eve of War, 1936-1939

Summary

In a time of limited international travel, readers will relish the stories of the real-life, epic journey of intrepid Wisconsin voyageur, Clara Pagel, who adventured through Europe, the Far East, and Middle East just prior to the start of World War II.

Author Janet Newman annotates as Clara chronicles her world journey to YWCA members back home and uses the YWCA network to find work and places to live along the way. A proud representative of the feminist organization, Clara was an inspirational equality fighter to many then, and now. Her experiences are not only filled with museums and world-famous landmarks, but also the tales of typhoons, the bombing in Shanghai, Italy under Mussolini, India during one of Gandhi’s hunger strikes, and an earthquake in Manila.

Together, her letters tell a captivating story of one woman’s unexpected but fulfilling journey to learn about the world and herself. Published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

About the author

In her retirement, Janet Newman participates in four book clubs and a writers’ circle. Her writing, which shines a light on fascinating people, has appeared in the anthology Mondays at Ten and various news publications. Janet and her husband split their time between Wisconsin’s Northwoods and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.