A fascinating story of the displaced persons’ experience in Canada and a touching memoir. In Standing with Underdogs, Raya, David’s aunt, tells how perseverance and endurance helped save his grandparents and their children in a time of war and displacement. While relating his own story, David shows how those attributes, along with human decency and love of family, have been guiding principles in his life.
Elizabeth Irvine, Ottawa
An excellent book sharing an inspiring journey.
Gary Waterfield, Perth, Ontario
It was very easy to absorb and digest, which says something about your writing style — open and honest storytelling, with lightness and humour. I appreciated you sharing some of your very personal stories, especially about your relationships with your family members, and their character/behaviour/temperaments. I think so many people will enjoy this book.
Laura Wardlaw, Ottawa
“Described as a “universal story”, Standing with Underdogs is certainly one I can relate to as a child of Latvian immigrants who likely arrived at the same Halifax pier as David’s relatives. The family values (hard work, neatness, honesty, and a love of songs, books, food—always food) are utterly familiar, as are the tensions (the leather strap for misbehaving and fathers who both liberated and tormented their children). These similarities are not surprising. After all, there is much that Latvians and Ukranians share in terms of culture and geography. And history with Russia, of course…
Whatever your roots, I encourage you to read this book to find resonances and points of intersection. I expect you will find many, and that you will be surprised. It is after all, our common ground that gives us a place to begin the conversations that are so needed at this point in our global history.
Dr. Rena Upitis, Founding Director, Wintergreen Studios
Professor Emerita, Queen’s University