Reviews for The Emigrant: A Journey from Ireland to America (American Journeys Book 1)
5 stars, September 27, 2025
"The Emigrant: A Journey from Ireland to America is a deeply moving and emotional story that captures the struggles, heartbreak, and resilience of immigrants during one of the darkest times in history, the Irish Potato Famine. Richard Alan Schwartz brings Myra McCormick’s journey to life with vivid detail and raw emotion. I was immediately drawn into Myra’s world, her loss, her determination, and her fight to build a new future in America. The author doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of immigration, yet balances it with hope, love, and the pursuit of a better life. Myra’s relationship with David Kaplan was especially compelling, as it not only highlighted cultural differences but also revealed how love can defy boundaries even in difficult times."
5 Stars, August 26, 2025
"The book follows the adventures of (mainly) two families. One fled the Irish potato famine and the other was already in America for a few years. Overcoming religious differences and many difficulties along the way, it follows them from east to west, and further books will likely detail their adventures there."
5 Stars, August 25, 2022 Life's Experiences "I adore the history of this included with all the romance. A story that tells both is a great find. The only one reason that was it ended too soon. Thank you for penning a fabulous book!!!!!"
5-Stars, Reviewed in the United Kingdom January 1, 2024 Life is not all Plain Sailing "Life is not all plain sailing. Richard Schwartz takes us through the trials and tribulations of Myra and David as they battle their way through turbulent times. From the disaster of the potato famine in Ireland to the anti-Jewish culture that affected Myra and David's relationship throughout the story we look at things with the harsh reality of how it really was, not how we would like it to be. After finishing the book I immediately purchased the follow up."
5-Stars, August 12, 2022 Great Read "Really good historical novel. Can’t wait to read book 2."
5-Stars, January 28, 2022 "Excellent read, captivating. Didn’t want to put it down!"
5-Stars, January 28, 2022 Well Written Saga "I read this book in one day!!! I could not put the book down!!! I am Irish and reading The Emigrant helped me understand my ancestry . The author is not only an excellent writer, he is realistic in his interpretation of the history of the times. I highly recommend this book as a summer heatwave read!"