“Writing is the means of engaging readers with the past, present, or future.” Max Willi Fischer
All About Me
Born into an immigrant family seeking new opportunity in America after World War II, Max Willi Fischer was raised in a village named after an exotic North African seaport—Mogadore, Ohio. With such a background, little wonder Max grew up with an inborn curiosity about history.
Four decades as a classroom teacher made Max realize that history should be a vibrant, well-told story. His goal in writing is to engage adolescents (and adults) with an exciting, yet accurate, view into our nation’s past. He enjoys the discovery of research to ensure that, while his characters are for the most part fictitious, his settings are based in the reality of the era on which he writes.
Retired, Max lives with his wife and trusted four-legged friends Kole, Bunnie, Lucy, and Izzy.
My HP Books
An orphaned teen in the notorious Five Points district of lower Manhattan in 1854, Pencil’s cursed to scavenge the unforgiving streets where trust is a stranger.
Even as slavery has divided the nation, the good Pencil comes across is as rare as a precious gem buried in the manure-strewn streets of Gotham. The shady adults who surround him believe he’s a “hobbhadehoy,” a youth who hasn’t quite reached manhood. Despite years of neglect, he hasn’t lost his empathy for others and a fledgling sense of justice. As the lieutenant of a pack of street rats, he craves greater control of his life. His luck finally runs out when through someone’s treachery, he faces significant prison time.
Pencil’s grasps another opportunity when he’s shipped off to Ohio on one of the first “orphan trains.” Life on the farm proves to be a different challenge under the demanding, and occasionally drunken, thumb of his new guardian. Ultimately, he’s forced to flee, a much stronger physical specimen than when he arrived.
Pencil ends up in Cleveland, where a daguerreotypist takes him under her wing. She teaches him about capturing images on glass and copper while trying to impress upon him the importance of trust. Encounters with corpses, kidnappers, and grave robbers test his acceptance of the idea … and justice.
Book Excerpt
“Young man, I don’t view you as an overly religious sort, but even if you were, I’d tell you the same thing—we are all but earthly vessels, and it is our souls with which our Heavenly Father is concerned. Take these misfortunate paupers. As earthly vessels, their lives were cracked and broken, of little value to anyone else. In death, they have renewed value.”
“That certainly would be your opinion. What about their families and loved ones?” I kept my eyes focused beyond the bobbing of heads and handles.
“Good question. What about them? If they were not all alone in this world, why did they end up here with nameless markers? However, in my hands these vessels will impact society in a powerful way.”
“I don’t see how slicing and carving them up can be considered a worthy ending for anyone.”
“That is cruel and undeserving, but also the belief of many without a scientific inclination. Look at it from your present situation—are you reading books about making daguerreotypes, or is Miss Victoria allowing you to take part in the process?”
I wasn’t quite sure what Snarkwether was driving at, so I paused before addressing him face-to-face. “Well, she is teaching the steps, slowly but surely.”
“As I would expect. If you had a gold watch, handed down over the years from your ancestors, would you take it to someone who’d never opened the cover of such a watch in his life?” In his lantern’s light, his lips barely moved as he spoke.
“No.”
“Why not?” His perfectly rounded eyebrows peaked.
“Having never looked inside ... who knows how much damage he could do to the watch?”
“Since you say you’re familiar with death, what if you were shot in the chest, and you needed the bullet removed from between your heart and lungs to save your very life. Who would you prefer? A novice surgeon who’s never dissected human flesh and has never experienced the inner workings of the human anatomy or a surgeon of whatever age who has actually operated on bodies, be they living or dead?” He pulled the lapel of his coat close to him.
I scanned the dark horizon of the graveyard, sensing the logic of the doctor’s argument before turning back towards him. “I see what you’re saying, but there must be another way.” I looked toward the students whose work was almost done. “This is truly ghoulish.”
Book Reviews
OVER 90 VERIFIED AMAZON REVIEWS ALL ABOVE 4 STARS!
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2024
This is a great book that fully captured my interest from start to finish. The book stands out for its vivid character development and the unique setting that offers a fresh perspective on the classic coming-of-age story. One interesting aspect of the book is the way the author integrates elements of historical fiction with a touch of magical realism, which adds an unexpected depth to the narrative. The protagonist's journey is portrayed with a level of authenticity that makes you root for them throughout their trials and triumphs. The author’s attention to detail in crafting the scenes, especially the vibrant descriptions of the places and times, makes the setting almost feel like a character on its own. Overall, "Hobbadehoy Rising" is a compelling read that combines excellent storytelling with a strong emotional core, making it a memorable book that leaves a lasting impression.
*****
5.0 out of 5 stars A great story, well told!
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023
The historical accuracy and compelling storytelling in "Hobbadehoy Rising" by Max Willi Fischer make it an enthralling read. In the midst of the North-South divide, enslavement, and street life in 1850s America, the story follows the tenacious 17-year-old orphan Peter Wagner. Featuring the complexities of early photography, the perils endured by fugitive slaves, and the political unrest caused by the North-South divide, the book is captivating and instructive. The dynamic and eloquent writing style of Fischer keeps the pace constant. This narrative perfectly portrays the life of a Hobbadehoy. Modern societal divisions and the age-old problems of trust and moral judgment are both reflected in the book. This inspiring and thought-provoking book chronicles the passage from youth to maturity, showcasing the highs and lows of human experience. A great story, well told!
