I am Saxon
A History of the Transylvanian Saxons
by Karl Gagesch

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I Am Saxon chronicles the history of the little-known Transylvanian Saxons. From their humble beginnings in the 12th century as immigrants to a remote and sparsely populated area in the southern basin of the Carpathian Mountains, the Saxons became renowned for their fine trade guilds and seven beautiful, fortified towns. During the many invasions of central Europe during the medieval era, the Transylvanian Saxons were called the wall and shield of Christendom. But after eight hundred years, the Saxons were forced to evacuate their homeland in Siebenbürgen (the land of the seven towns). Karl Gagesch also tells the stories his family shared with him about his ancestral home of Draas, and about life in a rural Saxon village. In addition, he explores the tenacity and cohesiveness Saxon communities required to form a distinct nation within an ethnically diverse region and maintain their cultural independence despite the many challenges they faced. I Am Saxon pays homage to the legacy of the Transylvanian Saxon culture, which has all but disappeared from Siebenbürgen.

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Karl Gagesch is a history enthusiast who grew up listening to the stories of the last generation of Transylvanian Saxons firsthand. He is passionate about sharing this lesser-known aspect of European history, in particular as the Transylvanian Saxons are a distinct ethnic group who have all but vanished from their homeland. He is one of a handful of history enthusiasts who specialize in Transylvanian history. Karl Gagesch lives in Niagara Falls, Canada, with his spouse, Gloria, and their two dogs, Jaxon and Ziggy.

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Contributors

Author

Karl Gagesch