A Cobbler's Tale: A Novel

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Pub Date Oct 15 2018 | Archive Date Feb 03 2019

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Description

A huge wave of Eastern European migration is hitting the New World.

It's 1910. Pincus Potasznik, a Jewish cobbler, has left his pregnant wife and three small children to sail for America. His goal is to seek a new life for his family in the burgeoning Lower East Side of Manhattan.

On his traumatic voyage across the Atlantic on the SS Amerika steamship, Pincus meets Jakob Adler, a young man running from an accidental murder of a notorious crime boss in Warsaw. Opportunities await them in New York, but it's not an easy time for Jewish immigrants.

A few years later, while enjoying the spoils of his business and helped along with Jakob's unlawful contributions, Pincus realizes he made a terrible mistake. But the opportunity to return to his family has almost closed due to the outbreak of World War 1. Now he must face a decision, should he risk going back to Europe to rescue them from a war they could all die in, or is it better to wait in New York and build his fortune?

Born in a small shtetl in the province of Galicia, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Pincus has yearned all his life for wealth and the freedom it will bring, but what price will he have to pay for his dreams?

As the bloody battles of World War I explodes within miles of the family home, in a small village called Krzywcza, Moshe, the son of Pincus and Clara Potasznik, discovers a divine ability to foretell dire events, and to offer comfort to those in pain, taking us deep into the world of ancient Jewish mysticism, known as the Kabbalah.

Will Pincus do the right thing? And can Moshe foresee what's to come for his own family?

A huge wave of Eastern European migration is hitting the New World.

It's 1910. Pincus Potasznik, a Jewish cobbler, has left his pregnant wife and three small children to sail for America. His goal is...


Advance Praise

Great American Dream meets Great American Novel. "Love is the light that triumphs over darkness," Moshe Potasznik says in A COBBLER'S TALE, and this message could not have better timing.

Neil Perry Gordon draws from his own family lore to impart knowledge and take readers on a roller coaster of emotion in this sizzling page-turner. The writing is as beautiful as the Broadway starlet, the epic quest as righteous as the tzaddik, the drama as rich as the regal prince and racketeering bosses, the takeaway as vital as the venerable rabbis in old and new worlds.

Now is the time to look into the soul. Now is the time for courage. Now is the time for empathy. Hold onto your dreams and hold onto your shoes. Readers of all faiths will love the thrilling experience of A COBBLER'S TALE.

-- Mark Newman, No. 1 bestselling author of DIAMONDS FROM THE DUGOUT


Historical novels can sometimes slow you down with too much information and dry facts. Not this novel. Mr. Gordon uses short chapters, interesting characters and just enough detail to keep you asking, "What will happen next?" By using this method, Gordon transports you back in time and across two continents to share the adventures of Pincus, Clara and other memorable characters who risk their lives in war torn Europe and the Lower East Side of New York City looking for a better life for their families. If you're not a fan of historical fiction, this book may change your mind.

Brian Delaney - Author


Full of action and definitely captivating, A Cobbler's Tale by Neil Perry Gordon chronicles the journey of one Jewish family fleeing from war in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire to settle in the US.

It is the early 1900s and the Jews in the village of Krzywcza know that things are about to get worse and many are leaving their homes to settle in the US where they can escape persecution and provide better lives for their families. Pincus Potasznik is one such man but he is unsure his wife Clara will agree to his departure. He convinces her and soon he is on a ship headed to America. He meets Jakob on the voyage and they forge a long lasting friendship. Unlike Pincus, Jakob is fleeing from his past deeds and intends to start a new life when they arrive. While having to work full time to establish his shoe-making business and Jakob getting involved with gangs, Pincus has his hands full. Worse still, World War I is about to begin and Pincus might not be able to go back for his family.

I loved that the plot does not run out of action scenes and many are emotionally gripping. The book is quite fascinating as every turn consists of a riveting scene. In the first part of the book, the unfair treatment that the Jews receive from the authorities is quite evident and even after the Potaszniks leave their homeland and start their life in America, challenges follow them there. Jakob's involvement with ruthless gangs makes the book even more fascinating as surprises occur.

The fact that it is loosely based on real events makes it feel more authentic. Neil Perry Gordon bases the story on his great-grandparents' immigration experiences. Even though the plot has been changed to create room for more action, it still reflects the challenges that many Jewish families faced even before the start of WWI in the Austro-Hungarian region.

The characters are not perfect and each of them does what is required for them to survive which makes them relatable and appear real. Clara is daring and she is willing to do whatever it takes to save her family. She takes on the responsibility of leading her family when her husband is away and she does so remarkably. Pincus is ambitious and wants to provide his family with the best life that he can offer. Despite his shy personality, he risks his life many times to protect those that he loves. Jakob, on the other hand, values friendship even if he is caught up in illegal activities.

The editing of the book is well done and the plot is fascinating. A Cobbler's Tale by Neil Perry Gordon would appeal to readers who appreciate action-packed stories that contain the themes of immigration, survival and war. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.

- Online Book Club

Great American Dream meets Great American Novel. "Love is the light that triumphs over darkness," Moshe Potasznik says in A COBBLER'S TALE, and this message could not have better timing.

Neil Perry...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781732667709
PRICE $5.01 (USD)

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Average rating from 15 members


Featured Reviews

Feedback was left on Goodreads,Twitter and Amazon.
I finished book last week,it was excellent.
The cobbler who left for America a pauper was able to return for his family.4 yrs.later & take them to America,during the War & to a new life.
Would highly recommend and thank Netgalley and publisher for opportunity to read and review.

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In 1910, cobbler Pincus Potasznik leaves his family to find a better life in America. On the way, he meets Jakob Adler, a young criminal running from his past. The two Jewish men bond and begin a business in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York. Although Pincus vows to bring his family to America within a year, he waits four years before he risks rescuing his family from Europe during World War 1.

I really liked this book. It offers a quick historical overview of two Jewish men's experiences immigrating to America, and I appreciated learning more about this time period in our country's history. The writing is engaging, and it flows well. I'm recommending this book to other readers who value Jewish history, stories of early immigration to America, and family dynamics. I would have given it 5 stars, but contains some disturbing violence and sexual content.

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First, thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. What a great story! It's about a Jewish family, their home country and their immigration to the US. A very entertaining book., easy to read, with lots of details about Jewish history and life in the new world. I love history novels and highly recommend it to others readers. Congratulations to the author.

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Pincus Potasznik is a Jewish cobbler living in Galicia. In 1910, he receives an opportunity to travel to New York and set up a landsman society through his rabbi. Pincus decides to travel to New York making the decision to leave his pregnant wife Clara and their children at home and return for them later. On the voyage to New York, Pincus does not fare well, but with the help of Jakob Adler, her makes it. Jakob befriends Pincus and they decide to help one another after landing. However, Jakob is running from an accidental murder of a Warsaw crime boss and has fallen right into the Jewish gangs of New York with boss Leo Gorpatsch. On the boat over Pincus also has his palm read and receives a warning to bring his oldest son over within the year. With the help of Jakob's connections and Pincus' skills, they set up a cobbler shop which also fronts as a way for Jakob to collect payment for Gorspatsch. Soon Pincus is so busy with his shop and Landsman Society that he can't imagine finding time to go home to retrieve his family. Back in Galicia, four years have passed. Clara has had her baby and the children have grown. She has kept her home and the cobbler shop running. War has broken out near Galicia. Pincus and Jakob plan to rescue the family while delivering a package overseas for Gorspatsch. This opens up a whole new world of trouble for everyone, but also a world of hope.


A Cobbler's Tale combines an immigrant's story along with the suspense of the Jewish Mafia, World War I and mysticism. The story focuses on Pincus, but the point of view bounces between Pincus, Jakob and Clara giving a rounded to view to the immigrant experience and the time Clara was left in Galicia. I was surprised at the reach of the Jewish Mafia. Pincus and Jakob might not have survived their first years with same ease if it were not for Gorspatsch, although it would have saved them a world of heartache later. PIncus' journey closely reflected that of a Jewish immigrant at the time and was loosely based on the author's grandparents. The writing easily conveyed the living conditions and the feeling of community within the Lower East Side. I felt a lot of sympathy for Clara's character, left to raise children, run a shop and survive in a war zone without knowing when Pincus would come back for her and the children. Her strength and courage shone as Clara protected her children and helped her community. Jakob's character was very interesting, always seeming to find trouble and falling in with the gangs, despite his friendship with Pincus, he tends to cause trouble for him over and over. There was a layer of added suspense and mystery with PIncus' oldest son, Moshe and his talent of foreseeing grim events. Known as a tzaddik, Moshe's talent can help his family, but is sought out by others. Incorporating this mysticism creates an exciting and dangerous ending that pulls together Pincus' journey. Overall, A Cobbler's Tale has a lot going on and offers an action packed historical journey of a Jewish immigrant with a touch of magic.


This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

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....Sitting down to write this review one sentence was stuck in my head: it was just so incredibly good! Not my most creative review but it's my opinion of A Cobbler's Tale in a nutshell. A book so good it has elements that will appeal to people with a preference for books set in more modern times as well as readers who prefer the historical angle of books more than others. The fact that the people in A Cobbler's Tale were real, did have to survive a horrifyingly scary time in their lives and are part of the authors personal history added an extra appeal to reading it for me. The writing style was excellent; you could feel the authors connection to the story through the way he brought it to life

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An interesting historical read. This book is about a Jewish Family emigrating to America. The historical details make it a fascinating read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review What a fantastic book loved every page it's a very poignant story can highly recommend this book to family and friends

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For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManofLaBook.com

A Cobbler’s Tale : Jewish Immigrants Story of Survival, from Eastern Europe to New York’s Lower East Side by Neil Perry Gordon is a historical-fiction book based on the experiences of the author’s family. This is Mr. Gordon’s first novel.

A Jewish cobbler named Pincus Potasznick is leaving his kids and pregnant wife to try and make it in America. The year is 1910, antisemitism is prominent but the Jews of Europe still feel safe, except those who can see the writing on the wall.

On the voyage across the Atlantic, Pincus meets Jakob Adler from Warsaw. Together the two immigrants work hard to start up Pincus’ cobbler shop, and along with Jakob’s illegal activities they are actually able to make a living. Pincus, however, has to get his family out of Europe as World War I rages on.

I have to admit that I don’t know much about the European Jews before World War II, or the exodus from Poland around the turn of the 20th Century. After all, there were plenty of Jews in Poland for the Nazis to murder.

A Cobbler’s Tale : Jewish Immigrants Story of Survival, from Eastern Europe to New York’s Lower East Side by Neil Perry Gordon is an easy to read, almost YA, entertaining book. The author keeps the reader interested from chapter to chapter (most very short).

I thought the last part of the book could have been edited out. It really didn’t add anything to the story and just made the book longer, while keeping the main story which the reader was following on the sidelines.

The book gave me some good insight about the treatment of Jews in the early 1900s, while telling an interesting tale, with a few twists to boot. The author wrote that this story is partly based on his family’s experiences, which makes the book take on more meaning than usual.

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I love the cover for this book. A well-written historical novel-although the story is not a new one, it is thought-provoking and moving. Recommended.

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This is a fantastic tale. The audio version was also well done. Highly suggest both for purchases by libraries and classrooms.

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There are many reasons for why people have immigrated to the United States over the years. A Cobbler's Tale explores one such reason: fleeing from war in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Pincus Potasznik leaves the village of Krzywcza to pave the way for his family to have a better life. Not just because of the atrocities of war, but because as Jews they are a marked people.

On the ship to America, he meets Jakob who becomes intertwined with his success, yet it is all driven by a seedy underworld.

After years, he finally braves the voyage to collect his wife and children while World War I is on their doorstep.

Like many good historical fiction selections, this one paints the story of life during that time for a specific group of people. There is also a bit of mysticism as Pincus' son Moshe learns he is able to sense dire events as well as provide comfort to others.

As much as I enjoyed the delving into historical times, I was very intrigued about the ancient Jewish mysticism, known as the Kabbalah. I consider that the sign of an excellent work of fiction when you not only learn in the process of reading but have a desire to learn more.

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Pincus Potasznik leaves the village of Krzywcza in 1910 to pave the way for his family to have a better life. On the voyage across the Atlantic, he meets Jakob Adler from Warsaw. Together the two immigrants work hard to start up Pincus’ cobbler shop, and along with Jakob’s illegal activities they are actually able to make a living.

Pincus vows to bring his family to America within a year but he waits four years before rescuing his family from Europe during World War 1.
I felt a lot of sympathy for Clara being left behind and having to take of her children while wondering when and if her husband would come for them.

I just couldn't fathom how naive Pincus was in terms of what was happening in his shop and there were many times I wanted to shake him. Especially the way he was towards those Jews from his village when they too emigrated to America.

I didn't know going into this book that this was part of the author's personal history which added an extra appeal to me. The writing style was excellent.
Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this fantastic book for an honest review.

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Entertaining, Attention-Holding Historical Fiction!

Neil Perry Gordon’s A Cobbler’s Tale,,his debut novel, is a very interesting and generally well-written tale of a Jewish immigrant’s story of survival from Eastern Europe to NYC’s Lower East Side during the early 1900s.

A summary of the book’s plot can be found in the NetGalley description above as well as the Amazon and GoodReads descriptions, So my review won’t repeat what is already done well. Instead, I’ll focus on the reasons why I’d recommend A Cobbler’s Tale to historical fiction fans, and particularly those interested in the Jewish immigrant experience.. These reasons are as follows:

...Gordon effectively tells his tale in a manner that combines a wealth of interesting information about Jewish lore and the Jewish experience along with a good amount of gripping action scenes. This combination enables the reader to turn the pages at a fast pace in order to find out what happens next;

...Gordon, albeit somewhat loosely, bases his fictional story of the Potasznik family experiences on the real-world experiences of his great grandparents, which adds authenticity to the plot, and

...The action scenes are entertaining and fun but you have to be willing to suspend some disbelief.

Having said the above, while I enjoyed A Cobbler’s Tale and would recommend it, the two areas In which I was a little disappointed — which resulted in in my deducting one star from my overall rating — pertained to :

...the main characters, and particularly the secondary characters, not being as richly developed as I would have liked — although they were certainly serviceable enough to relate to them and keep the plot interesting; and

....the ease and simplicity with which the main characters resolved some of the challenges that seemed insurmountable created some credibility issues for me.

#A Cobbler’s Tale #NetGalley

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