How I Married Michele: And Other Journeys, Essays

The collection features fifteen personal essays that explore the author's journey from a Catholic schoolboy to an adult navigating life in Communist Poland and Czechoslovakia. Gildner reflects on formative experiences, including teaching American literature abroad, his family's immigrant history, and significant friendships with poets and writers. He candidly shares moments from his life, such as his daughter's birth, encounters with wildlife, and unique experiences like boxing with a former welterweight title challenger. The essays blend humor, nostalgia, and poignant observations on life and culture.