The small unsightly book had nearly been thrown away in the trash bag, together with lots of other rubbish of her recently passed away mother. Until the third page of that old 19th century marriage Bible fell open... 'Times to remember'. In neat handwriting someone had written: 'Simon, Willem, Jelle, Anna, August 1907 went to America.' This was the start of an exciting search for a hidden and forgotten family history. Join the author in her quest that leads from Zaandam Holland to Boston USA. Starting in 1871, when the famous French painter Monet arrived in Zaandam for 4 months stay. a place with hundreds of windmills and traditional green painted houses. Which one of the family members was painted by Monet and what happened to that portrait? Discover, bit by bit, who these people were and why they left their hometown and country. Find out what the writer's connection was with the emigrants. Follow her footsteps in Holland and in the USA and move with her through time up to 2014, till she finally finds her American relatives. The author mingles her search with the story of the main characters and makes them come alive. Meet Geertje, a young Zaandam girl and her neighbor Jelle, a young boy, from across the dike. Find out about their teenage love and follow them when they marry and get children. Through the ups and downs of family life in the 19th century till the moment that Simon, Willem, Anna and Jelle leave Holland and start a new life across the Atlantic Ocean. But what happened to the parents and how did the emigrants cope in the New World? Who's dreams dramatically come to an end and who's American Dream came true? This moving story is based on true facts about real people. Find out about the shared Dutch and American heritage and how the descendants eventually meet. 'Do not go gentle' is a universal tale about life and death, about the pain of loss and about love's consolation.