My Finnish Father's Sauna Gift

To honor his Finnish immigrant father, the author wrote this biography that represents youthful remembrances and mature reflections. At the center of Finnish life is the sauna. When Karl Lindquist left home at age 20, his rented family farm had two saunas. After Lindquist earned enough income from bootlegging during Prohibition to purchase land in the forested, lake-filled land of northern Minnesota, he built a sauna. And when his only son’s family was in need, Lindquist’s most meaningful gift to them was to plan, design, and construct a sauna at their home. The reader will gain insights into the hardships of late 19th-century Finnish life, the challenges overcome by an uneducated immigrant, and the distinctive relationship between a father and son. The rewards of enterprise, education, and family support shine through this forthright narrative.