The Last Green Valley
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- Create Date：2021-05-09 08:31:06
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Mark T. Sullivan
- ISBN：B07CGCTSNW
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Dawn
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I am still worked up from finishing this book。 It was an amazing journey listening to this tale and then to find out at the end。 Wow， just wow。 I would give this 10 stars。 I usually pick up another book as soon as I finish one but this will stay with me and I need to wait a little。 The story telling is incredible。 I had some many things to look up that I had never even heard of in history。 I love learning something new while reading fiction， but the true gem is the story of the people。 This auth I am still worked up from finishing this book。 It was an amazing journey listening to this tale and then to find out at the end。 Wow， just wow。 I would give this 10 stars。 I usually pick up another book as soon as I finish one but this will stay with me and I need to wait a little。 The story telling is incredible。 I had some many things to look up that I had never even heard of in history。 I love learning something new while reading fiction， but the true gem is the story of the people。 This author is so talented。 。。。more
Marilyn
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An emotional journeyA difficult book to read because it is gritty， honest with deep emotions， and packed with unrelenting hardship。 Although of German ethnicity myself， I was unaware of the ethnic Germans who moved to Russia in the 19th century to strengthen the farming practices， thereby feeding the people of Ukraine。 I also was not aware of the depravity of many of the Communist policies， such as deliberate starvation of the Ukraine people。Although historical fiction， and many scenes are the i An emotional journeyA difficult book to read because it is gritty， honest with deep emotions， and packed with unrelenting hardship。 Although of German ethnicity myself， I was unaware of the ethnic Germans who moved to Russia in the 19th century to strengthen the farming practices， thereby feeding the people of Ukraine。 I also was not aware of the depravity of many of the Communist policies， such as deliberate starvation of the Ukraine people。Although historical fiction， and many scenes are the imagination of the author， the facts are documented and this family exists。 Definitely portrays another aspect of WW2 then what most books show。 。。。more
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader
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I’ve been wanting to read a book by Mark Sullivan since his Beneath a Scarlet Sky was such a smashing success。 I still haven’t read that one， but I’m grateful to say I’ve read and loved The Last Green Valley。In the 1940s， just as Stalin pushes into Ukraine， Emil and Adeline have a choice to make。 Do they stay in their home and possibly get sent to Siberia， or do they follow the Nazis who have promised to protect Germans abroad in Ukraine。 They decide to leave their beloved home and go with the N I’ve been wanting to read a book by Mark Sullivan since his Beneath a Scarlet Sky was such a smashing success。 I still haven’t read that one， but I’m grateful to say I’ve read and loved The Last Green Valley。In the 1940s， just as Stalin pushes into Ukraine， Emil and Adeline have a choice to make。 Do they stay in their home and possibly get sent to Siberia， or do they follow the Nazis who have promised to protect Germans abroad in Ukraine。 They decide to leave their beloved home and go with the Nazis， but it’s not that simple。 They continue to be caught between horrific dictators。I found The Last Green Valley extremely interesting。 I’m not sure I’ve read another book set in Ukraine， especially during a historic time period。 I had not learned about The Great Trek made by ethnic Germans during World War II。 This book really touched my heart and left a mark there。 The atrocities of WWII are never ending， and I’m grateful for those who share these voices and stories with us。I received a gifted copy。 Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www。jennifertarheelreader。com and instagram: www。instagram。com/tarheelreader 。。。more
Kara
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Books like this continue to amaze me in the lives and horrible conditions people have lived through。 Although this is historical fiction， much is based on the true life story of the Martel family。 It is a page turner of adventure， despair， and spirituality for these individuals that starts in Ukraine at the end of WW2， and ends in Montana。 I felt somewhat sick with suspense as I read expecting certain things to happen， but was very happy with the ending。 This author is a wonderful storyteller， a Books like this continue to amaze me in the lives and horrible conditions people have lived through。 Although this is historical fiction， much is based on the true life story of the Martel family。 It is a page turner of adventure， despair， and spirituality for these individuals that starts in Ukraine at the end of WW2， and ends in Montana。 I felt somewhat sick with suspense as I read expecting certain things to happen， but was very happy with the ending。 This author is a wonderful storyteller， and it was an enthralling read。 Highly recommend。 。。。more
Alison Cairns
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This isn't your usual story of World War 2。 The Martel family， Emil， Adeline and their two young boys Walt and Will， along with their wider family， parents and siblings， join the Long Trek west from their home in Soviet controlled Ukraine where they have lived in misery， hunger and poverty for years since the Soviets took their farm and left them in perpetual hunger。 The journey west， controlled by Nazi forces， pursued by the Red Army was eventful。 They start off in their horse drawn wagon and t This isn't your usual story of World War 2。 The Martel family， Emil， Adeline and their two young boys Walt and Will， along with their wider family， parents and siblings， join the Long Trek west from their home in Soviet controlled Ukraine where they have lived in misery， hunger and poverty for years since the Soviets took their farm and left them in perpetual hunger。 The journey west， controlled by Nazi forces， pursued by the Red Army was eventful。 They start off in their horse drawn wagon and transfer to trains to finish off。 Led by Major Haussman of the SS， who Emil has a history with， the journey is fraught as he tries to hide this from his wife。 All is not plain sailing and the family are eventually separated。 A story of love and family with some horrendous situations showing the suffering families had to endure 。 A different take on stories from the second World War， and while this is historical fiction， the facts have been obtained from interviews with some of the famliy in recent years。 #netgalley #thelastgreenvalley 。。。more
Donia
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Though I am an extreme history buff and I appreciate the extensive research that Sullivan executed in the process of writing this book， the book was not for me。 Obviously by reading through the other reviews， there are many who found it very good and I'll admit Sullivan does a good job at demonstrating how living though constant violence creates PTSD which obviously the father had。 Giving a book a low score doesn't mean that it is "badly written。 The research is certainly worthy of 5 Stars but f Though I am an extreme history buff and I appreciate the extensive research that Sullivan executed in the process of writing this book， the book was not for me。 Obviously by reading through the other reviews， there are many who found it very good and I'll admit Sullivan does a good job at demonstrating how living though constant violence creates PTSD which obviously the father had。 Giving a book a low score doesn't mean that it is "badly written。 The research is certainly worthy of 5 Stars but for me the low rating means I couldn't stomach it。。。I didn't like it。 I am aware of the slaughter that took place during WW2 and I can't fathom having been a person who lived through the violence and the journey that this family took and survive but the story of the family was somehow lost to me because it was overtaken by the ever constant gore from one violent bloody paragraph to the next。 I finally began skimming and skipping whole pages just to get to the end of the book and find out what happened to the family。 。。。more
theliterateleprechaun
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Emil and Adeline Martel are Volksdeutsche， descendants of ethnic Germans encouraged by Catherine the Great to settle in southern Ukraine。 Although the Volksdeutsche began using their skills for growing wheat to feed the Russian Empire， life had become increasingly miserable under Stalin’s rule。 Not only were they starving under Holodomor， but many had also been conscripted or sent to mines。 Himmler offered those of Aryan blood an option: Stay and wait for Russia to take over their village or joi Emil and Adeline Martel are Volksdeutsche， descendants of ethnic Germans encouraged by Catherine the Great to settle in southern Ukraine。 Although the Volksdeutsche began using their skills for growing wheat to feed the Russian Empire， life had become increasingly miserable under Stalin’s rule。 Not only were they starving under Holodomor， but many had also been conscripted or sent to mines。 Himmler offered those of Aryan blood an option: Stay and wait for Russia to take over their village or join the ‘long trek’， a 6-week grueling journey in a wagon， to safety in Poland。 The Martel’s opted to put their lives in the hands of the Nazis and agreed to Himmler’s offer。 Caught between Hitler and Stalin’s terrorizing reigns they flee through Moldova， Romania， Hungary， the Czech Republic and then to Poland。 When they arrived， they were generously （tongue in cheek） given clothing and homes once owned by deceased Jews。 Their journey was not yet over。 They’d yet to experience war， work camps and separation。 Despite the horrific experiences to date， when an opportunity came in 1956， they began their journey to freedom in the last green valley of Montana。I was shocked at their resilience， instinct for survival， and focus as they moved from place to place， many times with inadequate food and shelter。 What spoke to me most was their inspirational dedication to each other。A word of caution to pace yourself。 The atrocities may force you to put the book down and take time to be thankful for the life you live。 We may not be facing the horrors the Martel family experienced， but there is still a need for us to pull together during this pandemic and focus on the ‘green valley’ to get us through these difficult days。 Thanks to the author for the reminder that dedication to the dream is essential to realization。 Mark Sullivan is a gifted author。 He has the ability to make history vivid and real。 This is a powerful tribute to the Martel family。 I was gifted this book by Mark Sullivan， Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review。 。。。more
Zied
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I loved it 。 Good Book with wonderful story 。 I learned a lot 。
Booksandcoffeepleasemx
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Stunning， compelling and epic！When I saw the size of the book I remember I told my husband that it will probably take me several days to finish it， two half days and I was done with it。This beautiful and inspiring story about love， resilience and survival captured me completely and it was impossible to put down。 If you’re a fan of WWII and historical fiction stories this is a must read。Thank you Lake Union Authors for this copy。http://www。instagram。com/booksandcoff。。。 Stunning， compelling and epic！When I saw the size of the book I remember I told my husband that it will probably take me several days to finish it， two half days and I was done with it。This beautiful and inspiring story about love， resilience and survival captured me completely and it was impossible to put down。 If you’re a fan of WWII and historical fiction stories this is a must read。Thank you Lake Union Authors for this copy。http://www。instagram。com/booksandcoff。。。 。。。more
Stephen Chase
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 The greatest novel ever！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！
Rachael | Booklist Queen
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True WWII Story with Slow Pace and Inspiring Christian MessageFrom the author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky comes a World War II novel about a young couple caught between two warring armies。 Emil and Adeline Martel come from a long line of Ukrainian farmers of German heritage。 In March 1944， as the Soviet army marches on Ukraine， they must decide whether they want to again live under Stalin's regime or retreat with the hated Nazi army。The Last Green Valley is based on a true story， which makes it an True WWII Story with Slow Pace and Inspiring Christian MessageFrom the author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky comes a World War II novel about a young couple caught between two warring armies。 Emil and Adeline Martel come from a long line of Ukrainian farmers of German heritage。 In March 1944， as the Soviet army marches on Ukraine， they must decide whether they want to again live under Stalin's regime or retreat with the hated Nazi army。The Last Green Valley is based on a true story， which makes it an inspiring tale but doesn't offer the nail-biting action a truly fictional story might。 The slower pace and heavy-handed focus on Emil's religious transformation made chunks of the story drag。 Yet， I was fascinated reading about the harsh realities of living in Eastern Europe in the first half of the 20th century。 I don't foresee The Last Green Valley ever becoming a bestseller， but it's a story worth telling and will do well with those who love World War II historical fiction。I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing and through NetGalley。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。 。。。more
Andrea
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The Last Green Valley is an extraordinary story based on the harrowing life of the Martel family as they attempted to flee both the Germans and Soviets during and after WWII。 This is a story about how faith， love and family can help lift the human spirit and allow life to go on even when it doesn’t seem possible。“This is an American Story， an immigrant story， a spiritual and universal story。 May we all dare to chase such dreams， experience such grace， and lead such miraculous lives。” - Mark T。 S The Last Green Valley is an extraordinary story based on the harrowing life of the Martel family as they attempted to flee both the Germans and Soviets during and after WWII。 This is a story about how faith， love and family can help lift the human spirit and allow life to go on even when it doesn’t seem possible。“This is an American Story， an immigrant story， a spiritual and universal story。 May we all dare to chase such dreams， experience such grace， and lead such miraculous lives。” - Mark T。 SullivanThe Last Green Valley is a well paced story with history， action， drama， hope and triumph。 As always， Sullivan does immaculate research when compiling an unforgettable story。 I felt so connected to each member of the family and friends he introduced throughout the storyline。 I stayed up very late many nights simply because I couldn't go to sleep not knowing what would happen next。 I was constantly tabbing paragraphs that were full of wisdom and insight （there were many）。 I will never be the same after reading this story based on the real Martel family。 I'm thankful that Mark Sullivan searched out and wrote the Martel’s story for the world， it is a gift indeed。I was truly amazed at the shocking moments throughout the story that the Martels were forced to endure， but there were also so many uplifting moments to cherish as the Martels continued to never give up their hopes of moving west to freedom。 Both Emil and Adeline were able to stay hopeful and keep their faith even through the most despairing situations， they were able to love where other only found hate， and their spirits radiated till the very last page。 And， you too will have tears streaming down your face at the end。Overall， this is an outstanding and masterful story。 Mark Sullivan has told another important， eye opening， and never-to-be forgotten story。 The Last Green Valley turns a spotlight on the lesser known events of World War II （mainly post WWII）， giving them a well documented place in our current culture。 This is a book that would make for an excellent book club read， and is one I truly urge everyone to read。 History should never be forgotten， and I consider myself blessed to have read this story。Thank you Amazon and Lake Union Publishing for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Colleen
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Loved it！ Mark Sullivan's Beneath A Scarlet Sky， where Pino Lella is a chauffer to a Nazi officer in Italy at the end of WWII， has been one of my all time favorite "based on true story"/historical novels。 I was doubtful that Mark Sullivan's subsequent "based on a true story" could be as captivating。 Mark Sullivan said that many folks told them their adventures， but when he heard the Martel's story， he knew that was the "one"。 He was right！ The Last Green Valley is right up there with Beneath a S Loved it！ Mark Sullivan's Beneath A Scarlet Sky， where Pino Lella is a chauffer to a Nazi officer in Italy at the end of WWII， has been one of my all time favorite "based on true story"/historical novels。 I was doubtful that Mark Sullivan's subsequent "based on a true story" could be as captivating。 Mark Sullivan said that many folks told them their adventures， but when he heard the Martel's story， he knew that was the "one"。 He was right！ The Last Green Valley is right up there with Beneath a Scarlet Sky and worthy of 5 stars。The Last Green Valley follows Emil and Adeline Martel and their two young sons from Ukraine through the middle of a German Russian battle field and into East Germany。 Their persistence for the pursuit of freedom is harrowing。 Well written and intricately woven with such vivid details; I'll hold this book in my heart for many years。Words to live by in this quote from Adele， "Don't chew on the bad things that happen to you， dear。 Try to see the beauty in every cruelty。 It sets you free。 Forgive hurt if you want to heal a broken heart。 Try to be grateful for every setback or tragedy， because by living through them， you become stronger。 I see the hand of God in that。" Mark Sullivan， Thank you for this book！ In the midst of all that is going on in the （covid） world right now， between a little prayer and a lot of persistence， it will take you to a better place。Thank you to NetGalley， the publisher （Lake Union Publishing） and the author Mark Sullivan for the opportunity to review The Last Green Valley in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Blaire
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You will be addicted with this superb story！You can publish it on NovelStar， just submit your story to hardy@novelstar。top or joye@novelstar。top
Jessi
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This is a dual timeline historical fiction set in 1944， with flashbacks starting in 1922。 The Martel family is of German heritage and was brought to Ukraine by Catherine the Great for their agricultural skills。 We follow their lives and experiences as they traverse the war-torn world。 I requested this one from netgalley because I’d heard that Beneath A Scarlet Sky （by the same author） was very well written。 Unfortunately， this book didn’t grab my attention like I’d hoped。 I found my mind wanderi This is a dual timeline historical fiction set in 1944， with flashbacks starting in 1922。 The Martel family is of German heritage and was brought to Ukraine by Catherine the Great for their agricultural skills。 We follow their lives and experiences as they traverse the war-torn world。 I requested this one from netgalley because I’d heard that Beneath A Scarlet Sky （by the same author） was very well written。 Unfortunately， this book didn’t grab my attention like I’d hoped。 I found my mind wandering as I was reading， which rarely happens to me， especially with WWII historical fictions。The best way I can explain how I felt about this book is that it was interesting but not engrossing。 While there were good themes about coping with loss and finding beauty in simple every day moments， the book didn’t keep my attention and was easy to put down。 I have no doubt this will be a great book for many others， it just wasn’t the right fit for me。 Rating: 3。5I’m grateful to Netgally and Lake Union Publishing for the e-ARC！ 。。。more
Sharlene
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Another moving historical fiction from author Mark Sullivan。 This time he takes us to the lessor known WWII location of the Ukraine as the Martel family tries to pick from the lessor of two monstrous evils。 Do they stay in deal with Stalin， or leave and follow the Nazis who have promised protection for "pure blood" Germans。 You will not be able to put this one down as you become totally invested in the Martel family's trials， hardship， love and resiliency。 Fans of great historical fiction will w Another moving historical fiction from author Mark Sullivan。 This time he takes us to the lessor known WWII location of the Ukraine as the Martel family tries to pick from the lessor of two monstrous evils。 Do they stay in deal with Stalin， or leave and follow the Nazis who have promised protection for "pure blood" Germans。 You will not be able to put this one down as you become totally invested in the Martel family's trials， hardship， love and resiliency。 Fans of great historical fiction will want to read this one。 。。。more
Mitzi
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The Last Green Valley By Mark SullivanThe Last Green Valley is a moving story about the cruelty of war and the resilience of the human spirit。 Mark Sullivan has uncovered another extraordinary tale of endurance， love， and faith。 With memories of childhood hunger， Emil and Adeline Martel decide to leave Stalin’s rule with other ethnic Germans during the Wehrmacht evacuation。 As WW2 ends， Emil and Adeline are separated during the mass expulsion of ethnic Germans from Poland。 This is the story of t The Last Green Valley By Mark SullivanThe Last Green Valley is a moving story about the cruelty of war and the resilience of the human spirit。 Mark Sullivan has uncovered another extraordinary tale of endurance， love， and faith。 With memories of childhood hunger， Emil and Adeline Martel decide to leave Stalin’s rule with other ethnic Germans during the Wehrmacht evacuation。 As WW2 ends， Emil and Adeline are separated during the mass expulsion of ethnic Germans from Poland。 This is the story of their separation and survival。 The Last Green Valley is a tough， but inspiring read。 If you enjoyed Beneath a Scarlet Sky， you will enjoy reading about the Martel family and their journey to freedom。I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Karen
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Mark Sullivan has created another historical fiction showing the suffering， bravery， resilience， and hope of survivors of WWII。 This is the story of Emil and Adeline Martel， their young children Will and Walter， and their in-laws who suffer through the Holdomor in the 1930s where Stalin took Ukrainian wheat and forced labor。 Men were forced into labor and many did not survive to return home。 Sullivan moves this their story back and forth during this time， the beginning years of WWII， and the lat Mark Sullivan has created another historical fiction showing the suffering， bravery， resilience， and hope of survivors of WWII。 This is the story of Emil and Adeline Martel， their young children Will and Walter， and their in-laws who suffer through the Holdomor in the 1930s where Stalin took Ukrainian wheat and forced labor。 Men were forced into labor and many did not survive to return home。 Sullivan moves this their story back and forth during this time， the beginning years of WWII， and the later part of the war in 1944-45 。 During the early part of WWII， Germany forced Ukrainians to labor camps and the largest part of the book is when the Germans offered any ethnic German to come under their protection on the long trek to Poland toward the end。 Emil and Adeline were separated many times。 Emil suffered immensely at the hands of the Germans。 The last section focuses on after the war and the struggle for Emil and Adeline and Emil to survive and find each other。 We also find out what happens to them。 I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sullivan’s notes at the end of the story and how he gathered information through interviews， traveling with Will and Walter to the Ukraine and following their journey。 I think it would help to have a map to follow this family’s journey。 My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book。 The opinions are my own in this review。 。。。more
Audrey Haylins
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“This is an American Story， an immigrant story， a spiritual and universal story。 May we all dare to chase such dreams， experience such grace， and lead such miraculous lives。”So ends the afterword to this astonishing World War II tale of one family’s desperate struggle for survival， through terror， brutality and separation， as they undertake the “Long Trek” from Ukraine across Eastern Europe in search of a “green valley” where they can live the rest of their lives in freedom and peace。 It’s the s “This is an American Story， an immigrant story， a spiritual and universal story。 May we all dare to chase such dreams， experience such grace， and lead such miraculous lives。”So ends the afterword to this astonishing World War II tale of one family’s desperate struggle for survival， through terror， brutality and separation， as they undertake the “Long Trek” from Ukraine across Eastern Europe in search of a “green valley” where they can live the rest of their lives in freedom and peace。 It’s the story of ethnic Germans Emil and Adeline Martel and their young sons Will and Walt who， together with both sets of parents and siblings， are offered “safe” passage from Stalin’s Russia to Germany in 1944。 Their journey — along with thousands of other refugees — sees them cross battlefields， endure unimaginable deprivation and horrors， lose and regain their faith， and — incredibly — not only survive but eventually prosper。 It’s the most shocking but， ultimately， the most uplifting， life-affirming story of hope over despair， of love over hate， and of the human heart and spirit over physical suffering。 You cannot read it without marveling at humankind’s instinct for survival against the most extraordinary odds。 And you cannot finish it without weeping。 In his preface， Sullivan takes pains to point out that what you are about to read is historical fiction as opposed to narrative nonfiction。 His research， however， is meticulous and includes extensive interviews with Will and Walt， both now in their eighties。 So fiction it may be to a point， but it is undoubtedly rooted in truth and based on actual events and people。 And this is precisely what makes it so powerful。 Like Sullivan’s previous novel， Beneath A Scarlet Sky， The Last Green Valley shines a light on lesser known events of World War II， giving them a documented place in popular culture。 This is a book I urge everyone to read。 It is our shared world history。 And it should never be forgotten。 。 。。。more
John White
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recommend！ Great read。
Marie
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I really enjoyed Mark Sullivan's book， Beneath a Scarlet Sky， so it was a no brainer to pick this book up。 However I didn't find this an easy read。 I felt anxious the whole time I was reading it。 The story of the Martels is incredible and it was interesting to read a WWII story from a perspective of the Ukrainian Germans and their trek to freedom。 My takeaway is the fantastic underlying lesson from the story - No matter what happens， keep a positive attitude， be grateful， visualize where you wan I really enjoyed Mark Sullivan's book， Beneath a Scarlet Sky， so it was a no brainer to pick this book up。 However I didn't find this an easy read。 I felt anxious the whole time I was reading it。 The story of the Martels is incredible and it was interesting to read a WWII story from a perspective of the Ukrainian Germans and their trek to freedom。 My takeaway is the fantastic underlying lesson from the story - No matter what happens， keep a positive attitude， be grateful， visualize where you want to be， recognize opportunities when they present themselves and do not be afraid to act on them。 。。。more
Karen R
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The Martel family has made a tough decision to leave their prospering family farm and embark on a long， harrowing journey to relocate during wartime hardship。 Mark Sullivan paints a vivid picture of this family’s courage and resilience as they make the long trek to their new home， surviving terrible conditions， low rations， hopeful for light at the end of the tunnel。 Based on a real family， meticulously researched and so well written， this is a remarkable story of human endurance， faith and surv The Martel family has made a tough decision to leave their prospering family farm and embark on a long， harrowing journey to relocate during wartime hardship。 Mark Sullivan paints a vivid picture of this family’s courage and resilience as they make the long trek to their new home， surviving terrible conditions， low rations， hopeful for light at the end of the tunnel。 Based on a real family， meticulously researched and so well written， this is a remarkable story of human endurance， faith and survival。 I received a complimentary copy of this book。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。 。。。more
Kerrin P
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***NOW AVAILABLE***The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan is a fictionalized account of the real-life story of the Martel family’s harrowing experiences during and after World War II。 Sullivan met with Will and Walt Martel， who were children during this time。 He traveled to Europe with the brothers and interviewed other survivors to craft this remarkable story of faith and survival。Emil and Adeline Martel， their two sons Will and Walt， and other extended family members were part of the Black Sea ***NOW AVAILABLE***The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan is a fictionalized account of the real-life story of the Martel family’s harrowing experiences during and after World War II。 Sullivan met with Will and Walt Martel， who were children during this time。 He traveled to Europe with the brothers and interviewed other survivors to craft this remarkable story of faith and survival。Emil and Adeline Martel， their two sons Will and Walt， and other extended family members were part of the Black Sea Germans who lived and farmed in Ukraine。 Their lives had become miserable under Stalin， who had tried to starve the people and conscripted men to work in mines and the military。 German commander Heinrich Himmler decided this group was of pure Aryan blood。 He offered them protection to travel to Poland during 1944。 After a grueling and dangerous six-week journey by cart， known as “The Long Trek”， they arrived and were given the former homes and clothing of Jewish families that had been killed。 Because Emil Martel had previously run afoul of German Major Emil Haussmann， who personally directed the killing of thousands of Jews， the family was placed in squalid living conditions and given difficult work to do。When the war was over， Emil Martel was captured and forced to do slave labor helping to rebuild war-torn Poltava Poland。 Adeline， left on her own the boys， ended up in East Germany， again under Stalin’s rule。 Both Emil and Adeline bravely escaped Communism and reunited。 After seven years of living as refugees， they were finally able to immigrate to the United States where they were sponsored by a relative in Montana。 Emil and Adeline’s belief that they would get to live free in a beautiful green valley gave them the determination to survive。4。5-Stars。 Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced reader copy。 The hardcover is 458 pages。 。。。more
Nasser Hassan
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It best book every。
Scott Orr
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An amazing book of heroism， faith， perseverance， and family。 The Martel’s story of their escape from the Soviet occupied zone， their separation and survival， and finally with them reuniting as a family to achieve their dream of freedom was truly inspiring。 Mark Sullivan did a tremendous job sharing the Martel’s story， and bringing their eventual journey to freedom alive。
Erin
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Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan。 I haven't read Beneath A Scarlet Sky， but I'm now looking forward to reading it。 This is a story of survival and hope。 Emil and Adeline Martel along with their family have made the tough decision to follow the German soldiers as they escape west in March 1944 from the Russian army。 They are of German ancestry but settled in the Ukraine over 100 years earlier and they have already felt the wrath of Sta Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan。 I haven't read Beneath A Scarlet Sky， but I'm now looking forward to reading it。 This is a story of survival and hope。 Emil and Adeline Martel along with their family have made the tough decision to follow the German soldiers as they escape west in March 1944 from the Russian army。 They are of German ancestry but settled in the Ukraine over 100 years earlier and they have already felt the wrath of Stalin in the 1930s in the Holodomor so while they despise Hitler， they've experienced the pain that Stalin has caused。 This leads them as refugees for 7 years until they can find a home in a green valley。 The writing is phenomenal and you feel for the family through the struggles of being refuges， and wondering if they will make it。 I didn't know much about this but now I'm interested in reading more on the Soviets at the end of WWII。 It was hard to read in parts， but so well done。 。。。more
Alayne Emmett
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Having read his other book I was pleased to receive a chance to read this one。 It was beautifully written and I enjoyed it immensely。 My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review 。
Gunja
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Mark Sullivan， the author of bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky brings a fresh dose of WWII historical fiction carefully wrapped around a family’s true story of audacity， survival and victory。The book closely following the Martel family finds us in March 1944 in a ‘Long Trek’， through Moldova， Romania， Hungary and Poland， away from Stalin’s forces in Soviet to the Nazi Germany。 Emil and Adeline Martel are one among the many ethnic Germans whose ancestors have been farming in Ukraine for centuries。 Mark Sullivan， the author of bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky brings a fresh dose of WWII historical fiction carefully wrapped around a family’s true story of audacity， survival and victory。The book closely following the Martel family finds us in March 1944 in a ‘Long Trek’， through Moldova， Romania， Hungary and Poland， away from Stalin’s forces in Soviet to the Nazi Germany。 Emil and Adeline Martel are one among the many ethnic Germans whose ancestors have been farming in Ukraine for centuries。 Stuck between the two belligerent armies， they reluctantly follow the brutal Nazi officers to escape to the West and search their freedom。 Soon the trek turns into a nightmare with gunshots and bombs exploding either side， tanks firing and， Russian and German planes shooting across the skies。 Their plight manifolds at numerous German check points。 Days turn to weeks and then months to finally land in temporary quarters in Poland， previously owned by Jews。 Poor， miserable and pure blooded Germans are desolated in the Polish streets as the Western Allied forces capture German occupied countries。 The Long Trek ended for many in work camps in the east or survival among the brutes。Book unfolds Stalin’s horrors of Holodomor - killing by starving millions of Ukranians and secret police dragging and enslaving innocent people to Siberian camps and mines。 Living horrors swelled with the German occupation in Ukraine and brutal killing of innocent Jews。 Mark presents an unflinching tale of terror， panic and dismay。 He brings the horrors of prisoner’s camps to life with utmost heartache and empathy。 Miserable crying voices of Jews echoes all-over。 Author carefully blends the spiritual density that holds the spirits of the Martel clan to live， survive， hope and dream in their hardships and adversities。 Corporal Gheorghe， a Romanian soldier spells the universal intelligence， and the greater plans of the Almighty and Divine， characterizing the story as even more courageous and inspiring。 Emil， Adeline and their sons Will and Walt lived for seven years as refugees until they reached their The Last Green Valley， in Gallatin Valley， Bozeman， Montana “a place where everything was connected and where dreams did come true， a place where imagination， faith， and effort collided with the spark of God’s grace to become whole and real and good。”I received ARC of this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review。 Rating : 💥💥💥💥💥 。。。more
Karren Sandercock
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Emil and Adeline Martel are of German heritage， forced to make the difficult decision to either stay in the Ukraine and it’s about to be invaded by the Russian army or leave and flee West with the Germany army？ The Martel’s have lived under Russian rule before， they decide to leave， they have two young sons Walt and Will， and they pack their wagon with， food， water， clothing， bedding and tools。 They begin the journey into the unknown， with horses Thor & Oden pulling the wagon， the roads are busy Emil and Adeline Martel are of German heritage， forced to make the difficult decision to either stay in the Ukraine and it’s about to be invaded by the Russian army or leave and flee West with the Germany army？ The Martel’s have lived under Russian rule before， they decide to leave， they have two young sons Walt and Will， and they pack their wagon with， food， water， clothing， bedding and tools。 They begin the journey into the unknown， with horses Thor & Oden pulling the wagon， the roads are busy， full of other refugees and retreating German soldiers。 Adeline’s mother Lydia and her sister Malia， have a wagon and leave with the Martel’s。 On the road， they catch up with Emil’s parents Johann， Karoline and his sister Rese。 The trip is a nightmare， they can hear gun shots， bombs exploding， and both Russian and German planes are flying overhead， and they go through endless German check points and hold ups。 They keep traveling for days， the strength and courage that Emil and Adeline show is remarkable， and their determination is truly inspiring。 Things get worse， eventually the couple are separated， and both still continue to fight to survive， hope they will be together again and one day live in peace。The Last Green Valley is based on a true story， Mark Sullivan has written an epic novel， it's a testimony to the love Adeline and Emil had for each other and their children。 At such a horrific time， they showed incredible fortitude， persistence， faith， bravery， courage and it’s inspiring。 I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review， it was amazing and five stars from me。 https://karrenreadsbooks。blogspot。com/ 。。。more
Nan Williams
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