Great bookThis is a hope-filled book。 I was enthralled with it。 Glad that I read it。 Couldn’t put it down。 Excellent
Andy Plonka,
Another personal story about the refugees of World War II this time set in parts of Russia, Germany and, eventually, the United States。 The Martell family were strong people who really wanted a better life, but they got it only after years of struggle and hard work。
Jena Henry,
Are you ready to be inspired? The Last Green Valley takes place during World War II, but the story is less about the world-wide conflict and much more about a specific family and their challenges and beliefs。 You will live day to day with the Martel family as they strive with everything they have to escape Stalin and Hitler's evil worlds and head to the West。Emil Martel was a farmer in the Ukraine with his wife, Adeline。 They had two boys, and their extended families lived nearby。 Idyllic? Hardl Are you ready to be inspired? The Last Green Valley takes place during World War II, but the story is less about the world-wide conflict and much more about a specific family and their challenges and beliefs。 You will live day to day with the Martel family as they strive with everything they have to escape Stalin and Hitler's evil worlds and head to the West。Emil Martel was a farmer in the Ukraine with his wife, Adeline。 They had two boys, and their extended families lived nearby。 Idyllic? Hardly。 Their families had suffered during Stalin's rule and then Hitler and the War made their life dangerous and hopeless。 Emil had a singular goal- head West。 Adeline believed in God and she had a vision of them finally finding a beautiful green valley to live in forever。 They joined a caravan of thousands fleeing on foot or with carts to get Germany and then to the Allies。 Hunger, illness, tanks and armies battled against them。 Would Emil's determination be enough? Would Adeline's dream of a green valley one true? "The Last Green Valley" is beautifully written, so vivid and real。 I found it to be even better than "beneath the Scarlet Sky"。 I highly recommend it。 。。。more
Phyllis C Surface,
One starA nother book detailing communism and Hitler's reign, the suffering and tragedy involved and how some survived while others did not One starA nother book detailing communism and Hitler's reign, the suffering and tragedy involved and how some survived while others did not 。。。more
Rebecca,
Very good story。 Perhaps not quite as "un-put-downable" as Beneath a Scarlet Sky but still very good。 A lot of similar storylines that one reads in WWII books but from a slightly different perspective (ethnic Germans fleeing Ukraine under Nazi protection and then some being sent back to Russia by the Soviets after the war ended)。 Also being based mostly on true events made the story more compelling。 Very good story。 Perhaps not quite as "un-put-downable" as Beneath a Scarlet Sky but still very good。 A lot of similar storylines that one reads in WWII books but from a slightly different perspective (ethnic Germans fleeing Ukraine under Nazi protection and then some being sent back to Russia by the Soviets after the war ended)。 Also being based mostly on true events made the story more compelling。 。。。more
Lois M。 Livingstone,
Historical fiction at its best Disturbing historical fiction。 Story of a families’ remarkable perseverance and determination to improve their lives under dangerous and life threatening conditions during WWII and post war。
Jim,
A really great read that has a lot of true history behind it。 I need to thank the author for writing such a book to keep me engrossed。 I look forward to reading the next one。
Jaime,
I’m always amazed by human resilience。 The stories that come out of World War II are shocking and stunning and powerful。 We need these stories to infiltrate the masses so they see the evils of what a totalitarian government does to the human spirit。 May we never forget the blessing of freedom, and always continue to fight for it。
Bethany,
This amazing story explored a side of WWII that I know little about。 It did not seem like over 400 pages。 Such an amazing story, writing, and I guess now I need to go back and read Beneath a Scarlett Sky。
Kc,
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Almost as good as the Beneath a Scarlet Sky。 I think it would have been equal without the children characters。 They drove me bonkers!
Diana,
If I could have given 10 stars to Beneath a Scarlet Sky, this tome would still be a 4。 Only Adella is someone to route for。 I disliked the extended Martel family which made this a bit of a slog in comparison。
Ann,
Remarkable story, well written 。 Never realized about this part of WWII。 The starvation, the terror, the homelessness of the Russian people unleased by Stalin is overwhelming。If you want to see and feel how anxious some people are to be free, read this book!
Catherine Fay,
One of the best books I’ve ever read!
Suzanne,
4。3 - a bit long-winded at times, but a fascinating based-on-true-life tale
Betty,
This story is based on the true story of Emil and Adeline Martel and their two sons who live in Ukraine and must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves—murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans?They decide that they must do whatever they have to do to escape the horror of living under Stalin's rule in Ukraine。 Their best chance of reaching freedom is to follow a This story is based on the true story of Emil and Adeline Martel and their two sons who live in Ukraine and must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves—murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans?They decide that they must do whatever they have to do to escape the horror of living under Stalin's rule in Ukraine。 Their best chance of reaching freedom is to follow along with the Nazis as they trek to their location。 The journey is long and filled with many dangerous situations for the family。What will a person do to escape to freedom? Excellent historical fiction。 。 。 。 。。。more
Joann,
Wow!! What a wonderful book that I listened to on audible。 The author did an incredible job on researching this one and even went back to travel the route that Emil and Adeline and their sons had done so many years ago。 If you love stories about WW2 this is such a different take on it that I would urge you to give it a try。 It takes place near the end of the war but has so many twists and turns in it。 It starts with the German-born family living on a farm in Romania during one of the most combus Wow!! What a wonderful book that I listened to on audible。 The author did an incredible job on researching this one and even went back to travel the route that Emil and Adeline and their sons had done so many years ago。 If you love stories about WW2 this is such a different take on it that I would urge you to give it a try。 It takes place near the end of the war but has so many twists and turns in it。 It starts with the German-born family living on a farm in Romania during one of the most combustive times in human history。 This story centers around a couple you might have never heard from if it wasn't for the author。 These people have stories that need to be told and a marvelous and heart-retching one it is。 。。。more
Jack Vitelli,
Amazing story and so well written。 Until reading "Acknowledgements" I didn't realize how factual much of the story was。 Another amazing historical story by Sullivan。 Highly recommended for all young Americans pushing for socialism and then the resulting communism。 Amazing story and so well written。 Until reading "Acknowledgements" I didn't realize how factual much of the story was。 Another amazing historical story by Sullivan。 Highly recommended for all young Americans pushing for socialism and then the resulting communism。 。。。more
Bill Poser,
Spiritual Consciousness I appreciate the direct connection between the quality of thought and the actual experiences consequential to that thought。 The Spiritual connection running through all the characters is superbly presented。
Alex Chang,
A humbling book to read that's hard to put down at times, some hard-hitting scenes that made me feel grateful to not have been around that time and for the sacrifices that so many people made for their families and the future we all live in today。 A humbling book to read that's hard to put down at times, some hard-hitting scenes that made me feel grateful to not have been around that time and for the sacrifices that so many people made for their families and the future we all live in today。 。。。more
Chelsea Berg,
4。5/5
Lee,
Just as he did with Beneath a Scarlet Sky, Mark Sullivan knocked it out of the park writing The Last Green Valley。Follow Emil and Adeline Martel as they leave their beloved farm in Ukraine with hopes of finding freedom。 The years ahead bring are filled with adventures, risks, heartbreak, hope and love。Mark Sullivan is becoming one of my favorite authors。
Kristy Platt,
4。5, so good!
Wendy Rowe,
This was EXCELLENT。 I listened to the audiobook, and it took me a few chapters to get comfortable with the reader, but the writing was so descriptive and once used to the reader's voice he did an excellent job。 I would recommend this for a road trip with your spouse - excellent。 This was EXCELLENT。 I listened to the audiobook, and it took me a few chapters to get comfortable with the reader, but the writing was so descriptive and once used to the reader's voice he did an excellent job。 I would recommend this for a road trip with your spouse - excellent。 。。。more
Maureen Lamb,
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would do it! I first read Mark Sullivan as he told the story of Beneath a Scarlet Sky 。。。 courage in Italy during WW II。 His research is impeccable and filled with human compassion。 So I was anxious to read this, his next book。 Oh my, I simply could not put it down! Throughout the book, I did not realize that this also is a true story。 I thought it was a telling of the plight of the many who escaped Stalin toward the end of WW II。 But no, it is a real family If I could give this book 10 stars, I would do it! I first read Mark Sullivan as he told the story of Beneath a Scarlet Sky 。。。 courage in Italy during WW II。 His research is impeccable and filled with human compassion。 So I was anxious to read this, his next book。 Oh my, I simply could not put it down! Throughout the book, I did not realize that this also is a true story。 I thought it was a telling of the plight of the many who escaped Stalin toward the end of WW II。 But no, it is a real family, whom I came to identify with deeply。 It a story of sheer determination to live and endure what comes, so freedom can be reached。 。。。more
Sandy,
One of the best books I have read dealing with the suffrage of German civilians during WWII
Audreygold,
Incredible historical fiction about World War II based on a true story of the Martel family。 Their journey of survival is harrowing and heartbreaking。
Diana Westfall,
Excellent compelling story of courage and endurance by one family during WW II。 Based on true facts this books draws you in from the beginning and never lets go。
Pcox,
What a struggle and triumph。 Thought-provoking on how to adjust to the horrors without losing your spirit。 This author digs in。
Susan,
Once again Mark Sullivan has done it。 My favorite book in the past few years was Beneath the Scarlet Sky。 I was so excited to win his new book。 This book is about a family living in Ukraine under Stalin in 1944 and the struggle they lived through to escape in search of freedom。 Emil and Adeline and their boys are "pure blood" Germans and escape with the help of murderous Nazi officers。 This book had you going through all the hardships with the family but also you feel the love and devotion。 Once again Mark Sullivan has done it。 My favorite book in the past few years was Beneath the Scarlet Sky。 I was so excited to win his new book。 This book is about a family living in Ukraine under Stalin in 1944 and the struggle they lived through to escape in search of freedom。 Emil and Adeline and their boys are "pure blood" Germans and escape with the help of murderous Nazi officers。 This book had you going through all the hardships with the family but also you feel the love and devotion。 。。。more