Book Review: From Gluac to Freedom (Book 3 in the Volga Flows Forever Series)

I am reviewing this book for MediaGuests.



About the Book:

In my darkest hours, when worry and despair about the future of my family blankets my soul, I hear my father’s voice, giving me hope. On the day they dragged him to the gulag, he had looked at my mother with courage in his eyes, and said, “We are eternal; our faith, like the Volga, flows forever.”

The heroine of this powerful work, Katya, is a bright, energetic and resourceful Volga German girl, a worthy descendant of those first pioneers of the steppe we learned to know in the second volume. Katya is free to reveal, through her feminine creator, thoughts and circumstances often hidden to men. Sigrid artfully illuminates dress, colors, textures, foods and challenges as Katya embarks upon an adventurous escape from a gulag on the arctic tundra.

My Review:
This is the third book in the Volga Flows Forever Series and my favorite of the three. This is a truly emotional story of the Katya and the persecution her family endures under Russians. First under the czar and the under Stalin and the Communist regime. I felt like I was there with Katya the entire time.This is my favorite story of the trilogy. Sigrid Weidenwber did a wonderful job of telling the story of her life and Russia in a beautiful, heartfelt, and entertaining way. I recommend these books to anyone who enjoys history or loves a good story. Here are the links to my reviews of book one and two.

About the Author
Born in Germany in 1941, Sigrid Weidenwber remembers the horrific aftermath of fascism. At the end of the war, she found herself living under communism. After the Berlin Wall was built, she managed to escape the repressive environment with the help of friends and a French passport. To this day she does not speak French.
She holds degrees in medical technology, psychology and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Concordia University of Portland, Oregon for her trilogy “The Volga Flows Forever.” In her trilogy she brings to life Catherine the Great in her multiple roles as monarch, woman, lover, mother, grandmother and head of the general staff of the army, in Volume one. The following two historical volumes deal with the Volga Germans brought to Russia by Catherine’s edict.
Three years ago she moved to Santa Rosa Valley, California from Portland Oregon. She has passionately embraced California together with her family that also resides here.



Book Review: Catherine: Inisde the Heart and Mind of a Great Monach (The Volga Flows Forever Series Book 1)

 I am reviewing this book for Media Quest.net

About the Book:
 
  Catherine: Inside the Heart and Mind of a Great Monarch…


“You look astonishingly pretty,” admits Johanna when Sophia steps out of her bedroom dressed in Ulrika’s magnificent gown. Sophia is stunned, halting in mid-step. This is rare praise from her cold mother, so she must, indeed, look very good. At Frederick’s side during the elaborate court dinner, Sophia shines and sparkles with youth and wit. The monarch is very pleased with his choice. Indeed, he is so enamored with the girl that he opens his purse to outfit mother and daughter, both woefully deficient in material matters appropriate for court life.
So begins the transformation of Princess Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst into Catherine the Great of Russia. The personal and professional triumphs and tribulations of this remarkable woman are retold by Sigrid Weidenweber, whose research into the life of Catherine reveals a new perspective on Catherine, from the inside out. Sigrid portrays with heartfeld understanding what it was like to have been such a major European political and military, social and cultural figure during the eighteenth century.

About the Book: 
  I have to admit. I was very intimidated when I saw how many pages this book was. On my Nook it showed over 800 pages. However once I got started reading the book, I couldn't put t down. . The author did a wonderful job making me feel like I was a part of the story. I am a history buff and have always wanted to know more about Catherine certainly satisfied my curiosity. You can tell that Sigrid took a lot of time and thoroughly research for her book. I also like how different stories were woven together to give us a complete look at Catherine's life wrapped in adventure and mystery.
I look forward to reading book two in the Volga Flows forever series. I give this book five stars out of 5! (I love this book!)

About the Author

About Sigrid Weidenweber: Born in Germany in 1941, Sigrid Weidenwber remembers the horrific aftermath of fascism. At the end of the war, she found herself living under communism. After the Berlin Wall was built, she managed to escape the repressive environment with the help of friends and a French passport. To this day she does not speak French.

She holds degrees in medical technology, psychology and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Concordia University of Portland, Oregon for her trilogy “The Volga Flows Forever.” In her trilogy she brings to life Catherine the Great in her multiple roles as monarch, woman, lover, mother, grandmother and head of the general staff of the army, in Volume one. The following two historical volumes deal with the Volga Germans brought to Russia by Catherine’s edict.

Three years ago she moved to Santa Rosa Valley, California from Portland Oregon. She has passionately embraced California together with her family that also resides here. Visit her website here.