By Mary Doria Russell

WOW!  I love historical fiction, and this book delivers.  Agnes Shanklin, the naïve and constrained narrator, takes the reader from the early 1900’s, through the great influenza epidemic, World War I and across the sea to the Middle East, and finally home to Ohio, emerging as a strong and courageous woman.  I was amazed at what I learned about historic events and people through her fictional account.   Her vivid characterization and portrayal of human relationships, her lovely writing style, her factual understanding of the people and events, and her warm and funny wit—all these combine to make this THE BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN QUITE SOME TIME. 

                                                     Reviewed by Gayle Wingerter