Description
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 and makes her way to Fresno, California, where she reconnects with a Volga German community that had immigrated decades earlier. From Gulag to Freedom is the third volume in Sigrid Weidenweber’s trilogy “The Volga Flows Forever.” Catherine, the first volume, brings to life the fascinating historical character of Catherine the Great who invited her native countrymen to settle the Russian frontier. The Volga Germans, the second volume, continues the story of the German immigrants and their descendants who civilized the bleak Russian frontier of the lower Volga River Valley. They survived an unpredictable and often harsh climate and the vagaries of tsarist edicts to build a culture that was uniquely their own.
Edition: First edition
Publish date: November 2, 2009
Print length: 425 pages (hardcover)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934961035
ISBN-13: 978-1934961032
Weight: 1.45 pounds
cab –
Life Changing
These three books have been one of the most profound, life-altering books that I have read. It gave me a better appreciation of the (but sometimes too complacent) freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. But more than that, the storyline demonstrated the extreme importance of a strong faith, united family, knowledge of heritage, a bonding community, and determined work ethics.
I laughed, cried and felt a part of what happened to these strong people. I feared for them and rejoiced in their accomplishment of just to make it through devastating situations. My sorrow for their losses and understanding of how strong faith principles saw them through dealing not only with nature’s elements, but holding up against a people whose political convictions really were not preservation of human life; people were expendable for the cause.
Sigrid Weidenweber is an excellent writer–thank goodness there is a dictionary attached to the kindle program. I just wish I could remember them to use them in the future. Sigrid weaves a picture with smooth inferences into details of the characters daily lives. Her own life experiences and education shine through every chapter.
This book makes me want to embrace my faith and family tighter and to hold them closer to my heart. It’s a shame that many families are emotionally split, live far apart, or don’t know what their ancestors suffered for us. It’s also a realization that at our media, money grubbing culture has permeated the very backbone of survival for future generations.
Jareen –
Volga Germans and the Russian-genocide program instituted by Stalin against them
Historical novel about the Volga Germans and the abuses and genocide that they experienced once the Czars were killed or ousted and the new Russian Leaders, mainly Stalin embraced communism and forced the Volga Germans to give up all the efforts of their hard work over several generations. Stalin outlawed the Volga Germans to practice their religions, he confiscated all churches and German schools, took their farm animals, their grain, their very homes, everything of value in their homes, forcibly discouraged anyone to speak in German, forced the young men to be on the front lines in Russian wars ensuring their deaths. Then sent all the left over men, women, children, and even the elders into concentration/ work camps in Siberia without adequate food, shelter, and medical care thereby ensuring that they would die, which about 50% did. This is the genocide that very few historians ever write/ talk about. To this day ethnic Germans in Russia experience prejudices and being sublimated to a lower-class status in the country. All this due to their extreme hard work and success colonizing the Russian steepes/ Volga area which the Czars orchestrated during the 18th and 19th century by offering land, the promise to practice their own religion and have their own schools and exception from military services for their young men. All that was promised in order to get the Germans (and Hungarians, and Jews, and Polish, and ….) to leave their country and come to help colonized new lands in Russia. Over the years 1915 – 1948 things became more and more stressful and disturbing for the Volga Germans in Russia. This novels follows one family and particular characters within the family to their eventual successes in exiting this living nightmare.
Malcolm –
The third in a good historical series
The third in the series running through a family’s time in a changing Russia. I found this novel written more with a view to a future screen play than an historical view into the life and times of the Volga People of Germanic descent. Parts of the tale are just a little implausible, more an adventure novel. This is not the same genre as books I and II.
A very good adventure read which I believe nevertheless portrays the horror of Stalin’s Gulag System.
Her Majesty only ascended the throne in 1952 on the death of her father, King George VI, and was crowned in 1953. The Royal Navy during World War II was HIS Majesty’s so the destroyer was His Majesty’s Ship not Her Majesty’s. I am surprised that the editors missed that.
Fredericka Schmadel –
Family and faith versus challenging terrain and the flow of historical events in Russian-held lands
The book is a suspenseful, fact-based tale of heroism and pioneering by Germans who migrated east to Russian-held lands, rather than west, to the Americas, in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a reminder of the power of human determination and the value of faith and family. The horrors of the Russian Revolution, after which all the successful farmers, the land owners, called kulaks or parasites, were killed or force-marched to Siberia, has disappeared from the history American children study. This book fills in that gap with the stories of individual people and their struggles. I recommend it to everyone. It is written in a storytelling style, not as a compendium of facts or, worse, historical or political theory. It is also an excellent introduction for any researcher who is new to the subject matter
cindy –
How terrible these people were treated and yet they persevered
Most inspiring book I have read on the Germans from Russia. How terrible these people were treated and yet they persevered! It is no wonder my grandparents never spoke of the “Old Country” let alone the Bolsheviks. A great incite into the lives they led before coming to the U.S. to become citizens and living in a true “free world.”
Laura L. Davis –
Moving, Unforgettable Saga
Lovers of history, rejoice. Third in the trilogy “The Volga Flows Forever” continues the stirring generational family journey of German Lutheran farmers who emigrated at the invitation of Catherine the Great to settle on the banks of the Volga.
Beginning in the mid-18th century they streamed into the wilds of the central Asian steppes to escape dire poverty and war. From barren grassland they began with nothing, and over many decades their virtue and sheer determination brought forth prospering farms, towns and cottage industries.
Once you meet the first generation of settlers you won’t be able to stop. Their nobility of spirit grabbed my heart. I had to follow their suffering, and their successes. From Gulag to Freedom is harrowing and uplifting.
Mare –
Interesting
This is a very interesting and well written book. I think everyone in the free world needs to sit up and take notice. I have always been fascinated by Russia and its people.
Part of my heritage is German, so when I began the series it was that fact that peeked my interest. Until I read the first volume I had no idea about Catherine the Great or the Volga Germans, but was so interested in that that I felt compelled to read the next two books.
Naomi Alice –
Riveting read
This is an exciting, detailed account of the horrors of Soviet competition and an escape from it. I could not put it down. It is a novel based on first person accounts and detailed research. Really packs a punch.
Kindle Customer –
An Important Story
My maternal ancestors were Russian-born Germans from the Volga. They settled in Nebraska in the late 1800s. They entered the United States at Ellis Island. They worked hard and forged a new life in the United States.
Outside of my family, I hadn’t heard about this group… and how those who remained in Russia suffered. The author is an excellent, vivid storyteller. As one who came to America from a Communist country, she poignantly describes the faith and strength of the heroine and her people.
I highly recommend this book and series. I believe many need to be reminded of how awful Socialism and Communism are, and how others have persevered and fought so we can be free.
karan becker –
exceptional
while not fond of novels, I found this author amazing at combining facts with a spellbinding story.